Match Day Thread Watford vs Southampton, 3pm Saturday 30th October

In real terms though.

—————-McCarthy——————
Livramento-Lyanco-Salisu-Perraud-
——-Romeu———-Prowse———-
-S Armstrong————-Djenepo—-
——A Armstrong—Redmond——-

Can’t see Ralph picking Diallo with Prowse back in the frame, despite having had a good few games. At a push maybe Diallo replaces Romeu instead.

I think he might go with Adams over Adam Armstrong, but I’d prefer the latter for now.

Coin toss between Lyanco and Bednarek, but I think Lyanco deserves a go in the PL after midweek.

Forster played well, but I think it will take something slightly drastic from McCarthy for Ralph to deviate with Forster set to leave at the end of the season.

 

That's the team I would go with, but I expect Bednarek in for Lyanco (which I think is harsh on the gorilla). Given Romeu was on the bench on Tuesday and Diallo played I expect Romeu and JWP in midfield. Really don't want Che starting this. Hasn't done anything to warrant a start and Armstrong will press better.

 

If it were down to me:
—————-McCarthy——————
KWP-Bednarek-Salisu-Perraud-
——-Romeu———-Diallo———-
-Livramento————-S.Armstrong—-
——A Armstrong—Redmond——-

As it si Ralph, I full expect JWP back in the line up and Tino at RB.

 

Funny how after just two good performances it feels like we will really miss having Broja up front for this. That said, despite Che not putting in much of a performance midweek, he has been very streaky with his goal scoring, so hopefully the goal midweek will fire him up for another purple patch.

 

It has only been a couple of appearances but the absolute transformation in our attacking quality when he has been on is undeniable.

Against Burnley our attack went off a cliff as soon as he was replaced by Adams as well, no coincidence imo. (Ok maybe when he started hobbling, but it got even worse after he went off).

I’m already hoping that we are discussing a second season on loan with Chelsea.

 

I'd prefer a buy option, I expect that's to much to hope for.

 

I expect they might well be up for a buy option but the trouble would be that we probably couldn't/wouldn't afford it.

We managed to get Tino for just £5m as he had never played before at this level - that is no longer the case as we have seen Broja is good enough.

 

And Tino only had a year left on his deal and made it clear he wanted to leave to seek first team football.

 

Good point, we have no idea if Broja would even want to make it permanent. He might want to stay and fight for his place, even if history suggests that is futile at Chelsea.

 

Just noticed S Armstrong is a doubt (Echo) assuming Elyounoussi is probably not fit to start either, I am guessing Walcott and Djenepo will be in.

Rev up the #Ralphouts on FB.

 

The same Echo who are guessing, like the rest of us, based on a couple of training gallery images.

Honestly, they aren't worth the time of day.

 

In fairness I would be surprised if he was fit to play. Chelsea mid-week was his first start in months and he didn't last the full 90. With not even a full week of rest between games it is probably fair to assume he will be coming off the bench again.

 

Which is precisely why he was taken off against Chelsea, which was one of the main gripes from the RalphOuters on Facebook - "wHy WOOd U taKe Stoo OfF?"

 

Broja wouldn’t cost that much I’d imagine (unless he has a ridiculous season with us).

Probably still too much for us but if somebody bid around £20m for him I’d imagine Chelsea would sell

 

If Stu's issue (if there is one) is a niggling calf problem - if you're old enough to have been around when MLT was in his pomp, he really suffered from those, especially toward the end of his career. They're buggers to get right, and recur frequently if you go about it the wrong way.

 

We could probably get him for cheaper with a buy back clause inserted, similar to Livramento - honestly I think that was a very smart deal and a sign of how we can build a decent squad going forward.

 

Absolutely. It lowers the risk and the only perceived negative is that the buy-back means you may have to sell him for slightly less than true market value - but that only actually happens if he turns out to be a brilliant player. So you win either way!

 

Smallbone has to be in with a shout.

 

Has che ever had a purple patch?