My eleven vs Stoke.

[Oviedo37]

Barkley has got to start this one for me mate, this will be one of our toughest games this season and we need to put out our strongest possible XI. COYB.

 

[Oviedo37]

Didn't Howard get straight red i thought that's a 3 game ban

Think he only misses 1...

 

[Big Fat Sam]

T-HOW is back for Stoke, and with no yellow cards to his name either.

 

[si86efc]

I would go full strength vs stoke,

Then V QPR;

Robles
Stones, Heitinga, Alcatraz, Baines
Barry
Mirallas. Osman. Barkley. Oviedo.
Jelavic

 

[Christiffa25]

Wing backs and attacking full backs are different, though.

Maybe but I remember RM talking about wing backs and formations pre-season. He was saying he prefers wing backs in his formation for what they add going forward. However he went on to say how lucky he was here to have 2 full backs that play as wing backs whilst also getting back to fill their responsibility's as full backs in a back 4.

Basically we have an ideal unique situation where we get the benifit of wingbacks in a flat back 4 due to the energy and quality of our full back options.

 

[tim cahill]

Maybe but I remember RM talking about wing backs and formations pre-season. He was saying he prefers wing backs in his formation for what they add going forward. However he went on to say how lucky he was here to have 2 full backs that play as wing backs whilst also getting back to fill their responsibility's as full backs in a back 4.

Basically we have an ideal unique situation where we get the benifit of wingbacks in a flat back 4 due to the energy and quality of our full back options.

True. We basically play a 2-4-3-1 formation, yet we have the meanest deference in the league.

 

[MartSlinger]

Howard
Coleman Alcaraz Distin Oviedo
McCarthy Barry
Naismith Barkley Pienaar
Lukaku​

Drop Baines and bring him back for the QPR game.

 

[evilwebby]

Howard
Coleman Alcaraz Distin Oviedo
McCarthy Barry
Naismith Barkley Pienaar
Lukaku​

Drop Baines and bring him back for the QPR game.

Other way round for me. Baines needs consecutive games to get his full sharpness back. He should start against Stoke, with Bryan getting a well-earned rest.

Naismith should not be a starter for us in a full strength XI.

 

[Rook]

I wouldn't mind seeing Barkley get a rest on the 1st, or at least in the 1st half. Stoke can still injure ya and I think we could take care of them without him.

I'd start Baines, and hopefully get Jelavic in around the 66th min to give Lukaku a bit of a rest too.

 

[pfim]

Maybe but I remember RM talking about wing backs and formations pre-season. He was saying he prefers wing backs in his formation for what they add going forward. However he went on to say how lucky he was here to have 2 full backs that play as wing backs whilst also getting back to fill their responsibility's as full backs in a back 4.

Basically we have an ideal unique situation where we get the benifit of wingbacks in a flat back 4 due to the energy and quality of our full back options.

The term "wingback" is normally reserved for a 3 or 5 man defense. In a three man defense they normally take up a higher position on the pitch than a fullback in a 4 man defense. In attack, our fullbacks provide the same width that a wingback would, but defensively they have much different roles.

Coleman and Baines (and now Oviedo) are the reason why we don't need to mess with a 3 man defense.

 

[tim cahill]

I wouldn't mind seeing Barkley get a rest on the 1st, or at least in the 1st half. Stoke can still injure ya and I think we could take care of them without him.

I'd start Baines, and hopefully get Jelavic in around the 66th min to give Lukaku a bit of a rest too.

You seem to think it'll be an easy game?? Stoke at home are tough. If we win it'll be a great result and it's not out of the question but it certainly won't be easy enough to rest Barkley who seems to have become our most important player recently.

 

[Steve Wigan]

Distin could probably do with a rest soon. QPR would be a good game to put Alcaraz and Heitinga in there imo.

Apparently Distin is a slight doubt with a hamstring injury. Thats according to Sky Sports, at least.