Well that was a chastening experience v Citeh! Best it is forgotten.
I did the League Cup MDT for the game v Arsenal earlier in the season, so no need to talk about them too much.
The Mighty Whites will be without Shackleton, Cooper, Koch, Firpo (suspended), Pascal, KP, Bamford, Rodrigo and James. Of the players who could play are Llorente, Roberts and Rafa who are one booking away from suspension. Tyler actually has 5 bookings but am sure 1 was in the League cup so does not count.
I fully understand why MB chooses to work with a small 18 man squad + the U23s. I do get it but this is now getting ridiculous! 9 first-team players out v Arsenal and that could be 11 players out v Liverpool.
Even worse, we do not know when any may return, apart from Firpo.
IMO It is time to stop putting square pegs in round holes. Ayling serves us better as a RB than CB so I would go with
Meslier
Ayling Cresswell Llorente Dallas
Forshaw Bate
Klitch
Rafa Roberts Harrison
Subs: KK, Drameh, McCarron, Hjelde, Jenkins, Sommerville, Greenwood, Geldhart, Dean,
Bate is in as part of a double pivot for his work rate, tenacity and passing. He can also run with the ball at pace helping the opposing team to start losing their defensive shape.
No prediction as all I hope for is a decent performance that restores pride in the Famous White shirt.
Yes Daniel, but Meslier in the first half was standing in a shooting gallery.
Don't know how many times this season we've hit the self-destruct button, it's not down to just one player. Glad I'm not alone to notice Klich effectiveness or rather the lack of when he's being asked to play deep(er).
Defending, tackling breaking up play is not his kind of thing.
Harrison has gone off the boil completely.
Stuol, better shape needed, getting players in their favoured position will settle us down. Still hope the upcoming games over the festive period will get postponed.