Your team v Brentford

[Insidious]

.......phew. Rather fortuitous to get 3 points there. Will take it!

.....................Alisson

Trent.....Konate.....Van Dijk...Tsimikas

......................Fabinho

..........Henderson......Keita

Salah...........Núñez......Carvalho

Hesitant to overplay Thiago and Henderson needs a better game but this is probably the XI I would be happiest with just now, assuming Gakpo isn't slotted in instantly. Matip if Konate isn't ready.

[teesred]

Thiago surely has to play. Is he injured?

[Steveo]

On the one hand yes he does - but as Sid says - if he plays, he likely can’t play the next one OR picks up another injury. He had to be everywhere tonight. Frankly covering for the Captain and Elliott. Too much to ask from a man of his age. Despite playing well he had to deploy a variety of clever collisions and obstructions to stop the Foxes getting a certain equaliser. That cannot be his job.

This is why the midfield is a seriously desperate situation. It’s on empty. Was on empty at season start - is on empty now post WC and is staring a marathon in the face.

[Insidious]

Thiago surely has to play. Is he injured?

Steveo has summated my thoughts on it very succinctly.

Thiago is a lad you don't run into the ground.

[teesred]

Fair points. It's just a risk leaving him out but you are right.
Worry is if Hendo has a game even close to tonight our midfield is in trouble in that game.

[miller0863]

Well next game after Brentford is the FA Cup.

Alisson

Trent
Konate
VVD
Tsimikas

Keita
Fabinho
Thiago

Salah
Núñez
Ox

Ox, Keita and Thiago (who should be rested) because there is no one else.

[Insidious]

Fair points. It's just a risk leaving him out but you are right.
Worry is if Hendo has a game even close to tonight our midfield is in trouble in that game.

Thing is, if Fabinho plays then Henderson will be higher up the pitch, covering spaces vacated by Trent, pressing etc

So although Henderson was poor tonight, you'd be cautiously optimistic that the cohesion of the midfield will be better with Fabinho (hopefully) and Henderson in their natural roles.

[teesred]

I see your point but Hendo tonight just looked off in every way. Don't think it was his position causing it, he just looks knackered.

[ianlfc]

Our luck this season might just be changing. 2 own goals tonight to get the win and Ivan Toney is a huge doubt for Mondays game as he limped off injured towards the end of tonight's game against West ham.

[miller0863]

Yeah they should definitely rest their prize asset, he actually went off on a stretcher, didn’t look good, seemed to be in real pain with his knee.


Gakpo must have been rubbing his hands in the stands looking at the number of chances we create even playing poorly.