Elmander could be replaced by Van Wolfswinkel toward the end of the game, Hooper hardly played on Tuesday so hopefully can play the whole match. Becchio is unpopular but is still an option for Saturday, but Tettey is a real blow. There is still a slim chance Snodgrass might be able to play, for at least some of the match, on Saturday, yes? I think he would really like to and if Hughton wants to involve Murphy I would rather it was as a sub.
Oh to have a midfielder to sit alongside fer who can retain the ball, take decent corners, smart in possession allowing howson to be more involved in the game just off a striker... And if only that man had a short snappy surname so it was easy to remember the kind of name that rhymes with box.
I can remember a guy with a similar name, but he certainly didn't do any of those things against Luton or Milton Keynes...
Fox can't tackle. He's a lot smaller than Tettey and not the same type of player; he is like Howson, only not as good. The harsh reality is if he was good enough to play in the premier league, another team would have tried to rescue him from us.
Transfer market say that Elmanders second positions are secondary striker or right wing. Maybe he could do a job if Snoddy doesn't make it for Saturday, and would probably not be expected!
I remember reading somewhere before we signed him that Whittaker can apparently play in the midfield.
Pretty sure it will be olsson wide left with garrido left back unfortunately. Maybe even wes wide left but reckon hughton realises thats not his position by now. Or perhaps johnson wide left if we're going ultra defensive with murphy as the surprise package to come off the bench
I thought there was a four day rule that has to be observed if you suffer concision ? I remember hearing about it after we laid Flamini out ? So I wouldn't think Snoddy will be in contention.
Man City might not play Jesus Navas, but even I think even James Milner (Pellegrini probably thinks as Norwich as a joke, so will play Milner?) would get the run around on Javi. It's strange that Bunn, Garrido, Wes and Johnson who have been so good for us in the past are now all of a sudden not playing at all.
How about Ruddy Martin - Bassong - Turner Whitaker --------------------- Olsson Fer - Howson Elmander - Hooper - Pilkington
5 at the back would really limit our possession but if Whittaker had to play I would feel safer if there were players behind him (it's usually just the other team's players) and that lets him get forward a bit more as a wing-back which he likes to do. I can't see us doing it because we haven't really done 5 at the back before but it could work, as long as there is cover for all the positions on the pitch.
Its a formation thats working very well for Liverpool, I've been thinking for a while that we could play with 3 at the back and 2 wing backs as we have players who would be really good as wing backs. I think both Olsson and Whits would be excellent at it. when going forward its not 5 at the back its 3 and when defending. Worth a try i think given our injury issues. wouldn't have a Striker on the bench is my only problem (well Becchio, be what are the odds that he gets a game?).
That sounds about right. A nasty ACL injury like his would normally be nine months out, but his is obviously a bit worse so they're saying 11, right?
How about... Ruddy Martin Bassong Turner Olsson Whittaker Howson Fer Pilkington Van Wolfswinkel Hooper Whittaker playing the DM role.
bad news re Tettey Norwich City's 27-year-old midfielder Alex Tettey is facing two months out because of injury, according to manager Chris Hughton. Tettey has started five Premier League games this season, but Hughton says: "He has had an operation on an area just above his ankle which will keep him out for perhaps a couple of months."
