Starting XI v Millwall

[3points]

What team do you expect Gomes to pick? Given it’s Millwall I’m going for a bigger more physical team

Jaakkola
Yiadom
O’Shea
Blackett
Gunter (if fit) / Richards

Bacuna
Rinomhota
Edwards

McCleary
Bodvarson
Baldock

Subs - Mannone, McIntyre, Richards (or Osho), Loader, Barrow, Swift, Meyler,

[Hound]

No real idea tbh. Don’t know if the likes of Moore, Meite and Ilori are nearly fit

Don’t expect anything too radical though being as his first game in charge. Actually handled the physicality of Boro reasonably well

Something like this I reckon

Anssi
Yiadom
Blackett
Osho
Richards
Rino
Bacuna
Swift
McCleary
Bod
Baldock

Mannone, Loader, Sims, Edwards, o Shea, Barrow, Meite

[Old Man Andrews]

No real idea tbh. Don’t know if the likes of Moore, Meite and Ilori are nearly fit

Don’t expect anything too radical though being as his first game in charge. Actually handled the physicality of Boro reasonably well

Something like this I reckon

Anssi
Yiadom
Blackett
Osho
Richards
Rino
Bacuna
Swift
McCleary
Bod
Baldock

Mannone, Loader, Sims, Edwards, o Shea, Barrow, Meite

I wouldn't put Osho in against Millwall away.

Jaakkola

Yiadom
O'Shea
Blackett
Richards

Bacuna
Rinhomota
Swift

Barrow
Bodvarsson
McCleary

[Zip]

No real idea tbh. Don’t know if the likes of Moore, Meite and Ilori are nearly fit

Don’t expect anything too radical though being as his first game in charge. Actually handled the physicality of Boro reasonably well

Something like this I reckon

Anssi
Yiadom
Blackett
Osho
Richards
Rino
Bacuna
Swift
McCleary
Bod
Baldock

Mannone, Loader, Sims, Edwards, o Shea, Barrow, Meite

I wouldn't put Osho in against Millwall away.

Jaakkola

Yiadom
O'Shea
Blackett
Richards

Bacuna
Rinhomota
Swift

Barrow
Bodvarsson
McCleary

Osho deserves to start again but on reflection I would play him against QPR but not Millwall. We are likely to face an aerial bombardment against them. It was noticeable how much taller Blackett was compared to Osho. So agree that for this game O’Shea needs to start.

I also think we have to risk Bod even if it means he comes off early otherwise we have no physical presence upfront. I agree with your defence and the central midfield three but would play Bod upfront with Barrow and Baldock out wide.

[windermereROYAL]

No idea if they trained Sunday or are training tomorrow Xmas day. Gomes won`t have too much of a idea about most of the players yet.
He might have to take some advice from Scott Marshall.

[Snowflake Royal]

I've no idea who I'd pick let alone who someone who so has had no time with the squad and I know nothing about will. So err...

GK: Jaakkola seems obvious but he's not comfortable passing out and Mannone now seems fit.
RB: It's got to be Yiadom hasn't it?
LB: Could be one of three depending who is fit, probably Gunter > Richards > Blackett in probability and depending on fitness
CB: It's got to be Blackett really, only senior CB definitely match fit
CB: O'Shea was back on the bench so maybe his experience?
CM: Has to be Rinomhota
CM: Has to be Bacuna
ACM: Probably Swift, but could be Loader, McNulty or Baldock too, or even Edwards or Bacuna
LW: Probably Barrow, but could be Swift, Sims, McCleary, or Baldock too.
RW: Probably McCleary but could be Sims, Aluko, Loader or Baldock
ST: Should be Bod, but likely to stay Baldock and could even be Loader, McNulty or House... or Meite if he's fit.

Could maybe see a return of Kelly too for the passing style Gomes mentioned, not sure if he's available.

No Osho or McIntyre (if recovered) would seem a bit harsh.

