Gnasher

Spot on ZLF.

Tettey on press duty so looks like he''s starting. I reckon Hughon will play: Ruddy Whittaker Turner Bassong Olsson Tettey Fer Snodgrass Howson Pilkington Rvw

Hughton has said he''s in contention for tomorrow night. Be good to have another option for saturday.

Against Everton he came on and drastically reduced the space they had on the edge of the box, not allowing them to shoot at will as they had done. And we won''t have to wait long to see what happens in the midfield shake up. Essential we play to natural wide plyers and Fer in his preferred role.

We''ll just have to agree to disagree then. Tettey didn''t feature at the end of last season due to losing his place to injury and personally I find Johnson all too frustrating, giving the ball away too easily at times. As for form On the last couple games Tettey impressed vs Everton and relatively yesterday, so for me that puts him ahead of Johnson.

Did you go yesterday Hogesar? Tettey had a 90% pass completion and only lost possession once in his own half. Looking at his pass map, the vast majority are longer than many on here would admit he has the ability to do because of a spell of games last year where he was poor, and several of these are wide to the right, in an effort to spread the play. As for taking three touches, the movement yesterday was abysmal, tell me anyone who was passing one touch football successfully for us yesterday. Tettey was one of our best players, hence why Johnson made way at HT and not Tettey. I agree Tettey/Johnson shouldn''t play together and on form its Tettey who should take the DM berth, while Fer reverts to his natural box-to-box game.

I would hope to see more rotation this year so that Benno gets more game time, had some great games towards the end of last year but was dropped straight away. Snodgrass was extremely frustrating early last year with his reluctance to acknowledge a right foot and hitting several freekicks into the wall that he was never dropped for, would like to see Hughton drop him if he has a run of bad games, team game and all that.

Badly worded on my part gingerpele, meant that the space on the edge of the box contributed to their two goals which was what Tettey denied them when he came on.

I''d like to see a trio of Fer, Tettey and Howson. Tettey excelled today at closing down the space on the edge of the box, something we lacked before he came on and played a part in both goals. With Tettey holding, its a case of who to pivot with Fer who obviously likes to get forward, I think Howson would work better than Wes for the style of play but if Hooper is fit whose to say it won''t be Ricky/Hooper there as the AM/SS, certainly be good to get them both on the pitch and scoring.

Wouldn''t count towards a squad place if we got him either

Also agreed! Was imperious before Swansea away where he missed out with injury then his post xmas form dipped (as did most players) and he has been branded with a poor passing attribute for a few games in that period that he was poor. Definitely think Tetteys pace and strength allow us to play a single holding midfield on a pivot, which will hopefully help up top. Don''t see johnson as being able to do that myself.

Interestingly, assuming Fox and Ayala are both set to be in the 25, that leaves only one over 21 spot for any new signings. Say anything about our chances of signing a new striker/defender? Can''t imagine another young player is whats wanted at CB with Bennett and Ayala, maybe our striker search has headed to the loan/youngster market now.

Club confirmed it''s Garrido and Fer tomorrow now.

When Holt was captain we know he had a massive influence off the pitch, getting first team players to youth games, spending time with the younger players etc Bassong is a great leader on the pitch, reminds me of Dublin, and so I imagine he will wear the armband on the pitch, with Russ as vice, whilst Russ is the guy everyone turns to off the pitch, as a senior member of the team whose one of the longest serving at the club, I think this is the best way to replace Holt as captain, very shrewd move.

Haha, emissaries indeed Grey! Fair enough if it was last night, here''s hoping we get it sorted..