Line-up for Saturday's game

[LondonBlade89]

Feel like we're close enough to Saturday that we can start discussing. Injury-wise, Didsy and Callum Robinson both withdrew from the Ireland squad early to come back for treatment. Robinson felt his hamstring - which he also did against Palace - and McGoldrick has a shoulder injury. Sounds like we'll have to wait until Wilder's press conference later this week to hear more. A few places are running the usual pieces about us "sweating over" their fitness or whatever phrase they fancy using.

It would actually be a bit of a blow if Robinson & McGoldrick were both injured because I'd say our ideal striker combo would contain one of those. It makes me think Wilder is even more likely to keep Luke Freeman in the side even if Fleck's back fit to bring a bit more attacking flair to midfield. McBurnie didn't have his best game against Chelsea but I think Wilder will be minded to start him particularly because of his Scotland travails. And with both of those strikers potentially injured, plus questions over Mousset's fitness lingering (based on the fact he was used with the U23s a few days after the Chelsea game) and Southampton being his former club, part of me thinks Sharp could get a start.

With that, I reckon the team will be:

Henderson; Basham, Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Luke Freeman, Stevens; McBurnie, Sharp.

Subs: Moore, Jagielka, Osborn, Besic or one of Didsy or Robinson if not ruled out, Morrison, Fleck, Mousset.

 

[Bill Johnson]

Mousset was signed from Bournemouth.

 

[LondonBlade89]

Good input as always, Bill Johnson. Ta

 

[LJBlade]

Mousset was signed from Bournemouth.

Am I missing something? The OP doesn't say otherwise, unless it's been edited

 

[elgoog44]

Mousset

I would think it could be Morrison, knocking on the door for a starting role, with all the news saying CW wants him to be ready, might even be him and Mousset, starting up front with Ravel allowed to play a slightly retracted role to play in the channels and connect midfield and attack if we stay with the flat mid three.

So I think it could be ( unless either of Robinson or Didzy is fit )

Hendo

Bash - Egan - JOC

Baldock - Freeman - Norwood - Lundstram - Stevens

Morrison - Mousset

 

[LondonBlade89]

Am I missing something? The OP doesn't say otherwise, unless it's been edited

I THINK he's trying to make the point that Mousset didn't start against Bournemouth despite having previously played there. So why would Sharp start against Southampton just because it's an old club of his. Which of course isn't what I'm saying. The main reason would be McGoldrick and Robinson being injured and Mousset not being quite yet match fit. I think the Southampton link would be a very very minor factor, probably little more than a happy coincidence, if Sharp were to start, but I felt it worth mentioning anyway.

 

[Bill Johnson]

I THINK he's trying to make the point that Mousset didn't start against Bournemouth despite having previously played there. So why would Sharp start against Southampton just because it's an old club of his. Which of course isn't what I'm saying. The main reason would be McGoldrick and Robinson being injured and Mousset not being quite yet match fit. I think the Southampton link would be a very very minor factor, probably little more than a happy coincidence, if Sharp were to start, but I felt it worth mentioning anyway.

Confused as fuck now.
Dunt tek much mind.

 

[Bill Johnson]

I would think it could be Morrison, knocking on the door for a starting role, with all the news saying CW wants him to be ready, might even be him and Mousset, starting up front with Ravel allowed to play a slightly retracted role to play in the channels and connect midfield and attack if we stay with the flat mid three.

So I think it could be ( unless either of Robinson or Didzy is fit )

Hendo

Bash - Egan - JOC

Baldock - Freeman - Norwood - Lundstram - Stevens

Morrison - Mousset

More chance of Van Fucking Morrison starting up top.
Mental idea.

 

[BLADES1988]

Mousset was signed from Bournemouth.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Morrison - Mousset

Don't do drugs kids.

 

[elgoog44]

More chance of Van Fucking Morrison starting up top.
Mental idea.

Luckily I am not the manager, so I am sure CW will sort out a good team.

Don't think Van Morrison played Football, but I am sure he would have given it a good go, although with his fondness for a gold Mic, I am sure his boots would be a tad outlandish.

 

[Antonb]

Think Morrison wont be starting just yet, still looks a bit rusty to me. And is a bit of a luxury player.

 

[elgoog44]

Don't do drugs kids.

I did my fair share, I though they were all out of my system... but would appear not!

 

[TaipeiBlade]

Same as last time.

Dont see any reason to change. If Robinson is injured, bring in the Moose. I was on the verge of sayinh drop Robbo, but it seems he got a kick up thr arse becausr he was great the 2nd half.