[Hound]

No idea if they trained Sunday or are training tomorrow Xmas day. Gomes won`t have too much of a idea about most of the players yet.
He might have to take some advice from Scott Marshall.

yep exactly. Hence why likely to be much the same team

Once he has had a few weeks, suspect we'll start to see more of his stamp. Injuries are very limiting on the first 11 as well. Imagine he'll go back to Ilori and Moore (though definitely a strong case to keep Blackett in at CB), Kelly may get a look in again as well. Expecting a Portugese LB on loan.

[URZZZZ]

Jaakkola

Yiadom
O'Shea
Osho
Blackett

Meyler
Bacuna
Rinomhota

Meite
Bodvarsson
Baldock

Mannone, Richards, Edwards, Swift, Barrow, McCleary, McNulty/Loader

Tempted to switch to a back 5 but apparently Gomes plays with 4 at the back. Don't want to remove Blackett from CB, but we have no other real options, Richards is painfully out of his depth and won't be able to deal with Millwall's long balls towards him. Meyler just for added height, I'd give him one more chance to prove himself because feel he's been a bit underused personally. Wouldn't mind Edwards in there instead though

Front three lacks any width but our wingers are so poor there's no real point, if Meite isn't fit stick McCleary there

[Hound]

quite like that side URZZZ. For this game anyway.

[Snowflake Royal]

No real idea tbh. Don’t know if the likes of Moore, Meite and Ilori are nearly fit

Don’t expect anything too radical though being as his first game in charge. Actually handled the physicality of Boro reasonably well

Something like this I reckon

Anssi
Yiadom
Blackett
Osho
Richards
Rino
Bacuna
Swift
McCleary
Bod
Baldock

Mannone, Loader, Sims, Edwards, o Shea, Barrow, Meite

I wouldn't put Osho in against Millwall away.

Jaakkola

Yiadom
O'Shea
Blackett
Richards

Bacuna
Rinhomota
Swift

Barrow
Bodvarsson
McCleary

Osho deserves to start again but on reflection I would play him against QPR but not Millwall. We are likely to face an aerial bombardment against them. It was noticeable how much taller Blackett was compared to Osho. So agree that for this game O’Shea needs to start.

I also think we have to risk Bod even if it means he comes off early otherwise we have no physical presence upfront. I agree with your defence and the central midfield three but would play Bod upfront with Barrow and Baldock out wide.

I understand where you're coming from with Bod, but 'risking' him could see him out for another six weeks potentially. What's better, beating Millwall and losing Bod for that long,or losing to Millwall and having him ready to go fully in Jan?

[windermereROYAL]

Blackett is a much better CB than FB. I actually like him there.

[Zip]

I wouldn't put Osho in against Millwall away.

Jaakkola

Yiadom
O'Shea
Blackett
Richards

Bacuna
Rinhomota
Swift

Barrow
Bodvarsson
McCleary

Osho deserves to start again but on reflection I would play him against QPR but not Millwall. We are likely to face an aerial bombardment against them. It was noticeable how much taller Blackett was compared to Osho. So agree that for this game O’Shea needs to start.

I also think we have to risk Bod even if it means he comes off early otherwise we have no physical presence upfront. I agree with your defence and the central midfield three but would play Bod upfront with Barrow and Baldock out wide.

I understand where you're coming from with Bod, but 'risking' him could see him out for another six weeks potentially. What's better, beating Millwall and losing Bod for that long,or losing to Millwall and having him ready to go fully in Jan?

It’s such a big game. Lose it and we are deep in the mire. Yes it’s risking Bod but Meite should be back soon.....surely...

[Old Man Andrews]

Osho deserves to start again but on reflection I would play him against QPR but not Millwall. We are likely to face an aerial bombardment against them. It was noticeable how much taller Blackett was compared to Osho. So agree that for this game O’Shea needs to start.

I also think we have to risk Bod even if it means he comes off early otherwise we have no physical presence upfront. I agree with your defence and the central midfield three but would play Bod upfront with Barrow and Baldock out wide.

I understand where you're coming from with Bod, but 'risking' him could see him out for another six weeks potentially. What's better, beating Millwall and losing Bod for that long,or losing to Millwall and having him ready to go fully in Jan?

