We've changed from a back five to a back four this season and whilst the results suggest we're still the same boring side, it's been a bit different.
The first two games were a write off really as the team was not settled and we didn't have a striker due to injuries and no new signings in. We played alright at Spurs (A) but lost, and that's the only 'Big 6' side we've played.
Definitely a work in progress and fans are excited about how we're trying to go. On paper we have a good team. Nathan Collins has come in and been excellent, his partnership with Max Kilman could be one of the best in the league - we hope, but they're not there yet. In midfield, Matheus Nunes has given us the pace and energy we were crying out for and showed signs of that for the first time against Southampton (our only win).
Striker is an issue, hence the Diego Costa signing (highly unlikely to even make the bench Saturday). Jimenez is struggling and the other lad we signed is out for the season. Hwang might start against you up top and whilst he's a poor footballer, he can run, so might do alright.
Big question marks on the manager now though. Last year he had a free pass as it was Nuno's team and he had limited backing. The owners surprised us this summer by splashing out a lot of money and Lage now has no excuses.
Whilst we have a good defensive record on paper, we are conceding chances. Southampton should have scored at least one, Newcastle had a lot of play and Fulham missed a penalty. Our defensive structure doesn't seem what it was, which is maybe understandable given the change, so I can see you finding the pockets and causing us massive trouble.
We've done quite well over the years against the bigger clubs but struggled against the poorer sides, I think the change is to make us more exciting against the rest but we'll now struggle more against the best. Only my opinion as the Spurs performance was perhaps our best but we ultimately lost.
Anyway, we probably go with this:
Sa
Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Jonny
Nunes, Neves, Moutinho (Nunes most advanced)
Neto, Hwang, Guedes
Jimenez could play ahead of Hwang if available but rumours he's out.
Adama Traore and Podence the attacking options from the bench and Ait-Nouri will probably come on if we're losing.
I can't see anything other than a pretty easy away win. 0-3.
