markjazzbassist Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 Games are coming thick and fast now. They are bottom of the league, bereft of quality, and their formation and tactics have been sussed out. We need to get points outta this one, preferably 3. I could see Carlo rotating for this one as even our bench players should be able to get something out of this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo 2.0 Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 No team has got to this point without a win before, totally disagree with anyone that says we should be rotating though - piss about and we'll get punished. Play the strongest XI and make early changes if need be once we're comfortably ahead which given how poor they are should be around the hour mark. Just watched the Brighton/Sheffield game and they were really poor, would be mid-table in the Championship IMO with the standard they're currently playing at, wafer thin on the quality front. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfy Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 16 minutes ago, Zoo 2.0 said: No team has got to this point without a win before, totally disagree with anyone that says we should be rotating though - piss about and we'll get punished. Play the strongest XI and make early changes if need be once we're comfortably ahead which given how poor they are should be around the hour mark. Just watched the Brighton/Sheffield game and they were really poor, would be mid-table in the Championship IMO with the standard they're currently playing at, wafer thin on the quality front. I agree, you can protect players from burning out by restricting training to tactics and team meetings, I would have thought that most players would rather play twice a week and cut the work down in training. But what you can’t control is injuries to key personnel and the niggles that need a rest to shake off, but otherwise play your best team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 I haven't see many 90 minutes of Sheffield Utd but from what I have seen they arent miles away from the side that did so well last season. The difference I think is that last season they made those final passes and scored their chances when they came and this year they can't seem to hit a barn door. Its one of those games that if you go there thinking you will brush them aside then you could get embarrassed because they will make you work for your points. Zoo 2.0 and MikeO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 28 minutes ago, Bailey said: I haven't see many 90 minutes of Sheffield Utd but from what I have seen they arent miles away from the side that did so well last season. The difference I think is that last season they made those final passes and scored their chances when they came and this year they can't seem to hit a barn door. Its one of those games that if you go there thinking you will brush them aside then you could get embarrassed because they will make you work for your points. They were a poor side last season and they’re a poor side this season. I remember being sat in the pub after they’d taken three points from us and thinking they were the worst side that had been to Goodison. We were just even worse! They’re getting what they should’ve got last season. markjazzbassist and Zoo 2.0 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted December 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 11 minutes ago, Romey 1878 said: They were a poor side last season and they’re a poor side this season. I remember being sat in the pub after they’d taken three points from us and thinking they were the worst side that had been to Goodison. We were just even worse! They’re getting what they should’ve got last season. Same for me here I have no idea how they did so well they have some real dross in their squad. I was ashamed we lost to them, their tactics are very championship like and their squad too. I hope we smash them chicagoblue 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted December 20, 2020 Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 7 hours ago, Romey 1878 said: They were a poor side last season and they’re a poor side this season. I remember being sat in the pub after they’d taken three points from us and thinking they were the worst side that had been to Goodison. We were just even worse! They’re getting what they should’ve got last season. I remember watching them against Chelsea and Chelsea battered them but couldn't squeeze the ball between the sticks and Sheffield went up the other end 3 times and scored 3 goals and just took the game away from them. The fact that Lundstrum scored a few probably shows how much of a fluke it was, but saying that they worked their arses off every game to get that bit of luck. Romey 1878 and London Blue 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Btay Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 Lundstrum with a straight red so he’s out and a big part of how they play. Just going to have to see who comes out of the cup game unscathed. Dropping points here almost makes our run of 3 wins not worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfy Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 It’s the games you expect to win that have a habit of derailing a good run, if the focus isn’t right this will be harder than any of the last 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 5 hours ago, Btay said: Lundstrum with a straight red so he’s out and a big part of how they play. Just going to have to see who comes out of the cup game unscathed. Dropping points here almost makes our run of 3 wins not worth it. I didn't think he'd been playing as much for them this season. Pretty sure he's been in and out of the team, with a lot of it to do with him telling them he won't be signing a new contract. Bailey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWooney Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 Olsen Coleman Holgate Keane Godfrey Doucoure Gomes Iwobi Rodriguez (if fit) Richarlison DCL I've gone a couple of changes, I'd keep the same team as the weekend for the cup game but give Coleman his first start back on Saturday against Sheff Utd. Sheffield United haven't offered a huge amount attackwise so I'd like to see us be a bit more attack minded. Doucoure to cover things defensively with Gomes with him in the middle and Rodriguez in front of them in the middle. If Rodriguez isn't fit then with limited options I'd go back to Davies. Seems Bernard is very much out of favour and I guess we may see him leave in January otherwise I'd suggest him in the 10 role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 6 hours ago, Btay said: Lundstrum with a straight red so he’s out and a big part of how they play. Just going to have to see who comes out of the cup game unscathed. Dropping points here almost makes our run of 3 wins not worth it. Dropping points means the 9 from 3 games aren’t worth it?! I think I’ve slipped into a parallel universe where positive things can’t exist if even the slightest hiccup happens. Bring on Armageddon! Zoo 2.0 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWooney Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 oh and I haven't dropped Pickford for performance reasons, just "Rotation" same as Carlo, I'd expect him to play