8 Games rescue plan!

[Richard E]

I don't see what anyone sees in Trezeguet, I really don't. I think he's a fine example of people saying "there's a player in there somewhere" to avoid facing the reality that the bloke in question is actually bobbins.

[curiousorange]

I don't see what anyone sees in Trezeguet, I really don't. I think he's a fine example of people saying "there's a player in there somewhere" to avoid facing the reality that the bloke in question is actually bobbins.

I don't see anything in him, but he doesn't actually make me mad like El Ghazi.

[Nii Lamptey]

A few changes I'd make for Newcastle and onwards:

              Steer
Guilbert  Engels  Mings  Hause
             Nakamba
      Luiz  McGinn  Grealish
          Samatta  Davis

• I'd drop the keeper (have no faith in him whatsoever - Steer should have been given a run this season imo after his heroics last season)
• Not a fan of Konsa - We need some attacking intent in the team, so Guilbert NEEDS to be playing.
• Teams are 'targetting' Targett at LB. I'd stick Hause out there to strenghten the back line
• I'd fill Hause's CB spot with the right footed Engels. Felt like the Mings/Engels partnership was our best option (but still far from convincing!).
• Hourihane out for the more defensive minded Nakamba, to allow a more attacking minded front 5 of Luiz, McGinn, Grealish supporting a FRONT TWO of Ally and Keinan

Waste of time typing all of that - You know he's 90% certain to pick the exact same eleven and make the exact same like for like subs at the 65 minute mark!   Zzzzzzzz

[Damo70]

I was calling for Big Sam to be appointed back in January. He kept Sunderland, Palace and Everton up and you could reasonably argue all three were even worse than us at the time he took them over. I thought I was well up for the fight but yesterday left me demoralised. It has taken me twenty four hours to summon up the will to post.

[LeeB]

A few changes I'd make for Newcastle and onwards:

              Steer
Guilbert  Engels  Mings  Hause
             Nakamba
      Luiz  McGinn  Grealish
          Samatta  Davis

• I'd drop the keeper (have no faith in him whatsoever - Steer should have been given a run this season imo after his heroics last season)
• Not a fan of Konsa - We need some attacking intent in the team, so Guilbert NEEDS to be playing.
• Teams are 'targetting' Targett at LB. I'd stick Hause out there to strenghten the back line
• I'd fill Hause's CB spot with the right footed Engels. Felt like the Mings/Engels partnership was our best option (but still far from convincing!).
• Hourihane out for the more defensive minded Nakamba, to allow a more attacking minded front 5 of Luiz, McGinn, Grealish supporting a FRONT TWO of Ally and Keinan

Waste of time typing all of that - You know he's 90% certain to pick the exact same eleven and make the exact same like for like subs at the 65 minute mark!   Zzzzzzzz

I believe Konza is playing because Gilbert is injured. Not sure you can blame Dean for that one.

[Drummond]

Engels is injured too.

[ChicagoLion]

Every pre-match thread that has at least one or two selections and formations, often based on good judgement. These are commented upon debated and improvements suggested.
It’s all good stuff, then Smith picks the team and Jack is on the wing again.
You know the rest.

[Risso]

El Ghazi and Trez are gubbins, and Jack is wasted where he is, so I’d try some sort of diamond type formation.

Nyland
Guilbert Hause Mings Targett
      Nakamba
Luiz           McGinn
       Grealish
Davis Samatta

[Nii Lamptey]

A few changes I'd make for Newcastle and onwards:

              Steer
Guilbert  Engels  Mings  Hause
             Nakamba
      Luiz  McGinn  Grealish
          Samatta  Davis

• I'd drop the keeper (have no faith in him whatsoever - Steer should have been given a run this season imo after his heroics last season)
• Not a fan of Konsa - We need some attacking intent in the team, so Guilbert NEEDS to be playing.
• Teams are 'targetting' Targett at LB. I'd stick Hause out there to strenghten the back line
• I'd fill Hause's CB spot with the right footed Engels. Felt like the Mings/Engels partnership was our best option (but still far from convincing!).
• Hourihane out for the more defensive minded Nakamba, to allow a more attacking minded front 5 of Luiz, McGinn, Grealish supporting a FRONT TWO of Ally and Keinan

Waste of time typing all of that - You know he's 90% certain to pick the exact same eleven and make the exact same like for like subs at the 65 minute mark!   Zzzzzzzz

I believe Konza is playing because Gilbert is injured. Not sure you can blame Dean for that one.

Is he? Sure I saw some training shots of Guilbert on the Villa twitter the other day? Maybe he's recovering?

If that's the case... I'd still change it up.

Elmo Konsa Mings Hause

The general consensus is we need 2 up top. Opposing teams know that if they keep a lid on our lone striker, and double up on Jack, they've pretty much won the game before it starts.

Ditch the wingers, play with 3 roaming attacking midfielders (Jack, SJM and Luiz) feeding two strikers - Give teams something to think about, and for Christ's sake, just HAVE A GO!

[VinnieChase84]

             Steer (if fit
Guilbert Konsa Mings Targett
           Luiz Nakamba
      McGinn   Jack   Trez
                Samatta

I’d be looking at this for Newcastle

[David_Nab]

I recall the Burnley game where we went 3-5-2 caught them out and that FH was as good as we have been all season , could do with something like that again.

Guilbert has a knee knock but back training they are checking him today to see if he can play Wednesday

[Mister E]

Trez? - I thought he was slow and ponderous yesterday.
AEG? - someone needs to give him a massive shot of confidence because when he IS playing he's quite good. We just don't see it very often.
For Wednesday, I'd be inclined to follow Risso's diamond formation.

[PaulWinch again]

We need to change something. We can’t just sit deep and hoof it.

[tomd2103]

El Ghazi and Trez are gubbins, and Jack is wasted where he is, so I’d try some sort of diamond type formation.

Nyland
Guilbert Hause Mings Targett
      Nakamba
Luiz           McGinn
       Grealish
Davis Samatta

Agree about the diamond formation Risso, but would be a bit concerned about the full-backs being exposed defensively.

[UK Redsox]

Cross Colin off the list. He's replaced Woodgate at Boro