Friday 25 July 2014

All eye's on Eddie's starting line up against Saints

This week we have heard a bit of bad news that Ryan Fraser sustained a heavy tackle against Dorchester that forced him to be substituted towards the end of the first half, while Shaun MacDonald and Simon Francis also picked up minor knocks. This adds to the slight worries that Elphick was rested for the Dorchester match and TK who had a groin strain. But the better news is that Lee Camp is reported to be likely to start against the Saints.
hopefully Lee Camp is back in the starting line up for the Saint's visit.
Eddie Howe has been quite variable in his team selections so far in pre-season although he usually starts the first half with a very strong line up. The Southampton match is important though for giving his main players a taste of football against a team that will keep the ball well and will punish mistakes. That may well mean that Eddie picks his strongest team that is available to start but if Francis has to be rested it might be a chance for Adam Smith to really put his name forward to get a regular place in the back four. It takes a lot though to keep Francis out of a line up and so I'm guessing that he'll still start.

I also believe it is a game where Eunan O'Kane needs to be heavily involved if he is to be among those likely to start up at Huddersfield. At the moment though I think he could be on the subs bench. There is pressure up front too where Kermorgant, Wilson and Pitman have all been hitting the goals and Ritchie is perhaps favourite to start ahead of Junior Stanislas who is hopefully fit again to take part.


Fraser's injury is likely to give Marc Pugh a good opportunity to be selected on the left, but it is good to hear Ryan will be back in training next week. I can see Eddie Howe looking to think about which players are able to add something special at this point and everyone has to be giving their best in training this week.  

AFCB line up could be:


CAMP

FRANCIS                                 ELPHICK                COOK                         DANIELS    


RITCHIE                           ARTER              GOSLING                          PUGH

KERMORGANT                                WILSON



Possible subs could include:
Buchel or Flahavan, Ward, O'Kane, Cargill, Harte, Whifield, Smith, O'Kane, MacDonald, Stanislas, Rantie, Pitman, McQuoid

I also so a tweet from Tom Coull at Southampton FC today that said the game should be able to be seen on their YouTube channel if all goes well.

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