There may well be something in playing a 4-5-1 with Wellens in tonight - we played it with James there against Hull and got a point out of it. However, is a point enough for Pearson tonight?

One thing I really don't want to see tonight is Harry Kane playing as an out-and-out winger: He simply can't do it. Either play him up front or (preferably) put him on the bench so we have a realistic option later on.

If Dyer's fit, I think there's an argument for playing:

GK
Defence
Marshall-King-Drinkwater-Dyer
Knockaert
Nugent

4-4-2 is also a solid if predictable option:
GK
Defence
Marsall-King-Drinkwater-Knockaert
Nugent-Wood

Alternatively, we could gamble on something like this:
GK
Defence
King-Drinkwater
Nugent-Kane-Knockaert playing total football and switching positions at will
Wood

So I think, despite the complaints about the strength of our bench, there are several options available to us tonight.

What I fear we'll do is play the midfield/attack (and, significantly, in the same system) as we did against Sheffield Wednesday.

Wellens?!

I hate playing with a lone striker but feel that the 4-5-1 option will be best to ensure we dont concede! I think we should be starting Gallagher tonight, someone with experience and a quality ball into the box. Set pieces may be the only way to get the ball into the net tonight as well, so we need to take our chances wisely.

Gallagher Wellens do you want Pearson to be sacked or something lol

In the absence of James, we don't have too many options for a holding midfielder - hense Wellens.

But knowing Pearson, he will give this Clifford a debut.
Now that's a real yikes

Kane was disaster on Saturday even playing out of position, if the lads are up for it every chance of knicking a win tonight!