 

[BLADES1988]

Surely this McGoldrick and Robinson lark is the classic "knock" when the club tells them they are injured because they are saving them for the league game.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Surely this McGoldrick and Robinson lark is the classic "knock" when the club tells them they are injured because they are saving them for the league game.

Not sure, McG went on Ireland duty already nursing an injury, so the fact he's injured now isn't a surprise.
Robinson was subbed off injured, so that's no surprise either.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Surely this McGoldrick and Robinson lark is the classic "knock" when the club tells them they are injured because they are saving them for the league game.

They both went into the match carrying slight injuries.
Wilder would have known this so obviously he was happy with that.Tonights game is a different kettle of fish with it being a friendly.
National managers have sway when group is with him but I doubt McCarthy would want to fall out with Wilder.Common sense prevailed and they came back after the important game for Ireland on Thursday.

 

[Ricky]

Henderson
Basham Egan O'Connell
Baldock Ravel Lundstram Morrison Stevens
Morrison
Ravel McBurnie

 

[foggy72]

Why not put Ravel Morrison in net? He's playing in every position bar goalie in this formation!

 

[Torrix1889]

Robbo's hamstring is a worry, kept him out for 3 months last year so if he is feeling anything at all he shouldn't be risked....Didzy went on International duty with a shoulder niggle that has obviously not improved by playing 90 against the Swiss.

From comments last week Ravel is obviously pushing for a start and it could well be that CW was planning on unleashing him against Southampton, however, injuries to Robbo & Didzy may have forced a re-think...…..

Even with Robbo and Didzy out I still can't see Sharp starting. The Moose will inevitably feature, either as a starter coming off after 60 or going on at the same time so does he start McBurnie with Ravel in the 10....and the flat 3 in Midfield?

 

[finlaytheblade]

Robbo's hamstring is a worry, kept him out for 3 months last year so if he is feeling anything at all he shouldn't be risked....Didzy went on International duty with a shoulder niggle that has obviously not improved by playing 90 against the Swiss.

From comments last week Ravel is obviously pushing for a start and it could well be that CW was planning on unleashing him against Southampton, however, injuries to Robbo & Didzy may have forced a re-think...…..

Even with Robbo and Didzy out I still can't see Sharp starting. The Moose will inevitably feature, either as a starter coming off after 60 or going on at the same time so does he start McBurnie with Ravel in the 10....and the flat 3 in Midfield?

If he had a really bad hamstring injury and it was the same leg , no way would he have played last Thursday.
Hamstrings are injuries which can easily be aggravated .
Michael Owen is a classic example ! he had a bad one and his pace was compromised never to return and he was only 24.
He was never as good as before it.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

It doesn’t bother me one little bit. We’ve got Billy Sharp and £30M worth of talent in reserve...........and Leon too.

 

[snootyfenooty]

With the doubts on a couple of strikers I think Billy is a must for this weekend. He'll be pissed off at missing the start of the season and will do what he normally does in these circumstances, i.e. score a goal or two. So, for the line-up, same back five, Morrison in for Lundstram plus Norwood & Freeman in the middle with Billy and McBurnie up front.

 

[Charlieblade]

Not considered Billy and Ollie starting together, but under these circumstances, it could be a smart move.
Billy thinking he might have a point to prove, and Ollie unselfish and hard working?What's not to like?

 

[Melbourne Blade]

Perhaps an opportunity to start a more 'cavalier' team to really push and encourage our most creative formation. I think Billy will start with Robinson. If it's not working 2nd half being bring on Mouss and hit them in the channels with pace and Ollie on to target crosses

 

[LoughboroBlade]

So why would Sharp start against Southampton just because it's an old club of his.

For one thing, he does tend to score against his old clubs more often than not. If Robinson & McGoldrick aren’t fit to start, and Mousset is still getting fit, Sharp & McBurnie makes some sense tbh.

 

[Nick Jansky]

With the doubts on a couple of strikers I think Billy is a must for this weekend. He'll be pissed off at missing the start of the season and will do what he normally does in these circumstances, i.e. score a goal or two. So, for the line-up, same back five, Morrison in for Lundstram plus Norwood & Freeman in the middle with Billy and McBurnie up front.

I think Lundstram has done more than enough to keep the shirt so far.

 

[S64 Blade]

If all fit, the same team that started versus Chelsea. I would like to see Freeman pushed into a more advanced Duffy role, however. If Robinson isn't fit, I'd go with Sharp.

 

[snootyfenooty]

I think Lundstram has done more than enough to keep the shirt so far.

He's done OK but not to the extent some are making out. I think Morrison can offer that extra bit of quality that he lacks.

 

[Nick Jansky]

He's done OK but not to the extent some are making out. I think Morrison can offer that extra bit of quality that he lacks.

But probably not the physicality, which has been important.