Our TTT writers discuss the selection dilemmas facing Roberto Martinez this weekend, and offer their opinions on how the Blues should line up:
Paddy’s starting 11 (4-4-2): Howard, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines, McCarthy, Barkley, Lennon, Mirallas, Naismith, Lukaku.
I do fully understand the need for consistency in team selection, particularly when the group is starting to perform closer to the levels achieved during last season’s successful campaign, but would argue that more attacking intent should be shown here at home to Burnley than we saw against the likes of Swansea and Southampton- possession based teams who hope to dominate with a midfield 3. They’re fighting for their lives, so will sit deep and hope to hit us on the counter or exploit our obvious vulnerability from set pieces. With that in mind, my team offers a break from the 4-2-3-1/4-1-4-1 variation that Roberto has chosen in recent weeks. Quite simply, we need to show more ambition against teams like this.
4-4-2 is seen by many in the game as an outmoded system that limits the tactical flexibility of both the team unit and its players, yet my belief is that good players, selected in their proper positions, can be hugely effective in such a formation, provided they’re intelligent enough to know their roles within the system. I’ve chosen the same back 5 as we’ve seen in previous weeks- it’s our best bet at the moment, and defence is the one part of the team that should never be rotated. McCarthy and Barkley would provide the thrust and tempo from the centre of midfield, while it would be lovely to see two proper wingers stretching play and causing defensive headaches for opposing full backs. Too often, we fail to play with enough width- the in-form Lennon and the returning Mirallas would provide this in abundance, while Pienaar is a decent option off the bench. Up front, I’d advocate a recall for the tireless Naismith, who offers, simultaneously, a substantial goal-threat and the sort of nuisance factor that could upset the visiting defence. Likewise for Lukaku, whose inclusion over the disappointing Kone needs little explanation….
Sean’s starting 11 (4-2-3-1) Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines; Lennon, McCarthy, Barry, Pienaar; Barkley, Lukaku.
Howard gets the nod in goal once again for me. He seems to have turned a corner, and followed up his good performance against Southampton with another solid display against Swansea. He made a terrific save from Gomis in the first half. The back four speaks for itself. Stones, and Jagielka in particular, have been outstanding in recent weeks. It’s impossible to make a case for anyone else. Baines and Coleman are our best two full backs. Like Howard, Gareth Barry appears to have turned a corner as well, with his performance against Swansea up in line with what we saw from him last season. He needed to step up after Gibson’s recent performances and he responded; dictating play in a way neither McCarthy nor Besic can do. McCarthy himself gets the nod alongside Barry. He seems to have been given more license to get forward in recent weeks, which is a positive. He just needs to learn to shoot more when the opportunity arises. Lennon maintains his place on the right whilst Pienaar has to come in on the left after his performance as a sub last week. Finally it has to be Barkley behind Lukaku, assuming the Belgian is passed fit. It’s sods law that just as Rom was finding form consistently, he gets injured. We’ve definitely missed his presence up top. If he’s unable to start, I’d try Mirallas up top.
