Team vs. Arsenal

[mpickard2087]

Lloris​

Walker Gallas Someone Ekotto​

Parker Dembele​

Lennon Bale Someone​

Adebayor​

​

- I'll start by saying I don't think Gallas will play, seems to be saved for the Europa games. So could be any of the other three really.​

- Ekotto left back please.​

- Not the time to change centre mids. Lets hope Dembele can rest up this week and regain some form, if its not working though wouldn't be against us changing it up during the match and dropping Carroll in again like we did last night.​

- Don't know who to put on the left, main thing is that they have to play from there. If its Holtby again he needs clear instruction that this is his role.​

 

[Spurs_Bear]

You're fishing for a BusConductor, Bear.

Holtby has got more talent in the last turd he slotted out than Clint Dempsey, he works harder, shows for the ball more and has shown at least the pretence of some intelligence when he has the ball in the final third.

Dempsey is useful for a goal if we need one, not a bad attribute to have but as much as Holtby hasn't completely settled and has been a little meh for the last few games, fuck me I'd have him all day long over Dempsey.

For Arsenal I want Verts back in the middle with BAE LB and ask them kindly not to both hit a bong before they come out on the pitch, Verts partner should really be according to whether Giroud or Walcott plays up top. I'd imagine they'll go Walcott to break the high line we have been playing, so probably Verts and Caulker for me.

Parker and Dembele again, but Parker needs to stop wandering off upfield leaving Dembele to cover, it's obvious why this happens because teams are spending so much time trying to stop Dembele getting on the front foot and driving forward that Parker is the man left on the ball with space to make things happen, and with the best will in the world he doesn't make things happen.

There is a case for perhaps moving Holtby to the right side in place of Lennon, pushing Dembele up in the no10 slot and playing Parker and Tom Carroll in the middle - although I suspect that AVB doesn't agree, and losing Lennon from the side against a team that is vulnerable, to put it politely, on the counter is not the best move.

Don't disagree with a lot of that, but Arsenal is the game where we need a goal. I think you are being overly nice to Holtby and Dembele because you are 'doing a BC' and supporting the type of footballer you like rather than what is actually happening. For all of Holtby's talent, he has been poor in the majority of appearances, I like him too, but he's been crap, and saying he 'works harder, shows for the ball more etc', come on mate. There's no point dressing it up. And Dembele, another footballer that I like, has been worse. Sod moving him up to an even bigger risk as the No 10 where he has barely ever played let alone excelled, I'd rather have all piss and wind Dempsey for 60 mins who might do something mental and put one in off his knee cap.

And again, I don't agree that teams are stifling Dembele, he is stifling himself. As I mentioned in the ratings thread, he is either injured or ill, because there is no excuse for his turgid performances.

For what it is worth I would happily do what you suggested and play Carroll instead of Dembele, but I don't want the Mousse pushed forward into an unfamiliar role in what is an enormous game.

 

[CowInAComa]

You're fishing for a BusConductor, Bear.

Holtby has got more talent in the last turd he slotted out than Clint Dempsey, he works harder, shows for the ball more and has shown at least the pretence of some intelligence when he has the ball in the final third.

Dempsey is useful for a goal if we need one, not a bad attribute to have but as much as Holtby hasn't completely settled and has been a little meh for the last few games, fuck me I'd have him all day long over Dempsey.

For Arsenal I want Verts back in the middle with BAE LB and ask them kindly not to both hit a bong before they come out on the pitch, Verts partner should really be according to whether Giroud or Walcott plays up top. I'd imagine they'll go Walcott to break the high line we have been playing, so probably Verts and Caulker for me.

Parker and Dembele again, but Parker needs to stop wandering off upfield leaving Dembele to cover, it's obvious why this happens because teams are spending so much time trying to stop Dembele getting on the front foot and driving forward that Parker is the man left on the ball with space to make things happen, and with the best will in the world he doesn't make things happen.

There is a case for perhaps moving Holtby to the right side in place of Lennon, pushing Dembele up in the no10 slot and playing Parker and Tom Carroll in the middle - although I suspect that AVB doesn't agree, and losing Lennon from the side against a team that is vulnerable, to put it politely, on the counter is not the best move.

Gylfi played himself into contention. Though I expect Holtby to start and be replaced by him like yesterday.

Dempsey will come on from the bench for Lennon probably in the last 10 when he has run himself out - He does offer a goal and aeriel threat, whilst no world beater a decent squad player.

