Nobody knows which strip we'll turn out in - the home and away colours clash with Sunderland's red and white stripes/black shorts and no announcement has been made about the 3rd kit. Just as uncertain is Jol's team selection. In his in-house interview yesterday he indicated that Amorebieta was not fit/injured and would be unavailable. He also had a groan about the mid week Internationals, especially picking out Bryan’s involvement and adding that he (Bryan) need to “pick up his game”. After the Parma game he said about Tarby, “he hasn’t been included in a QPR team and we have to get him fit. To be 100% (fit) it would maybe take three or four weeks, but I think we need him before that”. So he’s in the will he, won’t he camp. If he has signed before the noon deadline, very unlikely Bent will be fit enough to be even considered. As always when Jol talks someone up in his post match interview, you can pretty much guarantee that they will play. Richardson and Sidwell are therefore certs. Positive as well that Kaca appears to be available. The quandries then are; Hughes or Senderos to partner Hangeland? (both had good mid week International games by all accounts); Boateng (who he said wasn’t yet match fit) or Kara to partner Sidwell; Bryan or Tarby at all? In the interview he made the point that Sunderland will “come at us in the first 20 minutes” and I think that’s the real indicator of how he’ll line the team up - ………….Stekelenburg……… ..Riether…Hughes..Hangeland…Richardson.. …………..Boateng…Sidwell… …Duff………Taarabt/Ruiz……Dejagah… ……………..Berbatov……. With Kara, Kasami and Kaca waiting in the wings.
I suspect he'll take Senderos ahead of Hughes if Amorebieta is out, other than that I agree with your back 7. I suspect that Kaca will come in as well, if he's fit, though I'm not sure whether Duff or Dejagah will be the one to miss out if that's the case. If Taarabt isn't match fit, I think Jol will start with Ruiz and look to bring Taarabt off the bench later.
Good points C58. I think Hughes will start ahead of Senderos. The back 4 looks solid. Midfield okay, we'll definitely be defensive for the first 20 mins as per Jol's comment. Duffer and Dejagah on the wings for sure. I am envisioning a couple lightning breaks from Reither, linking with Dejagah and Berba knocking a couple volleys in the top the corner!
The referee today is Mr Swarbrick. His first premiership game was when we played Sunderland at home back in 2010 (it ended goalless). Since then we've seen him periodically and without any real ssues, although Berba did have to have a word at the home game against Everton last season: please log in to view this image
that's about right, ruix will start cant see bent or adel coming on, maybe bent if we need to get a goal with ten to go
Sounds like Taarabt will make his debut, alongside Stekelenburg and Boateng. My initial guess is that Sidwell partners Boateng and Taarabt takes Kaca's spot on the left.
It will be interesting to see the formation. You'd think a 4-3-2-1, with Kasami/Boateng/Sidwell in the middle and Duff and Taarabt behind Berba. Of course, it could be 4-4-2 with Kasami and Duff on the wings but I think that would be foolish.
Since it's always going to happen, I'd rather it happened now. Should encourage Jol to go out and find a new LB.
Agree and disagree. I think Grimmer can cover for Riether and I am not sure bringing in a journeyman to play ahead of Grimmer helps us at all. New left back though, for sure. I doubt we have the budget for Cresswell though, sadly.
