Sharp won't be in tomorrows squad. He wouldn't have trained or be prepared so think he'll be in the squad for Birmingham. It's just common sense. However we do need him!
We're always moaning about being allowed only 5 on the bench, but I think at the moment it's more of an issue that we're only allowed 11 in the team.
We need Chaplow back at 100% so badly. It's no coincidence that our downturn started soon after his injury. Richard Chaplow is a ****ing MACHINE!
Sky says Fonte and Chaplow fit...doesn't mean they will be in team though. You would think he would play both against Cardiff if fit, but remember the Birmingham match at weekend. Wouldn't want to take slightest start of a further set back. Remember Chaplow was thought to be back once before. Looking at training shots..can see Lee's translator in background (for Tad not Barney)...although well paid, must be fed up with standing in cold for occasional translations. Perhaps Nigel should be issued with flash cards for all his favourite expressions!
Teams recently have realised the key to stopping us is playing a high line and pressing us high up the pitch. This makes it very difficult for us to play the flowing football through the middle that was so successful at the start of the season. To counteract this I would like to see us inject pace and natural width in to the team. I would start with the following: Kelv Richardson Fonte(if fit as reported) Martin Fox De Ridder Schneiderlin Cork Puncheon Lambert Lee With Lee running in behind off the shoulder of the last man, Puncheon and Steve De Ridder giving us an out on the wings and Schneiderlin spraying the passes diagonally, through the channels and in behind their back 4. The key is getting their back 4 running towards their own goal from the off. This will prevent them from playing a higher line and will EITHER create a gap between their 2 banks of 4 and allow players like Guly to come on and utilise that space OR they'll start to sit deeper as a team and it will allow Fox and Richardson to play higher up the pitch, and whip those dangerous balls in to the box (no pun intended).
For me: Davis Richardson Fonte Martin Fox Chaplow Schneiderlin Cork Lallana Lambert Guly Subs Bart Harding Hammond Puncheon Lee This is asumming Fonte, Chaplow and Lallana are fit
I was just about to mention that - sounds promising as it is now more likely Fonte will be at least in the squad tonight
He was knackered after the Millwall game so don't think he will feature considering Chaplow has now returned
Yes, Puncheon admitted himself he was exhausted after Millwall game. It's not only lack of match fitness...I bet he tried very hard which is mentally as well as physically tiring.
Both sides will be up for this game and I can see goals going in at both ends. Not convinced by our current centre back situation with players returning from injury lacking match fitness (Fonte) but with RL and hopefully Lallana back, we've got some goal threat. Hoping for a win but I think this will end 2-2 allowing us to stay in 2nd place until Saturday when Sharp will be available COYS
Has everyone forgotten about Falque? You don't loan someone from Tottenham and play him for one game!
I agree with this statement but my team would be Davis Frazier Fonte Martin Fox Guly Hammond Cork Falque Lambert Connolly Subs: Bart Harding Morgan De Ridder/Pucheon Lee/Sharp I think Pucheon, de ridder and Lee will be on the bench for tonights game and will be introduced to inject some pace. I am also assuming that Lallana and chaplow aren't fit. Guly and Falque will cut in allowing more room for Frazier and Fox to bomb forward. Need to get back to how we were playing at the start of the season with maybe being more direct.
Big big game for everyone Really excited about this one. Great to have the selection choices we have.
