Saints vs. WBA build up thread

Tails should be up a bit now for this one, although Pulis' teams are never easy. I'd start with the same 11 that started today, who were all excellent.

Please Ron, keep Big Vic on the bench (or in the stands).

Doubt we will go 3 CBs for this as they only play 1 up front and are quite defensive.

So expect at least one change.

Sure they also will defend deep and not leave any space in behind.

Another game where an early goal is so beneficial.

I would be inclined to go with the same starting 11, albeit with a 4-3-3 formation (Targett in left midfield). I just feel its time for some continuity and a settled side from game to game.

That said, Koeman has made it clear in the past that he picks players and formations based on the opposition, and not just on form, so it wouldn't surprise me if he went with the following line up vs WBA:

Forster

Cedric - Fonte - VvD - Bertrand

Romeu - Clasie - Davis

Mane - Pelle - Tadic

Subs: Stek, Targett, Yoshida, Wanyama, JWP, Juanmi, Long

If you want to slow the game down then bring in Victor, Pelle and Tadic.

If you want exciting counter attacking, in your face pressing and fast combination play then keep these three players on the bench.

We talk about giving youth a chance. Well when you play as good as Targett did last night, how can you drop him. At least he provides quality crosses and physical presence.

Ronald will have some selection headaches ahead of this one.

Forster

Cedric - Fonte - VvD - Bertrand

Romeu - Clasie

Davis - Mane - Tadic

Pelle

Very harsh on Long and Targett to be honest. But Long coming off the bench for Pelle in the 2nd half would be terrifying for a tired defender. Maybe have Targett LM instead of Tadic.

I don't know. Either way someone will be harshly dropped.

Rom has to start ahead of Wanyama for this.

If Koeman brings Stek, Wanyama, Pelle and Tadic back into the starting line up then I will scream the place down.

Its great that the black cat Caulker has lifted the doom, bring in a good striker and this team can finish 6th.

Ronald will have some selection headaches ahead of this one.

 

Forster

 

Cedric - Fonte - VvD - Bertrand

 

Romeu - Clasie

 

Davis - Mane - Tadic

 

Pelle

 

Very harsh on Long and Targett to be honest. But Long coming off the bench for Pelle in the 2nd half would be terrifying for a tired defender. Maybe have Targett LM instead of Tadic.

 

I don't know. Either way someone will be harshly dropped.

other way round I'd think. long starting and pelle off the bench. start with long because the more the game goes on the more WB will sit back deeper and deeper with no space behind. long will surely be useless at that point except on the break. it's when there's no space that you want pelle and an option for the fullbacks to cross into him. if there's ever a chance there will be a bit more open play, it will surely be at the start. alternatively, maybe we play our strongest 11 and hope that we get a goal to coax them out.

it is harsh on targett, only because bertrand is also excellent.

Hopefully Clasie & Romeu will start again.

JWP hasn't for two games and Wanyama available again so would be tempting for RK to opt for some fresh legs in there...

I just can't justify bringing Pelle back into the team against WBA. One thing Tony Pulis teams do well is defend against crosses, so i'd stick with Long getting at them with his pace and persistence. Like a few others the only change i might make is Tadic for Targett, if we are moving to a 4 at the back.

I noticed that Lambert hasn't even appeared as a sub. on their team sheets of late .....injured ....or ?

I noticed that Lambert hasn't even appeared as a sub. on their team sheets of late .....injured ....or ?

Out of favour after numerous tame performances?

He isn't PL quality anymore.

Hopefully Clasie & Romeu will start again.

 

JWP hasn't for two games and Wanyama available again so would be tempting for RK to opt for some fresh legs in there...

that I agree with. Both have looked better and better in the last few games ...despite defeats (before yesterday, that is).

Victor should be satisfied with a bench place this weekend, the team looked better without him. Do WBA look a bigger threat than Watford?. I wouldn't change it.

Upcoming away games at Man Utd and Arsenal should "show-case" him for his next club ...after the summer.

If Koeman brings Stek, Wanyama, Pelle and Tadic back into the starting line up then I will scream the place down.

 

This. Except I won't scream, I'll just be p*ssed off.

Out of favour after numerous tame performances?

 

He isn't PL quality anymore.

....that seemed obvious before he left Liverpool, which is why I wonder if he would relish a place on the bench Saturday, or feel happier with a seat in the stand?.

I would be inclined to go with the same starting 11, albeit with a 4-3-3 formation (Targett in left midfield). I just feel its time for some continuity and a settled side from game to game.

