A draw would be a really good result. I hope we can get it, and then move on to put some points on the board starting with Wigan.
I think this is a big challenge though. Not only to get the players up for it and confident again, but also tactically. Anyone watching the Chelsea game had it laid fairly squarely on a plate in terms of how to play against us. It points to Bale and Lennon sticking wide, with one up front, and runners like Dembele, Sigurdsson or Dempsey running from midfield straight onto an exposed back 3.
So there's lots of reasons to go back to 4231, but unless Vlaar is back, that means Baker and Clark together. I thought they looked pretty flakey at home to Reading, which I think is why Lambert changed it.
On balance, I think I'd stick to the back 3, but dropping Lichaj for Bennett. The real choices will be in midfield, where perhaps one or two could do with a rest. Delph seems to be the most likely contender for me. Not sure this is the sort of game we need a Stephen Ireland for, but you never know.
Draw this and then beat Wigan, and I'll still maintain it's been a good pre-Christmas spell.
