What would be your players and formation be if you had to pick it?

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

4311 as follows

Guiita

Ward
Anderson
Guehi
Mitchell

Ayew
Doucoure
Hughes
Schlupp

Zaha

Edouard

This would be a hard working team to restore some solidity while at the same time offering a threat on the break.
Ayew and Schlupp in wide midfield areas to help our full backs who have been left exposed recently .
I also think it’s Schlupp’s most effective position on the left of midfield.
Zaha to play off Edouard and have a free attacking role (like at home v Wolves).
It’s a toss up between Clyne and Ward for right back, but I’ve gone for Ward who I think is the better defender(apart from last weekend).
I imagine some may throw their hands up at the exclusion of Eze and Olise, but they can make an impact from the bench and the side I’ve selected is first and foremost a physical team who will compete and provide a balance all over the field.

Ayew has struggled since returning from the WC, but at least he'll put a shift in and he wins free-kicks. Edouard needs to do more outside the box if he's going to play against the bigger teams. Hughes may not be the answer, but at least he plays like a central midfielder unlike Schlupp and I thought he was one of our better players against Saints.

When you look at our squad there's only really two questions: who plays up top and who plays central midfield with Doucoure. 8 or 9 players are almost certain to start every game. That lack of competition is a real worry.

************Guaita*************
***Richards**Andersen**Guehi***
Clyne***Luka**Doucoure**Schlupp
**************Eze**************
*******Wilf********Eduoard*****

Back 7, not moving out of position, counter attack, play longer

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

I'd go for this, but swapping Ward for Clyne (looks like a rabbit caught in headlights) and Edouard for Ayew (in a game like this we need to take the few chances we'll get)

Same boat for me.

I still maintain he was our 'best player', even above Wilf at some 'squeaky bum' stages and seems a great guy, still a lot of gratitude there from me.

Not being reliant upon or notable for his athleticism, plus he has 'gotten older' as we all do, I have mused recently as to whether he is the type of player who needs/needed to be playing regularly for anyone to get the best out of whatever he has left. It's undoubtedly less than it was seasons past and now it seems the reduction to sporadic cameos has seriously affected his performances. I also think our 'style' is very different to the Hodgson, backs against the wall one which he seemed to flourish in.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!