Joby - bizarrely, that would be Pearson's attack (+ Nugent) with a completely new defence. On the face of it, the worst of both worlds...

I would pick the same team as we had against Burnley, unless Howard looked knackered and Beckford looked particularly up for it (doubtful). I might make the odd change on the bench depending on how Dyer and Abe are looking, but overall I'd make very few changes.

Only change, if fit, Dyer in for Danns. Reading the Mercury today, I think Rudkin is implying that if Lloyd is fit he will play.

I think the bench will be : Weale, St Ledger, Abe/Fernandes, Johnson, Beckford

And yep, I think the possible inclusion of 5 players from two seasons ago does say alot.

It says to me, we already had a very good Championship side, but needed to consolidate and bring in another keeper to challenge Weale, an experienced defender to come in for Brown, a right back with pace and another out and out striker with Championship experience. All of which we've done, and instead of replacing/rotating existing squad members who were good enough and knew each others' game, Stowell and Rudkin are looking to build on this foundation.

You don't change a winning team any injurys not withstanding, as for the keeper one mistake does not take away from the fact hes a lot better than poor old Weale IMO

No question: Schmeichel's name has to be first on the sheet, slightly careless punch notwithstanding.

For the rest, all agreed save that I would put Johnson two gnat's whiskers ahead of Danns, who somehow isn't really doing it.

Are we losing interest in Vassel, then?

Forget Vassell he's useless as bad as Beckford does not work always offside and tries the same step over every time he gets the ball. Its not just a coinsidence that from 1/2 time onwards at west Ham weve been better minus Vassell and Beckford the two worst work rates in the squad

Vassell is definitely out injured for at least several weeks.

To be fair Badger, there have been several games where Vassell has played really well this season, just a consistency issue really; and the fact he doesn't score enough so would struggle in a 4-4-2 on a regular basis.

I don't think Vassel is bad but we've found a very effective partnership with Nugent and Howard which is looking very good. We have Schlupp who is good to have as a wildcard and Beckford who, although has been rubbish for us - you know for a fact he has the quality to score goals if we need.

So unforunately for vassel theres nowhere to fit in

'Only change, if fit, Dyer in for Danns. Reading the Mercury today, I think Rudkin is implying that if Lloyd is fit he will play.'

Didn't we play 4-3-3 against Burnley? In which case, I'm not seeing who he could replace?

Schmeichel

Peltier
Bamba
Mills
Konchesky

Wellens
King
Gally
Johnson

Nugent
Beckford

Subs:
Weale
Pantsil
Dyer
Howard
Schlupp

No room for Abe/Danns at the mo but they are still important players, just wanted to have Schlupp and Dyer on the bench. I would start Beckford because he will be dying to score, he has a lot to prove (to both sets of fans) and i'm still a firm believer that he will come good.

No room for Fernandes just yet either, still love him though, but i reckon he need fire and pace at the moment so lets give Dyer 30 mins at the end.

'Didn't we play 4-3-3 against Burnley? In which case, I'm not seeing who he could replace?'

I was under the assumption from a mate who went to the game and the radio commentary that we were playing a 4-4-2...?

Emilio - we played a 4-4-2 against Burnley. Gally and Danns wide and Nugent / Howard up front

We definitely played 4-4-2 (not the diamond that the radio suggested, although King was probably attacking and Wellens mroe defensive) because Stowell talked about how he was quite traditional and liked the width that a flat 4-4-2 gave.

Dyer in for Danns is a possibility.

Oh right, my bad

Hows about guys and girls (Jimmy.SavilleR.I.P)

Playing Howard up front for 60mins that will give the defence enough to think about and when they are tiring bring on becky ?

Just to confirm that I didn't consider Vassell as he's on the long term injured list.

If he wasn't I'd only have him on the bench at best for this game.

Well that's interesting because Rudkin post match, when asked about the formation, said that one of the strikers (Nugent) would drop back when not in possession to make a 4-3-3/4-5-1 and then push up to support the other front man to make a 4-4-2 when attacking so that might be where the confusion came from .

Watching the Leeds v blackpool highlights, Leeds back 4 were taken apart with through balls on the deck?! This game would suit beckford/nugent partnership IMO. There movement will be to much.....

Beckford...Movement? When?

You could say the same about the service?? When we played Watford and a 4-4-2 he was excellent!

Watching Beckford play he seems to have almost zero heading ability (despite ironically scoring his only goal from a header). He strikes me as the sort of player that would thrive off someone doing all the dirty work for him and him picking up the pieces (ala Fryatt).
A partnership of Beckford and Howard might just work, but that would mean leaving out our best forward in Mr. Nugent. So I fear that the best place for JB currently is starting from the bench.

Beckford enjoyed playing along side Nugent in a 4-4-2 and seemed to link well, my only fear at the moment is how narrow we played.

Stowell & rudkin have addressed that at Burnley. Interesting to see who starts, looking forward to the game!

Joby - I think Nugent + Beckford has the potential to work because Nugent does and will do all the dirty work for Beckford. But with the way Howard is playing at the moment, you can't leave him out and Beckford will have to start from the bench.

'You could say the same about the service?? When we played Watford and a 4-4-2 he was excellent!'

What? No he wasn't! He was dreadful apart from his goal.