SaintBitterne Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Feels a bit weird having such a large break with no internationals in the way, but will be good for the players to get a break especially ahead of the congested line up that's coming up.Spurs are not playing amazingly but are one of those sides that can turn up on the day. Forster Cedric Fonte Van Dijk Bertand Clasie Romeu Davis Boufal Rodriguez Tadic Subs: Taylor, yoshida, clasie ,long ,Redmond,Ward Prowse, hojberg 1-1
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Batman please tell us we will be "torn a new one"
Saint Garrett Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 They're not as good this year. Would go with the same line up, possibly Redmond in for Tadic. It's a winnable game as long as we don't let them suffocate us with the press. I want us to take the game to them and press them, the players look much happier pushing the oppo back than sitting back in our own half.
Chris27687 Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Team picks itself - i wonder if Puel will bench Boufal for his little tantrum over being subbed. Hopefully he apologised swiftly after the game and he starts - he's getting notably better every game.
Dusic Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Imagine we will need to make 10 changes between the WBA and Everton games due to only have a one day recovery/travel window, so could see slightly more of a mixed side for this one as quite possibly those who play this game might miss WBA and then come back for the Everton game.
eurosaint Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Feels a bit weird having such a large break with no internationals in the way, but will be good for the players to get a break especially ahead of the congested line up that's coming up.Spurs are not playing amazingly but are one of those sides that can turn up on the day. Forster Cedric Fonte Van Dijk Bertand Clasie Romeu Davis Boufal Rodriguez Tadic Subs: Taylor, yoshida, clasie ,long ,Redmond,Ward Prowse, hojberg 1-1 I know that he is improving but this might just be too much for him
austsaint Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Team picks itself - i wonder if Puel will bench Boufal for his little tantrum over being subbed. Hopefully he apologised swiftly after the game and he starts - he's getting notably better every game. I hope Boufal starts and Puel doesn't do a "Koeman" (dropping Mane v Norwich) and discipline Boufal for his dummy spit at being subbed. The bottom line is he is getting into his stride and giving us creativity and threat in attack. I also hope JWP is given another spell because our midfield looks so much better with midfielders who can and do take the game up to the opposition with decisive running and passing - Davis and Hojbjerg were great examples of this in the second half on Sunday. Tadic has been below par in two "off the bench" appearances since injury and Redmond might be the better option wide with Boufal and J-Rod.
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 (edited) Team picks itself - i wonder if Puel will bench Boufal for his little tantrum over being subbed. Hopefully he apologised swiftly after the game and he starts - he's getting notably better every game. Personally i am not annoyed at his "tantrum" more pleased thet he wants to be out there... This guy is going to be really good for us Edited 19 December, 2016 by ALWAYS_SFC
Toadhall Saint Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Personally i am not annoyed at his "tantrum" more pleased thet he wants to be out there... This guy is going to be realluy good for us This
benjii Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Personally i am not annoyed at his "tantrum" more pleased thet he wants to be out there... This guy is going to be realluy good for us Yeah, all he did was look fed-up at being subbed. Which is quite natural. He didn't stage a sit-down protest or start throwing things about. I expect Puel told him in no uncertain terms why he was subbed and all is well. As for the team, it is an interesting dilemma. I think the "first XI" is clear in terms of nine people. The only question marks are: i) Fonte or Yoshida and, ii) who the third forward is (assuming Boufal and Rodriguez are first choice). I think Davis and Clasie are clearly the best two to partner Romeu and the rest of the back four is obvious. Although West Brom are doing well they are still a very limited side. I would be inclined to pick our best team against Spurs and Everton and make-do against West Brom. In any case, five points from the three games would be excellent.
Lighthouse Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 I agree with that line up but I suspect it will be Redmond, not Tadic.
PeteCampbell Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Forster Cedric Fonte VVD Bertrand Davis Romeu JWP Boufal Rod Redmond
mrfahaji Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Yeah, all he did was look fed-up at being subbed. Which is quite natural. He didn't stage a sit-down protest or start throwing things about. I expect Puel told him in no uncertain terms why he was subbed and all is well. As for the team, it is an interesting dilemma. I think the "first XI" is clear in terms of nine people. The only question marks are: i) Fonte or Yoshida and, ii) who the third forward is (assuming Boufal and Rodriguez are first choice). I think Davis and Clasie are clearly the best two to partner Romeu and the rest of the back four is obvious. Although West Brom are doing well they are still a very limited side. I would be inclined to pick our best team against Spurs and Everton and make-do against West Brom. In any case, five points from the three games would be excellent. Is this clearly the case? Clasie has played a lot better recently, but yesterday he was playing the holding role when it was actually Davis & Hojbjerg playing as the two. For all his failings (and there were many!) in the first half, Hojbjerg did a lot better second half, when we were at our best. Tadic was pretty anonymous yesterday, but if he is fit I'm not sure how he can't be considered first choice.
