Team vs Rubin Kazan (away)

[Dan Ashcroft]

there was a young right back we had a few years ago, I seem to remember him playing against liverpool the day that naybet had his debut, he was young, half black, cornrows or smthg similar for a hair cut. I think he only played 2 games with us, anyone remember his name?

We've actually got England U21s current right back on our books - Adam Smith.

Unfortunately he's out on loan at MK Dons at the moment, so can't play on Thursday.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Because he will be on the bench for Fulham and Harry has said none of the first team will go to Russia?

I think we will get smashed to pieces over there. I worry about playing too weak a squad as I doubt a hammering will do us any good, even if it is the kids.

We need to keep Defoe sharp for his late cameos though, because now Ade and Rafa are established he'll be getting a lot of bench time over the coming months.

I wouldn't risk taking Sandro, but Defoe and Pav are pretty interchangable/despensible as back-ups.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I'm assuming that our 18 for Sunday will be the same as yesterday with maybe Pienaar instead of Pav. If that's the case none of them should play meaning that the only experienced players that should be travelling should be Gomes and Pienaar/Pav (hopefully Pav).

That does leave us with a defensive nightmare though as apparently we don't have any good young defenders at the moment.

 

[Bales Left Peg]

I think someone said that Danny Rose has posted on his Twitter that he's injured again.

 

[Phil_2.0]

Cudicini
Livermore Gallas Bassong Townsend
Gio Sandro Carroll Pienaar
Defoe
Pav

Subs should be none of the first team, just a bunch of yts lads imo.


​

 

[bubble07]

This team is good enough for a draw

Gomes

Fredericks Gallas(c) Bassong Townsend

Giovani Livermore Carroll Pienaar

Defoe Pavlyuchenko

Subs: Cudicini, Falque, Kane plus 4 minors

 

[talkshowhost86]

Do we genuinely have no youth defenders who are able to play?

 

[bubble07]

Do we genuinely have no youth defenders who are able to play?

if we want to win we then we haven't got any youth defenders

 

[Yid-ol]

i wouldnt take anyone that will be starting, or bench against Fulham, its along way to go!

you could do this and have no main first teamers go out.

------------Gomes
Bathram---Bassong-Livermore - Stewart
Fredreicks-Pritchard-Carroll- Townsend
--------Gio/Kane
----------------Pav
subs - Lancaster Kane/Gio Button Stewart, Falque, Nicholson and Parret.

if pav is going to be on the bench agaisnt fulham, play gio and kane up top, or falque just off kane

 

[mpickard2087]

This game is pointless, we can afford to lose it as we are basically through and should get six points from the last two games. With the long flight as well that is going to fatigue players for the weekend and maybe even increase risk of injury during the game. I cant see why we should risk the likes of Gallas getting re-injured and playing the likes of Defoe and Sandro is fucking mental IMO.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Do we genuinely have no youth defenders who are able to play?

Of the generation that should be playing (i.e. the 19 and 20 year olds) Adam Smith and Caulker are out on loan, while Sam Cox and Calum Butcher were released.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Of the generation that should be playing (i.e. the 19 and 20 year olds) Adam Smith and Caulker are out on loan, while Sam Cox and Calum Butcher were released.

Hmmmm...not good really.

We can't afford to send Gallas all that way and we also need Bassong fit in case Ledley has a flare up of one of his many ailments.

Livermore may have to play centre back with Chirpy.

 

[Bales Left Peg]

I didnt realise that Butcher was release. I didnt think he was a bad player. I remember watching the youth team against arsenal and he did well.
Anyone know where he's gone? Was Mason sold or loaned again?

 

[felmani26]

Do we genuinely have no youth defenders who are able to play?

The kids who are most likely to play a part in defence would be Jack Barthram at right back, Kevin Stewart at centre back and at a push maybe Ryan Fredericks or Andros Townsend at left back.

As Dan Ashcroft said, Smith and Caulker would be in the mix had they not gone out on loan.

 

[Spursidol]

if we want to win we then we haven't got any youth defenders

We want to avoid a hammering - a draw would be acceptable but we do need some experienced defenders against Rubin Kazan for that !

There are only 2 defenders in the Professionals (Reserves) - Steven Caulker (loan to Swansea) and Adam Smith (loan to MK Dons)...additionally Nathan Byrne seems to play anywhere in midfield and defence (on loan to Bournemouth)

There are a few defenders in Academy Year 2, of which Kevin Stewart (CB/RB/LB) and Jack Barthram (RB) seem to be the highest rated and are both about a month past their 18th Birthday. Both have played well in NextGen under 19's - but that is the highest level they have played. It would be a huge leap to play in Europa League (although both made the bench against PAOK) but a debut against Rubin Kazan might be a stretch too far - a better debut for them might be a substitute appearance against Shamrock Rovers or PAOK.

 

[Bales Left Peg]

I think we'll see pretty much the same side as all other rounds. As some people have said i dont think walker will go. Could see Pienaar playing though as its a good bit of match practice for him. The problem is really the full backs..... I saw some mentioned about putting Livermore at right back, has hee played there before?

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

I didnt realise that Butcher was release. I didnt think he was a bad player. I remember watching the youth team against arsenal and he did well.
Anyone know where he's gone? Was Mason sold or loaned again?

Always thought Butcher was better than Caulker myself when they were coming through. He's playing in the Denish top flight now I read a little while ago.

 

[Bales Left Peg]

Footballs a funny old game..... must of been a case of face didnt fit or something.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Perhaps we should just play with no defenders?

Gomes

Fredericks Carroll Nicholson Parrett Townsend

Falque Dos Santos Pritchard

Pavyluchenko Kane​

 

[Yid-ol]

Perhaps we should just play with no defenders?

Gomes​

Fredericks Carroll Nicholson Parrett Townsend​

Falque Dos Santos Pritchard​

Pavyluchenko Kane​

And if the old gomes turns up, it will be like playing with no keeper also :think: