A look at the big game at Griffin Park.

The once thing that is certain about Nigel Adkins team selection on Saturday is that nothing is certain, after the superb win at Brighton he made wholesale changes against Hartlepool, presuambly because of the two games in three days.

So will Adkins look to play something nearer the side that beat the Seagull's, I certainly hope so because that side looked a lot more of a unit than the one on Monday where three members of the back four had been changed, I would hope that we will revert to the back four at Brighton, it looks the strongest line up that we can put out in defence.

In midfield the big question is whether he risks Adam Lallana for the full 90 minutes, personally I would hope that he doesnt, again I think we got it right at the Withdean, using a strong midfield to get a grip on the game first half before unleashing Lallana in the second and again I think this worked well and let us get men forward.

Up front Lambert will start (OK some things are certain with Nigel Adkins) and again I would leave Guly up front alongside him, Guly at times seems to get stick from certain members of the crowd, but the truth is he is a clever and skilful player and can change games and score goals, start with him and leave Connolly on the bench to come on late and do what he does best.

So my team would be

Davis

Butterfield, Jaidi, Fonte, Dickson.

Forte, Hammond, Chaplow, Gobern.

Lambert Guly

Subs Bialkowski, Lallana, Connolly, Seaborne, Richardson, Stephens, N' Guessan

On the bench its a combination of all three areas, the obvious player left out is Dan Harding, but in truth I cannot find a place for him on the bench without leaving us short of firepower, at the back Richardson and Seaborne give us the cover we need with the option to move Butterfield virtually anywhere including left back if needed, for the midfield Lallana and Stephens are certainties alongside Connolly up front, that leaves only one spare sub position, but we need to win this game not draw it, our priority has to be attacking options not putting a third defender on there.         

Photo: Action Images

legod7 added 11:52 - Apr 29 You would not have Dan Harding in your match day 19,not even on the bench. How utterly amazing. Now I know you must have completely lost your marbles. After his performance on Monday against Hartlepool where time and time again he got down the left bye line and put crosses into the box. With his performance we could and probably should have been 5-0 up at half time. I think you hate Harding so much you would rather sell him and buy the Pompey left back to replace him. I think you have lost any credence you ever had to call yourself a Saints supporter with it seems an absolute hatred of one of Saints most gifted and talented players

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stmichael added 11:55 - Apr 29 Nick you are either mentally ill or deliberately trying to wind people up. The team that started at Brighton failed which is why we were losing and why it was changed at half time. It was a bizarre team which I hope I never see again. Forte and gobern and jaidi seem to float your boat when in truth they are weak members of our squad. On the other hand key players like davis and lambert get pulled apart on a weekly basis. Each to their own I suppose!

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stmichael added 11:55 - Apr 29 Nick you are either mentally ill or deliberately trying to wind people up. The team that started at Brighton failed which is why we were losing and why it was changed at half time. It was a bizarre team which I hope I never see again. Forte and gobern and jaidi seem to float your boat when in truth they are weak members of our squad. On the other hand key players like davis and lambert get pulled apart on a weekly basis. Each to their own I suppose!

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winchesterbob added 11:59 - Apr 29 I agree legod7, Dickson is a poor substitute for Harding. Harding and Fonte have been our best and most consistant players over the whole season. I think Nick is trying too hard to stir up debate with that one!!
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hortonsaint added 12:44 - Apr 29 Personally I'd have Harding at LB and Dickson LM thought that worked well at Orient. We're playing Brentford not Brighton so I wouldn't be so cautious, Conolly to start up front and Guly RM for me. If Lallana is fit I'd revert Dickson to LB in place of Harding though I suspect Harding would keep his place as he seems to be preferred by NA.
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SaintNick added 14:57 - Apr 29 I explained my reasoning behind the selections thoughfully and with clarity, I pointed out that the only reason I didnt have harding on the bench was because I felt it would not be good to have 3 defenders on the bench. I dont particularly like Forte and gobern is a little untried but we don not have many wide options at present, I made it clear that I felt we should rest lallana I have nothing against Harding only that his performances do not merit the praise he seems to get from some quarters, did any of you harding lovers got to Carlisle or rochdale where he was utter pants, likewise Peterborough where he cost us three points, at home where we dominate teams he get plenty of time and room and doesnt have to defend much. Yes harding puts in a lot of crosses at St mary's but how many actually get converted to goals, very very few, the only one recently when the MK Dons keeper fumbled what was a poor cross from a good position. I try to give a reasoned opinion, so either give me one back based on the performances that he has put in in key games not when we have bullied sides at SMS

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hortonsaint added 15:22 - Apr 29 Nick don't you think Dickson/Harding down the left is an option though? Harding looks better with the cover offered by Dickson and I've been really impressed with how Dickson attacks the full back and he is a much better crosser than Harding, I'll give you that. Just think Gobern doesn't offer a lot there in an attacking sense and don't think we need to be so cautious tomorrow. I've been at the away games you mention and agree Harding has cost us goals but tend to feel that you highlight his and Davies errors in the extreme. Key wins Harding has played in away? From memory Colchester, Exeter, Bournemouth, Orient, Notts County, Sheff Wed, Bristol Rovers

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Waltham_Saint added 02:40 - Apr 30 I often criticise Harding, but after his performance on monday it's a scandal if he doesn't start. I agree with Nick, Lallana and Connolly to start on the bench. It gives us an exciting option to bring them on then. I would play Dickson LM and start with Forte. I think he has potential, and just giving him the first 45 mins might be enough to snatch a breakaway goal. Stick Guly up top with Lambert and then if you take Forte off he then goes to RM, with Connolly playing off the big scouse. I'd play Stephens over Chaplow. I feel he only seems to turn up when we're cruising. Not enough effort. In Stephens you have someone who is comfortable on the ball, and can pick out a pass, yet also defend well when required.

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stmichael added 07:50 - Apr 30 What would you rest llalana for the summer holidays? We have 3 games left to get promotion so play him and get the job done. Same with Connolly. I want to see the class players in the 11 not people who have to think about continuing it before they look up. If dan is left out for Ryan no arguments. They are both capable players. Matty said in the echo last night dan was a candidate for player of the season and the agreed the night b4. We can't all be wrong. And as for peterboro the culprit was seabourne. A good example of your vendetta however as you blamed Davis and Harding!

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