The first defeat of the season came all too soon, but AFCB can hope that home advantage gives them a spurt up the league on Saturday when Watford visit Dean Court. The Hornets themselves scored freely against Liverpool, even if they also left the back door open, so I imagine Eddie will decide to have a real go at the Hornets and try to dominate possession without making the same slip up that we saw last weekend.
The personnel for this game will show us how much faith Howe has in his players. Should those who played at the Hawthorns been given the chance to put matters right, after all it was only a 0-1 defeat? I tend to feel that we will see some changes. While Simon Francis looks like an enforced change due to a probable hamstring pull, the slotting in of Adam Smith at right back is maybe even a plus anyway. Looking at the rest of the team, Howe could make any number of changes but his past record of minor changes is most likely.
Advertisement
Jermain Defoe should be ready to play at least 70 minutes now and he must be a prime candidate to come into the starting 11. It is then a choice between King and Afobe to partner him as I see Mousset as being the striker who will have to wait the longest before getting a start. The choice between King and Afobe could just come down to how each is recovering after the WBA match, but Afobe looks slightly further ahead in his game to me at the moment, whereas King looks a little way short of his peak levels.
If Jordan Ibe also comes into the starting line up, we can expect Fraser to be on the left wing and with Max Gradel departing for the season there should be an opportunity to bring Connor Mahoney into the squad which I believe most fans would welcome. It would not surprise me if Mahoney comes on in the second half and has a big game - he looks the part and we'll only see how good he is by throwing him in a Premier League game at some stage. For me, the sooner the better for him to get the experience as I am sure he'll be needed this season.
Some fans may like to see Lewis Cook replace Andrew Surman, but if Howe makes too many changes it will unsettle everything so I get the vibe that Arter and Surman will stay in the middle and Gosling will be the man that has the opportunity to be the first call if he is needed in central midfield.
Possible AFCB team
Begovic (GK), A Smith (RD), S Cook (CD), Aké (CD), Daniels (LD), Ibe (RM), Arter (CM),
Surman (CM), Fraser (LM), Defoe (FW), Afobe (FW)
Subs
Boruc, B Smith, Mings, Gosling, Mahoney, Mousset, King
In other news, Baily Cragill has joined Fleetwood on a season long loan.
 |
| Howe has some critical choices to make on team selection this week. |
Advertisement
Jermain Defoe should be ready to play at least 70 minutes now and he must be a prime candidate to come into the starting 11. It is then a choice between King and Afobe to partner him as I see Mousset as being the striker who will have to wait the longest before getting a start. The choice between King and Afobe could just come down to how each is recovering after the WBA match, but Afobe looks slightly further ahead in his game to me at the moment, whereas King looks a little way short of his peak levels.
If Jordan Ibe also comes into the starting line up, we can expect Fraser to be on the left wing and with Max Gradel departing for the season there should be an opportunity to bring Connor Mahoney into the squad which I believe most fans would welcome. It would not surprise me if Mahoney comes on in the second half and has a big game - he looks the part and we'll only see how good he is by throwing him in a Premier League game at some stage. For me, the sooner the better for him to get the experience as I am sure he'll be needed this season.
Some fans may like to see Lewis Cook replace Andrew Surman, but if Howe makes too many changes it will unsettle everything so I get the vibe that Arter and Surman will stay in the middle and Gosling will be the man that has the opportunity to be the first call if he is needed in central midfield.
Possible AFCB team
Begovic (GK), A Smith (RD), S Cook (CD), Aké (CD), Daniels (LD), Ibe (RM), Arter (CM),
Surman (CM), Fraser (LM), Defoe (FW), Afobe (FW)
Subs
Boruc, B Smith, Mings, Gosling, Mahoney, Mousset, King
In other news, Baily Cragill has joined Fleetwood on a season long loan.
No comments:
Post a Comment