note the absence of a [R] here. as per what appears a majority of those who care one way or the other - and because I'm watching later broadcasts of other round 3 games - let's try to leave out developments from other matches. for all that's decent, people, don't ruin Grimsby Town/Huddersfield for me! anyway ... it's us and them at theirs. as everyone knows by now, I want as much effort in the cups as we can afford, but we're coming to a point where the number of games will start to tell, and squad rotation will become paramount. injuries are becoming problematic, though, and it'll be a tougher balance for Tim to strike than our depth would lead one to assume. any of holtby, lamela, and/or siggy could feature in midfield changes from yesterday, but with sandro out, I'm thinking capoue is a must. fewer options for change at the back, unless Sherwood's going to make less of a commitment to this than I'd like. i don't even think of guessing our lineups these days. whatever. i'll take what i get, i suppose. just make a fist of it, whatever you do, lads. COME. ON. YOU. SPURS. it's them.
Reports say Ade fit for Saturday. The Independent reports Holtby has a knee problem and Sandro will be out another three weeks.
I'd like to see Lamala up front with Soldado. I know that is not really his position, but he seems to do better on the front end and Soldado might be able to get him the ball in good space.
Odd that Holtby has a knee issue, I'm hearing rumors he's not happy about not players. Ofcourse saying that he has a knee issue could be the main reason and the other is BS.
Tim added that Erik (thigh), Kyle Naughton (ankle, hamstring), Paulinho (ankle), Gylfi (calf) and Jan (ankle) are all out. I was concerned about that as well, but saw this: Tim on team news: "Jermain, Lewis and Andros are all back in training, which is good news."
If Tom Carroll comes back I would love to see him out there. Townsend would be a nice addition as well because of his pace and if we start him and Lennon on the wings and Demeble and Eriksen in the middle.... Look out.
For Arsenal: No Giroud, Bendtner, Gibbs, Ramsey, Sanogo, Oxlaid-Chamberlain, or Ozil They are definitely weakened by this batch of injuries.
Perfect. Just in time for the match v. Arsenal. I feel he will put on a world class performance. Oh, not that one.
Holtby was amazing before he got injured, can't imagine Tim would bench him. I still want to see him and Eriksen out there together. As for the match is l'arse and i want to win so bad. we have a week off after this match so lets really get at them and keep this great run of form going.
technically, that's a secondary objective. but it does dovetail nicely with our primary objective, which is winning the fooking FA cup. pardon the pedantry.
interesting that arse are starting FlabbyHandski in goal. Ozil on the bench- wonder how healthy he is.
Tim is Tim - I think he recognises the job Capoue / a true DM can do but he hasn't yet suffered the setbacks to make him think differently. Bentaleb in today and coming on at OT is/was Tim reverting to type. Walcott on the shoulder of Dawson and Chiriches at the Emirates. I foresee trouble for Hugo. But like every game, I hope for something good!
Excited. Finally get to see what this team can do against top competition under Sherwood.(see what I did there Manchester United?)
Yeah not sure about putting Capoue on the bench unless he has a knock, the team is far stronger with a specialist dmid in front of the defence.