I agree; I like Asprilla. But it would seem the coach favours steady consistency with his choices. Maybe he will mix it up more if and when he feels the squad know each other and his strategies better.
No surprise to find the usual candidates falling by the wayside, in that Ngakia and Sierralta are already injured. TDB the next on the injury hit list is my prediction. Chickens starting to come home to roost.
Let’s not expect too much from a kid just making his first appearance in the squad. Seems to be highly rated though .
Here's his stats on Fifa: How would you rate yourself on FIFA? Pace 80 – Not the fastest but not the slowest. Shooting 89 – This is my main attribute. Passing 80 – It’s a big part of my game but I need to keep working on it. Dribbling 83 – Important for hold-up play. Defending 65 – Probably the weakest part of my game. Physicality 78 – I try and play a physical game. OVERALL – 83
Expect we will see lots of lineups like this away from home. More workmanlike than inspiring, greater emphasis on being solid than creating chances. Livermore in for Sierralta is enforced but think he might have come in anyway. Expecting to see Chekvetdze and Asprilla more at home than away, so not surprised they're not in the side. Good to see Ince make the bench, and clearly our lack of striker options has opened up an opportunity for Collins to make an impression - given his strength is said to be his hold up play can see him coming on second half, especially if we're ahead and need to keep control of the game.
Probably our hardest test to date with our weakest team so far. If Ismael can get a win here, will start to believe he's really onto something.
Striker? Got to be this one. Has already played for the Horns. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collins_John
Could argue 4 of our bench are worthy of starting 11 spots, if not now then sometime soon. Ince, Chakvetadze, Asprilla & Kone / Healey.
Not sure Healey will be in favour even when fit, he doesn't seem to fit the profile of an Ismael striker
Good luck to Collins today, should he come on. Exactly what many of us wanted to see this season, a smaller and tighter squad affording more opportunities for players who’ve come through the academy/under 18s or 23s. 9 players have started all three of our league games this season. Hardly the sign of a worrying injury crisis. * yet!
Yep. And if you add Lewis, Sierralta and Nagakia to the list there is some degree of depth albeit more needed.
Have Stoke got any pace in attack? If so, we could potentially be in line for a bit of a smash and grab rogering, what with Livermore, Porteous and Hoedt treacling their way through our new high line and Bachmann regularly stationed somewhere around the opposition penalty.
It’s not what I wanted to see. Have you seen the U23’s results? They lose every week. No injury crisis, but it’s like the guy falling out of a skyscraper. Past every window people can hear him yelling “so far, so good”.
@folkestone orn Yes true. It’s early season though, these things happen. I’ve known worse injury seasons. And on the credit side, we’ve got Ince back today so it’s one back, one out! I imagine we won’t see Lewis until after the international break. Enjoy the match today my friend! Let’s hope your Wesley prediction is wrong!
There is no reasoning with these lunatics, if Gino detonated a bomb under the Kennel and they would be unhappy.
Exactly. I know nothing about Collins and have no issue with him being in the squad, however, the early predictions of Ngakia and Sierralta not lasting too long are coming true and already we’re having to use an overweight, slow player for 90 minutes, with no backup even to him. You cannot go into a season so light in numbers, when you’re main style of play is high intensity. It’s just idiotic.
We’re going to see how vital Sierralta has been on our opening games. If stoke don’t win with us starting Livermore they should be deducted 90 points.
I don't know how you can arrive at that conclusion? He's likely only starting because Sierralta went off injured in the last game. Why?!
Collins' main ability is his finishing. He's very calm. Well, calm at under 21 level anyway! Only seen him twice in the flesh (oo-er missus) and didn't see much to suggest he can hold the ball up too effectively. Andrew French suggests he's good at it so I'll accept that on the basis he's seen him more than me. Unselfish and a team player. By that I mean he lays the ball off to players in better positions rather than thinking he has to score because he's the main striker/forward. Adeyemo (where has he disappeared to?) is better at pressing but not as good at finishing. If he comes on, don't expect fireworks.
