See my post above though, we don't know if they're fit. Not every injury requires a gradual re-introduction. It depends on all sorts. The management team will know but we don't. I'm happy either way. Wish I was going too and I like that song Agreed but I feel like that about most of our team. Harper is an able deputy for McGregor, Rosenior is dependable when Elmo doesn't play, we've got loads of good CBs. Quinn when fit can put in a shift and then people like Boyd, Gedo and Graham all offer us something. Still got Aluko to come back too. I'm really happy with our squad at the moment. We maybe don't have the players to go all out with wingers and everything but for the 3-5-2 I think we've got a great squad.
It was good to see Elmo get passed Flanagan on the wing in the 2nd half by using his left foot to knock the ball past him, which got him closer to the bi-line to get his cross in.
I'm happy we have a squad that can make a good fist of survival, but long term I think SB will be looking to replace a lot of the current players with more technically capable Premiership quality. There's a contrast between the amount of comfort Huddlestone and Livermore have on the ball to some of our other players, and you get the impression opposition teams know they only have to press to induce panicky passes or just hopeful punts upfield. When we have a good base of players with the technical confidence to keep possession for long periods the team as a whole will come under less pressure.
McGregor Rosey Chezzy Bruce Figueroa Elmo Livermore Thudd Meyler Brady Sagbo for me. We need to stop their midfield playing and pack that area and try to hit them on the break. Gedo for Meyler should we need a goal.
Completely agree other than Faye for Chezzy to cope with Giroud. Save Chezzy for Swansea. Key to stopping Arsenal is shutting down Ozil and Wilshere and staying tight on Ramsey. Gedo or Boyd in after 70 if its still close and we have a shot at one or three points.
I'd only go with Chezzy if he's definitely ready, on the basis that he's clever and a good reader of the game, which could help against a fast-moving Arsenal midfield and attack. If there's any doubt over Chester I'd happily see Faye come in too.
Assuming Chester is fit to play. McGregor Rosenior Chester Bruce Figueroa Elmo Livermore Meyler Huddlestone Brady Sagbo
If Chester is considered fit to start... ------------ McGregor -------------- Rosenior - Chester - Bruce - Figueroa Elmo - Livermore - Huddlestone - Brady ------------- Meyler ---------------- ------------- Sagbo ---------------- After the amount of energy they used yesterday, Sagbo/Meyler/Elmo to be replaced by Gedo/Boyd/Koren in the second half.
------------ McGregor -------------- Rosenior - Faye - Bruce - Figueroa Elmo - Livermore - Huddlestone - Meyler - Brady ------------- Sagbo ----------------
Whatever team plays I want to see both Meyler and Livermore on the pitch together. We have a much more attacking midfield with those two and they offer great energy to close down ozil/ramsey/wilshire
Korens a shadow of the player he was two years ago. He's lost something mentally. He's got no confidence and just seems terrified someone might bump him every time there's a ball coming to him with even a hint of pressure from a defender. Also his long shots mask his lack of technique in other areas. People say Graham is a donkey but look at his cushioned layoff to Meyler which led to Elmo's chance in injury time, Koren tried the sane thing early on and just knocked it off the pitch. He also should have set Meyler up before the Livermore goal when he had it in the area, back to goal and completely buggered a simple pass so we lost the ball. He's always doing this. First half on Sunday he was piss poor and he had games like that at the back end of last season too. He plays like a little boy now. Boyd on the other hand can stand up for himself on the ball ans create openings with his strength on the ball. His shooting is also excellent.
We must have been watching different games. I thought he gave one of his best performances on Sunday, an example of which being tracking back and making a brilliant last ditch tackle conceding a corner. Liverpool were through on goal if it wasn't for him. I agree he has been massively off the boil of late, but I thought Sunday was indeed one of his better games.
It's Saint Barbara's day. Failing that, there is a need to fit in a number of midweek games during the season and there are no European games this week.
Think we are watching different players PLT..Boyd doesn't just back out of 50/50 .. He backs out of 60/40 in his favour!. And as for shooting that's one area Koren wins hands down ..
It was the 33rd minute before he did anything right. Before that literally every time he was involved in possession he lost it. Bruce was going mad at him every time. He got better towards the end of the half after that but he was still our weakest link.
Koren can hit the odd long shot but that's it, even they are few and far between now because he can't get into those positions any more. Some players obviously cope with age fine but Koren isn't one of them. He's nowhere near the asset he was in 2011/12.
