Team V Zagreb

[Coyboy]

Yes I do, and I don't think it's at the point where it needs 'salvaging'. Maybe in some people's eyes, he is shit/liability/hopeless but not for me. He simply isn't in King or Woodgate's league and is not as solid as Corluka right now. I wouldn't rest anyone for thursday but King. The players still need to get to know each other, three good results does not change that, and Thursday is an important game, if we lose it will be hard to qualify.

Of course the league is more important but we need to do well in the UEFA too. Qualifying will breed confidence, bring in revenue and attract better players in January if necessary. I never see the need to 'rest' players for games coming up unless it is a final or a monumentally important game. If they can get injured against Zagreb they can get injured in the first minute at City. It's kind of like not crossing the road in case you get run over.

 

[DC_Boy]

to me thursday is made for Daws - it's vital he plays and King is rested

 

[mil1lion]

My team:

Gomes
Hutton---Woodgate---King*---Bale
Bentley---Jenas---Huddlestone---Lennon
Modric
Bent

In a way i'm glad Pavylcuhenko isn't able to play. I'd struggle to pick between him and Bent, and fit Modric in aswell. I'd definately play Lennon, and i think Bentley is really starting to rediscover his form, so i'd want him to start too. The addition of Jenas and Lennon should help us get forward with more conviction than on Saturday too.

*edit

 

[Kendall]

My team:

Gomes
Hutton---Woodgate---Corluka---Bale
Bentley---Jenas---Huddlestone---Lennon
Modric
Bent

In a way i'm glad Pavylcuhenko isn't able to play. I'd struggle to pick between him and Bent, and fit Modric in aswell. I'd definately play Lennon, and i think Bentley is really starting to rediscover his form, so i'd want him to start too. The addition of Jenas and Lennon should help us get forward with more conviction than on Saturday too.

corluka?

 

[dbspurs]

Gomes

Hutton Woodgate Dawson Bale

Bentley Jenas Huddlestone Lennon

Modric

Bent

Can't really see beyond that team. Hud has played every game since Harry took charge so maybe Zokora could replace him. Modric will definitely play against his old club so GDS will be on bench.

 

[mil1lion]

corluka?

ha ha. King for this one and Corluka to face his former team mates then :razz:

 

[Adam456]

However, it's to do with "homegrown" players, and number of years at the club etc. Fabregas is on the goons' Player List B as well (because bizarrely he qualifies as homegrown):

http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/club=52280/competition=1/index.html

To be fair, I'd imagine that Wenger has been 'grooming' him for a number of years

 

[Coyboy]

My team:

Gomes
Hutton---Woodgate---King*---Bale
Bentley---Jenas---Huddlestone---Lennon
Modric
Bent

In a way i'm glad Pavylcuhenko isn't able to play. I'd struggle to pick between him and Bent, and fit Modric in aswell. I'd definately play Lennon, and i think Bentley is really starting to rediscover his form, so i'd want him to start too. The addition of Jenas and Lennon should help us get forward with more conviction than on Saturday too.

*edit

Same as mine mate but for King, if he can play Thursday and Sunday then great but I don't think he can and Sunday is more important don't you think, especially as we are at home on Thursday and will be attacking more (hopefully).

 

[DC_Boy]

I'm still absolutely baffled by why people want to risk JJ & King when we're in the midst of a relegation fight - but hey it's all about opinions

 

[Coyboy]

I'm still absolutely baffled by why people want to risk JJ & King when we're in the midst of a relegation fight - but hey it's all about opinions

It's not a risk if he's fit, Jenas that is.

 

[sparx100]

Personally, I would be quite happy to rest some players for the match. League is key at the moment.

Sanchez
Gunter Dawson Corluka Bale
Lennon O'Hara Modric Hudd Gio
Bent

 

[keenu]

Gomes

Hutton Dawson Roche BAE

Bentley Zokoro Huddlestone Bale

Modric

Bent

I would rest some players for this one, as I think we need to win on Sunday.

