With so many hamstring injuries at the Lane this week the team for tonight virtually picks itself. The big news once again is with Rafael van der Vaart whose scan seemed to give the Dutchman the green light to return to the starting XI.
Before the game, Harry spoke about VDV and gave some news about other recent injury victims.
“We’re hoping Rafa will be fit and it looks like there’s a chance he’ll be okay,” Harry said.
“Jermain isn’t fit though, Ledley was okay after the Chelsea game but this one has come around too quickly for him. He’s not fit.
“We’re not sure on Younes yet, we’ll have to see how he is.”
Harry would be keen to use Kaboul if at all possible in the back four alongside Walker, Gallas and BAE and it looks like a straight fight between the Frenchman and Seb Bassong for the final slot.
In front of them, Sandro, Parker, Modric and Bale seem to be unchallenged in the centre assuming all are fit and ready.
If VDV is passed fit he is likely to slot in behind Adebayor but is there a case for playing Pav this evening?
Here’s our starting XI – what’s yours?
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Friedel
Walker Gallas Kaboul BAE
Kranjcar Sandro Modric Bale
VDV
Adebayor
Parker needs a rest to avoid injury. Kranjcar needs to play & he set up goals earlier in the season.
1st
considering likely injuries
4-4-2
Friedel,
Walker, Gallas, Bassong, BAE
Kranjcar, Sandro, Modric, Bale
Pav, Adebayor
dam,lol would agree there is a case for playing pav with ade but ade has to start as he is 6 in 6 and i see that carrying on tonight. i would of liked to see the following but i wont get my hopes up
friedel
gallas,kaboul,bassong
walker,sandro,modric,parker,bale
pav,adebayor
Friedel
Corluka, Kaboul, Gallas, Assou Ekotto,
Walker, Sandro, Modric, Bale,
Van der Vaart,
Adebayor,
same team but I would use Sandro & Parker holding with Modric and VDV behind Ade, allowing Walker/bae & Bale to provide the width.
There is no case for playing Pav this evening. Games like this are the ones that he is the worst in. My line-up would consist of all the same players, but in a different formation. A Diamond midfield with either Sandro or Parker rotating between CM and DM when the other makes a break forward, VdV to start at the top of the diamond but freedom for himself and Modric to switch places. Bale starts as a RF, and Adebayor as a LF.
……………………………………………
………………….Friedel………………..
Walker….Gallas……..Kaboul……BAE
…………………Sandro………………..
……….Parker………….Modric……….
………………….VdV…………………..
………….Bale………Adebayor……….
……………………………………………
I am very suprised to see people wanting to rest Scotty…. He is our best defensive midfielder and we are away from home playing a team who is all about attack…. nutts! Same team as Thursday but Kaboul/Bassong in for Ledley – VDV needs to be playing off Ade, and not on the wing though… we do, however need to get out width back… so I am not sure who to put on the right… perhaps the idea against Chelsea was to utilizer Walker more but he clearly struggled to do that with VDV infront….. put modric there perhaps so he can drift in and Walker can then flank…Tricky one!
Friedal,Eko,Gallas,Kaboul,Walker
Bale,Sando,Parker,Townsend,
VDV
Adebayor
People might get suprised by droping Modric but we play better with 2 wide men and today will be a slog.
We need to play a 4 2 3 1 so that we would have a lot of possesion and keep the norwich midfield back so they don’t provide service for morison and holt
Friedel
Walker Gallas Kaboul(if fit) BAE
sandro Parker
VDV Moddy Bale
Adebayor
i would put walker right wing in place of bale and put charlie right back.
i ment in place of lennon not bale lol.
Edwhite, i like your idea of pushing Walker forward and bringing in Charlie. delboy, you sure about dropping modders? why would you drop the best midfielder in the league? nutter
Picks itself if VDV and Kaboul are fit.
Friedel
Walker, Kaboul, Gallas, BAE
Sandro, Parker
VDV, Modric, Bale
Ade
Bassong if Kaboul not fit and if VDV needs to start on the bench then Pienaar to play on the right or Krancjar in a 5 man midfield.
delboy’s team perfeck