 

[Danny1]

For this game id actually prefer us to play the following:

Lloris​

Walker - Dawson - Vertonghen - BAE​

Dembele - Parker​

Holtby - Bale - Sigurdsson​

Adebayor​

​

Now I think Lennon has played well this year but the last few games he has been non existent and I think the flexibility of the front 3 as above would cause Arsenals back line all kinds of trouble!​

​

Hey thats my view anyway!​

 

[tobi]

Lloris​

Walker Gallas Vertonghen BAE​

Livermore Dembele​

Thor Holtby Talisman​

Adebayor​

 

[Francis Gibbs]

Lloris
Walker Gallas Caulker Verts
Lennon Dembele Parker Holtby
Bale
Adebayor (

 

[ShelfSide18]

Don't disagree with a lot of that, but Arsenal is the game where we need a goal. I think you are being overly nice to Holtby and Dembele because you are 'doing a BC' and supporting the type of footballer you like rather than what is actually happening. For all of Holtby's talent, he has been poor in the majority of appearances, I like him too, but he's been crap, and saying he 'works harder, shows for the ball more etc', come on mate. There's no point dressing it up. And Dembele, another footballer that I like, has been worse. Sod moving him up to an even bigger risk as the No 10 where he has barely ever played let alone excelled, I'd rather have all piss and wind Dempsey for 60 mins who might do something mental and put one in off his knee cap.

And again, I don't agree that teams are stifling Dembele, he is stifling himself. As I mentioned in the ratings thread, he is either injured or ill, because there is no excuse for his turgid performances.

For what it is worth I would happily do what you suggested and play Carroll instead of Dembele, but I don't want the Mousse pushed forward into an unfamiliar role in what is an enormous game.

Dempsey has been poor in a majority of appearances though Bear, and Holtby even in his patchy form so far has shown more ability than him, by far. I may be supporting Holtby because he's the type of player I like, and I'd like him to be ahead of Dempsey who is the type of player I don't like - there is really not one situation I can conceive (other than in the final few minutes in the box searching for a goal) that I would want Dempsey ahead of Holtby. I stand by the fact that he works harder, he gets on the ball more - that's not dressing it up Bear. If we need a goal of someone's kneecap then chuck Dempsey on late in the game.

And as has just been pointed out, I forgot Siggy Stardust, who is worth a shout too after a good cameo last night.

 

[Mr Pink]

I thought Holtby was non existent last night if I'm honest. Love the kid already and he has a great attitude but Dempsey offers more of a goal threat....with Bear on this one, if he's fit I would start Dempsey with Holtby on the bench. We need a shape and I think young Lewis isn't disciplined enough yet for all his endeavour. Will improve with time I'm sure as he has the skill set, just think for this Sunday it would be wiser to have him on the bench. If Dempsey is out I would start Sig in that position.

I think Gallas will play, he'll be so up for it as well like Adebayor.

My team would be:

Lloris

Walker
Gallas
Vertonghen
Ekotto

Parker
Dembele

Lennon
Bale
Dempsey

Adebayor

Subs: Friedel, Dawson, Naughton, Livermore, Sigurdsson, Holtby, Defoe/Carroll

If Defoe doesn't make the squad I would have young Carroll on the bench as opposed to two CBs.

 

[felmani26]

Don't disagree with a lot of that, but Arsenal is the game where we need a goal. I think you are being overly nice to Holtby and Dembele because you are 'doing a BC' and supporting the type of footballer you like rather than what is actually happening. For all of Holtby's talent, he has been poor in the majority of appearances, I like him too, but he's been crap, and saying he 'works harder, shows for the ball more etc', come on mate. There's no point dressing it up. And Dembele, another footballer that I like, has been worse. Sod moving him up to an even bigger risk as the No 10 where he has barely ever played let alone excelled, I'd rather have all piss and wind Dempsey for 60 mins who might do something mental and put one in off his knee cap.

And again, I don't agree that teams are stifling Dembele, he is stifling himself. As I mentioned in the ratings thread, he is either injured or ill, because there is no excuse for his turgid performances.

For what it is worth I would happily do what you suggested and play Carroll instead of Dembele, but I don't want the Mousse pushed forward into an unfamiliar role in what is an enormous game.

I think there is some validity to your argument SB and in the case of Dembele, take his goal away from Lyon, his input has been hugely underwhelming for a good while now.

Perhaps his hip is giving him grief and is never truly '100%' and undoubtedly he is a talented player indeed but his mentality worries me and next to Parker, it's literally watching our central midfield in slow motion, which compounded by shit movement ahead in a congested final third serves only to fizzle out our attacks with a whimper.

Holtby is a bit like Lennon and not necessarily in a good way - his flicks and 'round the corner' passing is fancy but not very productive and usually means losing possession and being hit on the break. One player trying this we can cope with but when you have several in advanced positions then again, it just leads to continued break down of attacks and often so needlessly when the simple pass is on.

 

[faymantaray]

Caulker should start. Beast from set pieces as shown last night and Arsenal have struggled with them for years now. I would play Holtby, Bale and Gylfi all interchanging behind Adebayor.

