Presumably Bruce did not start Huddlestone and Livermore today because they had virtually no time to train and familiarize themselves with the other players. Based on the second half performance relative to the problems in the first 25 minutes they will probably start against Norwich, with two up front. i'd expect McGregor Chester Davies Figueroa Elmo Livermore Huddlestone Brady Boyd Sagbo Aluko Harper Rosenior McShane Dudgeon Meyler Koren Proschwitz (changes Dudgeon for Bruce, Proschwitz for Graham).
Sorry but Meyler and Koren were just not premiership class today, and I'm surprised Bruce went down the sentimentality route with them. Going forward, we should not risk both of these within the same line-up again. I thought Sagbo looked a great prospect given the few breadcrumb chances he was given today. Aluko still looks to be getting back to full fitness but he should definitely start.
-------------McG Elmo Davies Chester Fig --Livermore Hudd Brady ---Sagbo--------Aluko ----------Graham Livermore protects, Hudd holds, Brady probes.
McGregor Rosenior - Chester - Davies - Figueroa Elmo - Thudd - Livermore - Brady Aluko Sagbo 3 points.
In the first half, it looked like Barcelona vs. North Ferriby. I lost count the number of times that our attempt to pass the ball out ended with Koren giving the ball back to Chelsea. Koren was at fault for their first goal too... Just let Oscar breeze past him. Meyler just looks too clumsy and will either take us down to 10 men, or give away too many free-kicks near our area. In fact, I think if Bruce brings one more in, it will be another midfielder rather than an striker, and judging by today that is exactly what we need as backup for Thud and Livermore.
Sagbo looked solid, didnt think much of Graham, but difficult against a decent Chelsea side. Thudd and Livermore were the difference in the 2nd half, they must start. For me, Brady was wasted in midfield and came to light when playing in a wider position. Aluko didnt do much, IMO, Worked harder then I remember (tracking back etc) then anytime I saw him last season, but I dont think playing wide in a 3 man front line suits him. For me, I would go with; McGregor Elmo Chester Davies Figgy Thudd Livermore Koren Boyd Sagbo Brady However, I expect to Aluko to play ahead of Boyd.
Sagbo was a beast leading the line, much stronger and more composed than Graham (when we need someone to hold it up).
Less about dropping Graham than adding Huddlestone and Livermore means that you have to drop 2 players. I would want Sagbo to hold up and distribute it to Brady and Aluko. Sagbo looks strong.
I think we saw today that SB wants to keep us passing, there was very little long ball (apart from relieving the pressure) so although Sagbo was effective at being a target man I don't see SB wanting to play that way. Hudd and Livermore deep, Brady, Aluko and Sagbo behind Graham who is a great finisher if given service. 4-2-3-1 suits our players and the style of play SB is wanting to instill.
Drop Graham, am I seeing right? Sure Sagbo looked good, but how can we find out if Graham would get service from Livermore/Huddlestone if they weren't even on the pitch at the same time?! Sorry, but to drop Graham, who might I add was playing virtually on his own upfront against two of the best Centre back's in the league would just be lunacy. McGregor Figeroua Chester Davies Elmo Brady Huddlestone Livermore Aluko Graham Sagbo Bench: Harper, McShane, Koren, Meyler, Quinn?, Fryatt, Big Nick.
------------McGregor --Rosenior, Chester, Davies, Fig Elmo, Huddlestone, Livermore, Brady -----------Sagbo, Aluko I don't know if Meyler is quite good enough and Koren is a player better suited to coming off the bench these days. Elmo is wasted at right back, we need him bombing down the wing so he can supply the forwards. Graham would have had a much better game if Brady and Elmo had been wingers all game today. Having said that i really like the look of Sagbo up front and i reckon him and Aluko will form a really good partnership. Graham could be an excellent impact player but he looked a little bit too slow today, didn't help that his service was poor but he seemed a bit off.
