[FONT=Calibri]I think it’s time to start thinking about Sunday’s game (3pm kick-off).[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]As mentioned on the Celtic thread, James Forrest expects to train today to prove his fitness but I think he’ll be on the bench and used as an impact option. We’ll be without the suspended Wanyama and Kayal but Mulgrew should be fit to return after missing the final league fixture last Sunday. Matthews has been working his way back to fitness after his hamstring tear in Turin and has featured on the bench a couple of times but I don’t think he’ll dislodge Lustig from right back. [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]The main decision will centre around the attacking mix of players and who’ll miss out – I think it’s probably 3 positions up for grabs between Commons, Forrest, Hooper, Samaras and Stokes. It contradicts my earlier Forrest comment but I’m thinking now that Lennon rates him very highly and has pitched him straight back into the starting lineup on his return from injury in big games previously, e.g. home game against Juve so it could be 4 from 5 with Mulgrew pushing into defence:[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]I think Lennon is most likely to select either of these teams:[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Forster,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Lustig, Ambrose, Wilson, Izaguirre,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Brown, Mulgrew, Ledley,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Commons,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Hooper, Samaras.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Pros: Gets Commons in a central role where he’s been excellent for the last few months; should have a solid base in midfield with those three; Mulgrew can sit and allow the full backs to go forward.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Cons: Shoehorns Mulgrew into the team in a position that isn’t his best one; a lack of natural width in the side; missing out on Forrest’s pace and trickery out wide and Stokes’ link up play and goal threat; fairly conservative selection overall.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Forster,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Forrest, Brown, Ledley, Commons,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Hooper, Samaras.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Pros: Natural width and more pace in the team; allows Mulgrew to play in his more favoured centre back position - replacing Ambrose whose level has dropped since playing in the African Cup of Nations;[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Cons: Commons is usually less influential starting from a wide position; central midfield may come under pressure and get dragged wide if Commons and Forrest don’t track back;[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]If Forrest isn’t deemed fit enough to start then many supporters would welcome a similarly attacking team like this:[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Forster,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Commons, Brown, Ledley, Samaras,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Hooper, Stokes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Pros: Gets the goal threat of Stokes onto the pitch; Mulgrew at centre back;[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Cons: Commons is usually less influential starting from a wide position; central midfield may come under pressure and get dragged wide if Commons and Samras don’t track back;[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]I actually like the variation of Option 1 last week with McCourt dictating the play from central midfield:[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Forster,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Brown, McCourt, Ledley,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Commons,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Hooper, Samaras.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]But I can’t see Lennon starting McCourt at the expense of Ambrose, Forrest and even Stokes. It’s always been notoriously difficult to get a Lennon starting team right for the biggest games so I wouldn’t be surprised if he even goes with something other than those 4 options.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Only 5 subs allowed in the cup so there’ll be some very disappointed players who fail to make the squad. I haven’t even mentioned Watt yet, for example.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri] [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]chewy louie will be assessing the strengths and weaknesses of Hibernian in due course on this thread.[/FONT]
think Hibs will get another trimming in the cup final… celtic (-2) at 11/4 looks worth an interest…
[quote=“Bandage, post: 776227, member: 9”][FONT=Calibri]I think it’s time to start thinking about Sunday’s game (3pm kick-off).[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]As mentioned on the Celtic thread, James Forrest expects to train today to prove his fitness but I think he’ll be on the bench and used as an impact option. We’ll be without the suspended Wanyama and Kayal but Mulgrew should be fit to return after missing the final league fixture last Sunday. Matthews has been working his way back to fitness after his hamstring tear in Turin and has featured on the bench a couple of times but I don’t think he’ll dislodge Lustig from right back. [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]The main decision will centre around the attacking mix of players and who’ll miss out – I think it’s probably 3 positions up for grabs between Commons, Forrest, Hooper, Samaras and Stokes. It contradicts my earlier Forrest comment but I’m thinking now that Lennon rates him very highly and has pitched him straight back into the starting lineup on his return from injury in big games previously, e.g. home game against Juve so it could be 4 from 5 with Mulgrew pushing into defence:[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]I think Lennon is most likely to select either of these teams:[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Forster,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Lustig, Ambrose, Wilson, Izaguirre,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Brown, Mulgrew, Ledley,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Commons,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Hooper, Samaras.