Get in Endo and some kids.
Give Grav and Virg a rest.
Play well , beat Southampton.
Hopefully injury free.
6 Likes
Arnes biggest test and he’s not even there.
4 Likes
Kelleher
Trent Quansah VvD Gomez
Gravenberch Endo
MacAllister
Elliott Jota Nunez
Trent Quansah VvD Gomez
Gravenberch Endo
MacAllister
Elliott Jota Nunez
I’ll go with something like this.
Jaros
Trent Quansah Gomez Norris
Endo Jones
Nyoni
Chiesa Darwin Jota
It’s almost a given that Southampton are going to rotate. Start with this lineup and then make the changes if needed.
We should persist with Jaros. He’s done good against Brighton the previous round and more matches for him always builds his confidence. He’s going to be the third choice keeper the next season as well.
Not too convinced on Quansah(at this point as he seems to be suffering from a crisis of confidence). But the run of games that follow make it necessary that we get as much rest to VVD as possible
Trent is a concern. He’s playing too many games since his own return from injury. If there is another reasonable backup here (not Gomez) , I’m all for the backup starting. Maybe Nallo
Robbo needs a break. In any case , he’s probably suspended for a direct red too.
Hence Norris to start. Gomez needs to play at CB.
Would be nice to see Nyoni get in the minutes in the midfield. Can always get in Elliot / Soboszlai later if needed. Jones to partner Endo in the double pivot as Gravenberch needs a break.
Time for Diaz, Mo & Gakpo to put their feet up and take a break and the other trio to step in. Jota is always a sure bet for a goal and it’s good that he hasn’t lost his sharpness.
2 Likes
@Mascot cue for tackle!
1 Like
Kelleher
Spearing Quansah Virg Gomez
Endo Nyoni
Mac
Harvey Jota Chiesa
Maybe Morton can play the RB in an inverted sense, or push Endo there and Morton can partner Nyoni in the middle.
Spearing? 
1 Like
Yeah well, we don’t got no fullbacks blud.
Yeah but a 17 year kid who at least plays at full back has to be better than a 40yr old Jay Spearing. A guy who as far I am aware has played CM all his life.
I’m sure that Arne and his team will know the personnel, formation and tactics to see us through this game. COYR YNWA 
4 Likes
Obv want to win every game, but feeling v ambivalent about this one. Would give Ngog a start.
1 Like
Spearing is just there for a laugh btw, I would cry if we saw him and I’m not usually a crier.
Wouldn’t mind Endo or Morton moving there.
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Jay Spearing reminds me of the Doctor Who Sontarans.
Anyhow if there isn’t a youngster who can step up it’s probably Endo.
1 Like
A midfield of Szoboslai, MacAllister and Endo, Elliott, Nunez and Jota up top. Sub off Jota and Elliott when they tire.
Defence is the problem. Is Robbo banned for this or Spurs? Can’t risk VVD in this one even if it means playing a kid in his place.
Cannot be Szob, Grav in mid. Maybe Mac as he was suspended. Elliot for sure.
No VVD please.
1 Like
Really don’t care about this cup. In fact, a loss would help with fixture congestion, not that I ever want us to lose of course.
The only concern would be a loss might be bad for morale after two draws.
Really hope that Virgil, Gravenberch and Salah get a rest.
Kelleher
Trent (no alternative at the moment) Quansah Oh no, we haven’t got any other CB! Gomez
Endo Macca Jones (or one of the kids like Nyoni)
Harvey Darwin (45 mins Gakpo/45 mins Diaz)
4 Likes
Robbo is suspended for this. He should be available for Spurs.
And yeah, keep forgetting Morton. Give Jones a break too. Endo Morton as the pivot Nyoni as the 10.
We can probably try out Endo as a makeshift CB as well.
I really don’t care about this match. But I do think our reserves will win this one.
It’s just the factor of not exposing the defenders and Grav.
Hope Arne does a Klopp and really plays more kids. I get Klopp was forced to do that and the kids we have aren’t at the level of those we let go last season. Clark, McConnell etc. But just go ahead and play them.
Also one of the factors in the last match was that we didn’t have any regular setpiece takers on the pitch when Robbo was given the red and both Soboszlai and Trent were subbed out. Elliot isn’t a setpiece taker and it showed in the deliveries.
1 Like
If we crash out it would mean a trophy for Newcastle, Spurs, ManU or Arsenal.
No thanks.
We’ll see what happens but I’m sure Arne will go for this.
Southampton are playing tonight so we have an extra day to prepare.
Same goes for our next opponent Spurs who are playing on Thursday before we play them on Sunday.
1 Like
If we exhaust our players chasing this trophy we may lose out in the league or CL.
No thanks.
1 Like