 

[Mr Pink]

For this game id actually prefer us to play the following:

Lloris​

Walker - Dawson - Vertonghen - BAE​

Dembele - Parker​

Holtby - Bale - Sigurdsson​

Adebayor​

​

Now I think Lennon has played well this year but the last few games he has been non existent and I think the flexibility of the front 3 as above would cause Arsenals back line all kinds of trouble!

Hey thats my view anyway!

Lennon on the counter for me here. He'll probably be up against Jenikson as well, no brainer.

 

[felmani26]

I thought Holtby was non existent last night if I'm honest. Love the kid already and he has a great attitude but Dempsey offers more of a goal threat....with Bear on this one, if he's fit I would start Dempsey with Holtby on the bench. We need a shape and I think young Lewis isn't disciplined enough yet for all his endeavour. Will improve with time I'm sure as he has the skill set, just think for this Sunday it would be wiser to have him on the bench. If Dempsey is out I would start Sig in that position.

I think Gallas will play, he'll be so up for it as well like Adebayor.

My team would be:

Lloris

Walker
Gallas
Vertonghen
Ekotto

Parker
Dembele

Lennon
Bale
Dempsey

Adebayor

Subs: Friedel, Dawson, Naughton, Livermore, Sigurdsson, Holtby, Defoe/Carroll

If Defoe doesn't make the squad I would have young Carroll on the bench as opposed to two CBs.

I'd still much rather Siggi on the left than Dempsey and shown against West Ham that he is getting nice sighter's on goal cutting in from the left.

 

[not_tenth-again]

Lloris
Walker Caulker Vertonghen BAE
Parker Dembele
Lennon Sigurdsson Bale
Adebayor

Start early by pinning their fullbacks, allow some room for Adebayor to move in, get his confidence up early. Switch Bale to the middle in the second half and bring Livermore and Holtby on for the last 30 minutes. 3-1 to the good guys.

EDIT - imagine this team with Kaboul, Sandro and a fully functioning Adebayor! Serious title threat

 

[tommyt]

A front 4 of:

Lennon Bale Sigi
.............Ade...........

 

[theShiznit]

I wouldn't fancy the immobile Caulker against Arsenal's pacey attackers, especially if Walcott is playing through the middle, and for the same reasons Benny needs to be at LB and not Vertonghen.

Would go;

Lloris

Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, BAE

Parker & Dembele (don't think it's a good partnership but not the game to change it)
Lennon (must do more) Holtby (the more starts the better he'll be) Bale.

Ade (what else can we do? oh and be pumped up but no two footed lunges please.)

But i also would not mind seeing Holtby on the right in place of Lennon and Siggy starting.

Just that Lennon seems to do well against the goons.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Dempsey has been poor in a majority of appearances though Bear, and Holtby even in his patchy form so far has shown more ability than him, by far. I may be supporting Holtby because he's the type of player I like, and I'd like him to be ahead of Dempsey who is the type of player I don't like - there is really not one situation I can conceive (other than in the final few minutes in the box searching for a goal) that I would want Dempsey ahead of Holtby. I stand by the fact that he works harder, he gets on the ball more - that's not dressing it up Bear. If we need a goal of someone's kneecap then chuck Dempsey on late in the game.

And as has just been pointed out, I forgot Siggy Stardust, who is worth a shout too after a good cameo last night.

Again...depends how you dress that up mate. More ability = fancy flicks? Whatever he's done he's been completely ineffective, Dempsey may be gash but he's reasonably effective gash. If you were asking me who I wanted to see more of for the majority of the season I would hands down say Holtby. If you're talking about the NLD, all blood and guts and a goal potentially scored off someone's thigh, then I'm going for Dempo.

Sigurdsson was very bright when he came on last night, but we've seen that before. For me, Dempo plays 60 mins, tries to get one in off his foreskin, and then Sigurdsson or Holtby comes on.

 

[tobi]

Lennon on the counter for me here. He'll probably be up against Jenikson as well, no brainer.

It doesn't matter who he's up against, its all in his head.

He can beat most full backs in the league on a consistent basis but ends up taking the safe option or making a bad decision.

He should be offended that these lesser players don't feel threatened by him when he's on the ball.

 

[dirtyh]

anyone think jd may be back in some capacity?

 

[Mr Pink]

I'd still much rather Siggi on the left than Dempsey and shown against West Ham that he is getting nice sighter's on goal cutting in from the left.

Dempsey has looked alright from the left, I've been more encouraged by him operating there. Just think Dempsey is more crudly effective.

I like Sig coming off the bench, seems to do always do better in that capacity.

 

[chrissivad]

anyone think jd may be back in some capacity?

there has been no news yet bout him.
Can only hope he will be back training today or tomorrow for a slight chance of making the bench