 

That said, Koeman has made it clear in the past that he picks players and formations based on the opposition, and not just on form, so it wouldn't surprise me if he went with the following line up vs WBA:

 

Forster

 

Cedric - Fonte - VvD - Bertrand

 

Romeu - Clasie - Davis

 

Mane - Pelle - Tadic

 

Subs: Stek, Targett, Yoshida, Wanyama, JWP, Juanmi, Long

My train of though exactly.

If you want to slow the game down then bring in Victor, Pelle and Tadic.

 

 

 

If you want exciting counter attacking, in your face pressing and fast combination play then keep these three players on the bench.

 

 

 

We talk about giving youth a chance. Well when you play as good as Targett did last night, how can you drop him. At least he provides quality crosses and physical presence.

How we going to counter attack a team that will play with 10 behind the ball and one up front? WBA will be a very different game. Watford came to play football (badly as it turned out) WBA will come to play for a 0-0 and hope to nick one. I don't think we can just play the same 11 in the same formation and expect more of the same against brom.

If you want to slow the game down then bring in Victor, Pelle and Tadic.

 

If you want exciting counter attacking, in your face pressing and fast combination play then keep these three players on the bench.

 

We talk about giving youth a chance. Well when you play as good as Targett did last night, how can you drop him. At least he provides quality crosses and physical presence.

Was very good last night, but was definitely one of the weakest players against Palace, where his crossing was pretty awful. Good to see him put that right last night though.

Hopefully Clasie & Romeu will start again.

 

JWP hasn't for two games and Wanyama available again so would be tempting for RK to opt for some fresh legs in there...

Can Clasie play two games in three days? Thought he was outstanding last night but that was the first full 90 he has played so I wonder if he can go again so soon. I reckon we could see Victor back in for Clasie on Saturday... .

unfortunately

Out of favour after numerous tame performances?

 

He isn't PL quality anymore.

Think he should link up with Nigel at Sheffield Utd reckon he could still a job for them if he played regularly.

Going to Liverpool killed him at his age not playing regularly was never going to be good.

Tadic for Targett the only change for me, which is very harsh on Targett but if we change shape as I expect we will do, then it's a change that needs to be made.

If Pelle and Wanyama come in at the expense of Romeu/Clasie and Long, I think it could kill the mood in the stadium before kick off.

I would imagine that Ron will go with the same formation, but something is telling me that Wanyama and Pelle will return to the starting line-up. If Pelle does come back I want to see Long in there and not Mane. Brom are one of those teams we seem to struggle against and this will probably be a draw, but after last nights performance, who knows...perhaps a win is on the cards.

Tadic in for Targett, otherwise no changes unless fitness / condition driven.

We must keep pressing as the Baggies slow games down and time-waste from kick off. Would use Pelle and Long up front to mix it with their defenders.Mane to come on for Pelle after 60 minutes.Our Ball Boys will make sure the ball is returned to the pitch rather than back into the crowd.Have a good feeling we will shade this by the odd goal.

We must keep pressing as the Baggies slow games down and time-waste from kick off. Would use Pelle and Long up front to mix it with their defenders.Mane to come on for Pelle after 60 minutes.Our Ball Boys will make sure the ball is returned to the pitch rather than back into the crowd.Have a good feeling we will shade this by the odd goal.

you do realise that now Pelle is fit and back. He will start and never be subbed unless injured. That is how it works

you do realise that now Pelle is fit and back. He will start and never be subbed unless injured. That is how it works

And here he goes again, continuing his vendetta against a Saints player...

Saints to win by a goal and Rickie Lambert to (hopefully) finish the game so he can get a proper reception!

The angst against Victor largely unjustified in my opinion. If I were playing against Saints I would dread his presence. He's part responsible for as many regains of possession as anyone in the side. Opinion of him has been shifted by his wobble pre-season. And I bet he won't be making 2 reckless challenges in a game again any time soon. Given only 3 days break I might start Clasie but bring on Victor second half. I'd also be happy to see him start. Last year the main moan was about our lack of squad depth. This year we have it. Why not use it?

I WOULD change the system.

Our performance yesterday was so good because we identified that watfords strength came from their 2 forwards. i.e. one jumps and takes the defender out of the game and the second feeds on the space behind. By playing 3 cb we stopped them playing that way.

Also they score very few from corners or set plays and therefore we could be light in numbers of "big" defenders (Ron usually like to play 4 - two cb + Big Vic & Pelle but yesterday we were able to able to use Long & Classe as markers along with the 2 cb because watford offered little threat in that area).

Wba play a different way and will give us different problems.

They have lots of tall players and score lots of goals from set plays either because they have 4 or 5 players good in the air or players who strike the ball well from the edge of the box when the ball runs free.

I would revert to a back 4 and add an extra central midfield player with some extra height in the team to combat their set plays, while still aiming to break quickly on their "slow but tall" defenders.