Dusic Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 Is this clearly the case? Clasie has played a lot better recently, but yesterday he was playing the holding role when it was actually Davis & Hojbjerg playing as the two. For all his failings (and there were many!) in the first half, Hojbjerg did a lot better second half, when we were at our best. Tadic was pretty anonymous yesterday, but if he is fit I'm not sure how he can't be considered first choice. Our two best two displays (second halves at Bmth and WHU) have been with Davis and Hojbjerg as the two central midfielders ahead of the holding player.
pangy Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 First time in 20 years I am back in the UK for xmas and have tickets for this,the nipper wants to meet some of the players before the game,any idea on what time I should be at the ground for this ?
Pamplemousse Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 It'll be a tough one, but at least the two wins on the bounce have got rid of the idiotic #PuelOut brigade
Dalek2003 Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 I'll be happy to settle for a draw. Tottingham are a very good side.
The Cat Posted 19 December, 2016 Posted 19 December, 2016 First time in 20 years I am back in the UK for xmas and have tickets for this,the nipper wants to meet some of the players before the game,any idea on what time I should be at the ground for this ? It's normally 1030 - 1100 for 3pm games, so I'd expect it to be somewhere around 1530 although I've never been before an evening game so the timings may be a bit different. Head behind the Chapel Stand, they put barriers out for the fans to stand behind and the players sign autographs after parking up.
Avenue_Saint Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Forster Cedric Fonte VVD Bertrand Davis Romeu Hojbjerg Boufal JRod Tadic Taylor Yoshida McQueen Clasie Jwp Redmond Long
Oldeuboi Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Redmond and Boufal are really starting to build a partnership with lots of good link up play. Would be best to start both. Easily our most dangerous and creative players.
SKD Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Redmond and Boufal are really starting to build a partnership with lots of good link up play. Would be best to start both. Easily our most dangerous and creative players. Tadic is far more creative and dangerous than Redmond.
whelk Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Tadic is far more creative and dangerous than Redmond. Depends which Tadic and which Redmond though. Think danger that one is getting serverely overrated whilst Redmond is getting massively under appreciated.
Appy Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Can't see us starting Tadic and Boufal in this one, especially with the way Spurs attack with Rose and Walker.
Saint_John Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Spuds have 3 players going into the game on 4 bookings :- Vic ; Walker and Vertonghen. We need a high tempo game running at those 3 players at speed, we all know that Vic would go missing in games when he was close to a ban.
St.JonB Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Depends which Tadic and which Redmond though. Think danger that one is getting serverely overrated whilst Redmond is getting massively under appreciated. 3 goals and one assist? I think Redmond gets the appropriate appreciation.
pangy Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 It's normally 1030 - 1100 for 3pm games, so I'd expect it to be somewhere around 1530 although I've never been before an evening game so the timings may be a bit different. Head behind the Chapel Stand, they put barriers out for the fans to stand behind and the players sign autographs after parking up. Cheers,I ended up messaging the club on Twitter,they got back to me within minutes saying 4hrs before KO
Gunnery Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 I can see JayRod enjoying this one against his/our former manager...
simo Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Can't see us starting Tadic and Boufal in this one, especially with the way Spurs attack with Rose and Walker. Like we do with Cedric and Bertrand? If we impose our game Rose and Walker will be occupied by them !
Saintsteve7 Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 We don't all have access to what happens on the training pitch and the data that the sports science guys collect and constantly look through. At this level nothing is left to chance so you can bet that team that stats will be the manager feels is in the best form/condition for the team we're facing.
The9 Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Team picks itself - i wonder if Puel will bench Boufal for his little tantrum over being subbed. Hopefully he apologised swiftly after the game and he starts - he's getting notably better every game. To be fair, there were a lot of people gobsmacked at that one at the time (even with him being on a booking) - there was a five minute period where everything went through him and he was a superb outlet for holding up the ball. Even let him off that awful giveaway near our box early on which nearly led to their second...
The9 Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Depends which Tadic and which Redmond though. Think danger that one is getting serverely overrated whilst Redmond is getting massively under appreciated. Yeah, their influence has been pretty much even this season overall in the games they've played. Obviously Redmond has played more, I mean proportionately to the matches they've played. And of course Redmond hasn't (yet) missed any vital penalties.
CB Fry Posted 20 December, 2016 Posted 20 December, 2016 Team picks itself . That's never a term I would use this season.
SaintBobby Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 I think we can win this one. Spurs are good but we can close down their attacking options. We need to show boldness going forward and more width than usual, but I make us slight favourites.
skintsaint Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 Start with the team that started the 2nd half v Bournemouth. Tough game. Spurs have been patchy of late and not firing on all cylinders.
Chewy Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 Tadic is far more creative and dangerous than Redmond. He is, but I think in terms of balance puel likes one striker, one tricky and pacy player, and one creator for his front three, which is why tadic replaced boufal, not Redmond on Sunday. I think he'll want the same balance, he certainly won't want less pace against Spurs where we're more likely to have periods defending, needing pace for the counter. I'd be amazed if its tadic and boufal.
