[Albion] Team for Arsenal (h)

[Machiavelli]

Bart
Veltman ------ JPvH ------- Dunk ------- Pervis
Baleba ------- O'Riley
Minteh -------------- Rutter ------------ Mitoma
Joao Pedro

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Igor, Ayari, Moder, Gruda, Adingra, Enciso
​

With apologies to Lamptey and Igor, after putting in strong performances against Villa, particularly Lamptey -- although Igor might need to start on the left if Pervis doesn't recover from the illness.
At this time of year, we need rotation given the number of fixtures, and a rest clearly revived Mitoma whose 30 minutes were excellent against Villa.
We need to be at our defensive best against Arsenal, particularly at set pieces, so Veltman is a no-brainer and although Igor is better in the air than Pervis, Pervis gives us more balance.
Would love to be able to start someone else alongside Baleba, but will go for MOR, despite certain concerns for the simple reason that he offers more than Ayari.
Rutter provides more energy than Enciso and will need to do more defensive work, which will be welcome, and Arsenal defend narrow on the left, so Minteh playing high and wide with rapid pace could be a great outlet.

 

[bluenitsuj]

Pedro needs to sit behind a striker to be most effective. Lamptey as striker and play the long ball game

 

[aolstudios]

Bart
Veltman ------ JPvH ------- Dunk ------- Pervis
Baleba ------- O'Riley
Minteh -------------- Rutter ------------ Mitoma
Joao Pedro

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Igor, Ayari, Moder, Gruda, Adingra, Enciso
​

With apologies to Lamptey and Igor, after putting in strong performances against Villa, particularly Lamptey -- although Igor might need to start on the left if Pervis doesn't recover from the illness.
At this time of year, we need rotation given the number of fixtures, and a rest clearly revived Mitoma whose 30 minutes were excellent against Villa.
We need to be at our defensive best against Arsenal, particularly at set pieces, so Veltman is a no-brainer and although Igor is better in the air than Pervis, Pervis gives us more balance.
Would love to be able to start someone else alongside Baleba, but will go for MOR, despite certain concerns for the simple reason that he offers more than Ayari.
Rutter provides more energy than Enciso and will need to do more defensive work, which will be welcome, and Arsenal defend narrow on the left, so Minteh playing high and wide with rapid pace could be a great outlet.

Is Wieffer definitely out? I'd chuck him in if not

 

[pigmanovich]

Lamptey as striker and play the long ball game

Lamptey crosses the ball to himself and scores, make it happen Fabi

 

[Taybha]

Steele (Bart needs a bit of catching practice and some competition)
Lamptey (if no Veltman)
JPVH
Dunk
Igor
O'Riley
Baleba
Rutter
Mitoma
March ( No Saka providing)
Pedro

Subs Bart, Veltman, Webster, Wieffer,Encisco, Estupinan,Gruda, Andringa,Slater.

 

[Machiavelli]

Is Wieffer definitely out? I'd chuck him in if not

Wasn't directly mentioned in the FH pre-match press (not broadcast) conference that is on the club website, but FH did single out certain players (Pervis, Jack, Webster, Ferdi, Evan, Danny) and say that, apart from those, all others situation remains the same, so I'd go with him being out. In CM, I'd always go with Baleba and Jack or Wieffer are the next best options to play alongside him.

 

[7dialssouthpaw]

Back 3 worked vs Villa IMO: is this a possibility:

bart

JPVH - Dunk - Igor

Lamps Carlitos. Ayari Stupi

Minteh Joao Mito


Ayari keeping Odegaard locked down

Not sure what our strategy will be for their bumrush corner routine though...

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Back 3 worked vs Villa IMO: is this a possibility:

bart

JPVH - Dunk - Igor

Lamps Carlitos. Ayari Stupi

Minteh Joao Mito


Ayari keeping Odegaard locked down

Not sure what our strategy will be for their bumrush corner routine though...

