Wouldnt this be a great time to get some match fitness into Mido, Keane, and JJ - especially with the Arse game approaching on Wed, with the probability of need for all of these players!!

good to see JJ back. I think we've really missed him. While Tanio's performances in the middle were improving, he is still some way off JJs level.

In fact if you look over most of this season, one of the things that really strikes me is how unsettled the midfield has been due to injury woes. We've hardly ever been able to play what might be considered our best 4, all season.

I also mostly blame the midfield for our defensive lapses, though I think our defenders and goaly have occasionally been at fault also. JJ adds a lot in that department, and his return should be good for the team

I don't think we should take this game lightly, but it would be a good time to rest some players, give others match fitness and the odd one a kick up the arse (robinson)
I would therefore line up as follows

Cerny, Stalteri, Dawson, Rocha, Benoit, Lennon, Jenas, Davids, Ziegler, Keane, Mido.

Bench: Alnwick, Defoe, Murphy, Gardner, Zokora

The ledley situation is becoming increasingly worrying. He has been on the verge of a comeback for a couple of weeks now and yet he has not made it. Even more worrying is that in this latest piece of team news there is no mention of his fitness?

This coupled with loss of berbo, again no mention of the length of time we can expect to be without him, leaves us again without our best and most influential players.

With a fully fit team and squad I would honestly give us a chance next week even if they were to play their best 11, as it is with an unfit mido, an as yet untested rocha, it will surely be a tall order.

This raises an interesting point, many of us, me included, have criticised bmj, particularly in the wake of wednesday's match, and yet it is clear to see that injuries really are crippling us.Chelsea lost 1 player, terry, and there was almost a crisis. There was talk of jose leaving, liverpool overtaking chelsea to challenge man u, all this because of 1 player in a squad of superstars. We have had to endure the loss of lennon (twice), berbo (now twice), jj (again twice), ledley (twice), keano, mido, lee, chimbo, tainio (lost count), zokora (malaria). Arguably, every one of these players are in contention to start any given game. While it is certainly true that bmj has made mistakes, and I strongly suspect that he is his own strongest critic, it is also true that this many losses would have a negative impact on any team in the land. Yet despite this we are in a relatively strong position.

In this context, things are not so bad after all.

Cerny
Chimbonda Dawson Rocha Ekotto
Lennon Ghaly Zokora Malbranque
Mido Keane

Subs: Robbo, Gardner, Huddlestone, Defoe & Jenas.

Should be enough to do a job with talent on the bench if reinforcements are needed.

Keane was worse than bad on wednesday? I would have defoe no question. I am not sure of th wisdom of playing 2 out of form and unfit strikers together.

It´s a good point you have there, and do agree with you, especially with the fact that we´ve had Berbatov, King and Lennon out quite alot this season.. arguably our most important players..

Heres hoping both King and Berbatov won´t be out for long..ray:

COYS!

Cerny
Stalteri Dawson Rocha Ekotto
Lennon Ghaly Jenas Davids
Mido Keano

Subs - Steed, Lee, Gardner, Defoe, Alnwick

I think its important that Defoe, Chimbo, Hudd, Zoko and Steed get a rest. The three midfielders looked shattered on wednesday and Chimbo and Defoe have been playing 90mins for a while.

Also think its important that Mido, Keane and Jenas get match time as were going to need them sharp for the goons.

Cerny i'd pick to show Robbo we have over good goalies on the books.

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasnt ledders still putting off surgery/playing through pain. Given the extent of this foot injury and the length he's been out for wouldnt it make sence for him to have gone under the knife in this period of absence???

That's exactly what I was thinking...

I think the surgery was drastic - ie - six months or more recovery time.

It is really disturbing - I have huge fears about Ledders.

This is turning intoa michael Vaughan situation with a team waiting for its linchpin to come back who might never and making excuses.

Give ghaly a go in the middle - hudd and zokora were underwhelming midweek.

Cerny

Chimbonda Rocha Dawson Lee

Lennon Ghaly Jenas O'Hara

Mido Keane

No sense in risking players who may be carrying an injury particulary if we need them Tuesday. Ghaly and Jenas have plenty of zip and determination. It seems O'Hara is part of Jol's plans judging by his bench appearance against Bruges so i would give him a chance and see what he can do.

anne robinson has 2b dropped he's been shite this season he seems to think he's invincible have balls jol n drop him 4 few games show ANNE HE'S NOT!!

robinson
chimbonda rocha gardner assou-ekotto
ghaly zokora murphy malbranque
mido keane

bench; cerny, lee, lennon, jenas, defoe

Here's hoping Ledley is fit soon, but i think Wed will be too early. Therefore it's very good news that Rocha and Stalteri are available now, as we're going to need plenty of defenders to get us through the next two games.

It's also very good news that Mido is available and I hope he's fit enough to start on Sat.

Definatley use the squad for this one. The reason the children outplayed us in the 2nd half on Wednesday is cos we don't use thye depth of our squad enuff.

Cerny
Stalteri Rocha Gardner Lee
Ghaly Jenas Murphy Zeigler
Keane Mido

Subs:- Alnwick, Chimbo, Davids, Lennon, Defoe

I hear what everyone is saying about using the squad but these boys are not a bad team and we need to give them some respect. I do think that our squad is stong and, on paper, it sould be more than enough.

But, football just is not like that and a lot of it is to do with confidence, partnerships and just how the team blends on the night.

This is the FA Cup after all.