in the cup game so give him the game off on Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwlad Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 If we lose this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Btay Posted December 22, 2020 Report Share Posted December 22, 2020 14 hours ago, Matt said: Dropping points means the 9 from 3 games aren’t worth it?! I think I’ve slipped into a parallel universe where positive things can’t exist if even the slightest hiccup happens. Bring on Armageddon! I mean we’ve picked up huge points against good teams. Now we need to turn over the “smaller teams”. chicagoblue and Palfy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfy Posted December 22, 2020 Report Share Posted December 22, 2020 6 hours ago, Btay said: I mean we’ve picked up huge points against good teams. Now we need to turn over the “smaller teams”. That’s always been our problem in recent years not being able to beat the teams below us on anything like a regular basis. We’ve even witnessed it this season. Btay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Btay Posted December 22, 2020 Report Share Posted December 22, 2020 21 minutes ago, Palfy said: That’s always been our problem in recent years not being able to beat the teams below us on anything like a regular basis. We’ve even witnessed it this season. Yeah I probably didn’t word it so great though which might have put Matt off. It would be a real shame to drop points against Sheffield after picking up 3 wins against the teams we just did! Mind you, it’s better taking points off them rather than losing to them and beating Sheffield.... I guess Matt and Palfy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Btay Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 Gambled with the first team against United so I think we need to see some fresher legs here. Godfrey puts in a lot of effort so he’s one, among with Doucoure, Richarlison, Gylfi and Iwobi. Can re at DCL because we have no one to replace him. Does not leave us with a lot Pickford Holgate Mina Keane Niels Gomes Davies Bernard James Gordon DCL January we need a striker - even on loan and probably a winger + Khedira. chicagoblue 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfy Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 We need to play as close as possible the team that beat Arsenal, we need to win this game to show we can bounce back from a loss, if we draw or lose we risk going on another losing streak. Imo this has become one of those games where more than 3 points are at stake this could be about who we are as a team and where we finish this season. chicagoblue and Bailey 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milesey05 Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 Worried about this game. Some players are close to being burnt out and some not up to the standard. so with injuries with have no choice but to play both. I’m shocked that our neighbours across the road can draft in youth or under 23 players and they look at home on the big stage. we have only Gordon and Neil’s who still the manager doesn’t seem to trust with some minutes. Pickford Coleman. Mina. Keane Godfrey Holgate James Dacoure. Gordon Gylfi Tosun chicagoblue 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 If we go into this to play on the backfoot then it's going to be a very hard watch. I'm praying James is back. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Blue Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 We gambled on the UTD match and lost. Two days rest then the tired legs go again. Sheffield have had a weeks rest, and although poor they are starting to play a bit better. Hopefully James is back. Pickford Holgate Mina Keane Neils Davies Gomes Gordon James Bernard Tosun We can bring the regulars if needed, which hopefully they wont be. chicagoblue 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elston Gunnn Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 I favor London Blue’s suggestion of lots of rotation for this match. I’d prefer some different options, however. More radical/desperate changes, admittedly. The combination of Allan/Digne injuries especially, plus tired legs, might justify a one-time radical rotation. Pickford Coleman Godfrey Keane Nkounkou Kenny Holgate Gordon James Bernard Tosun Maybe even Branthwaite for Keane? If James unavailable, I don’t know, maybe Davies. Or maybe Gomes for first half, Sigurdsson second. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 The more I think about this game, the more I think we do need to freshen things up. As I said earlier, Sheffield will put in a shift regardless of whether they are winning or losing and energy is going to be important. The problem for us is that our replacements aren't exactly energetic (Davies, Tosun, Bernard... and erm ). I think I would shake up the side a little like this: Pickford Coleman (or Kenny) Mina Keane Godfrey Doucoure Holgate Gomes James (or Richie if either fit) DCL Gordon (or Niels) If we need more energy then Bernard can come in midfield. If we need to be better on the ball Davies can also come in. It feels a very defensive side and I really didn't want to put Holgate in midfield would Davies slouching around the pitch make much difference? I think Siggy will need the rest and I am unsure what Gomes will turn up but you could switch him for whoever else you fancy. I think it would be harsh on Gordon to play Niels ahead of him but Niels is quick and strong and I think we could do with a bit of that against Sheffield and I would be intrigued to see how he would play as a proper wide man with a full back behind him rather than the shambles we saw earlier in the season. I do also wonder whether there is a question over our fitness levels. You look at Fernandes yesterday, playing almost every game for Utd in all comps and yet still looking fresh and in form. We seem to struggle with our fitness levels with two games in a week, let alone three. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 We’ve got to keep playing DCL and hope we’ve got something lined up in the summer. Tosun is not an option we should be contemplating. Matt and Bailey 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn balor Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 I don’t want to see tosun upfront. He is shite. Holgate back in at right back for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted December 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 20 minutes ago, Finn balor said: I don’t want to see tosun upfront. He is shite. Holgate back in at right back for me. i'd rather see gordon at CF than tosun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn balor Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 6 minutes ago, markjazzbassist said: i'd rather see gordon at CF than tosun I’d rather see Mikel madar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milesey05 Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 I don’t want to see Tosun like most but I would rather DCL be fresh for the City game. Got a strange feeling if Tosun starts on Boxing Day he will score. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 Richie and James definitely out. This is going to be a slog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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