Team for Chelsea

[bassavage]

Think he'll go 4-4-2. I'd put McCleary and Hunt for HRK and ALF.

[Stuboo]

Just a thought, Hunt will probably get booed heavilly by the Chelsea fans being the brother of Stephen Hunt (obviously I think that is ridiculous). Would that play any part in Brian's selection?

[MouldyRoyal]

Probably not. Can't see Noel being remotely bothered by a bit of booing.

[Ian Royal]

Not sure why you'd pick Hunt to start over ALF, when ALF scored and Hunt came on for Pog against Stoke.

[E. Andrew]

Not sure I would play GMac from the start. He was great when he came on on Saturday but he was running at players who had toiled in the heat for over an hour and must have been knackered. Much better to have him in reserve, up your sleeve, ready to come on later in the game and change the tempo. I thought HRK had a pretty solid start on Saturday and I would start with him again. At least then you've got the option of changing it around if needsbe. Chelsea will have had scouts watching Saturday's game and will have a plan to nullify GMac if he starts. Might not be so easy for them if he comes on with half an hour left when their defence could be tiring (especially as they played 24 hours after we did).

If the next two games were against mid-table teams, I would bring on McCleary earlier than last time as a sub, then start him if he was still outperforming HRK. Against Chelsea, our best shot for points will likely come in the first 30 min; in the last 30 a change of tempo might not be enough. I don't think HRK played to his standard on Sat; if I recall, it seemed he was pressed against the line frequently and didn't have much room to create when he had the ball. But, I can't see many scoreboard situations where he would replace McClearly in this game. Could go 4-5-1 with McCleary and bring on ALF/Hunt if we need to press more, or go same squad. I'd lean toward same squad.

[leww_rfc]

Federici

Gunter
Pearce
Gorkss
Harte

McCleary
Guthrie
Ledge
McAnuff

Pog
Le Fondre

Subs: McCarthy, Cummings, Mariappa, Shorey, Tabb, Hunt, HRK

[royalp-we]

Federici

Gunter
Pearce
Gorkss
Harte

McCleary
Guthrie
Ledge
McAnuff

Pog
Le Fondre

Subs: McCarthy, Cummings, Mariappa, Shorey, Tabb, Hunt, HRK

I agree with this.

Don't upset the team balance, only 1 subtle change, wholesale change against Sunderland if needed.

[RoyallyFcuked]

The only likely change is McCleary coming in for HRK.

[Snowball]

=================TEAM BUS==================
Gunter======Federici=McCarthy=Taylor=====Shorey
Cummings===Pearce==Marriappa===Gorkss===Harte

[grey_squirrel]

Federici

Gunter
Pearce
Gorkss
Harte

McCleary
Guthrie
Ledge
McAnuff

Pog
Le Fondre

Subs: McCarthy, Cummings, Mariappa, Shorey, Tabb, Hunt, HRK

I agree with this.

Don't upset the team balance, only 1 subtle change, wholesale change against Sunderland if needed.

Ditto this.

It won't save us from a stuffing though

[Kebe Cummings]

_______________McCarthy_____________
Gunter_____Pearce____Gorks_____Shorey
Cummings_____Leigertwood____McCleary
________________Gunter_______________
___________Pog_______Le Fondre________

[Kebe Cummings]

_______________McCarthy_____________
Gunter_____Pearce____Gorks_____Shorey
Cummings_____Leigertwood____McCleary
________________Guthrie_______________
___________Pog_______Le Fondre________

[Ascotexgunner]

-------------------Fed--------------------
Gunter---------Pearce----------Gorkss-----------Harte
HRK---Guthrie----Leigertwood----Karacan----McAnuff
Pog/Roberts

I feel it's only a matter of time before Mariappa takes Pearce's place though.

Wouldn't be surprised to see this.

Yep I'd go with that. If its close and we're down a fresh ALF to retrieve the situation is a nice option.

[RoyalX]

_______________McCarthy_____________
Gunter_____Pearce____Gorks_____Shorey
Cummings_____Leigertwood____McCleary
________________Guthrie_______________
___________Pog_______Le Fondre________

at dropping our first choice keeper after one mistake.

Not sure why you'd pick Hunt to start over ALF, when ALF scored and Hunt came on for Pog against Stoke.

He scored a penalty, it's not quite the same as scoring any other goal. I personally think Hunt is a better choice against Chelsea because he'll do a lot more of the dirty work than ALF.

[Woodcote Royal]

I'd guarantee that if we had had Gorkss alongside Harte for the PLay off final, we wouldn't have conceded those two goals from that side.

(Not saying we'd have won mind you)

I would.

I'm someone who was once very critical of Harte's lack of pace but, Brian, who was clearly quite badly effected by our defeat at Wembley, solved the problem by signing Gorkks.

In my view, only the blind spot some have regarding Shorey would make anyone think that this never quick and now 31 year old defender would make much difference in this respect.


----------------------------Fed------------------------------
---Gunter------Pearce---------Gorks-----------Harte---
--------------Guthrie--------------------Legs----------------
---McCleary--------------------------------------McAnuff---
--------------------Alf-------------Hunt-----------------------

I don't think Brian will go 4-5-1 but Hunt not only provides the best available strength in the air he is also our best striker for dropping back into midfield and helping out. I don't see how you can drop Saturday's goalscorer and keep Pog who offered very little on the day. I'd give him and HRK the chance to shine from the bench against tired legs and retain our best goal threat.

[RichRed]

I agree with last post:

McCleary for HRK
I think Cummins going back to his old Chelsea will have a point to prove... @ right back
I like the idea of Mariappa screening Chelsea strikers - so we might lose Alf
Urzz

[Norfolk Royal]

How fast actually is Mariappa?

They did some speed tests on the players before the season started where each player had to run against a Cheetah chasing a fake gazelle around a greyhound track.

Mariappa was the only one who actually beat the Cheetah.

[JordCot]

How fast actually is Mariappa?

They did some speed tests on the players before the season started where each player had to run against a Cheetah chasing a fake gazelle around a greyhound track.

Mariappa was the only one who actually beat the Cheetah.

Good to know

[edinburghroyal]

How fast actually is Mariappa?

They did some speed tests on the players before the season started where each player had to run against a Cheetah chasing a fake gazelle around a greyhound track.

Mariappa was the only one who actually beat the Cheetah.

I can't believe that he is faster than Kebe!

[Norfolk Royal]

How fast actually is Mariappa?

They did some speed tests on the players before the season started where each player had to run against a Cheetah chasing a fake gazelle around a greyhound track.

Mariappa was the only one who actually beat the Cheetah.

I can't believe that he is faster than Kebe!

Kebe didn't take part due to injury. Harte was lapped by the Cheetah and the race was only one lap long.