If Bob thinks we definately need a speed option up top I don't think we can afford to put Findley out there because he is in poor form. I would slide Donovan up top in this scenario.
However, I think my ideal lineup would be Buddle and Gomez up top because of their current form. These 2 are doing what Strikers are supposed to do, which is put the ball in the net. They have carried their club form over to the Nat'l team and it shows.
(Side note - I would like to see Cherundolo and Spector as right and left back, but I know that Bob is going to start Boca so whatever.) Any way here are what the 2 line ups I talked about would look like.
I absolutely hate the idea of having Donovan up top. We need his workrate in the midfield. We know that he will be supremely fit as always, and he is going to have to track back and cover the pace that England has on the flanks.
The striker partnership is kind of tricky. IF Altidore is healthy, I think that he has to start. Buddle's current form also warrants a start. However, are the two of them too similar to play together?
I'm not sure if I like starting Herculez Gomez either, but part of that is just because he is so used to coming off the bench and poaching goals for both club and now country.
I really hope Findley gets it together. He gets himself into really great positions and seemed to link up really well with Buddle against Australia. Plus the contrast between the hold-up play of Buddle and the pace of Findley makes for a great partnership. Of course, his finishing was very poor. Hopefully he gets his confidence back because his pace would be a huge asset, especially if England's CB pairing is Terry/King as expected. That being said, I really don't know we can start him with his current form.
Donovan, Dempsey, and Bradley should be in the midfield. I would love to see Torres start as he brings something different to the team but I don't expect him to. Bob will almost assuredly pick two defensive-minded midfielders which means either Edu (hopefully) or Clark (unfortunately, probably) will start. I don't rate Clark at all.
Cherundolo has to start at RB based on current form. Bocanegra also has to play LB over Bornstein (who is terrible) and Spector (who has been out of form and was mediocre at best at LB for West Ham all year). Boca definitely brings more defensive stability to the squad. Hopefully Onyewu will be fit by Saturday, if he is not, we are definitely in trouble. DeMerit and Goodson have no chemistry together and were constantly exposed against Australia and Turkey.
All in all, we have a chance on Saturday, but a draw will definitely be a great result. I think we'll score at least one goal, but will give up our fair share. The team will need to battle like they did against Spain last year and get a bit of luck to get a result. It should be fun
