Rodger & Oatway Not Ready...

[Jim D]

I'm more worried about Watford than I was about Leicester, whose main (only) attacking option was to hoof it to Dublin. They're a threat in the air and on the ground. Webber looks very sharp, and I'm concerned about Butters and Cullip being turned inside-out by him. Because of this we could end up defending too deeply - which will mean that the midfield will need to be more defensive too. This match is crying out for Carpenter (and Oatway too, if fit). Assuming Harding is fit, I'd go for....

Kuipers
Hinsh; Cullip; Butters; Harding:
Hammond (or Oatway); Chippy; Nicholas; Currie;
Knight; Virgo

I'd keep Virgo up front as he can defend well at set pieces.

With the start we've made this now becomes a 'mustn't lose' game rather than a 'must win'.

 

[b.w.2.]

I agree with Jim D, except...

El-Abd for Hinsh... I think he is our best right-back at present... certainly a solid defensive performance against Leicester and shouldn't be dropped...

Jones for Hammond... Jones had added extra defensive qualities c.f. Jarrett... and Hammond plays central midfield...

Charlie Oatway simply not good enough, except maybe to come off the bench to break up the opponents play if we are leading 1-0...