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Pros: Gets Commons in a central role where he’s been excellent for the last few months; should have a solid base in midfield with those three; Mulgrew can sit and allow the full backs to go forward.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Cons: Shoehorns Mulgrew into the team in a position that isn’t his best one; a lack of natural width in the side; missing out on Forrest’s pace and trickery out wide and Stokes’ link up play and goal threat; fairly conservative selection overall.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Forster,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Forrest, Brown, Ledley, Commons,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Hooper, Samaras.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Pros: Natural width and more pace in the team; allows Mulgrew to play in his more favoured centre back position - replacing Ambrose whose level has dropped since playing in the African Cup of Nations;[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Cons: Commons is usually less influential starting from a wide position; central midfield may come under pressure and get dragged wide if Commons and Forrest don’t track back;[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]If Forrest isn’t deemed fit enough to start then many supporters would welcome a similarly attacking team like this:[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Forster,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Commons, Brown, Ledley, Samaras,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Hooper, Stokes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Pros: Gets the goal threat of Stokes onto the pitch; Mulgrew at centre back;[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Cons: Commons is usually less influential starting from a wide position; central midfield may come under pressure and get dragged wide if Commons and Samras don’t track back;[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]I actually like the variation of Option 1 last week with McCourt dictating the play from central midfield:[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Forster,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Brown, McCourt, Ledley,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Commons,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Hooper, Samaras.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]But I can’t see Lennon starting McCourt at the expense of Ambrose, Forrest and even Stokes. It’s always been notoriously difficult to get a Lennon starting team right for the biggest games so I wouldn’t be surprised if he even goes with something other than those 4 options.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]Only 5 subs allowed in the cup so there’ll be some very disappointed players who fail to make the squad. I haven’t even mentioned Watt yet, for example.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]chewy louie will be assessing the strengths and weaknesses of Hibernian in due course on this thread.[/FONT][/quote]
The first team you’ve posted there is the most likely selection for me but as you say it’s always very hard to get Lennon’s teams right. He certainly does like Forrest and given the stage of the season he may well risk him but we have a CL qualifier in 2 months so we can’t be cavalier with fitness.
I’d edge towards the third team if it was my choice but I think it’s probably seen as too open in midfield. We’d have been in massive trouble in that area if Brown hadn’t come back sooner than expected so that’s a positive. I’m absolutely convinced Mulgrew should be at centre back, even with our lack of options in the middle of the park.
Matthews is out. Forrest and Mulgrew are doubtful.
Hibs’ skipper and centre back James McPake has been ruled out with a back injury.
I fancy the Irish team to win this.
FAO of Bandage. I’m putting myself through some serious physical pain to be on this flight this morning. I shall endeavour not to spoil the day with complaints about my tummy ache, my frequent bathroom visits through the night, and the seating pain in my back and right shoulder.
Let’s do this bhoys.
Godspeed.
[quote=“Rocko, post: 777236, member: 1”]FAO of Bandage. I’m putting myself through some serious physical pain to be on this flight this morning. I shall endeavour not to spoil the day with complaints about my tummy ache, my frequent bathroom visits through the night, and the seating pain in my back and right shoulder.
Let’s do this bhoys.[/quote]
Seating pain?
Searing sorry.
Forster; Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Commons, Brown, Ledley, Forrest; Stokes, Hoope
Zaluska, Ambrose, McCourt, Samaras and Rogic on the bench.
Big shout to play the club mascot up front with Stokes.
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Frank McAvenie sitting within spitting distance. A gentleman.
Have you tried spitting, just to make sure?
I should say that Bandage is also within spitting distance and he’s also a gentleman.
Come on to fuck Celtic.
Just chatting to Frank, Stevie Chalmers, big Pierre and Tom Boyd. We’re all cautiously optimistic. Frank reckons we’ll win by 3 or 4 if we turn up but we have to turn up. I see the players warming up so we seem to have turned up. I can’t believe Samaras has been left out.
Interview with Henrik before the game, what a player, what a man, a legend.
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