BringBack_leGin
Well-Known Member
- Jul 28, 2004
- 27,719
- 54,929
Modric, Lennon, Giovani and Kranjcar are all unavailable, so regardless of whether you want to go for a second string or full strength line up, we're pretty much going to have to go with Bentley and Bale on the flanks.
In the middle I'd go with whoever is pencilled in for the Goons game on saturday, let them pick confidence back up having lost 3 days ago in a game we should have won. I reckon that probably means Jenas with Palacios.
Up front it seems Pavlyuchenko is going to start on the basis of Harry's comments. Keane is in theory a more natural partner, but with Bentley and Bale out wide we should hopefully be getting a lot of balls into the box, so the two tallies might be an idea.
If Bentley is on the right, there is no way I'd have Corluka behind him. That would be the slowest right hand side in the history of space, time and mighty mouse. I'd like to see Naughton given a go, but I fear it will be Hutton.
Stick with Ekotto at left back, he's not on the best form, but with Bale pushed to the left wing Ekotto becomes our only real choice for left back. If it wasn't for the unavailability of various wingers, I'd have wanted to see Bale at left back, but with Bale on the wing just stick with Ekotto rather than putting Hutton or Naughton out of position.
No King or Woodgate, so Dawson and Bassong pick themselves really. Put Gomes behind them, he's only just come back in anyway and Cudicini gives me nightmares.
In the middle I'd go with whoever is pencilled in for the Goons game on saturday, let them pick confidence back up having lost 3 days ago in a game we should have won. I reckon that probably means Jenas with Palacios.
Up front it seems Pavlyuchenko is going to start on the basis of Harry's comments. Keane is in theory a more natural partner, but with Bentley and Bale out wide we should hopefully be getting a lot of balls into the box, so the two tallies might be an idea.
If Bentley is on the right, there is no way I'd have Corluka behind him. That would be the slowest right hand side in the history of space, time and mighty mouse. I'd like to see Naughton given a go, but I fear it will be Hutton.
Stick with Ekotto at left back, he's not on the best form, but with Bale pushed to the left wing Ekotto becomes our only real choice for left back. If it wasn't for the unavailability of various wingers, I'd have wanted to see Bale at left back, but with Bale on the wing just stick with Ekotto rather than putting Hutton or Naughton out of position.
No King or Woodgate, so Dawson and Bassong pick themselves really. Put Gomes behind them, he's only just come back in anyway and Cudicini gives me nightmares.
Gomes
Naughton Dawson Bassong Ekotto
Bentley Jenas Palacios Bale
Pavlyuchenko Crouch
subs:
Cudicini
Hutton
Corluka
Huddlestone
Parrett
Keane
Kane
With Naugtons ability to cover both flanks, Hutton and Corluka's presence means that the entire defence is covered. Huddlestone and Keane should be there ahead of any youngsters, because it's stupid not to have experienced players ready on the bench. Parrett and Kane (seeing as Bostock is not fit and Mason is out on loan) there for the experience and to come on if things are going particularly well.
Naughton Dawson Bassong Ekotto
Bentley Jenas Palacios Bale
Pavlyuchenko Crouch
subs:
Cudicini
Hutton
Corluka
Huddlestone
Parrett
Keane
Kane
With Naugtons ability to cover both flanks, Hutton and Corluka's presence means that the entire defence is covered. Huddlestone and Keane should be there ahead of any youngsters, because it's stupid not to have experienced players ready on the bench. Parrett and Kane (seeing as Bostock is not fit and Mason is out on loan) there for the experience and to come on if things are going particularly well.
