What a contrast to last week's performance -- nearly all eleven players wanting to play, dancing rings round the opposition in attack with our lovely triangles (particularly Hernandez) and being (almost) watertight in defense. Brilliant. Only thing better would have been the clean sheet! We're back in the top half and with a slight change in goal average with Fulham we could have been 9th!

But not everyone played brilliantly, even though most did. I have to say that IMO de Guzman was the weak link despite scoring the late goal. Sorry to disagree bohana34.

With it pretty clear now that Michu is best played in the CAM role ML has to decide two things:
1. Who plays in front of him (I'd say Schecter has earned it for now),
2. Who plays with Michu and Ki in midfield - this one is more difficult to figure out. Britton has in fact had a couple of mediocre games by his standards with quite a few passes going astray. And with de Guzman not playing that well either there's an argument for Agustien to come in as a starter. Personally I'd like to see de Guzman on the bench for a couple of games.

I'd say it should be Shechter, Michu, Ki and Britton as the first team, with Guzman coming on full of energy at the 60-70 min for britton. I'm still nto sure of Kemy, I haven't seen him really do anythign when he's played.

I agree ottawa a big difference from S/hamton,wouldn't mind seeing this starting eleven start against L/pool.Didn't think de Guzman had a bad game and has his value in the side for his dead ball kicking (corners & freekicks) Agustien for me seemed a little rusty,If Schechter is given the start next game it will be with a lot more confidence and I think there are goals in the guy, for what really is almost a second choice back four they defended well,whether or not they can contain Suarez (who shouldn't be playing after his studs up foul on Sat)remains to be seen.

ottawa - I wouldn't single out any one player for criticism after that performance,and I would go with the same team for next Sunday,they deserve it. One thing which we doubted,was our squad strength in depth,which,judging by the last few games,seems to be unfounded.

Would you really leave out Ki for next Sunday Keith?

Who would you drop? Britton or de Guzman then for Ki?

Ki is still in Korea,whether he gets back and is recovered from injury,who knows.

I doubt he'll be back for the next 2 games as he was out for 10 days.

As I say above Kev, I'm not as keen as others seem to be on de Guzman's performance so I'd leave him out and play Britton, Ki and Michu. But ... if Ki isn't going to be back for at least two games then obviously I'd play de Guzman for Sunday's game and, depending on how he did, either play him again on the Wednesday or give Kemy a run out.

I'm with ottawa on the Ki over De Guzman.

I think Ki is better, but not jsut that. I think the deeper midfield of Ki and Britton gives us more control in a game, whilst Ki will still join in the attack and has a great long shot, then De Guzman come on for Britton around the 60 mark with fresh legs to really help the attack against the tiring defenders. I'm not sure Ki offers anything coming on as a sub, other than for more defensive tactical switches or to replace a player who's playing badly, whereas I think de guzman could suit being an impact sub along with one of our wingers.

Edited by Senhin 20/11/2012 01:14