f*** me, I forgot they existed

Two lines of five should secure a point

I would like to see Lokilo brought in, Townsend on the left wilf free to roam. Townsend is so predictable on the right now he needs to go back on the left, hopefully will get more end product.

First things first, as Willo says, it's one thing to try to pick our best team, but something else to select it for Bournemouth. Probably not many of us, myself included, knows a great deal about them, apart from that they're a decent passing side and that Defoe has long been a pest against us.

It goes without saying that I'd rather see Sakho handling Defoe than Kelly, much as I think that the latter hasn't let us down within the context of being our (often called upon) fourth choice central defender this season. Defoe is still explosive, still quick, still moves cleverly, and Sakho has a better chance of containing those qualities than Kelly. In practice, it won't be easy for us to choose which of our defenders picks him up due to Defoe's movement.

(I do think we should put Riedewald or Jach in central defence if either of the starting pair get injured during the game. Delaney version 2018 v Defoe isn't appealing.)

Other than that, it's also true that there aren't a huge number of options for the team we play. Who're the major variables right now? Actually almost none. It's not realistic to bring Daly into the team -- perhaps a place on the bench? -- and the midfield/defence largely chooses itself.

It seems likely/a good idea that Roy will go for the set up of Loftus-Cheek playing at the front of the midfield -- always looking to pick up the ball on the half turn, set Wilf or Townsend on their way, and then drive into the box for cut backs/crosses/loose balls. And Wilf/Townsend playing a little more as inside forwards than sometimes they do. Depending on Wilf's fitness, that could also improve our ability to press slightly compared with when Benteke plays in his somewhat-isolated forward role.

Other than that, I'd just like to see Fosu-Mensah back in the right back slot. I think he just brings a little more pace, physicality and experience than Obe Wan, much as I think the latter can be our right back next season.

So it will be/have to be

Hennessey

TFM Kelly Sakho PVA

Cabaye Luka McArthur

RLC

Wilf Townsend

One big issue I think we have at the moment with all these injuries is that our team/set up has become fairly easy to predict since there are hardly any players where you think we could do very different things with how we play. Which means we've actually done pretty well to be as competitive as we have (which I think anyway, despite some bitterly disappointing results against some of the better sides).

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.

I really love your attitude DEJ. And I don't mean that sarcastically. Maybe you're right -- maybe I'm being a harsh judge because I know he's so young and inexperienced. Maybe I'm unfairly sceptical because he's risen through our own ranks.

I just felt that Liverpool targetted Wan-Bissaka and it paid off for them. They pushed on a full back and that seemed to confuse him.

And as I say, it's not quite dropping AWB, who I see as our right back next season. Rather it's that I think TFM has slightly stronger qualities to see us through to the end of the season and give us a better chance of staying up.

You are right he is positionally weak, but he's also extraordinarily quick and I think that Roy has generally shown an ability to improve all our players positioning -- he got PVA back to where he should be.

As for playing TFM in central defence: maybe. But I think Roy -- wisely -- favors stability in central defence. Kelly knows what he needs to do and mostly does it.

Like I say though, maybe it's a natural scepticism about a home-grown talent, who I think could have a bright future if he keeps developing and working at his game.

Edited by Ginger Pubic Wig (06 Apr 2018 9.17am)

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.

Do you know something?

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.