My guess is that the strategy will be to try to keep them down to 3 or 4 set piece goals and hope we're on it at the other end

 

[pigmanovich]

My guess is that the strategy will be to try to keep them down to 3 or 4 set piece goals and hope we're on it at the other end

Have faith, we hadn't conceded from a corner until Fulham, and Arsenal's best crosser is injured.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Bart
Veltman ------ JPvH ------- Dunk ------- Pervis
Baleba ------- O'Riley
Minteh -------------- Rutter ------------ Mitoma
Joao Pedro

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Igor, Ayari, Moder, Gruda, Adingra, Enciso
​

With apologies to Lamptey and Igor, after putting in strong performances against Villa, particularly Lamptey -- although Igor might need to start on the left if Pervis doesn't recover from the illness.
At this time of year, we need rotation given the number of fixtures, and a rest clearly revived Mitoma whose 30 minutes were excellent against Villa.
We need to be at our defensive best against Arsenal, particularly at set pieces, so Veltman is a no-brainer and although Igor is better in the air than Pervis, Pervis gives us more balance.
Would love to be able to start someone else alongside Baleba, but will go for MOR, despite certain concerns for the simple reason that he offers more than Ayari.
Rutter provides more energy than Enciso and will need to do more defensive work, which will be welcome, and Arsenal defend narrow on the left, so Minteh playing high and wide with rapid pace could be a great outlet.

Yes that's exactly what I would go with.

 

[Blues Guitarist]

Bart
Veltman ------ JPvH ------- Dunk ------- Pervis
Baleba ------- O'Riley
Minteh -------------- Rutter ------------ Mitoma
Joao Pedro

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Igor, Ayari, Moder, Gruda, Adingra, Enciso​

If we are playing this shape, why not Lamptey as right winger. He can cross the ball, score goals and track back. I can't see why Minteh gets the shirt ahead of him. What have I missed?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Has Enciso done anything to warrant being dropped at this stage?

 

[aolstudios]

Has Enciso done anything to warrant being dropped at this stage?

Nope

 

[Machiavelli]

If we are playing this shape, why not Lamptey as right winger. He can cross the ball, score goals and track back. I can't see why Minteh gets the shirt ahead of him. What have I missed?

There's a narrative on here that Lamptey is the best crosser. I watch all our games, and go to most, and have to say, I haven't noticed it. Then again, I haven't noticed anyone crossing much, which isn't that surprising given that Welbeck and Ferguson aside, we're not exactly blessed with height and heading ability with our forwards.

 

[Machiavelli]

Has Enciso done anything to warrant being dropped at this stage?

I don't really view it as 'being dropped', more as rotation. I didn't think he was up to much against Villa but it's good to see him back and playing more regularly.

 

[raymondo]

There's a narrative on here that Lamptey is the best crosser. I watch all our games, and go to most, and have to say, I haven't noticed it. Then again, I haven't noticed anyone crossing much, which isn't that surprising given that Welbeck and Ferguson aside, we're not exactly blessed with height and heading ability with our forwards.

Most of our crosses are from corners/free kicks rather than open play (not surprising I guess) and there's little outcome really.

 

[Dave the OAP]

Back 3 worked vs Villa IMO: is this a possibility:

bart

JPVH - Dunk - Igor

Lamps Carlitos. Ayari Stupi

Minteh Joao Mito


Ayari keeping Odegaard locked down

Not sure what our strategy will be for their bumrush corner routine though...

Bart

jpv. Dunk..webster

orally….enciso…baleba…ayari….. weiffer( if fit)

pedro

adringa………. Mitoma

not in those positions in midfield …I would move that around.


does anyone know if Ostegard is fit?

 

[Rdodge30]

Bart
Veltman ------ JPvH ------- Dunk ------- Pervis
Baleba ------- O'Riley
Minteh -------------- Rutter ------------ Mitoma
Joao Pedro

Totally agree - with the option for a triple sub of Gruda Enciso Adingra if/when needed

 

[RM-Taylor]

Verbruggen

Veltman
van Hecke
Dunk
Lamptey

Baleba
Ayari

O'Reilly
Rutter
Mitoma

Enciso

 

[jcdenton08]

I’d like to us park the bus and try and keep them out, at least for the first 30 minutes. That would be a superb achievement. 5-4-1, with Pedro and Mitoma trying to support Enciso if we get chances to counter.

Verbruggen

Lamptey - Veltman - Van Hecke - Dunk - Pervis

Pedro - Baleba - Ayari - Mitoma

Enciso

Will do very well to get a point and need to muck in to avoid a pasting.