To answer your question about Qatar the answer is not many and the few who might make the trip are, with one exception, not likely to play a great part in it

Jordan Ayew for Ghana - a player that divides Palace fans on whether he should ever be allowed on the pitch which is unfair but when a forward players role seems to have morphed into working hard defensively or coming on late in the game to draw a foul or two (which he is uncannily good at) then you have to wonder and it's right that his position has been taken by Olise. For balance it is right to say he is capable of some sublime skill every other season or so and the mystery of why it occurs so infrequently is likely never to be solved.

Marc Guehi - definitely one of the most talented English Centre Backs and one of the transformative players since Vieira's arrival that has given us a different style and a better team. Would be no surprise to seem him on the plane and could become a mainstay in future England teams. But I don't think anyone is expecting him to be a likely starter at the World Cup.

Joachim Andersen - the other half of the first choice centre back pairing - long pass a speciality - and a likely starter for Denmark.

Tyrick Mitchell - Palace fans are rightly proud that we have another academy player making the grade in the Premier League. But previously making the England squad was a bit of a surprise even one weakened by withdrawals. He didn't do too bad but it is not an experience that has made him kick on. If anything the opposite happened and he's not been as effective or confident in the early part of the season - though some more promising signs he is coming back to his previous level. But with the Chilwell injury it's possible he could be in the frame. Though at this time I am not sure he should be.

Now who have I missed?

Theoretically there's Chris Richards for the USMNT if he recovers sufficiently. They might take him if he could be available for the KO stage should the Americans get through.

As for tomorrow night. It was noticeable that PV used only ONE sub on Sunday, Luka coming on for Cheick. Playing Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday is a tough ask so whilst PV has said he will put out a strong team, reading between the lines of his pre-match press conference, I think several of the team who started on Sunday will be rested. We might see some of the youngsters on the bench, but the only one with a chance of starting IMO is Ebiowei in place of Olise (who on Sunday completed, I believe, his very first full PL game. He's either been subbed or was a sub in all his previous PL appearances). I expect to see Tomkins, Hughes, Luka, Riedewald and Mateta starting as well.

Edited by doombear (08 Nov 2022 1.59pm)

No way. JAIRO ISNT A LEFT BACK! He is a CDM by trade. Has so much to offer there.

I would go:

Johnstone

Ward Tomkins Balmer Mitchell

Jairo Hughesey

Ebiowei Eze Ayew

Gordon

October 1st 1994
Highbury
Arsenal 1 - Palace 2
Salako (2)

Jairo would play on the left of a back 3 for Ajax - that's the player FDB signed.

We've not since played a 3 at the back formation so he has kind of morphed into a CDM. It could me argued he's either one of a CDM/CB/LB. I would agree that CDM is now his best position, but he's capable as LB cover if necessary - as is Schlupp.

...the key words being "under Hodgson". Let's be honest, when you have ten teammates playing around you in defense, left back becomes easier. No disrespect to Jairo intended.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

Same side as Sunday for me , we are on a roll