To me this is a HUGE HUGE statement game. If we can't beat Palace then the Chelsea victor was for nothing. We have to get some momentum and consistency rolling, and off the back of that impressive win this is the time. I'm willing to bet we see the same team against Chelsea start, with Dembele starting next to Bentaleb.
Unfortunately yes. Dembele + Stambouli started against Burnley and didn't do a lot, Stambouli being subbed off at halftime for Kane. Possibly we may see along the lines of the second half of that game which was Paulinho-Dembele: Lloris Walker-Fazio-Vertonghen-Rose Dembele-Paulinho Townsend-Eriksen-Chadli Kane Outside chance of a comeback for Capoue, depends how he has been in training.
Yeah, what happened to Capoue? Did he get injured? Otherwise, that lineup looks about right. I don't know if I prefer Rose or Davies at this point. They aren't the same type player for sure, but neither stands head and shoulders above the other for me. Also, I don't think Paulinho has been that bad, though I may be in the minority on that point.
He was one of the best players as far as I remember.Do not know why exactly he does not play so often now.
Lennon has gotten better on defense lately. It seems to me he always looked dangerous on the attack, but in terms of actual results (goals and assists) he was never as productive as, say, Chadli has been this year. Seems like a nice guy and if we do move him along, I hope he does well wherever he ends up.
Worried about the stability in the DM area. Would not be surprised to see Dembele as a DM and Paulinho more of a CM considering what he has done in one or two recent matches.
Starting: Lloris (c), Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Stambouli; Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend; Kane Subs: Vorm, Davies, Kaboul, Capoue, Lennon, Paulinho, Soldado
Would be a big 3 points here if we can get it, put daylight between us and West Ham, also United/Southampton tomorrow means we would gain on at least one of them.
Capoue and Lennon because MP doesn't completely trust Stambouli and Townsend? Or maybe to show other teams that all three are still alive and available on a transfer.