Rodon & Ampadu/Rodon & Struijk or Other?

[1964white]

I did, hence why both Amps and Joe were in my MOM top 6, many of our attacks start with either CB, especially Amps, I know we have plenty cover in midfield but Ampadu will struggle against big teams from set pieces whereas Pascal has the edge.
As long as were are winning, I don't see DF altering too much, but I expect him to alter things against Leicester to shake things up and put them off their homework.

Rodon made two runs into Rotherham's half, which started the moves & led to two of our goals.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I'm intrigued to know what is the combination voted for as an OTHER combination

Assuming Kenny. He said he liked Cooper.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I'd say Rodon and Strujik. But then that begs the question in midfield. You can't drop Gruev for Ampadu and probably don't play the together. But these things usually take care of themselves.

I think Rodon and Strujik is strongest. But I don't see Farke making a change until there's another injury or suspension.

[1964white]

Assuming Kenny. He said he liked Cooper.

As it's Kenny boy, I'll make allowances for him

[Finnatic]

Rodon and Ampadu with Gruev as holding midfielder.
If Farke does fancy Gruev and Ampadu in midfield, then I’m fine with Strujik or Cooper alongside Rodon.

[The Subhuman]

We'll find out against Leicester a week on Friday.

Unless Struijk is back

[andrewjohnsmith]

As it's Kenny boy, I'll make allowances for him

Choose your battles

[weasel]

It's all good and Ampadu's fine form means we don't have to rush Struyjk back. I do feel that in the last few years we seem to have rushed players back and then they have broken down again. Firpo, Bamford and KP prime examples of players coming back and suffering a different injury. With Bamford and KP they were so integral to the Bielsa system that it almost seemed like they would be selected if they only had 1 leg.

Hopefully this season we have now got Bamford and Firpo past their injury problems by not rushing them back and making it so that they were well and truly confident in their bodies.

[Orange Box]

I’ve gone for the Taffs, with Amps at the back we finally have Gruev having a good run in the middles, what a player he has shown to be.

[VinnysTattoo]

My first thought was Rodon and Struijk but there is a good call for Ampadu.

This at least shows we have some decent options. That’s not something you could have had said last season.

Ampadu showing what a versatile player he is.

[lufc1304]

Joe and Pascal for me. Amps has done brilliantly, but Cjay and others are right, he hasn't had an awful lot of pure defending to do. Pascal is a natural CB so, whilst he shouldn't simply walk back into the side when fit, he would be my choice against the better sides where we may not have control of the ball for the bulk of the game.

[Leeds1000]

Its a tight call but i wouldn't change a thing at the minute... so Amps and big Joe for me. Been really impressed with all aspects of Ethan's performances at CB. No return date on Pascal. No wonder Coops stuck around to help us out and Charlie offered a few chocolate sweeteners to the boss.

[Carrick Dave]

Couldn't decide on this but ended up going Rodon/Struijk, mostly because I like Amps in the middle, the way he has been spraying balls about might end up a differentiator from midfield in tight games.

Who to play in the back four, who to play in the midfield, nice problems to have at the minute.

[1964white]

One goal conceded in eight games with Ampadu alongside Rodon.

A big hand to Meslier, who I believe who has kept 15 clean sheets, that must have given Illan so much confidence, after the amount of goals flying past him last season.

[mentalcase]

One goal conceded in eight games with Ampadu alongside Rodon.

A big hand to Meslier, who I believe who has kept 15 clean sheets, that must have given Illan so much confidence, after the amount of goals flying past him last season.

I've been impressed with Mes the last few months, he's keeping his concentration right to the end, even away at Leicester in the last seconds, a superb save that got us all 3 points, and deseveredly so, but they could have nicked a point they didn't deserve to.
Yesterday saw him punch clear as well instead of flapping, then catching the as well when under pressure.
15 clean sheets is very very good, long may it continue.
Between Rodon / Ampadu / Meslier, they all have a lot more faith in each other at the back now

[1964white]

I've been impressed with Mes the last few months, he's keeping his concentration right to the end, even away at Leicester in the last seconds, a superb save that got us all 3 points, and deseveredly so, but they could have nicked a point they didn't deserve to.
Yesterday saw him punch clear as well instead of flapping, then catching the as well when under pressure.
15 clean sheets is very very good, long may it continue.
Between Rodon / Ampadu / Meslier, they all have a lot more faith in each other at the back now

Meslier must feel assured having Rodon & Ampadu in front of him.

[YorkshireSquare]

I see loads of the analytics and scouting accounts telling me how much of a better defender Struijk is than Rodon and Ampadu but the record this year speaks for itself.

Very difficult to change a winning team but as has been said, that will sort itself as people pick up knocks or get suspended.

[weasel]

I see loads of the analytics and scouting accounts telling me how much of a better defender Struijk is than Rodon and Ampadu but the record this year speaks for itself.

Very difficult to change a winning team but as has been said, that will sort itself as people pick up knocks or get suspended.

I always make the point that a good defender can look worse than a s**t defender cos they do less as they read the game and as such danger is averted before it becomes dangerous. Read the game and get to the ball early and pass it. Don't read the game, get to the ball late and have to make a tackle. So the first player looks worse by defensive metrics.

[The Subhuman]

I see loads of the analytics and scouting accounts telling me how much of a better defender Struijk is than Rodon and Ampadu but the record this year speaks for itself.

Very difficult to change a winning team but as has been said, that will sort itself as people pick up knocks or get suspended.

You don't change a winning team playing well.. I'm a huge Pascal fan, he's gonna be class but once fit (who knows how long he's gonna be out but we can wait now) he's on the bench till Rodon/Ampadu can't play.

Amps in central defence also allows us to play Johan* as the defensive mid

*Well if Cry can be Jimmy, Gelhardt - Joffy etc.........

[The Subhuman]

At least we can't say Rodon is irreplaceable now ...