A player coming off the bench always seems to feel he has more to prove, is hungrier and so I think Long should come off the bench to replace Matty. Graham should be at home Knitting. I hate to say this but i think both our recent aquisitions will turn out to be duds or at least no better than what we have. I sincerely hope I'm wrong But i think on Fryatts form he should start. If only to gee up those on the bench.
At Palace, we should start Jelavic and Long, and bring on Fryatt. Give Sagbo a rest for once. Graham should just be locked out of the stadium. I tried to defend him over and over, but he has left me with no choice.
I think OLM posted a thing with our players return dates. Pretty sure aluko was middle of February maybe it was late February. Either way I am pretty sure it is next month.
Agree with Macca. Defended Graham and said that the goals will come but after yesterday he really looks like he won't make the cut with us.
It's gotta be Jelly and Long if fit. You don't drop a wad that size not to play them. Fryatt on the bench. Might get a look in if we need a goal.
We should never, ever see Elmo at RB in a back four again. After seeing how Brady looked yesterday, I'd go: -----------Mr McGregor -------Macca--Bruce--Davies Elmo---------------------------Brady -----Livermore--Thudd--Quinn -----------Jelavic----Long Boyd and Fryatt being the most obvious subs to come on (other subs: Harper, Faye, Rosey, Meyler, Sagbo)
I'm pretty sure that list had both Brady and Aluko due back at the same time, probably mid-Feb but obviously Brady's well ahead of that schedule, so hopefully Aluko won't be too far behind.
This is the link. They don't know anything we don't - they'll just look at press reports and guess a return date from those. Doesn't help their case that they still have Brady coming back on 1 Feb, despite playing yesterday - looks very out of date now, doesn't it... http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
I think you will be proven wrong. I've always rated Long, although not a prolific finisher, he's got great pace, an immense work rate and causes opposition defences a lot of trouble. Jelavic has been prolific and there is nothing to say he can't be again. If we can get good supply to them through the midfield (with lots of movement, good passing and mixing in the odd ball over the top), as well as from out wide; I think Brucie might have just found us an exceptional partnership, the likes of which we haven't seen in Black and Amber for a long time! If we can keep Brady and Aluko fit and hang onto Huddlestone, Livermore and Davies to name a few, we should be able to become a regular PL team for a few seasons at least. We've even got much better back up squad players than last time. Boyd's been one of our best players the last few games but will probably have to settle for coming off the bench most of the time.
That would be my team and subs too. Boyd needs a bit of a rest after his non-stop running at Southend and the Brady/Quinn partnership could really open up things down the left, which we've been missing, and create space for Jelavic to start banging them in. Looks like a very strong line up and Long will make a big difference with his speed up front.
Brady and Quinn work so well together - that's partly why I'd like to see Quinn in there on the left of the middle three. However, I'm sure Brucey will have Meyler in there. Jedinak is a bloody thug and we'll need some physical presence. [EDIT I've nothing against 4-4-2, btw - I just think this is the best use of our players, especially given Figueroa's desperate form.]
Like that team and reckon that will be what Bruce goes with. He might play Meyler instead of Quinn but I want to see Brady and Quinn's link up play from last season come back, and I think those two overlapping on the left will create plenty on chances for Jelavic. I'd play Rosie instead of McShane as well but that isn't such a big point. It's going to be difficult to pick the team when Aluko is back, where would he play? He'd have to replace Quinn in that team really and play in front of Tom and Jake.
I sincerely hope I'm proven wrong re Long and Jellyfish!! I think after Fryatts 2 goals and Brucie saying he is going nowhere and remembering back to when he made Hudds wait till half time for his debut, it all points to Matty getting one last chance to shine. I'm probably wrong again...
Jela started in his first game for us. Hudd and Livermore had to wait because they only joined the club shortly before the game from memory.
We ain't got the personnel for a flat back 4 in the PL (ie 2 good full-backs). We need to defend well against Bolasie otherwise we'll concede a couple of goals.....