 

[DC_Boy]

I don't know if tonight's reserve squad gives us any clues re thursday and sunday

Spurs: Cesar, L Butcher, Stalteri, Berchiche, Mtandari, Gilberto, Dervite, Rocha, Olsen, Hutchins, Daniels, Boateng, Fraser-Allen, Ghaly, Taarabt, Maghoma.

if cesar performs ok maybe play him Thurs give Gomes a rest and more chance to get fully fit

 

[mil1lion]

Same as mine mate but for King, if he can play Thursday and Sunday then great but I don't think he can and Sunday is more important don't you think, especially as we are at home on Thursday and will be attacking more (hopefully).

I think Ledley could play both to be honest and i think we have been over cautious if anything. He doesn't seem to have had any trouble at all so far this season. But i'd be happy with Corluka and Woodgate at centre back on Sunday if need be. Although, to be fair to Dawson, he has had some great games in Europe. So he would probably be alright for this one, if we rest King.

I'm still absolutely baffled by why people want to risk JJ & King when we're in the midst of a relegation fight - but hey it's all about opinions

I dont consider us to be in a relegation scrap at all. We're 4 points from the top half. The relagation scrap begins in the new year in my mind. But it hasn't even crossed my mind that we'll be in a relegation scrap, and even less so now. JJ can easily cope with two games in quick succession too.

 

[steve]

Gomes

Hutton Dawson Woodgate Bale
Huddlestone
Bentley Jenas Lennon
Modric

Bent​

Agree with that, the only change I might make is to give Bentley a rest possibly and start Lennon right and Gio left. But Harry knows what condition they're in better than me!!!

 

[DC_Boy]

I dont consider us to be in a relegation scrap at all. We're 4 points from the top half. The relagation scrap begins in the new year in my mind. But it hasn't even crossed my mind that we'll be in a relegation scrap, and even less so now. JJ can easily cope with two games in quick succession too.

Hi million well as I say it's all about opinions for me we're clearly in a relegation scrap = and AFAIK HR is of the same opinion hence his insistence the league is the priority

I guess we'll find out a lot more by Sun evening as to what Harry's game is re the lge and UEFA Cup

to me we should rest King JJ Bentley and if possible Gomes too

not to mention the alleged £1m bonus for avoiding relegation -

if toon draw tonight we're bottom of the table again

and given that JJ missed the game on Sat through injury isn't it risky to play him thurs?

 

[thetallaghttiger]

So no O'Hara, Corluka, Pavyluchenko, and I'm presuming we've no other injuries.

My Team for Zagreb (5 changes):

Gomes
Gunter Woody Dawson Bale
Lennon Zokora Hudd Modric
Giovanni
Bent
​

Subs: Cesar, Gilberto, Hutton, King, Jenas, Bentley, Campbell.

Not a very attacking bench, but plenty of defensive cover. King on the bench would be good, especially if we're hanging onto a result at the end of the game.

No harm either in having JJ on the bench in case we need him. Giving him 15-30 mins wouldn't be a big risk.

Gio and Modric could swap positions throughout the game.
Both are best suited to playing behind a striker, we'll never get the best out of either of them from the left flank.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Gomes
Hutton Woodgate King Bale
Bentley Jenas Huddlestone Lennon
Modric
Bent


Subs: Cesar, Gunter, Dawson, Zokora, O'Hara, Dos Santos, Campbell.


We've got to play our strongest side IMO - the minute we get defeatist we'll lose any momentum and confidence that has just begun to build up. We should still be aiming to win the UEFA cup, otherwise last year's CC win is pointless.

 

[DC_Boy]

well now we're bottom of the table again I wonder if some people will reassess their teams for Thursday?

of course all that matters is Harry's team - he promised us the lge would be the priority

I expect him to abide by this -

no King no JJ on Thurs I hope

and I think rest Bentley too

Gomes as well maybe - Cesar kept a clean sheet v hammers reserves tonight - I mean how bad can he be?

but not having seen him - I don't know the answer.

 

[karennina]

I'd go with:

Cesar
Hutton Woodgate Dawson Bale
Bentley O'Hara Zokora Rose
----------Giovanni
----------Bent

to get players fit/ save others for city. Giovanni and Rose coming into the side should bring enough enthusiasm/disruption to get us one goal at least.