I have a bad feeling about this ...
Not that sure - I think its tough but they're missing Fellaini and Pienaar as well and possibly Mirallas as well. They're midfield and forwards look brick; one goal either way could well win it today
I have a bad feeling about this ...
I predict AVB will set up with
Parker ---- Livermore
Holtby ------ Dembele-------- Siggy
Ade
Im not sure what line up he'll go for but Holtby will be picjed in front of Demosey if it's an either/or situation
1 sub appearance in 6 weeks for Dempsey i believe
I can't watch this, which is annoying. More annoyingly it'll probably be on the radio in the kitchen at work. I'd much rather be able to blank it out and just see the FT result to avoid the stress that comes with listening to football as opposed to watching it.
I'm feeling quite good about today though, we seem like sensitive souls on here at the moment, one good game and it's plain sailing, one bad one and it's a fudging war zone, we need to remember the quality we have in the team and hope we have a system which will enable us to use it on the pitch today. I think the players will be particularly up for it as it's a chance to make a name for themselves in the absence of Bale. After the Goodison Park game we should be wanting revenge.
Sig to finally get his glorious goal that he's been either a worldy save from the keeper or about 2/3's of an inch away from all season.
3 days ago?
OK, this would be my team (I doubt he will play it)...taking Lennon to be injured...
Lloris
Walker
Caulker
Dawson
Verts
Hudd
Sig
Parker
Holtby
Dembele
Ade
subs: Brad, BAE, Naughton, Dempsey, Carroll (if fit), Obika, Livermore
My rationale is that you cannot manufacture width if you don't have it naturally. I see us as having to really grind one out tomm, and so we really have to take a bit of a gamble.
My gamble would be to sit Hudd in front of the back four, play an industrious midfield trio and allow Dembele a freer role to float behind Ade. The hope is that Hudd can hit the front earlier with pinpoint passing. It would see Ade very much playing as FORWARD and not as a 'drop-off' frontman.
IF Hudd is simply brick, then EITHER BAE on and Verts into a holding midfield role OR Dembele back into a straight 'four' with Dempsey on as the link to Ade.
Of course I do not think AVB WILL start with this, but I think it'd be a line-up designed to get the very best out of what we have versus trying to manufacture pace which we clearly will not have like we usually do.
Any official team news yet ?
Feel very nervous about this match. Just don't care how we play or score as long as we win !
Sounds like I'm the only one really looking forwards to the game!!!
What struck me about the Basel match is that we have a really promising core of young players.
I was looking at the team and thinking, wow: Siggy early 20's, Holtby the same, Caulker (if he plays), Dembele only 25, Walker 22.
Then we have Vertonghen, probably about 25, Lloris not even in his prime yet, Lennon and Bale about 25 and 23.
Apart from Bale, I can't see any of those players leaving next season. That's a seriously promising core of international players all extremely young. Its a given that we'll sign a more a appropriate central midfielder or two, hopefully (!) a young striker, then add that to the likes of Kaboul (28ish) and a young progressive manager and the future looks extremely bright.
I don't think many commentators are picking up on just how young the core of the team is. I think with a couple of additions we're going to be looking properly strong next year, regardless of where we finish this.