Team v Stoke

[we_all_loved_freund]

I think the team will pick its self with the injury problems...

--------------Gomes------------
Charlie----Daws-----Bass----BAE
Lennon---Thudd---Wilson----Bale
------------------Niko----------
-------------Crouch------------

 

[Mr Gamgee]

Gomes​

Corluka Dawson Bassong BAE​

Lennon Palacios Hudd Bale​

Crouch Obika​

Subs: Cudicini, Kaboul, Walker, Kranjcar, Rose, Jenas, Kane​

Would rest Leds and Luka with the game on Wednesday in mind. I'd definitely look to start with two banks of four away to Stoke with Palacios holding and Hudd playing very slightly advanced of him and then using two quick wide players to get at the Stoke FBs. I'd rather play Obika in front of Crouch than change formation to accommodate another midfielder, especially as Crouch plays better with another striker up top with him. I don't think Obika would let anyone down - he had a great pre-season and now's a good opportunity to give him a start.​

Obika is on loan at palace

 

[THOWIG]

Really hope Kranjcar plays off Crouch, just wish it wasn't against Stoke away.

 

[jondesouza]

Obika is on loan at palace

He wasn't when I posted that!

 

[Coyboy]

It's not a myth.

You are right, it's not a myth as some myths have elements of truth.

Ive never heard of it before? In fact this is the first time ive bought it up.

I dont know what stats suggest, but its just an observation from watching him play, he seems to be the player that gives the ball away the most in our midfield.

Not just that, but I also feel he dwells on the ball a little too much sometimes, often resulting in him getting put under uneccasary pressure, contrary to Hudd, who will notice this and get rid pretty quick.

Palacios is a great player, dont get me wrong, fantastic ball winner and puts an awful lot off stress on opposition midfield - but on the ball, he isnt the best.

RB, he doesn't. He passes the ball better than Huddlestone. He loses it less frequently. Off the top my head, he has a 5% better pass completion.

What happens is people see Palacios lose it stupidly and somehow magnify this to mean something more than it does. Added to the fact that Palacios is vital in winning back possession and therefore retaining, the Palacios poor in possession lie really should stop now. It discourages debate by getting simple facts wrong.

 

[KingKay]

Does anyone know if tickets are available at the game?

 

[full-frontal-nudity]

It's not a myth.

This.

 

[rebrab]

Has anyone considered:

-------------Gomes--------------
Corluka--Dawson--Bassong--Bale
-------Kaboul-Hudd-Wilson------
Lennon--------------------Krancjar
--------------Crouch-------------

Could be sufficiently combative?

Although personally I would go for:

--------------Gomes------------
Kaboul--Dawson--Bassong--Bale
----------Hudd--Wilson---------
Lennon-------Rose--------Krancjar
---------------Crouch------------

 

[whitelightwhiteheat]

Give the choice I'd go with the first of your options rebrab. Think that could work.

I'm still hoping that this "doubtful" business will turn into "actually, he's fit!" for at least one of our striker (Keane probably)

 

[DJS]

Typical that Defoe gets injured giving Keane a possible last chance to stake a place and then he gets injured!

You gotta laugh, football is a cruel games sometimes.