Team v West Ham

Hughesy SAFC · 5th April 2010, 09:30 PM

Gordon
Hutton
Turner
Mensah (If fit, if not Da Silva)
Ferdinand
Henderson
Meyler
Cattermole
Richardson
Bent
Campbell

Subs: Carson, Bardsley, Kilgallon/Da Silva, Cana (If fit, if not Benjani), Zenden, Malbranque and Jones

That would be my team, people might think it is strange to drop Malbranque after he has been playing so well, but it's rarely in evidence away from home, we can't let it be a cosy club, he has been very poor away from home, imo Richardson offers more away from the sol, aswell as being in good form.

Thoughts?

thecozmo · 5th April 2010, 09:31 PM

you want to leave steed out and play richardson ?

Michael · 6th April 2010, 12:20 AM

It's a tough choice. Bruce has one of his hardest team selections of the season coming up.

Me, I'd be seriously considering dropping Ferdinand for Hutton and allow the Steed/Ricco thing to develop down the left. The thing is, Anton would probably play a blinder - ex-hammer etc.- if he starts.

Gordon

Hutton Turner Mensah Richardson

Henderson Meyler Cattermole Malbranque

Bent Campbell

Good spine and good balance on the flanks in that team.

TheBigEasy · 6th April 2010, 12:38 AM

Too tough to call. He could pick any of 15 and I'd be happy.

The interestin thing for me is whether mensah is fit. If not da silva has chance to impress
again and that could spell the end for mensah (financial risk and all that).

Its so tough. Bruce has tough choices which could effect the summer with jones, cana and one
of rico hutton or anton missing out. Great position for safc to be in but a tightrope for bruce.

ayesane · 6th April 2010, 12:43 AM

simply cannot drop Anton, he deserves to be starting. One of our best players on saturday - played very well in an unfamilar position.

-------CG-------
AH--MT--JM--AF
JH--LC--DM--SM
-----DB--FC----

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigEasy

Too tough to call. He could pick any of 15 and I'd be happy.

The interestin thing for me is whether mensah is fit. If not da silva has chance to impress
again and that could spell the end for mensah (financial risk and all that).

Its so tough. Bruce has tough choices which could effect the summer with jones, cana and one
of rico hutton or anton missing out. Great position for safc to be in but a tightrope for bruce.

no way marra, these lads are all pro's and know exactly why they have been left out. None of them could say it's because they havn't impressed - we have options and those who dont start know that.

TheBigEasy · 6th April 2010, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayesane

simply cannot drop Anton, he deserves to be starting. One of our best players on saturday - played very well in an unfamilar position.

-------CG-------
AH--MT--JM--AF
JH--LC--DM--SM
-----DB--FC----

no way marra, these lads are all pro's and know exactly why they have been left out. None of them could say it's because they havn't impressed - we have options and those who dont start know that.

You have more faith than me in the modern footballer. I think that if players don't feel that they are
automatic 1st choices their heads will be easily turned. Look at ferdinand. Everyone agrees that
Hutton is a must-buy in the summer and that we need a LB. Where does that leave anton? In a perfect
world I'd like to keep all mentioned and add 2 or 3 to strengthen the squad. But we've had a few years
now where we've held onto our better players. I think this summer that will be difficult as we have been
noticed.

ayesane · 6th April 2010, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigEasy

You have more faith than me in the modern footballer. I think that if players don't feel that they are
automatic 1st choices their heads will be easily turned. Look at ferdinand. Everyone agrees that
Hutton is a must-buy in the summer and that we need a LB. Where does that leave anton? In a perfect
world I'd like to keep all mentioned and add 2 or 3 to strengthen the squad. But we've had a few years
now where we've held onto our better players. I think this summer that will be difficult as we have been
noticed.

I agree with you, long term its definitely a problem Bruce will have to manage, but short term a little squad rotation is generally accepted unless of course you're Anelka. To alleviate the issue we need Europe

. Anton, for this game at least would be gutted to miss out.

I've played football at varying levels and it's very easy to accept the bench if the starting 11 is justified, its torture when you know you should be doing better. It's part of football.

kenwyneshair · 6th April 2010, 01:30 AM

I'd play the same team none of them deserve dropping, and Hutton hasn't been given the all clear to be fit for saturday anyway

DurhamBoy · 6th April 2010, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hughesy SAFC

Gordon
Hutton
Turner
Mensah (If fit, if not Da Silva)
Ferdinand
Henderson
Meyler
Cattermole
Richardson
Bent
Campbell

Subs: Carson, Bardsley, Kilgallon/Da Silva, Cana (If fit, if not Benjani), Zenden, Malbranque and Jones

That would be my team, people might think it is strange to drop Malbranque after he has been playing so well, but it's rarely in evidence away from home, we can't let it be a cosy club, he has been very poor away from home, imo Richardson offers more away from the sol, aswell as being in good form.

Thoughts?

Agree, except Malbranque has to start ahead of Richardson for me, no reason to drop Steed when he's playing so well.