Pre Match Pre Match - PSV (A) - Wed 20:00

[Brizzle]

Sorry for the delay!

This is the most dead rubber of dead rubbers right?

Of our next 4 games, only one is PL. i think we can suitably rest at least 4 key players to ensure we go ‘full send’ in mid Feb.

Some names shouldn’t even travel, but i don’t think Slot would stop Gravy & Virgil going other home country.

Anyway I’d want to see something like:

Kelleher

Bradders
Quansah
Endo
Tsimikas

McConnell
Macca
Elliot

Chiesa
Nunez
Diaz


PSV will probably need something from this game so i can’t see it being a mild affair.

 

[rurikbird]

Kelleher
Bradley
Endo
Quansah
Tsimikas
McConnel
Morton
Elliott
Rio
Nunez
Chiesa

Van Dijk and Gravenberch can come on the plane only if they want to have fun in the Rotterdam red light district, not for the actual game.

 

[Frogfish]

Whilst I agree with the heavily rotated teams above - this is Slot. He doesn't do that bar that one time (LC?). Back home, olde enemy, he won't rotate much methinks. Squad players but not youth (on the bench and subbed on) perhaps.

 

[Buddha]

This is tricky for Slot. We’re playing the Dutch league leaders who are desperate for the points. They’re no mugs and will be highly motivated and aggressive on Wednesday.

Of course, we’ve qualified for one of the top two CL spots with a game to spare, but we’re also starting to build momentum again after a mini blip run of draws in the PL just recently.

I’d rest our keys players and pick a team of senior squaddies and the odd promising kid (Danns etc), given we have an even trickier (and more vital) away game at Bournemouth three days later…. But imagine Slot will go stronger.

 

[Frogfish]

Bournemouth HAS to be the focus since whatever happens we'll finish first or second in the CL and there's no guarantee as to how the draw will pan out.

I doubt playing a much weakened team and losing will affect anything and certainly not our confidence. But winning at Bournemouth 3 days later would be massive for our PL title hopes. Especially after their demolition of Forest.

 

[binomial]

Full strength please Arne. This is a must win game.

 

[Frogfish]

Full strength please Arne. This is a must win game.

No it's not. Bournemouth IS!

 

[Brizzle]

I don’t think Bournemouth away is a must win - but it would be a huge statement. They’ve beaten Arsenal, City, Forest & Newcastle already this season.

They’ll be very attacking which can be in our favour, but only if we match them from the first minute. Anyway let’s see if Slot uses mid week to set us up for success.

 

[Dreambeliever]

lol. We will play a full strength team with Kostas rotating with Robertson and Bradley for Trent. Nunez will start for Diaz.
Rest as is.

 

[Modo]

I think Cody will be desperate to travel. It's his hometown and former team.

 

[jexykrodic]

I'm wary of lottery pick teams for the sake of it, it's why we employ hordes of sports scientists to monitor each players physical condition. What is less predictable is the psychology of momentum and I think as an elite player I'd expect to be picked.

 

[Fabio]

I don’t think Bournemouth away is a must win - but it would be a huge statement. They’ve beaten Arsenal, City, Forest & Newcastle already this season.

They’ll be very attacking which can be in our favour, but only if we match them from the first minute. Anyway let’s see if Slot uses mid week to set us up for success.

See whilst we have a gap, I do feel like it's a must win. Week by week it must be demoralising for arsenal to see us pick up points after points. The longer it goes on the better.
Add in they're playing a resurgent man city, this is the chance to expand the gap.

We've got fucking nasty fixtures at the end of the season, and I'd rather not arsenal come to anfield knowing a win makes us catchable.

 

[Brizzle]

I think mental fatigue is also important to take into account. Total focus should be on the PL and we have three periods of training & matchday that we can use to our advantage. I do appreciate we can just rotate for Plymouth then utilise the two CL midweek rests we get from Top 8. I think caution is important though.

 

[jexykrodic]

I think it's all about our own performances as we can't influence the outcome of other teams results. Fretting about what others may or may not do is distracting.

 

[Modo]

They need at least a draw to go through, we need at least a draw to win the group.
I'd take a draw.

 

[Dreambeliever]

They need at least a draw to go through, we need at least a draw to win the group.
I'd take a draw.

We need at most a draw!

 

[darkstarexodus]

lol. We will play a full strength team with Kostas rotating with Robertson and Bradley for Trent. Nunez will start for Diaz.
Rest as is.

This is the correct answer. I see the arguments for heavy rotation but no doubt we'll go pretty strong.

 

[Modo]

We need at most a draw!

Semantics

 

[ibromurph]

Gakpo will want to play.

Salah will want to play.

Hopefully they get 60mins at most.

 

[bluebell]

Winning it brings in an extra $2.1m or was that euros. Pretty sure we would want to win the game.
P

 

[Woland]

It's obv great how the season has panned out and Slot is so much better at this than I ever thought he could be, but if he doesn't make eight changes for this he's back to being a shiny headed thick stubborn cunt until we win a trophy.

 

[mom]

Play da kids

 

[Accedalyday]

Gakpo will want to play.

Salah will want to play.

Hopefully they get 60mins at most.

Gakpo won't play the whole game.
I'll be surprised if Salah doesn't play 90 ...

 

[Dreambeliever]

Semantics

Eh? No it’s not. We could very easily finish top losing 3-0. At most and at least is not semantics.

 

[Modo]

Eh? No it’s not. We could very easily finish top losing 3-0. At most and at least is not semantics.

Jesus Christ what the fuck is it you're getting hung up on?
A draw secures a group win. That's all that needs to be said.

 

[Squiggles]

Slot will have an eye on Bournemouth, but I'll be amazed if there's wholesale changes.

Bradley, Quansah, Nunez and Elliott should start. I think the rest will be pretty strong if I'm honest.

He should rest Salah for Chiesa.

 

[Modo]

Slot will have an eye on Bournemouth, but I'll be amazed if there's wholesale changes.

Bradley, Quansah, Nunez and Elliott should start. I think the rest will be pretty strong if I'm honest.

He should rest Salah for Chiesa.

He should just give Chiesa a chance to build up his fitness

 

[SummerOnions]

Can someone explain if being second instead of first makes a big difference?

 

[binomial]

Can someone explain if being second instead of first makes a big difference?

Absolute zero difference.

All comes down to luck who 1st and 2nd play.

Heck even 3rd/4th might end up playing easier teams, the whole format is based on how well teams should be doing......it's shaping up to be anything but.

 

[jan]

It should be

Kelleher
Bradley Quansah Endo Tsimikas
Morton McConnell Elliott
Chiesa Danns Nunez

But I fully expect Ali, Salah, Macca, Diaz/Gakpo and Virgil starting