[drewks]

I've seen enough of Ideye and Blanco from there times in Ukraine to have an opinion on their play style and overall quality but something has to be up if they, along with Gamboa are not getting into the team and sometimes not even on bench. Of course I have only ever seen them in matches so I don't know about how well they train. Unfortunately for AI, right now we need Varela, Blanco, Gamboa and Ideye because everything has gone very stale with the current team setup and tactics. The signs were there against Crystal Palace and the Newcastle match moved us into full stale mode with us now being very predictable.

AI has a very tough decision to make. Does he continue with the tried and trusted guys who are probably performing well in training but lack the needed quality in the matches or does he put the guys who may not be performing well enough in training into the team because of the quality that they will bring? He showed after the Swansea and Everton defeats that he will change things up when it's needed. Next week at home to Arsenal is the perfect time to change things up because we are stale and they are very vulnerable in defence. Ultimately though, the final decision is up to him.

He surprised us against Tottenham so he could do it again. We shall see......

Good points Josh - especially the 'training v match' choice for AI.
The thing is, he doesn't need to bring them ALL in together - 1 or 2 of Varela, Blanco, Gamboa and Ideye would surely both freshen things up AND keep enough stability to satisfy AI?

The 'training v match' issue is interesting though as it (again) surely would be a gamble for AI to include players who didn't apply themselves/look sharp/get the tactics/understand what's demanded of them in training, in the hope that all would come good on matchday? He's got to be satisfied that they'll either put a shift in OR be so creative that the rest of the team can accommodate any shortcomings.
Tricky.
It does though all point to the fact that AI doesn't believe they're (ATM) good enough - simple as that - which is more than a bit worrying

[WBA-Josh]

Good points Josh - especially the 'training v match' choice for AI.
The thing is, he doesn't need to bring them ALL in together - 1 or 2 of Varela, Blanco, Gamboa and Ideye would surely both freshen things up AND keep enough stability to satisfy AI?

The 'training v match' issue is interesting though as it (again) surely would be a gamble for AI to include players who didn't apply themselves/look sharp/get the tactics/understand what's demanded of them in training, in the hope that all would come good on matchday? He's got to be satisfied that they'll either put a shift in OR be so creative that the rest of the team can accommodate any shortcomings.
Tricky.
It does though all point to the fact that AI doesn't believe they're (ATM) good enough - simple as that - which is more than a bit worrying  

I would say that we only need 2 out of Gamboa, Varela, Blanco and Ideye because we don't want to rock the boat too much. I would say that Gamboa in for Wisdom at right back and Varela in for Dorrans with Brunt switching to the right wing is enough at the moment. Then we would have Blanco and Ideye on the bench ready if more changes are required. Blanco for Sessegnon and Ideye for Berahino for example.

It's a risk either way drewks. AI either continues with same tried and trusted guys and we either continue to struggle or start to play well again or he puts in the new guys in the hope that they're quality will shine through but there's the risk that it might not work either. Both ways are gambles and that is what makes AI's decision even more tougher.

To be honest I expect AI to stick with the current guys (the 11 that beat Leicester, Spurs and Burnley) because he seems loyal to players that have performed well in the past for him. Loyalty like that is a good thing to see in modern day football but it could also end up as his final downfall if we continue to struggle.

[BBB]

Downing and Kiely and maybe Steve Clarke should be sacked, as they have all been involved with 3 manager sackings - I wonder why?

[drewks]

Downing and Kiely and maybe Steve Clarke should be sacked, as they have all been involved with 3 manager sackings - I wonder why?

Steve Clarke??