WRT to the lineup I think we go with: Bachmann Femenia Kabasele WTE Masina Etebo Cleverley Louza Sarr - Dennis - Hernandez Given that the match is Sunday, Rose sliding in at left back could certainly happen as well, although they might be careful with his legs given his age. Femenia has been slowly being built up for this, he should be ready. I like Sema, but it's awfully hard to keep Hernandez off the pitch at this point, no matter how much Munoz seems to like him as an impact sub. Cucho coming off the bench reminds me a bit of Tuchel and Pulisic at Chelsea... quit effing around and play the man, you're better with him on the pitch. On a semi related note, can't wait for Pedro to come back. It will be interesting to see if there's a way to get Pedro, Cucho, Dennis and Sarr on the pitch at the same time. That could make for some interesting defensive challenges for the opposition (unfortunately perhaps for us as well).
I don't want them all on the pitch at the same time. I like the idea of being able to replace our quick and dangerous forwards with more quick and dangerous forwards, to the dismay of the tiring opposition defence.
Exactly. And by many reports had to train his arse off to get in fighting trim. That makes him ripe for a muscle injury, so you need to watch what you do with him. Not saying it rules him out, but it could be a factor.
Tuesday was the first game he's played in over a year, good that he got 90 mins in, and I think he'll be better than Masina this season, but maybe we should be careful about his workload
At least Sunday won’t be Harold’s first start of the season, or indeed home appearance, as he’s starting in their European tie this evening.
Hoping we dont take any chances with Rose or Kucka for this game. Its gonna be a long season and we dont want them injured.
If he don't play Sierralta, I give up because only an idiot would leave him out of the team for Kabasele and Troost-Ekong. If Sierralta is fit and he don't play then Munoz is stupid.
Is this game on BT this week-end, I was only asking as we are kicking off at 2pm on Sunday, and the live sky match listed is not our game?
Thanks EB I have just seen that on SSN and the penny has dropped as to why we are playing on Sunday. Furthermore Mr Kane got a couple of goals as well, so Sunday is looking even more ominous me thinks, or maybe him and his mates might be a little tired after their exertions, lets all hope so
As a positive result is unlikely, I wont mind too much if he is saved for the 3 'crunch games' in September. I would rather have him 100% for those.
I’ve been on this forum long enough to know that this is entirely Deeney’s choice, because apparently he runs the club.
Although there is an element of “throw enough and something will stick” about a forum. Just look at the transfers thread - all the actual transfers were flagged up, but so were a hell of a lot that never happened. I suspect that part of journalistic responsibility is only breaking news if it is credible. AL, whatever one thinks of him, neatly summed up that process on a recent ATR podcast.
Injury update: https://www.watfordfc.com/news/team-news-tottenham-v-watford Foster’s out but otherwise as you were. Kucka in light training, probably not ready. Chalobah back training but doing an individual programme to build fitness. Gosling still ill. JP has got back running (so I’d guess maybe another month away from playing?). Tufan not yet available- presumably isolating.
By the sounds of it, Chalobah isn't trying to engineer a move, but had quite a serious illness? Am I picking up the wrong end of the stick? Wonder if they'll all be available immediately after the international break?
So midfield 3 will be Cleverly, Etebo and Ken. Could do with signing Sissoko before Sunday . At least it means we should see Cucho start .
The argument for starting Cucho in place of Sema is that Cucho is around 37 times better than Sema at football. I do like Ken though, he has very kind eyes, so I'm happy either way.
Current predictions: Kucka back ~ 2-2 Kucka back, Sierralta + Kiko in ~ 1-2 Kucka back, Sierralta in ~ 1-1 Sierralta in ~ 0-0 Sierralta + Kiko in ~ 1-0 Rose + Sierralta + Kiko in ~ 1-0 Kucka still out, Kiko+Rose in ~ 2-0 Kucka still out, Sierralta + Rose in ~ 0-0 Louza out for Sema, Cucho in for Sema ~ 3-1 Unchanged team ~ 4-0 Cucho in for Sema ~ 2-1 Basically, Rose, Sierralta, Kaba, Kiko at the back, we concede 0. Kucka in midfield, we score at least 1. Cucho in for Sema, we score at least 1.
If Xisco picks our best defenders to play in their actual positions then we might just scrape something here with the pace we have up front. Sema and Louza in CM at the same time would be an absolute blood bath.
I reckon with a couple more cup appearances, Louza could get to grips with English football. If he can do it on a dry day in Stoke, I'll take him.
We don't have a cat in hells chance of a single point here. If we last for 15 minutes without conceding it'll be remarkable in itself. 4-0 will flatter us.
