Injury Worries

[rsmith]

I don't see any reason why Bale can't transfer his form to LM though,

imho Bale is already playing at LM. Watch a couple of the defensive tackles he made yesterday. He had to scramble back 30 yards to make them. Against a quicker RM we'd be hosed.

Afair, he plays LM for Wales which allows him to attack the penalty area more than he can as a LB and generally looks the best player in red in that position.

I'd be more than happy with BAE at LB with GB in front of him

 

[EastLondonYid]

i cant really see any better option than bale at LM..whilst hudd and jj are out.
niko.....wilson..........luka......bale
i think against a team like fulham..that could work.

 

[jondesouza]

The problem is, while I am sure Bale would individually be fine at LM, it runs counter to how we are set up to play - with a left-sided midfielder (Modric or Kranjcar) that tucks in giving an attacking left-back the space to bomb into. Bale has been brilliant in that role. On the other side we use a right-back that tends to get forward less but try to play with a genuine wide player. For me, it's not all about picking players that can play in certain positions. It's picking the best players for the system. That's why I'd like to see Rose come in and Bale stay put.

 

[Lilbaz]

I'd go with Gudjonson. But we will need to give Bostok a game at some point even if it's 20mins or so.

 

[donny1013]

When Eidur played in midfield for Barca it was in a midfield 3. Yaya Toure was the anchorman, Xavi is the playmaker and Iniesta/Eidur were the advanced midfielder. I don't know if he has the legs for it in a 2 man central midfield. I would go for Luka in the centre.

 

[stevenqoz]

-----------Gomes
Corluka Dawson Bassong Bale
Krancjar Modric Palacios BAE
--------Pav Defoe

I 'd go with this. It keeps the defence steady and familiar. Modric starting in the middle is a good option........Palacios will just have to muscle up even more! BAE and Bale can alternate if need be....the point about Bale coming from deep is a valid one so he starts at left back. Kaboul could always come in centrally if we get in front. EG is not fit enough to play in a four man midfield in the EPL....not for a full game anyway.

 

[guy]

bale at LM is definitely the way to go. With so many injuries a player as good as BAE has to play, and his only position is LB, so bale goes to LM. Simple

 

[stemark44]

Out of all the availible players to perform what is largely a sitting midfielders role given how Palacios harries forward, I'd choose Corluka. The basis is that he's already done this to high standard for Citeh, which is something none of our other players have as far as I know.

To replace him at RB - Kaboul. The basis for this is that he's already performed this role to a very high standard, by very many accounts of Pompey fans I've read.

So no need to throw anybody into a situation we don't already know they can cope with:

Gomes
Kaboom Doors SeaBass Monkey
Kranker Charlie Sarge Modders
Pav JD

Agree totally,if I was Harry thats what I would do - Kaboul at RB and Corluka in midfield.
Corluka is a very good passer of the ball and I watched him play very well in that position for City.
He also links very well with our other Croatians too.

 

[MendD3]

when kings fit
Gomes
Corluka Dawson Bassong Bale
Kranjcar Palacios King Modric
Pav Defoe
when kings not fit
Gomes
Walker Dawson Bassong Bale
Kranjcar Palacios Corluka Modric
Pav Defoe

 

[mil1lion]

I wouldn't mind seeing Parrett get some action alongside Palacios. He looks to have a mature head on his shoulders. I was pleased with his displays in the UEFA Cup. We need to show some faith in these young lads anyway.

 

[Blockbuster]

John Bostock!!

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

Any news on Hudd today?

 

[Kendall]

Can we recall O'Hara? would Harry even do it if we could?

We need a CM because I don't want to disrupt Modric on the left just as he's coming back to top form. Fuck having him in CM and fuck all of you who want him there, can't see past your noses!!

 

[jondesouza]

John Bostock!!

He's cup tied at the weekend. After that we'll have Walker and Kaboul available as well so I doubt he'll get to feature. Dean Parrett may get a spot on the bench though.

 

[full-frontal-nudity]

Only that Hudd will have a scan for his foot and shin. Lennon out for 6 weeks at the least.
Bentley torn groin and Jenas having operation today.

 

[jondesouza]

Can we recall O'Hara? would Harry even do it if we could?

No, we can't.

We need a CM because I don't want to disrupt Modric on the left just as he's coming back to top form. Fuck having him in CM and fuck all of you who want him there, can't see past your noses!!

I'm not sure what other option we have. Maybe Kranjcar central and Modric left but it's kind of moot for me.

 

[Adam456]

Am I imagining it or are there quite a few people now saying play Bale at LW with BAE behind ?

Well here's Bale's chance to prove wrong all of those people who have been flying in the face of all logic and claiming he's more LB than LW.

Sorry even though all of his best play is in their half, dribbling past/around players and putting great crosses in they do have one big massive argument that he 'looks good runnning from deep'. So he must be a LB :wink:

 

[$hoguN]

I really don't think you understand the argument of why Bale is a better leftback and why he gets the space to run into.

 

[donny1013]

Bale is a LB, just like Cole, R.Carlos etc loves bombing forward. He could play LW if we need him too but I think he is more effective at FB, allowing him to run from deep.

 

[Adam456]

I really don't think you understand the argument of why Bale is a better leftback and why he gets the space to run into.

I was being a little flippant. I understand the point but it's only one point. All of his best qualities are going forward. The fact that he sometimes runs from deep and has more space before he gets to the LB isn't really important. He still has to beat the LB and at least half the time he's doing that at low speed with skill rather than high speed and for pace.

What we gain on 1 or 2 of those occasions we lose 5 times over by having such a fantastic winger 50 yards further back when we want to break quickly. He's an awesome winger so play him at LW. Particularly now that we have a top left back in Benny back. It's just blindingly obvious isn't it ?

PS. Was good to see Bale getting some recognition on Match of the Day alhough the two gooners did of course choose to highlight the 3 occasions on which he might have picked out Pav to criticise his decision making :roll: