There’s no confirmed team news from the club as yet but there didn’t appear to be any further injury concerns after our 5-0 win in Tbilisi on Thursday night. That should leave Gareth Bale and Sandro as the only likely absentees and while Lewis Holtby was impressive in 82 minutes for the Under 21s last night, he should need more of a break before becoming available for senior action once again.
Meanwhile, Jan Vertonghen and Aaron Lennon were kept at home for Thursday’s game but the move was a precautionary one with Andre Villas-Boas hoping both would be available for the arrival of Swansea.
There may just be a question of formation – will AVB stick with 4-2-3-1 or will he introduce a second striker for our first home game of the season?
The biggest question in terms of personnel concerns Andros Townsend after his brilliant display against admittedly weak Georgian opposition. Will Andre throw him in in place of Nacer Chadli and could Chadli himself switch to the right in place of Lennon?
Here’s how we think it will look but what’s your view?
Chadli for Townsend and Lloris for Friedel
Lloris
Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose
Paulinho, Dembele
Townsend, Sigurdsson, Chadli
Soldado
Subs: Friedel, Naughton, Kaboul, Capoue, Carroll, Lennon, Defoe
Lloris-
Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose
Paulinho, Dembele
Townsed, Siggurdson, Chadli
Soldado
subs: Friedel, Kaboul, Holtby, Sandro, Kaboul, Lennon, Defoe
Lennon was pretty poor against palace. I think Townsend will offer more delivery even on the right. Remember Chadli can play behind Soldado so this gives a bit more flexibility.
Oops put Kaboul twice should be Capoue
Lloris
walker Daws Kaboul Rose
Caboue Paulinho
lennon dembele townsend
Soldado
I like the look of this team with dembele playing further up the pitch behind soldado the position he played at fulham
Lloris
Walker Dawson Kaboul Vertonghen
Paulinho Sandro
Lennon Sigurdsson Chadli
Soldado
Of what’s at the club without Bale the best 4231 available.
Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen Rose
Paulinho Dembele
Townsend Siggurdsson Chadli
Soldado
Lloris;
Walker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose;
Capoue, Paulinho;
Chadli, Dembele, Townsend;
Soldado.
Subs: Friedel, Defoe, Naughton, Dawson, Siggy, Lennon, Holtby.
Kaboul to be in based on him being Capt, even with Daws on the pitch, on Thursday. Is he to be a shoe in now for most games. We have a great bench to make a difference but that team is much stronger than last year.
Loris
Walker. Vertonghen. Kaboul. Rose
Dembele. Pauline’s
Townsend. Siggurdson. Chadli
Soldado
Can’t decide — Great to be spoilt for choice for a change, and all quality players.
All we need to do now it get rid of that arsenal scum bag adebayor hopefully he gets kidknapped in togo or where ever he comes from brakes my heart every tome that slag pulls the shirt on lol
Need holtby back in for siggs, siggs gives ball away far to much.
Lloris
Walker-Vertonghen-Dawson-Rose
Paulinho-Capoue
Townsend-Dembele-Chadli
Soldado
………………….Lloris
Walker…Kaboul…….Vertonghen…Rose
……Paulinho..Capoue..Dembele
Lennon……….Soldado………..Townsend
Subs: Defoe, Sigurdsson, Chadli, Sandro, Dawson
Friedel, Naughton
I can’t believe your picked Friedel in goal….poor poor poor poor.
I’m not sure of holtby is fit but IMHO he should start I agree siggy is bit too slow and hasn’t been great so far
Id go with
Lloris
Walker
Kaboul
Verts
Rose
Capoue
Paulinho
Townsend
Holtby(dembele if holtby is injured)
Chadli
Soldado
Dembele needs rest this season he played so much last season and got injured few times also would
Like to see sandro get some mins on the pitch at some point!