It’s such a big game. Lose it and we are deep in the mire. Yes it’s risking Bod but Meite should be back soon.....surely...

Even if Bod can only give me the first 45 minutes I'd start him. Cannot have Baldock on his own up top against Millwall.

[Snowflake Royal]

Osho deserves to start again but on reflection I would play him against QPR but not Millwall. We are likely to face an aerial bombardment against them. It was noticeable how much taller Blackett was compared to Osho. So agree that for this game O’Shea needs to start.

I also think we have to risk Bod even if it means he comes off early otherwise we have no physical presence upfront. I agree with your defence and the central midfield three but would play Bod upfront with Barrow and Baldock out wide.

I understand where you're coming from with Bod, but 'risking' him could see him out for another six weeks potentially. What's better, beating Millwall and losing Bod for that long,or losing to Millwall and having him ready to go fully in Jan?

It’s such a big game. Lose it and we are deep in the mire. Yes it’s risking Bod but Meite should be back soon.....surely...

Yeah Meite and the import of the game are what has me not just flat out disagreeing with the idea of risking it.

[Hound]

Bod has been on the bench last two weeks, played 45 mins in an U23 game and no doubt been training for about 3 weeks

Every time someone plays its a risk - but surely he is ready to come back and start? Can't just wrap him up in cotton wool. Think it was a cracked bone in his back wasn't it? Thats not going to be any better for giving him another week

[Lower West]

Tempted to switch to a back 5 but apparently Gomes plays with 4 at the back. Don't want to remove Blackett from CB, but we have no other real options, Richards is painfully out of his depth and won't be able to deal with Millwall's long balls towards him. Meyler just for added height, I'd give him one more chance to prove himself because feel he's been a bit underused personally. Wouldn't mind Edwards in there instead though

This game will show if he's got tactical nous. One would hope for a more defensive formation than Saturday. Richards needs to stay in. Then at least we've two natural left footers. Middlesborough so obviously targeted that area on Saturday in the first half. With Barrow providing little cover.

[SCIAG]

Osho did just fine against Boro who were a very big and physical Tony Pulis side. Keep him in.

McIntyre is expected to be out for five weeks with a head injury. Certainly wouldn't want him rushed back in this day and age.

Doubtless I'll now be told that Kelly and Gunter are our for the next two years...

For me, team should be: Jaakkola, Gunter, Osho, Blackett, Yiadom; Kelly; McCleary, Rinomhota, Bacuna, Baldock; Bodvarsson

Swift, Meite, and Barrow as impact subs. O'Shea and Harriott as options to tighten things up. Richards and Mannone as cover. Very harsh on Loader after a MOTM performance but we need to get the basics right before we can get the most out of him.

[Royals and Racers]

Osho did just fine against Boro who were a very big and physical Tony Pulis side. Keep him in.

McIntyre is expected to be out for five weeks with a head injury. Certainly wouldn't want him rushed back in this day and age.

Doubtless I'll now be told that Kelly and Gunter are our for the next two years...

For me, team should be: Jaakkola, Gunter, Osho, Blackett, Yiadom; Kelly; McCleary, Rinomhota, Bacuna, Baldock; Bodvarsson

Swift, Meite, and Barrow as impact subs. O'Shea and Harriott as options to tighten things up. Richards and Mannone as cover. Very harsh on Loader after a MOTM performance but we need to get the basics right before we can get the most out of him.

I know he`s young but i`m sorry i have not seen anything from Loader yet to suggest he is going to make it big. He`s not shown that he`s got any real pace and not sure he has even got close to MOTM.

[SCIAG]

Can understand being underwhelmed (only MOTsm because our other forwards did nothing between them... and I forgot Bacuna) but it's very strange to me that you think he hasn't got any pace. Not so long ago certain people ( ) were saying that all he had was pace...

[3points]

He has a great first touch too. Rarely gets caught on the ball or loses possession. I’d describe his game time so far as tidy, but unthreatening. I think he’s playing too deep at the moment though. Feel he needs to be in the box more often