Saints have appointed Ruben Selles as manager for the rest of the season, he gave us that first game bounce, now we need him to turn it into a second game bounce and continue the good work on in what is a big big game for both clubs.

This is said to be a must win game for both sides, but truth is that is more like a must not lose game and that could lead to a cautious approach from both managers
.
Javi Gracia will be in the Leeds dug out after receiving his work permit today, but will he have had the time needed to prepare his side for such a big game and more to the point does he have a big enough squad to work with after suffering injuries in key positions.

In contrast Ruben Selles does not have the injury issues suffered by his predecessor but one Ralph Hasenhuttl, last week he saw Kyle Walker Peters return to the squad but he remained on the bench for the game, suggesting that he was not quite 100% fit, but Mohammed Salisu and Che Adams were notable absentees from the win at Stamford Bridge, Salisu is said to be fit and ready to rejoin the squad, but at time of writing there is no news on Che Adams injury.

However that will not be a problem, Selles has a plethora of experience to call upon, aside from those two also missing from the squad were Duje Caleta-Car, Mislav Orsic, Sam Edozie, James Bree & Joe Aribo.

The two Croatians are rumoured to have had a bust up with Nathan Jones prior to his departure and it is not clear how Selles feels about that, whilst the latter three appear to have just been dropped by the then caretaker manager after all appearing in the defeat by Wolves the previous week.

So whether any of them will come back into the squad for the trip is unclear.

Certainly all of the 6 subs used at Chelsea played a part with from the onfield subs only Walker Peters and Djenepo getting a run out.

Ruben Selles has to now decide who comes into the squad and if so who goes out, I would suggest that if they are fit both Salisu and Adams will come back in, if so at the expense of Theo Walcott & Moussa Djenepo.

When you look at the quality and experience we had up at Chelsea with no youth team players making up the numbers as has often been the case in the past, it shows the depth we now have and that will bode well for the last 15 games of the season.

Perhaps James Bree has played his last game for the club now his mentor Nathan Jones has gone, but I still feel the other 3 could play a part in our survival quest.

In terms of team selection I think Ruben Selles has to keep things simple as he did last Saturday and I hope that he does not veer too far from the starting line up, perhaps the only big decision to make is whether to return KWP to the starting XI and if so on which side.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles had perhaps his best game for the club at Chelsea and Romain Perraud put in a shift, but both are nowhere near the quality of Walker Peters, this is the question that Ruben Selles has to ponder, does he go for the quality or stick with what he had.

Other than that I can't see too many changes, the job is as it was at Chelsea, work hard, silence the crowd and then impose ourselves on the game, the substitutions are crucial, the week before against Wolves they were appalling and ultimately cost us the game in that firstly they were not made early enough and then too many in just 5 minutes, but at Chelsea the right changes were made at the right time and unlike earlier in the season when we were beset by injuries and to a far smaller squad, we have plenty of options.

So I see the only changes to the squad being the return of Salisu & Adams if both fit, but I see minimal changes to the actual team itself.

A big big game, one that could see us out of the bottom 3 if we win and results go our way and that would be a big psychological boost, however I still think a draw between West Ham & Forest would be better in the long term as it would see Forest still with one eye over their shoulder, it might not see us out of the relegation zone, but i still think would be of more benefit as things stand.

We should not fear this game, in fact the opposite, we should relish it and put Leeds to the sword.

Photo: Action Images

HythePeer added 15:31 - Feb 24 There's no way Saints aren't gonna win this one, I aren't gonna let them!
0

DellBoyWally added 16:26 - Feb 24 No Adams or Orsic but we have plenty of options for both. Sali probably on the bench. Very similar starting line up to last week, certainly 4-2-2-2 or very close variant. As Selles has been noted for in the past, defensive soundness and work from there. Not obsessed about possession - more making good use when have it, work hard when not. Be nice to score from open play!! Newbies take note! Certainly feeling more optimistic than a week ago. So Gracia gets his work permit. Rushed through?? Would Saints be given the same courtesy? 3 points, onwards and upwards

0

JimmyMeliaPhD added 16:45 - Feb 24 I for one would be comfortable with last week's side (plus KWP or not), except for Elyounoussi. I know the argument for him is about his defensive play and his positioning etc, but I can't see it. He adds little to this team either defensively or going forward.
0

mushinexile added 17:22 - Feb 24 I don't think Leeds have better players than we do. I doubt if their new manager is better than ours. I think our players are looking forward to being allowed to play proper football. The bookies think otherwise but I wouldn't be surprised to see a big Saints win.
0

wrathoftazz added 19:39 - Feb 24 For the 1st time in a year, I'm actually looking forward to the match tomorrow... looking forward to no more constant bitching on the coach, no more bitching at the grounds and less negativity than there has been for months. I'm optimistic over Selles... farm more than RH and don't get me started on NJ (£8m for doing feck all, ur having a laugh) Don't agree with Salisu (salad fingers), personally I think he is useless but that may have just been the managers? ELO, the sane really.... Let's see what tomorrow bring coyr

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Wolverhampton Wanderers Polls