Lloris,
Smith, Dawson (C), Caulker, Naughton
Livermore, Hudd
Lennon, Sig, Townsend
Ade
Subs: Carlo, Verts, Pritchard (really wanna see this kid given a chance, impressed me big time in the Barca next-gen game), Carroll, Falque, Mason, Defoe.
I'd give Sandro a complete rest, now Parker's out 'til Christmas, I want the risk of Sandro picking up any form of injury very minimul, thus meaning he doesn't feature at all in the Europa or domestic cups. Dempsey's done a lot of travelling so keeping him at home will be for the best I think.
IF we had another CB in our ranks, I'd leave Jan out too, like Sandro he's ran his heart out and needs a break.
You have left him out? You have him as sub, surely Gallas could do the sub job?
Lloris; Smith/Naughton Dawson (capt) Caulker JV; Sandro Hudd Lennon Bale JD Ade
Subs Cudicini Smith/Naughton BAE/Gallas Siggy Livermore Mason Pritchard/Falque/Carroll
I'd save Dempsey and Dembele for Soton, hoping Dembele is fit by then.
Playing 442 away with Huddlestone in midfield? Not for me. Benny should be fit to start so I'd put him straight back in and give Caulker and Vertonghen a game in the middle together. Taking Bale away from his wife and new born baby for 1/2 nights seems a bit cruel to me. Some men might be grateful of a quiet night's sleep() but Bale comes across as very much a family man. If Townsend's going to benefit from being in the squad he needs to get some starts too. It's a shame we messed up against Panathaniakos because it'd be good if we were able to give Falque or Pritchard a chance playing behind the striker as Sigurdsson's struggled and Dempsey isn't quite there either.
Not looking forward to the game, we need to win it but it's an unecessary distraction before another important league game.
Fair enough YV, but I think Sandro and Hudd can do the job there, but we'll see there. Maybe Siggy in the team, and I just realised I missed out on Townsend.
I completely disagree with you about the game being a distraction though, and I'm looking forward to it as I'm backing AVB's desire to win this tournament. To me this game is as important as Southampton. Both are pretty much 'must wins'.
In light of other people's comments I now go
Lloris; Smith/Naughton Dawson (capt) Caulker JV; Sandro Hudd Lennon Bale JD Ade
Subs Cudicini Smith/Naughton BAE/Gallas Siggy Livermore Townsend Mason/ Pritchard/Falque/Carroll
Maybe Siggy in for JD, Townsend in for Bale.
In light of other people's comments I now go
Lloris; Smith/Naughton Dawson (capt) Caulker JV; Sandro Hudd Lennon Bale JD Ade
Subs Cudicini Smith/Naughton BAE/Gallas Siggy Livermore Townsend Mason/ Pritchard/Falque/Carroll
Maybe Siggy in for JD, Townsend in for Bale.
Lloris
Smith Dawson Caulker Naughton
Sandro Huddlestone
Townsend Sigurdsson Bale
Ade
Subs: Gomes, Vertonghen, Sandro, Bale, Defoe, Livermore, Carroll
?Is that Gareth in the team and Mrs Bale on the subs bench?
Isn't that the same players as you've got in your OP?
I'd like to see an strong side with a mix of experience and a couple of youngsters included.
Lloris
Walker, dawson, caulker, naughton
Lennon,Livermore,thud,Townsend
Gylfi
Ade
Subs
Carlo, verts,carrol,JD,smith,dempsey,Falque
Walker needs a low key game to try and regain his confidence.
Sandro has played every game and although he might not have played much for brazil, the travelling is knackering and we need him fresh & fit for the weekend.
Townsend deserves a chance, hopefully AVB will play him on the left!
Daws again deserves a run out and I'd use this game to get him match fit for the weekend-dropping gallas.
Again, Ade deserves his chance.
I'd leave bale at home with his new born.
But that's only my opinions and the side I'd give a run out.
COYS
I'd like to see an strong side with a mix of experience and a couple of youngsters included.
Lloris
Walker, dawson, caulker, naughton
Lennon,Livermore,thud,Townsend
Gylfi
Ade
Subs
Carlo, verts,carrol,JD,smith,dempsey,Falque
Walker needs a low key game to try and regain his confidence.
Sandro has played every game and although he might not have played much for brazil, the travelling is knackering and we need him fresh & fit for the weekend.
Townsend deserves a chance, hopefully AVB will play him on the left!
Daws again deserves a run out and I'd use this game to get him match fit for the weekend-dropping gallas.
Again, Ade deserves his chance.
I'd leave bale at home with his new born.
But that's only my opinions and the side I'd give a run out.
COYS