Mattio Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 Feels weird not having a boxing day game, it's something of a tradition to turn up whereever the game is absolutely sloshed after 3 days drinking and not remember most of it, it's going to be hard to keep it up for an extra 2!
mrfahaji Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 He is, but I think in terms of balance puel likes one striker, one tricky and pacy player, and one creator for his front three, which is why tadic replaced boufal, not Redmond on Sunday. I think he'll want the same balance, he certainly won't want less pace against Spurs where we're more likely to have periods defending, needing pace for the counter. I'd be amazed if its tadic and boufal. I'm still not convinced Redmond is particularly tricky or pacey. However, he might be considerably better at tracking back and doing his defensive duties than the others. I think this may be the reason he is preferred at times.
mrfahaji Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 Feels weird not having a boxing day game, it's something of a tradition to turn up whereever the game is absolutely sloshed after 3 days drinking and not remember most of it, it's going to be hard to keep it up for an extra 2! Tradition aside, I find it more outrageous that we can be allowed to have 3 games in 6 days when some teams have 3 games in 10 days.
doddisalegend Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 Tradition aside, I find it more outrageous that we can be allowed to have 3 games in 6 days when some teams have 3 games in 10 days. This will be when Puel's rotation policy will come into its own hopefully. Most of squad have had decent game time this season and the players are used to the manager mixing things up so hopefully this will work in our favour over the busy period. Other teams will either stick to a knackered best 11 or bring in rusty fringe players that reduce their teams effectiveness.......that's my hope anyway.
mrfahaji Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 This will be when Puel's rotation policy will come into its own hopefully. Most of squad have had decent game time this season and the players are used to the manager mixing things up so hopefully this will work in our favour over the busy period. Other teams will either stick to a knackered best 11 or bring in rusty fringe players that reduce their teams effectiveness.......that's my hope anyway. True, but the problem is we're not on a level playing field. We might rotate well but ultimately West Brom have 2 extra days to prepare/rest than us, and Everton have an extra day. I'm hoping that mentally it might suit the players better to spend Christmas with their families and then have a "football only" week rather than juggling the two. Might be clutching at straws with that line of thinking though...!
lickierambert Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 True, but the problem is we're not on a level playing field. We might rotate well but ultimately West Brom have 2 extra days to prepare/rest than us, and Everton have an extra day. I'm hoping that mentally it might suit the players better to spend Christmas with their families and then have a "football only" week rather than juggling the two. Might be clutching at straws with that line of thinking though...! I agree although probably only Forster and VVD will start all three games. It'll then be a 2nd string for the FA cup before our 'best 11' (whoever that is) play vs Liverpool in the semi
VectisSaint Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 However, he might be considerably better at tracking back and doing his defensive duties than the others. I think this may be the reason he is preferred at times. He isn't. Very poor defensively (then again Tadic is not brilliant). Partly to blame for Boscombe's goal on Sunday (notwithstanding Hojbjerg's terrible marking), losing his marker (the goal scorer) and wandering aimlessly out of the box when the ball was coming in. He is marginally better when he is on our left, seems to have a better understanding of how to work with Bertrand.
Batman Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 True, but the problem is we're not on a level playing field. We might rotate well but ultimately West Brom have 2 extra days to prepare/rest than us, and Everton have an extra day. I'm hoping that mentally it might suit the players better to spend Christmas with their families and then have a "football only" week rather than juggling the two. Might be clutching at straws with that line of thinking though...! if footballers cant be 'mentally prepared' to play a game whilst earning millions and at the same time fit in xmas day at home, then the world may as well give up
Heisenberg Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 I remember when days off was a bad thing and playing regularly kept players sharp Now poor players are absolutely exhausted after playing football for 90 minutes
Mowgli Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 Tottering 0-2 Saints You know we're at home right? 3-0 I think. Players are starting to realise how to get the best out of J Rod and Boufal getting better every game.
mrfahaji Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 He isn't. Very poor defensively (then again Tadic is not brilliant). Partly to blame for Boscombe's goal on Sunday (notwithstanding Hojbjerg's terrible marking), losing his marker (the goal scorer) and wandering aimlessly out of the box when the ball was coming in. He is marginally better when he is on our left, seems to have a better understanding of how to work with Bertrand. Fair enough, my comment was more of a suggestion than statement. To be honest I think Tadic is a fantastic player and find Redmond a hugely frustrating one, so I know who I'd prefer to play - but thinking there must be a good reason for Puel to think otherwise...!
mrfahaji Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 if footballers cant be 'mentally prepared' to play a game whilst earning millions and at the same time fit in xmas day at home, then the world may as well give up It's not just mental preparation, it's also about time on the training ground to prepare. Footballers but might be privileged, overpaid human beings, but they are human beings nonetheless and are still susceptible to mental factors in the same way as you or I. It could even be argued that due to their privileged lifestyle they are more susceptible to them. Using the money someone earns as a reason why they should be immune to any sort of feeling or mental weakness is well wide of the mark. If work dropped it on me today that something has come up and I have to work over Christmas, then I guess I'd do it, but I wouldn't be happy about it. If they turned round and said "with your salary, you've got no complaints - oh and by the way, you need to be in extra early", I wouldn't think "fair enough, I'll make an extra effort next week".
Saint_clark Posted 21 December, 2016 Posted 21 December, 2016 3 goals and one assist? I think Redmond gets the appropriate appreciation. What does Tadic have out of interest?
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