There’s no official team news from the club as yet but after Tim Sherwood’s comments in midweek, we expect Paulinho, Sandro, Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul to be pushing for a starting place.
“The four lads are back in training but we have to be cautious of not rushing them back,” Sherwood said before the City game. “We have to make sure they are ready.”
We have to assume that Danny Rose is ruled out so there is a slot for Jan in his unflavoured left back position while the Brazilian pair of Sandro and Paulinho will be putting pressure on Dembele and Bentaleb in the centre of the park.
Then, of course, there’s the question of formation. Does Sherwood revert to 4-4-2 or stick with five in midfield to accommodate one or two returning players?
Plenty of options this weekend – here are our thoughts but what’s your view?
Jan was absolutely horrid in the LB position this season, getting torn apart even by nobodies like Dejagah. Him up against Elmohamady is asking for trouble, he can’t deal with such players.
If Rose isn’t available then Naughton or Fryers will play there.
I have a feeling Tim will go with 2 up front with Soldado back to partner Ade , he has been rested for two games now.
Why would you play Sandro in front of Paulinho!? Can’t think of one good reason
Fully agree. I know Sherwood doesn’t believe in dedicated holding midfielders, but Sandro should be the guy to hold back and let Paulinho and Bentaleb get forward at every opportunity. Although Vertonghen doesn’t like the left back position, it’s no contest between him and Naughton.
We have a left back replacement in Fryers so play him. Verts , if fit , should replace the juggernaut captain as , surely, after being run ragged again, he must be dropped. And if Kaboom is fit, get him back in either at right back or in place of Chiriches. Over recent weeks the defence has been awful. Don’t forget, Palace could have buried us in 45 mins recently. How can Paulinho line up behind Sandro as the holding player ??? This is a must not lose game , Id go for Paulinho and Capoue in front of Sandro and leave Bentaleb out.
thats just sooooo wrong . Jan will never play left ,
walker daws jan nauhton
lennon bentaleb pauli erikssen
soldado ade
this is not my team just Tims
Giving Hugo a day off as well?
Its not happning but dream IN 4-3-3 COUNTER ATTAKING SYSTEAM LLORIS / WALKER- CHIRICHES-VERTOGHEN-CONTRAO – PAULINHO-STROOTMAN – ERIKSON – NANI- BENTEKE- TOWNSED
Tbh I’d play 442 against hull and go all attack.
……………..lloris……………….
.walker…chiriches..vert…fryers…
Lamela…paulinho..eriksen…Townsend..
……….ade…….soldado…..
Never ever play Dawson again! Hopeless plank of 2X4.
Lloris
Walker Chiriches Vertonghen Rose
Sandro
Paulinho
Lamela Eriksen Townsend
Adebayor
The season is looking pretty bad now. This draw was another low. With the rise of Everton and the eventual comeback of United, I fear we may have missed our window of opportunity.
There was never going to be another year with as much promise as this one. I can’t believe how badly our club has underperformed. Last year and the year before you can chalk it up to bad luck. Not so this year. We have a room full of total strangers in the locker room who think they are better than they really are, and can’t even get up for derby games.