The way to beat a tall defender is to play it on the deck. Usually they can't head a low ball.

Doubt we will go 3 CBs for this as they only play 1 up front and are quite defensive.

 

So expect at least one change.

 

Sure they also will defend deep and not leave any space in behind.

 

Another game where an early goal is so beneficial.

Suggesting Pelle to return with Mane behind?

you do realise that now Pelle is fit and back. He will start and never be subbed unless injured. That is how it works

So why was he on the bench last night?

Suggesting Pelle to return with Mane behind?

Possibly.

They are also a very physical side.

Perhaps Clasie played 90 yesterday because we plan to put Wanyama in for him in this game?

Nobody knows but RK certainly has some options which is more than he has in previous weeks.

Think it will be interesting with RK's selection this weekend. The obvious decision would be to stick to what has worked so far (and vs. Arsenal) and play an unchanged team; however, I think WBA, with Pulis, will be much more harder to breakdown and getting opportunities will be limited which doesn't play into our hands. For all his critics, Tadic does generally take a chance when he gets it (yesterday, Aresnal home last year, Man Utd away) so I would think he may start. The back and midfield should remain as they were solid; Wanyama on the bench to come on to hold lead.

Up front, I would keep with Mane and Long - stretch them then bring on Pelle to hold the ball and play through to Long / Mane.

If Long and Mane play up front then Tadic won't really fit.

If Long and Mane play up front then Tadic won't really fit.

Front 3 long down the middle?

I would imagine that Ron will go with the same formation

West Brom are likely to sit back in numbers and only have one striker, in which case there would be little need for Saints to have 3 centre backs like last night.

Front 3 long down the middle?

Thats Mane out wide again, where he is less effective.

The best thing of the 532 is it means Mane can be central.

It doesn't really suit Tadic though and doesn't work against most teams anyway.

4231? Long up top, tadic left, davis right, mane in the hole. Clasie/romeu holding? That would be what id do. Pelle/Wanyama subs and probably jwp :/ lol

4231? Long up top, tadic left, davis right, mane in the hole. Clasie/romeu holding? That would be what id do. Pelle/Wanyama subs and probably jwp :/ lol

Pretty disrespectful calling Prowsey JWP Lol.

He hasn't kicked on but 100% sure his blood is red.

So why was he on the bench last night?

because he is not fully match fit

he will start saturday and will not come off, regardless on how crap he plays unless he is injured

we will lump the ball up to him, he will get dominated by their CBs and will get away with it as they 'play deeper'

instead, we should stick with long and mane and move their pretty static defence around a bit

does long deserve to be dropped? does he shyte

my team..

Forster

Cedric Fonte VvD Bertrand

Davis Clasie Rom Tadic

Mane

Long

Thats Mane out wide again, where he is less effective.

 

The best thing of the 532 is it means Mane can be central.

 

It doesn't really suit Tadic though and doesn't work against most teams anyway.

No reason to not play Davis out on the right and Mane down the middle if we want - Davis is more than capable of playing there, he did under Poch.

he will start saturday and will not come off, regardless on how crap he plays unless he is injured

 

we will lump the ball up to him, he will get dominated by their CBs and will get away with it as they 'play deeper'

 

Any objections if I re-quote this post in 48 hours?

Any objections if I re-quote this post in 48 hours?

please do, I very much hope I am wrong

Doubt we will go 3 CBs for this as they only play 1 up front and are quite defensive.

 

So expect at least one change.

 

Sure they also will defend deep and not leave any space in behind.

 

Another game where an early goal is so beneficial.

I'm pretty sure we started with a back 4 against Waford??

I'm pretty sure we started with a back 4 against Waford??

We played 5-4-1 against Watford...

-------------Forster

Cedric VVD Fonte Bertrand Targett

--------Clasie----Romeu-------------

Davis-------------------------Mane

---------------Long-------------------

I'm pretty sure we started with a back 4 against Waford??

I've often thought that this face palm chap seems to remind me of Desmod Lynham, or Father Ted in civvies, had to get that off my chest, thats all.

I'm pretty sure we started with a back 4 against Waford??

Yes. 4 plus 1

Ronald will have some selection headaches ahead of this one.

 

Forster

Cedric - Fonte - VvD - Bertrand

Romeu - Clasie

Davis - Mane - Tadic

Pelle

 

Very harsh on Long and Targett to be honest. But Long coming off the bench for Pelle in the 2nd half would be terrifying for a tired defender. Maybe have Targett LM instead of Tadic.

 

I don't know. Either way someone will be harshly dropped.

The trouble is, Ronald never seems to substitute before 60 minutes, when someone has been having a a mare and change is almost too late