The Team vs Hull

[Ghost Hardware]

As the players return from injury over the couple if weeks we will find out a lot about where we are headed under Tim.
If sandro, Lamela, paulinho, and capoue don't get game time I think we're heading the wrong way.
I would go with 2 up front today and put either Paulinho or Sandro in with Mousa centrally.
Hopefully verts is back as well.

Lamela is still busted apparently, which really, really sucks.

 

[Syn_13]

Sherwood will say something along the lines of

"I trust Dawson, I'm only just getting to know Vlad"

Yeah I just Dawson as well Tim... trust him to be shit.

I don't think he'll want to drop the club captain so easily. Tim looks old school in his mentality and probably likes the fight and spirit Dawson brings to the team, despite not being very good. You do need a leader out there, but we need to find one that leads by example by being one of the best players of the team.

 

[SpursManChris]

I am sure that Sherwood will also give regular chances to the youth (Bantaleb, Fryers, Kane) but this should only be due to injury/performance and not because of a tendency to pick players he 'knows'. Despite Bentaleb performing well (compared to how we expected a 19-year old to play) I will be increasingly annoyed if he keeps out Sandro for a prolonged period of time when Sandro performs well based on CL contender standards.

There's no chance in the world (let's hope, optomistic rating awaits) that it will be Sandro who Bentaleb will keep out. It's more likely to be Capoue. Now that Sandro and Paulinho are back, it really will be a true test of Sherwood's love affair with Benty. I'm not sure he can in the right mind, bench the other 2 for him.

 

[Lenten]

Can someone please tell me what Sigurdsson contributes to the team ? I must be missing something.

He could potentially play advanced centrally with a fast striker ahead of him. But nowhere else.

 

[Syn_13]

There's no chance in the world (let's hope, optomistic rating awaits) that it will be Sandro who Bentaleb will keep out. It's more likely to be Capoue. Now that Sandro and Paulinho are back, it really will be a true test of Sherwood's love affair with Benty. I'm not sure he can in the right mind, bench the other 2 for him.

I like that Tim is willing to give young, promising talent a go, and Bentaleb is quite a good youngster, but you really have to play your experienced seniors at the business end of the season. If I see Bentaleb starting today I'm going to optimistically hope that one of our returning players is not quite ready yet or up to full match fitness.

 

[nightgoat]

As long as siggy, lennon and bentaleb dont start then thats just fine.

Dawson out too if verts is ok.

I suspect you're going to be disappointed.

 

[Snarfalicious]

It will be a travesty if Vertonghen replaces Chiriches rather than Dawson

Think it's one of those things that you hope won't happen, and despite knowing Vertonghen/Chiriches are better players than Dawson, you just have that feeling Dawson will always get the nod when healthy.

 

[jolegend]

I suspect you're going to be disappointed.

I think you are probably right :-(

 

[nedley]

Lamela is still busted apparently, which really, really sucks.

Is it his thigh still?

 

[Curtis Peterson]

I'll never understand why people doubt Sigurdsson so much. He's consistently played out of position and used inconsistently. And he has showed plenty of potential in his passing and shooting abilities when he is played.

 

[tiger666]

I'll never understand why people doubt Sigurdsson so much. He's consistently played out of position and used inconsistently. And he has showed plenty of potential in his passing and shooting abilities when he is played.

Take cover..

 

[N17-77]

Really brings it home that we have so many players out: Paul, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Sandro, Lamela, Townsend. Phew!

Expected team:
Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen Rose
Lennon Bentaleb Paulinho Eriksen
Ade Soldado

Preferred team (fitness assumed)
Lloris
Walker Chiriches Vertonghen Rose
Sandro
Lennon Eriksen Paul
Adebayor Soldado

 

[Snarfalicious]

talksport reckon it's gonna be

Lloris
Walker - Chiriches - Vertonghen - Rose
Lennon - Bentaleb - Paulinho - Eriksen
Soldado - Adebayor​

I'll take that, honestly. I still don't believe Lennon deserves a starting spot at this time, but by all means, if tracking back is more important than anything else, keep starting him.

 

[Syn_13]

I'll never understand why people doubt Sigurdsson so much. He's consistently played out of position and used inconsistently. And he has showed plenty of potential in his passing and shooting abilities when he is played.

Always seems like a "nearly man" to me. He often hits the woodwork with his shots, not sure whether that's luck or his shooting. His passing is decent but he doesn't often play a killer pass, or has vision that no other player does. Even his set pieces don't seem as good as they should be. He's a hard worker, I'll give him that, but he's pretty poor on the ball. A bit sluggish when moving it and tends to trip up over his own feet. He's not quick either, and I think his decision making is not quite quick enough to be a top player.

He's a bit of a jack of all trades and master of none. I think that, combined with his work ethic, is why he's considering to be a utility player.

 

[Cavehillspur]

Really brings it home that we have so many players out: Paul, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Sandro, Lamela, Townsend. Phew!

And they've all been out for MONTHS, so frustrating!!!

 

[SpursManChris]

Dembele must be the fifth player Sherwood was talking about that he's got back. Even though he hasn't missed any games.

 

[Matrix]

Considering Capoue got dropped in favour of Bentaleb after the Man U game, will the rolls be reversed as Nabil had a mare against City. TBH I doubt it. Looks like Nabil is untouchable because Tim "knows him".
Please give Nabil a rest. Don't want him getting burnt out.

 

[paulcumpstone]

As long as siggy, lennon and bentaleb dont start then thats just fine.

Dawson out too if verts is ok.

if you leave out siggy and lennon, who plays wide?? assuming townsend and lamela aren't in contention.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Is it his thigh still?

Yep, apparently it flared up again... apparently. Should be back this week. To be honest, i take everything i hear about Erik with a big pinch of salt. Until, that is, i see him starting two/three games in a row.

 

[CornerPinDreamer]

I'll never understand why people doubt Sigurdsson so much. He's consistently played out of position and used inconsistently. And he has showed plenty of potential in his passing and shooting abilities when he is played.

hmm...