Your Wembley XI
If I had it my way:
Stryjek
Grimmer Lonwijk Tafazolli Leahy
Potts Butcher
Wheeler Taylor Sadlier
Kone
Comments: Fully appreciate Franco is more likely to start. I prefer Stryjek - that’s well documented now - but it is what it is. Hope Franco has a great game. The back four likely picks itself with most of the defenders from today recently returning from injury. I think Lonwijk’s agility and ability to sweep up play will be vital on a big pitch. Tafazolli’s diagonal balls to Wheeler will be a great outlet. There isn’t an alternative to Leahy, so Sadlier will have a very challenging job to help keep Poku at bay on that flank. Potts and Butcher are the likely middle two if Scowen is out injured. Taylor will do a good job out of possession on a big pitch. Vokes will likely be impotent out of possession on the big Wembley pitch. Peterborough’s defenders are very agile - we all know about Josh Knight. I think Kone would break lines better. Set pieces will be crucial for us, so I hope we’ve got a few short corners in our locker as Leahy’s deliveries have left a lot to be desired recently.
Let’s see what you all think!
Comments
Exactly the same for me (if Scowen is injured) except McCleary for Wheeler and Low for Lonwijk.
G mac for Taylor and lubala for kone.
Kone to come on late if we need something different... otherwise I agree.
We both know Franco maybe rightly will more than likely get the nod ahead of max though. I love max, but hard to argue that Franco should lose out atm
I have assumed Garath is out as he’s missed two games in a row. Low for Lonwijk is a solid shout too. I think Low is a better defender but I think Lonwijk is a better suit when playing next to Tafazolli.
Lubala is cup-tied
Blooms did say McCleary was "back on the grass" and close last week, so I am hopeful, but if he is indeed out for the final, that would be a double blow along with Scowen.
I'm not sure how effective McCleary will be if he's high.
Those unavailable because of being cup-tied are Lubala, Kodua & Campbell
Of course he is .... sorry
Ok vokes starting and Kone to come on if he is not proving to be effective
Low is superb.... but as witnessed today when he poked the ball forward excellently.... then embarrassingly was more than skinned by the opposing player when he tried to run onto his own great play.... he lacks pace... massively.... Nigel has been a cut above of late. He starts for me.
I just think that the gap is so thin that it would be harsh for a permanent signing (Low) to miss out on Wembley in favour of a loan signing (Lonwijk) who will not be here next season. If it was a significant gap, sure, but I like the idea of rewarding our contracted players where possible.
Low over Lonwijk every time for me
100%.
Not sure when Low went from being that rare thing - a signing everyone agreed has been very good, to not even starting!
Wasn’t he injured though?
Great point. Forgot Lonwijk was a loanee. I’d love to have him back next season - even if it’s only until January 2025.
I mean in the "best line-up" for the final. Not why he missed a game or 2 recently.
Personally (assuming Scowen injured and McCleary fit) I’d go:
Ravizolli
Grimmer, Low, Tafazolli, McCarthy
Potts, Butcher, Leahy
McCleary, Kone, Sadlier
I think he will play Taylor instead of McCarthy though.
Oh sorry, didn’t get that 🤦🤦🤦
I’m a big fan of McCarthy but not at left back
Wycombe left backs have basically gone from the ever-durable Joe Jacobson to being the Spinal Tap drummer.
Wonder exactly what is going on with JJ at the moment.
I get that he's 36/37 and very clearly retiring this summer, but to not even get on the bench for 1 game over the Easter spell, with so many left back injuries seems a bit odd still?
Unless he's injured, or worse still, he's being kept out of it due to his political stance?
I don't think the politics would be the reason, as the club have stood by him and given him that evening recently too.
My guess is he has just slowed down so much that Blooms is seeing him as a last resort right now.
Yep, you're probably right.
I think he was involved on the bench for the semi, maybe with the 3 cup tied players and couple of injury doubts that might let him in?
Then maybe 1 or 2 last appearances once safety is guaranteed?
Maybe controversial, but I think JJ could have done a better job at left back in several of our recent games. Definitely hasn't got the pace to have been able to catch Kamara the other day, but he hasn't had for a long time so he rarely ever lets himself get into a position to need to.
I think there is more to the JJ story - nothing foul, but there’s got to be more to it than slightly off the pace.
We'll see for the final.
With 3 cup tied players out, and possibly a couple of injuries on top, to not make the 18 would be surprising.
That is the key really, he knows how to position himself and read the game. Many a manager has targeted JJs lack of pace over the years but is amazing ability to read the game made him one of, if not the best, left backs we have ever had.
That tackle/block by JJ at Milton Keynes in the play offs was probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen on a football pitch.
And he was supposed to be past-it then.
I love the overhead clearance against Sunderland in the 3-3 too. The look on Stewart's face!
Re the Josh injury today, I’m reliably informed he was seen walking freely onto the team bus after the game🤞
Even more beautiful than that time Brett Huxtable faceplanted the pitch?