Pre Match Pre Match - Southampton (H) - Sat 15:00

[Brizzle]

So here it is - our only PL game this month.

Given how PSG played out i suspect we will make some changes to be fresh on Tuesday, but equally Slot might keep key players in the line up to get sharp.

It’s a shame Gakpo still seems to be out. We miss him a lot.

Alisson

Trent
Konate
Virgil
Tsimikas

Gravy
Jones
Szob

Salah
Jota
Diaz

 

[Frogfish]

I think Gakpo will be back. He was touch and go for PSG. How's Bradley coming on? He should be back soon. Chiesa too?

I might be tempted to give Ali a break. He must be knackered - that was more exercise than he normally gets in a whole season!


----------------------------- Kelleher

Trent --------- Quansah -------------- VvD --------- Tsimikas

---------------------------- Gravy
---------------------------------------- Jones
------------------ Szob

Salah ------------------- Jota ----------------------- Nunez


Endo, Elliot, Chiesa, Gakpo all to get 30+ mins if we're looking good for the points.

 

[Buddha]

I think we need to manage Trent’s minutes with Bradley still out…maybe Jones there?

I’d also start with Endo for Grav and give Elliot a start to give him some momentum after last night (and Szobo a rest).

We can always bring Trent, Grav etc off the bench if needed.

 

[Hansern]

Regardless of the PSG game there is a title to be won and even though we should beat Soton we can't rotate to much.
I'd rather start Trent, Gravy and Szobo and then sub early if possible.

Alisson
Trent Quansah Virgil Tsimikas
Gravy Jones
Salah Szobo Gakpo
Darwin

Darwin played well last night and deserves a chance.

 

[tomasjj]

I think we need to manage Trent’s minutes with Bradley still out…maybe Jones there?

I’d also start with Endo for Grav and give Elliot a start to give him some momentum after last night (and Szobo a rest).

We can always bring Trent, Grav etc off the bench if needed.

Trent starts, goes off at 75 min if we are winning

 

[Brizzle]

I was wondering about Trent and also thinking Quansah might also end up starting there, he's looked ok when put on at RB and it would also give extra threat for what I imagine will be 10+ corners we win.

I'd also want to see one of Macca & Gravy rested, but obviously we do need to ensure we get a comfortable win in this. Two big games for the season next week with the PSG second leg & then the final.

 

[doctor_mac]

Gravy was misplacing the simplest of passes last night. He looked miles away from the cool head we've seen for much of the season. The thing is though, I'm not sure about resting anyone, I think they need to find the rhythm that was totally absent against PSG. I would consider Quansah for Trent because we just don't have alternatives if Trent picks up a knock.

 

[MomoWASright]

It looked like we were off the pace last night with a week off (possibly had days of no training to help with the sprint to the finishing line). I’d be thinking we should go full strength then get the game won. Tsimikas should be in for a shout to start.

Alisson
Trent (Quansah 60)
Konate
VVD
Tsimikas
Gravenberch (Endo 60)
Szoboszlai
Jones (Mac 75)
Salah (he needs to get that game out of his system but could Ramadan be on Slot’s mind?)
Nunez
Gakpo (Diaz 60)

 

[Hansern]

Its a 5 day rest from PSG to the final and then its an international break. Hopefully some of our players pull out of those internationals.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Nunez should start for Jota.

Jones should start for Macca.

This game is more important than Tuesday.

 

[Hansern]

Yeah, I still view the CL as a bonus in all honesty.

 

[Modo]

I think Slot should use the bench more against Southampton.
Although I think he's going to go with a strong team, at least for 60 mins.
The lads need to get yesterday's performance out of their system.

 

[Frogfish]

Gravy was misplacing the simplest of passes last night. He looked miles away from the cool head we've seen for much of the season. The thing is though, I'm not sure about resting anyone, I think they need to find the rhythm that was totally absent against PSG. I would consider Quansah for Trent because we just don't have alternatives if Trent picks up a knock.

I don't think forcing them to pay 4-5 games in relatively quick succession is a recipe to helping them find rhythm.

As much rest as possible should work wonders. They had the legs on PSG because they rested for a week beforehand.

 

[binomial]

If Endo and Kostas don’t start this 1 then I’m not too sure what else is humanly possible for them to do, and if Gakpo is back then he gets the nod as Diaz looks like he could do with spell out the side.

Southampton are absolutely fucking trash, anything other than a 7-0 molesting and #SlotOut

 

[Brizzle]

Yeah I could see a model of having a DM and two AMs working here e.g. Endo as pure 6 and Jones & Szob ahead. I can't imagine anything other than a parked bus here.

 

[Hansern]

We have to win this game, so I'm all for rotation but not to the extent were we wont be able to play our normal game.
Better to start strong and then bring on the subs.

 

[Fabio]

Maintain the gap, everything else is secondary.

Get the game won, then ease off

 

[the count]

Maintain the gap, everything else is secondary.

Get the game won, then ease off

Maintain the gap?
We win and we go sixteen points clear and the Gooners will drop further points against the Mancs at Old Trafford

 

[Fabio]

Maintain the gap?
We win and we go sixteen points clear and the Gooners will drop further points against the Mancs at Old Trafford

United being anything other than shit? That's as unrealistic as arsenal catching us

 

[the count]

United being anything other than shit? That's as unrealistic as arsenal catching us

As shite as West Ham?

 

[Buddha]

United being anything other than shit? That's as unrealistic as arsenal catching us

That’s the same shit Utd that knocked a full strength Arsenal out of the FA Cup…I think, as shit as Utd are, they raise their game against bigger sides.

 

[mom]

Utd will raise their game as they did against us at ours. They could easily get a result. In fact, I expect at least a draw, and maybe a Utd win. They’re not going to win anything else this season, so getting one over a big historical rival would appease the fans to a large degree.

 

[Frogfish]

Utd will raise their game as they did against us at ours. They could easily get a result. In fact, I expect at least a draw, and maybe a Utd win. They’re not going to win anything else this season, so getting one over a big historical rival would appease the fans to a large degree.

This one could go any which way, Arsenal batter them (because after that 7-1 their tails will be up), end up a stalemate or United get a stuffy, scrappy win 1-0 or 2-1. Hopefully it's not the first possibility.

 

[Hansern]

That’s the same shit Utd that knocked a full strength Arsenal out of the FA Cup…I think, as shit as Utd are, they raise their game against bigger sides.

Yeah, but this game is against Arsenal.

 

[MomoWASright]

Referee: Lewis Smith. Assistants: Mat Wilkes, Marc Perry. Fourth official: Tony Harrington. VAR: Matt Donohue. Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton.

 

[Frogfish]

Referee: Lewis Smith. Assistants: Mat Wilkes, Marc Perry. Fourth official: Tony Harrington. VAR: Matt Donohue. Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton.

He must be OK as his name doesn't register.

 

[KopRed]

The players just had one week of rest and the performance after wasn't great. I say we start most of the boys bar maybe Jones or Nunez to replace one or two of them from the start, then sub some out after we have secured the result. It might be the rhythm we are missing instead of the rest who knows.

 

[Fabio]

As shite as West Ham?

West ham have more recent European success of course

 

[Fabio]

That’s the same shit Utd that knocked a full strength Arsenal out of the FA Cup…I think, as shit as Utd are, they raise their game against bigger sides.

Not if it means letting us win the league! Can't imagine their fans being pumped

 

[Hansern]

Gakpo didn’t train yesterday according to Slot, so it will be a close call.