The back 5 against West Brom

[Ian Royal]

McCarthy
Gunter, Mariappa, Pearce, Shorey

Although that seems a bit drastic at the same time. Pearce has been better than Gorkss so far IMO and we need more pace at the back.

[bracksroyal10]

As good as Gorks has been for us over the last year or so I think he is very suspect at times and he just doesn't have the pace. I wouldn't take off Pearce as he looks more of a threat going forward for corners right now. You saw today we just couldn't deal with Lennon, Bale and Defoe on the counter.

Even Harte today only had about 2 decent deliveries the whole game from crosses his set piece delivery was poor good pass from Sig to Lennon for the first goal but suppose a pacier left back might have got there. Hate to keep banging on about the lack of pace but in the Prem we are going to get found out badly.

Mariappa needs to be getting game time I feel clearly he has something big to offer to us if clubs like Newcastle, Arsenal were linked with him.

[Woodcote Royal]

If Tottenham play like that for the rest of the season they'll be in contention for a top four finish.

Any defence up against Bale, Lennon, Defoe and Gylfi would be stretched at times so I really don't get the constant knocking of our centre backs, who I felt once again did a decent job up against a very good side.

On the other hand, it really beggars belief what an easy ride Jobi gets on here. Yet again he did little offensively whilst regularly leaving 35? year old Harte to cope with Lennon by himself. Meanwhile, our right back gets a slagging for not having Bale in his pocket

McCarthy deserves his chance after such a long wait and his relationship with the rest of the defence should improve with more games. Please find a broom cupboard for Fed and Shorey.

[Wimb]

If Tottenham play like that for the rest of the season they'll be in contention for a top four finish.

Any defence up against Bale, Lennon, Defoe and Gylfi would be stretched at times so I really don't get the constant knocking of our centre backs, who I felt once again did a decent job up against a very good side.

^^^^ this

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

McDermott’s interview on BBC Radio Berks after the game indicated Federici was dropped for the Spurs game and is also carry a new injury so they will continue to monitor and rest the player so McCarthy will start next week against West Brom.

Stick with the same back four Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss and Harte for one more game, and then make the changes.

Shorey in for Harte.

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

Ideal wrote: McCarthy
Gunter Gorkss Pearce Shorey
Mcleary jem legsofwood Robson-Kanu
Alf Pog

R-K has deserved a chance to start, and Had-a-nuff has failed to impress.

No place for Guthrie!!!!

[Stooper]

Sheppard
Booty Hunter Primus Bodin

[Optimist]

Federici if fit
Cummings Pearce Gorkss Shorey

[melonhead]

Knee jerk maybe but my back 5 against West Brom would be

Feds
Gunter Mariappa Gorkss Shorey


I feel Pearce/Gorkss/Harte is too slow and will struggle against Long an' co

you want to drop the only player who didnt have a bad game in the defence, and leave in the one who was wrestled off the ball by one of the smallest players on the pitch?

agree totally on harte

[TBM]

Yes

I feel Pearce and Mariappa would be far too inexperienced - whereas Gorkss can guide Mariappa similar to how he did Pearce last season

Oh and what has size got to do with strength? - for a start Defoe is black so he's instantly going to be stronger than some lanky white man

[Stuboo]

Knee jerk maybe but my back 5 against West Brom would be

Feds
Gunter Mariappa Gorkss Shorey


I feel Pearce/Gorkss/Harte is too slow and will struggle against Long an' co

you want to drop the only player who didnt have a bad game in the defence, and leave in the one who was wrestled off the ball by one of the smallest players on the pitch?

agree totally on harte

Gorkss had one or two iffy moments, but may I suggest that on the whole he did some good work. I can't see our centre backs getting dropped, but if they don't improve in the next game or two, both our wingers might be at risk of loosing their place.

[melonhead]

mcleary has been the standout player so far, apart from this week, where he failed to produce some end product
mcanuff was poor, but was playing left back for most of the game to cover the appaling harte.

id drop harte. bring in the pacey shorey
id possibly drop a CB for the pacier mariappa, but it would be gorkss on the basis of the games ive seen this season.

[Divvy]

===================== McCarthy =====================
Gunter ==== Pearce ============ Mariappa ==== Mcanuff

I don't see the benefit of that?

Cummings would be a far better option at left back. Even Shorey if we're that bad off.

[Ark Royal]

Some of Gorkss' distribution yesterday was poor and he got caught in possession for Defoe's third. Not good seeing Harte rinsed by Lennon - the level of pace and movement really goes up a notch in the Prem. Mariappa and Shorey in. Still yet to be totally convinced about Gunter, but another chance. Definitely need to start with two up front as Pog is becoming increasingly more isolated.

McCarthy
Gunter Pearce Mariappa Shorey
McCleary Guthrie Leigertwood McAnuff
Pog Alf

[RoyalX]

I thought that Harte's lack of pace would be fine in the Prem, because Gorkss would just come across and cover like last year?

[No Fixed Abode]

I thought that Harte's lack of pace would be fine in the Prem, because Gorkss would just come across and cover like last year?

Gorkss at fault for Defoe's 2nd goal though - outmuscled and beaten for pace easily.

[HoneyRoastHoax]

my full starting 11 would be:
McCarthy/Feds
Gunter Pearce Gorkks Shorey
McCleary Guthrie Leigertwood Jobi
Pog Hunt

you having two keepers are you? good stuff

[Ian Royal]

Yes

I feel Pearce and Mariappa would be far too inexperienced - whereas Gorkss can guide Mariappa similar to how he did Pearce last season

Oh and what has size got to do with strength? - for a start Defoe is black so he's instantly going to be stronger than some lanky white man

I disagree with your decision, but you are right, Pearce and Mariappa would be worryingly inexperienced. Especially alongside Gunter and ahead of McCarthy. Personally, I'd still be dropping Gorkss it it came to Mariappa coming in.

[RFCSPACE]

McCarthy - Brian has already said Federici is out of WBA game + I wouldn't bring him back after just 1 game
Gunter - Getting better each game IMO, will be fine given the games
Pearce - Our best defender so far this season and up there with our best last season
Mariappa - As previously stated many times, we lack so much pace in defense it's scary. In addition Gorkss has hardly been convincing so far. Time for a change.
Harte - Wouldn't want to change too much too soon and I don't think Shorey is much of an improvement in any case

[Lovely hot donuts!]

I'd play Federici if fit but sounds like he won't be so McCarthy.

Keep Gunter at right back because he's been superb.

Definitely keep Gorkss because I love him and think he's brilliant. He's also the only CB who can shift the ball up-to the midfield well. We'll miss this if he's dropped.

I'd be more prone to dropping Pearce but don't think I would quite yet. Even though everyone else seem to love him, I'm not so sure. But for now I'd still stick.

I think it might be time we dropped Harte. He does have good moments but not as many as he used to. Also with Guthrie it's no longer worth keeping him in for set pieces like it was last season. However, I don't believe that Shorey would be a big improvement. I would like to see Cummings there. I've seen him at left back before and he's proved to just be as good there as at right-back and I do think it's a shame he's not been able to get in the team this year but Gunter's been to good.