Steven Naismith

[bluestevon]

I dont think Martinez would have appreciated Naismith's veiled criticism at being left out from the start of the season after the Chelsea game. He tried to use that hattrick to place pressure on the manager to play him from the off. It'd have had the opposite affect on me: I'd have told him straight off that he should leave team selection issues to me and that he wont get a start next game. It was very disrespectful to his manager and I hope Martinez does bench him to send that message out.

Interesting trying to analyse messages from players etc this week mate, Naismith comes out with comments about starting etc after the Chelsea game, meanwhile Mirallas comes out with quotes showing he's a team player and patiently waiting his chance etc, worlds gone upside down lol

Genuinely though, i think Martinez is very much his own man and will choose the team he wants to send out and won't be pressured by fans, media, players etc, stubbornness that can be a blessing and curse at times equally

 

[Abraders]

Would love to see us starting Lennon mate and with Mirallas or Deulofeu on the other wing instead of going with the predictable line up with Naismith. Would give us Kone, Naismith and whoever doesn't start between kev and del to be able to throw on to change the game if needed as well should we need to go a bit more direct/physical

I see where you're coming from, and would also like Mirallas/Del to start on said opposite wing, however I think Naisy will definitely be starting still!

 

[bluestevon]

I see where you're coming from, and would also like Mirallas/Del to start on said opposite wing, however I think Naisy will definitely be starting still!

Martinez does surprise at times though mate, and the more his confidence gets back to that first season the more he will surprise us again i reckon. Think he will not like the fact Swansea really made us look ordinary indeed in all 3 games last season and Monk definitely got the better of those games tactic wise, so i kind of expect something unusual in the team this weekend

 

[Abraders]

Martinez does surprise at times though mate, and the more his confidence gets back to that first season the more he will surprise us again i reckon. Think he will not like the fact Swansea really made us look ordinary indeed in all 3 games last season and Monk definitely got the better of those games tactic wise, so i kind of expect something unusual in the team this weekend

Looking at it in this perspective I can understand where you are coming from! Maybe, just another sleep til we find out! Coyb.

 

[davek]

Interesting trying to analyse messages from players etc this week mate, Naismith comes out with comments about starting etc after the Chelsea game, meanwhile Mirallas comes out with quotes showing he's a team player and patiently waiting his chance etc, worlds gone upside down lol

Genuinely though, i think Martinez is very much his own man and will choose the team he wants to send out and won't be pressured by fans, media, players etc, stubbornness that can be a blessing and curse at times equally

I said a few days ago I'd start Mirallas against Swansea. He's primed and ready to play, imo. I'm not his greatest fan but he'll offer us a lot more away against a team that will come onto us. We need a lot of pace and precision tomorrow because Swansea have very decent players.

 

[bluestevon]

Looking at it in this perspective I can understand where you are coming from! Maybe, just another sleep til we find out! Coyb.

Just need to learn from last week when i was a total plank at the team selection and the early sub and made to look a bleeding idiot though

 

[bluestevon]

I said a few days ago I'd start Mirallas against Swansea. He's primed and ready to play, imo. I'm not his greatest fan but he'll offer us a lot more away against a team that will come onto us. We need a lot of pace and precision tomorrow because Swansea have very decent players.

Mirallas when he is 'on' is arguably our best player mate, it's choosing when he is that's the major problem as he drifts through games when he's off. Martinez just needs to go with his gut instinct and what he see's in training, it's worked so far and he should stick with that

Having the cup game though this week gives him the chance to not start someone against Swansea with the excuse of wanting them for the 'important' cup game - Naimsith, Kone could both see that meaning their rested this weekend to start in place of Barkley and Lukaku against Reading

 

[Abraders]

Just need to learn from last week when i was a total plank at the team selection and the early sub and made to look a bleeding idiot though

In the pub watching the game we were fuming that Naisy came on (I like him but wanted a winger) - he shut me up haha!

 

[bluestevon]

In the pub watching the game we were fuming that Naisy came on (I like him but wanted a winger) - he shut me up haha!

Same mate, was at home moaning to my one year old son about him coming on, think he knew better than me

 

[Abraders]

Same mate, was at home moaning to my one year old son about him coming on, think he knew better than me

Ask him what the score will be tomorrow

 

[davek]

Mirallas when he is 'on' is arguably our best player mate, it's choosing when he is that's the major problem as he drifts through games when he's off. Martinez just needs to go with his gut instinct and what he see's in training, it's worked so far and he should stick with that

Having the cup game though this week gives him the chance to not start someone against Swansea with the excuse of wanting them for the 'important' cup game - Naimsith, Kone could both see that meaning their rested this weekend to start in place of Barkley and Lukaku against Reading

A game away against Reading would be the one I'd save Naismith for. That's a night for rolling up your sleeves and competing.

 

[Eggs]

...I'd be surprised if Naismith doesn't start after his heroics last weekend.

 

[bluestevon]

A game away against Reading would be the one I'd save Naismith for. That's a night for rolling up your sleeves and competing.

...I'd be surprised if Naismith doesn't start after his heroics last weekend.

Probably will do although reading away and west brom are probably games that would suit him better

 

[maccavennie]

...I'd be surprised if Naismith doesn't start after his heroics last weekend.

Yep, reckon he's an absolute cert to play Eggs and deserves it because you can't do more than bang in 3 goals ( except score 4 perhaps )

 

[bluestevon]

A game away against Reading would be the one I'd save Naismith for. That's a night for rolling up your sleeves and competing.

He will try to rotate i think so as to have some experienced heads in the Reading game whilst keeping players fresh for the league games, can see Naimsith and Osman and Kone all playing in the cup and Barry, Lukaku and Barkley being rested, how that effects the league games before and after i dunno though