Gutter Boy
Tim Sherwood
That be me .
I think we should play a 4-5-1 formation to begin with . I want to stay in the game for as long as possible rather than be looking to impose ourselves from the off.
Starting line-up would be something like this .
---------------------Lloris
---Dier ------Kaboul----Verts----Rose
Lennon--Capoue--Mason--Stambouli- Townsend
---------------------Kane
Their pitch is the largest in the premeirship 116 x 77 yards (2nd widest in the premeirship , one yard narrower than Goodison Park).
They attack their opponent in the wide areas, with their full-backs offering support, so I do think it's important we offer good protection to both Dier and Rose. We can do this by playing deeper and counter attacking swiftly on the flanks with Lennon and Townsend.
I want to start the game with three in the middle so as to combat their fluid midfield attacks from Toure and Silva. Capoue, Stambouli and Mason will be tested but I do believe in their work rate and defensive know how. All three have had an international break and will have spent time on the training field with, Poch and the coaches. Eriksen, Lamela and Chadli on the other hand, have all been away on international duty and coming back to an away trip to Emirates Marketing Project, is a big ask. If the three regulars are fit, I would have them on the substitutes bench for this one.
Our lone forward for this game, I feel should be either Kane or Soldado. An out of form Adebayor, will be returning from Africa after two tough games against Uganda, so I think he should be a substitute for this one.
I do feel we should also take into account that City have a must win CL game on Tuesday, away to CSKA, therefore I wouldn't be to surprised, to see Pellegrini rest some of his big hitters that have been away on international duty.
The team selection and tactics is all a gamble I know. But with the game falling just after the international break, I feel it's a gamble worth taking bearing in mind who the opponent is.
When have Lennon and Townsend ever been effective attacking forces, especially against top fullbacks like Zabeletta?
Pace and directness sounds good in theory, but I don't remember it being effective ever for us. All our effective wide players from the last 30 years - Ginola, Anderton, Bale, Waddle, Allen - were never about pace.
Playing two speed merchants like Lennon and Townsend together is really a lower league tactic that hasn't been effective in the EPL since the mid-90s days of Lee Sharpe, Peter Beagrie and Nicky Summerbee.
Against a good defence, we need AMs with a bit of guile and movement. The Eriksen, Lamela and Chadli trio have been getting more and more cohesive with every game and it would be a shame to abandon that out of fear.