What would be your starting 11 for the first game? I would put one myself but I honestly have no idea who I'd play and where.
McG Odubodge RB Robbo LB Harry & Davies CB Snodge RW Clucas LW Meyler & Livermore CM Akpom & Abel H up top Bench Jak Daws Hudds Diomande Hayden Bruce Aluko
Maguire's defensive frailties were shown with a vengeance yesterday, so Dawson and Davies is a must centre half pairing. McGregor, Odjubajo, Robertson, Livermore, Snodgrass and Hernandez are all certainties. The other 3 are a bit more uncertain. I'd play Meyler if fit, but that seems unlikely, so we are left with Huddlestone, Diame, Akpom, Hayden, Clucas and Elmo to fill the three remaining spots. Personally, I'd have Clucas, Huddlestone & Akpom, but you could make a case for any of the others! Sorry, I forgot Diomande - but then he's better left forgotten!
Jak Lenihan Maguire Bruce Tymon Elmo Meyler Hayden Maloney Akpom Aluko Gotta rest the first choice for the final.
Experts on here only name a team after the game not before. Anyway. It picks it's self. Mcgregor Odubajo Dawson Davies Robertson Elmo Jake meyler Snodgrass Diame Hernandez I'd put Hayden in if Meylers not fit. derby will relish passing around hudd. You could even put meyler left mid and put Snodgrass back to rm and drop Elmo. As robbo is going to need help with ince and Snodgrass has been a bit lacking defensively.
Greggs Dave Dawson Davies Robertson Elmo Thudd Hayden snodders Diame Hernandez I think the back 5 picks itself, my cm pairing I don't think will happen. It's a close call between Thudd and Jake because they have both been as bad as each other and Bruce just won't pick Hayden. Diame's in last chance saloon hopefully he's saved his best for now.
With Dawson back and Meyler doubtful I'd go with... Mcgregor Odubajo Dawson Davies Roberton Snodgrass Livermore Diame Clucas Akpom Hernandez Hopefully Diame will remember that he's allowed to pass the ball.
Maguire won't play but the 'defensive frailties of Maguire' obsession continues from Waggy... I'd go with Dave Daws Davies Robbo Snodger Livermore Huddlestone Diame Akpom Hernandez Diame won't like left-wing but thats tough titty, he can leave if he wants to at the end of the season. Clucas is too far out of form to start for me. Aluko on for Diame if he is not doing the business in that position. I don't have worries about playing Livermore and Hudds together for these games as Livermore is getting lots of rest at the moment and will be fully charged and you can't possibly leave Huddlestone out as it stands
Any chance you think Akpom might be like Popeye after eating spinach in three big matches with Wenger watching? A Wembley occasion might be his thing. Clutching at straws.
What i would like to see.... i have a hunch Sone will shine and its about time he did. McGregor Odubajo Davies Dawson Robertson Elmo Livermore Hayden/Meyler Aluko Snodgrass Hernandez what we will probably see.... McGregor Odubajo Davies Dawson Robertson Snodgrass Huddlestone Livermore Clucas Diame Hernandez
I think he's already gone into that mode and maybe a few others will be similar looking for moves and a payday (Diame Huddlestone)
I'd go McGregor Odubajo Dawson Davies Robertson Elmo Huddlestone Hayden Snodgrass Akpom Hernandez (Wouldn't be surprised to see us go with one striker away though and five across midfield as either 4-5-1 or 3-5-2/5-3-2. Bruce said he only scrapped 3-5-2 for most of this season because teams keep playing one striker against us so the formation doesn't work).
McGregor Odubajo Dawson Davies Robertson Livermore Meyler (Hayden) Snodgrass Huddlestone Clucas Hernandez ----- Huddlestone plays here as a bargain basement Pirlo. He's told to stay forward and so this UEFA TV badge coach has put two in front of the back four.
