Team for Stoke

[PS]

We have to start thinking about Brown and/or O'Shea coming to the end of their careers, so should we not take a look again at Virgini as one of the CH's in the Cup, and that also gives a chance for Jones to show what he can bring as a more attacking RB?

Alvarez and Gomez to start instead of Giacci and Rodwell? (Assuming we don't want to push Rodwell to play 3 games in a week)

Pants to get some game time too.

 

[Mowgli]

pantilimon

jones Vergini Coates Pva

Bridcutt
Larsson Gomez

Giaccherini-----------------Alvarez

Fletcher (if fit)
​

possibly?

 

[poolie]

Pantilimon
Jones - O'Shea - Coates - Van Aanholt
Cattermole - Gomez
Johnson - Alvarez - Buckley
Altidore​

 

[chopsfc007]

Pantilimon
Jones - O'Shea - Coates - Van Aanholt
Cattermole - Gomez
Johnson - Alvarez - Buckley
Altidore​

agreed would swap buckley and aj and maybe Larsson for Gomez though we need a bit more defensive player to go alongside catts

 

[ShieldsBlackCat]

Whatever Gus does he needs to try a 4-4-2. You can't attack with a 4-5-1 formation.

 

[chopsfc007]

Whatever Gus does he needs to try a 4-4-2. You can't attack with a 4-5-1 formation.

we don't have the midfield to play 4-4-2 or 2 decent strikers

 

[Spartan]

pantilimon

jones Vergini Coates Pva

Bridcutt
Larsson Gomez

Giaccherini-----------------Alvarez

Fletcher (if fit)
​

possibly?

What about our cup run?

 

[skullmeister]

Id play:

Pantilimon

Vergini
PVA
Brown
O'Shea

Johnson
Catts
Gomez
Rodwell
Larsson

Wickham

 

[Mowgli]

Whatever Gus does he needs to try a 4-4-2. You can't attack with a 4-5-1 formation.

better tell chelsea, arsenal, spurs or swansea,

 

[Spartan]

The first XI need more playing time together. Play them all Tuesday but give Pants a chance

 

[Perseus]

Buckley time 67 minutes.

 

[denz73]

Pants,
Jones, Vergini, Coates, PVA,
Buckley, Rodwell, Bridcutt, Gomez,
Alvarez, Altidore

 

[Spartan]

Buckley time 67 minutes.

He may as well start, looks fit enough.
Is Giacch knacked?
Get Alvarez on too if he's not too tired

 

[Super Ted]

Patillimon
Jones - Vergini - Coates - PVA
Bridcutt - Gomez
Johnson - Alvarez - Buckley
Altidore​

 

[chopsfc007]

Gomez in defensive midfield madness

 

[Fireball07]

I'd go:

Pantilimon
Jones O'Shea Brown PVA
Cattermole Gomez
Johnson Alvarez Giaccherini
Wickham
​

Subs: Mannone, Vergini, Coates, Seb, Bridcutt, Buckley, Jozy


We have to play a strong team because we'll lose otherwise, but we can make a few changes.

Vito's been class, but Pantilimon deserves to get some sort of gametime.
Jones deserves a shot at right-back, Vergini's been poor 2 games on the trot now.
Was thinking about Coates at centre-back and wouldn't be surprised to see it but Brown/O'Shea are our best CBs.
Gomez for Larsson, I like the look of him so far, he can pick a pass.
If Ricky is fit, play him... keep Giaccherini/Johnson, they are our other creative players.
Keep Wickham up front, he's our best striker and is more likely to score with Johnson, Giaccherini, Ricky & Gomez behind him.
Maybe slightly harsh on Buckley, but I don't see him as better than AJ/Giaccherini.
Gus might play Bridcutt, but I think Catts has to play, he's probably our best player.