Team vs Wolves

[thekneaf]

I'd be interested to see us play without Ade for half an hour if we can afford it, maybe play Bale as the centre forward supported by VdV and Defoe and let them move about and find space where they can. I don't want us to be playing an unfamiliar system against City without at least a brief test run.

 

[YiddoJames]

Parker needs to be kept for the Man City game as we're going to need to be really strong in midfield for that match.

Livermore played very well in the last game and deserves to play in this match.

Same team as Everton.

I'd probably agree with this.

Though, I reckon Defoe might start and I wouldn't be unhappy about that. Just not sure who drops out. Unless he gives VdV as rest

 

[akie]

Really cant wait for this game!! COYS

 

[Kendall]

I have a question for you digger....when would an early goal not be ideal?

I've noticed this phrase being used alot recently. In fact I'm sure I've said it myself. Surely an early goal would always be good. Unless in scoring the goal, Adebayor somehow impales himself on the goalpost :shrug:

The main example is when a lower team has scored early against United, for example. It made United pull themselves together and kick the living fuck out of them. If theyd held on later and scored, there may have been less time.

We scored too early against Chelsea.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

-------------Friedel
Walker----Dawson----Kaboul---Ekotto
----Pienaar----Parker---Modric

--VDV------Adebayor------Bale

 

[stevenqoz]

Psychological pressure sometimes comes into play when you do score very early....you may have the temptation to think...." I like this and would like the game to finish like this right now!". Whether you go one up early or at some point gain the 'dangerous' 2 goal lead....mental strength is vital....attempting to hold what you have often means you lose momentum and if conceding a goal it is difficult to rouse players to come back. Although I can see the point of running the clock down from corners / throw ins towards the end of games, it does annoy me because shielding the ball like that almost invites injury.....

 

[Mr Pink]

-------------Friedel
Walker----Dawson----Kaboul---Ekotto
----Pienaar----Parker---Modric

--VDV------Adebayor------Bale

I like that. I'm still convinced that Pienaar has a role to play this season and I was impressed with his little cameo the other night. He would slot nicely into the 4-3-3, and against Wolves that would be a very good line up IMO.

 

[Yid121]

Friedel
Walker Dawson Kaboul BAE
Lennon Parker Modric Bale
Defoe Adebayor

Talked to Wolves fans and their fullbacks dont like pacey wingers, so Lennon and Bale have to play.. Also Defoe loves scoring against Wolves so put him in for VDV as he'll be fresh and has scored 2 in his last 2 games..

 

[Rout-Ledge]

-------------Friedel
Walker----Dawson----Kaboul---Ekotto
----Pienaar----Parker---Modric

--VDV------Adebayor------Bale

Pienaar over Livermore in central mid?

 

[SubZero]

I think I'd stick Defoe in for this one, Wolves (no disrespect intended) haven't got the quality in defence presently to cope either way. I'd also like to keep Defoe somewhat sharp and content when we face City, the last thing we need is for him to lose motivation before that game. I mean, I'm not his biggest fan, but who does the guy need to blow to get a start (from his perspective obviously)? Scoring almost every game he plays, but still being benched for the important but erroneous Adebayor. I think he works better with another striker as well.

Start in a 4-4-2 resting VdV, then reshape after 45/60 if needed. If Defoe isn't involved, stick VdV in, take off Defoe and push Bale/Lennon forward. If we pull away, sub Bale and/or Lennon, I am pretty nervous that the retard Frimpong may go out to injure one of ours today. Not too bothered if we start either Livermore or Pienaar, they're both more than capable enough for this game.

Must win. As always.

 

[guy]

______Friedel
_Walker Daws Kaboul BAE
Lennon Livermore Modric Pienaar
____Defoe Adebayor

I really think we should give some of our first team an extra week off over the next month. They've just been through a gruelling xmas period wth no rest. If we don't I forecast many more pulled hammies, calves and groins between now and the end of the season.

By all means have bale and vdv on the bench, ready to come on if we arent winning at half time

 

[JimmyG2]

Scoring in the first minute of a game gives at least 90 minutes for the opposition to get an equaliser.
This is known as the second law of football dynamics.*

This states that any goal is likely produce an equalising and balancing goal.
This is why 4-4 is the most probable result statistically.

(The first is that due to the curvature of the earth, managers and referees are out of alignment and seem sometimes to be not even on the same planet let alone the same time zone. This results in the 'I never saw it' phenomenom.

See my 'Beginners guide to Einstein and Premiership Football' which clearly establishes that Higgs-boson played for Rochdale in the early fifties.

 

[whitelightwhiteheat]

______Friedel
_Walker Daws Kaboul BAE
Lennon Livermore Modric Pienaar
____Defoe Adebayor

I really think we should give some of our first team an extra week off over the next month. They've just been through a gruelling xmas period wth no rest. If we don't I forecast many more pulled hammies, calves and groins between now and the end of the season.

By all means have bale and vdv on the bench, ready to come on if we arent winning at half time

They've had a rest, mind you. None of our first team played the Cheltenham FA Cup game, so they essentially had a week or so off.

I'm sure we'll do the same against Watford, though we'll have to show them a little bit more respect in terms of team selection otherwise they'll knock us out.

 

[Gbspurs]

Are people really so obsessed with squad rotation that they want to risk it on a game that if we win we go joint top?!? Nothin but the strongest possible team for me

 

[Kendall]

It's minimal risk though. In fact, I'd say our title aspirations are at a greater risk if Parker plays.

 

[sim0n]

I don't see that wolves are much different, particularly at WHL, so why "rotate" the squad radically?

--------------friedel

walker---kaboul--dawson (if fit from last game)--BAE

pienaar--modric--livermore---------bale

------------VDV
-------------------Adebayor

As long as dawson is all right to make his second start so soon, then put him in because there's no trusted back up for him available. livermore was good against everton, so why risk parker? lennon is just back after injury and played most of the last game, so give pienaar a stretch of the legs until halftime/60th minute and bring in lennon at that time. same pt strategy for VDV, bring defoe in at halftime/60th minute.

COYS!! :clap:

 

[Teddy Klinsmann]

Given the Harry quotes about Defoe being unsettled I can see Harry maybe starting him. He'd be saying to Defoe, 'show me what u can do'. It's the sort of game Defoe would nick a couple in with the right motivation. He has a good recent record against them.

 

[Yid121]

Van Der Vaart has scored something like one goal in the last 8, whereas Defoe has scored 2 in his last 2. With VDV playing midweek too, I reckon Defoe will be more fresh and will be wanting to take his chance if he starts.

Parker has to play if hes fit imo, was very impressed with Jake, but I would be concerned if he could turn out just a good a performance.. The suspension doesn't come into effect now its the 5 card limit was pushed to 8 over the new year, so there's no threat of him being suspended v City.

Lennon has to play too. Wolves fullbacks hate pacey wingers (trust me I know).

 

[clarryboy]

Would like to see us giving the Pav + VdV partnership some game time in preparation for the Man City match.

 

[THOWIG]

-------------Friedel
Walker----Dawson----Kaboul---Ekotto
----Pienaar----Parker---Modric

--VDV------Adebayor------Bale

This is how I'd love to see us play. It's Pienaar's best role.

Van Der Vaart cutting in and Walker over lapping.