The big question I am asking myself pre-Christmas is whether with Felipe Anderson, now apparently recovered from illness, will Manuel Pellegrini recall the Brazilian to his Boxing Day line-up.
And should he do so another question arises: Will he include him at the expense instead of Robert Snodgrass who certainly wasn’t at his best against Saints.
I can hear the rumble of keyboard tapping as I write so we also decided to put a poll out there to answer the worry one insider had when we put the question to him.
His reply – during a lengthy telephone conversation was: ” I have no idea but I simply hope to the highest heaven that he has learned his lesson and stays with Michhail and Seb up front. ”
It would seem to be the height of stupidity not to but Pelle is the most unpredictable of managers and my own view is that he will find a way of returning Anderson to the team although I believe it will probably be at Snoddy’s expense.
That may not be such a bad plan because the Brazilian certainly looked better in the hole against Arsenal before the inevitable subbing – a fate he has suffered more than any other Hammer.
The only other change I envisage is the enforced return of Zaba for Ryan Fredericks and I do hope his tinkering nature doesn’t lead the manager into returning Diop for Balbuena who himself has been decent alongside the excellent Oggy.
Here’s my expected team: Fabianski (if fit), Zaba, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice, Noble, Fornals, Anderson, Antonio, Haller.
Hugh, any idea if the Jarrod Bowen rumours are true? These are exactly the type of signings we should be making. Young, hungry, performing really well in the championship.
Me and you both Tommy. Yes there’s something in it but we ought to be all over it which is part of the headline I’ve just put on my piece about it. Top player.
Just read it – great read thanks!
What if Zaba does play? We could start with three good centre halves. Five in midfield and two at the top. That way we cope with their wingers and strong midfield and put their defence under pressure. In midfield we could start with the two pushed up fullbacks, Rice, Noble and Forlans. Then bring on either Snoddy or Anderson.
Simple decision really. Leave Anderson at home. He has been playing terrible football. And is one of the reason Haller has been starved of good ball.
Keep the same team, realizing Fredericks is suspended, and Fab may be a available. Or again, bring Nathan Holland into the team. But no to Anderson, Yarmo, Masuaku, Sanchez and Roberto.
As others have suggested before we could play Diop in midfield alongside Declan – one thing I noticed in recent matches is Declan getting the confidence to go for surging runs – as has Diop on occasion – with the two of them in midfield they could do this knowing teh other is there to cover their back
So I would actually go for something like a 4-3-3 (which seems to work for Liverpool so it cant be bad)
Martin / Fab
Zaba Balbuena Ogbonna Cresswell
Noble Diop Rice
Antonio Haller Fornals
Zabaletta v Saha… imho… Enough said… Will be worse than the roasting Adama Traore gave Vertonghen… Might need a miracle.
Brings to mind something from Frankie Mac’s biography – before some game some of teh players ragged Julian Dicks that a winger would roast him – his reply was that how will he do that if with the first tackle I put him inot the third row of the stands – which suggests what our response to the threat should be
Zahama, no problem with that except with VAR, Dicks would have ended in row 3 many a time after getting his marching orders… 🤣It was a tough school those days…. These days unfortunately many of the players play”dead” after the smallest amount of contact.. Bunch of “woozies” me thinks🤔