Pre Match vs Exeter, Friday Jan 8 2016
- Thread starter LeTallecWiz
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Well, no, I don't think so. It amazes me, as someone who watched us win trophies on a yearly basis, how often fans nowadays, in spite of our often wretched seasons, go so quickly into arrogant mode when there's a cup game. It's as if they suddenly forget how awful our results have been. If you are winning match after match, then, yeah, mess about with your best reserves, but if you're struggling with your best players, then, for christ's sake, don't dismiss the opposition and nominate players who struggle to win under 21s games. It's psychotic behaviour.
If you think we'll get into the top four, then maybe. Do you think that? If not, a few rounds of a cup competition and the chance of some silverware - you think that's to be thrown away so fatalistically? Not me.
Not usually, but we're one game away from a final in the league cup and still in the EL.
And still with a decent shot at top 4.
With 12 injuries this match and tournament isnt that important.
But thats my opinion.
Well, be scared Macca. We're not alone - there are a lot of psychos out there! However, under the premises of your argument, consider this: we are 2 games away from silverware in one competition - having a clear advantage in the first, and a minimum of 6 games in the FA cup. The second leg against Stoke is in 2.5 weeks' time. We will certainly be missing a handful of players for that game. We also have Clyne, Moreno,Lallana and Firmino who have been played, I am sure, more than Klopp would have liked recently. Play them tomorrow, and against Arsenal and risks of injury will grow - and may be detrimental to our better chance of winning a trophy.
Of course I see your point - I would love to be watching us win the FA Cup with my sons in May - but there are trade-offs.
This will be a battle on a poor pitch with a ref who will allow cup tie tackling and TV wanting to see a shock result.
It calls for a balance between energetic youngsters and some cool experienced heads. We can still play a strong side but Texeira, Kent, Randall, Ilori and Smith could start alongside Lucas, Toure, Allen, Milner, Benteke and Bogdan.
It calls for a balance between energetic youngsters and some cool experienced heads. We can still play a strong side but Texeira, Kent, Randall, Ilori and Smith could start alongside Lucas, Toure, Allen, Milner, Benteke and Bogdan.
Toure will not play
Klopp: “None of the players who played the last five or six games in a row will play at Exeter. That is not possible." #LFC
Enrique alongside Ilori appaz
This is ace though:
Asked whether Enrique was in his plans for Exeter, Klopp replied: “Who?” Once clarified, he continued: “Hopefully" #lfc (Andy Hunter)
Enrique alongside Ilori appaz
This is ace though:
Asked whether Enrique was in his plans for Exeter, Klopp replied: “Who?” Once clarified, he continued: “Hopefully" #lfc (Andy Hunter)
We don't have a chance of making the top four. It's way out of our reach barring the most bizarre implosion of several other teams. Beggars can't be choosers, and we're beggars.
Could be a master stroke. I'd prefer a Lucas Enrique Allen back three with Sakho in DM but I guess we need to rest Lucas.
Good post. I'm always so torn on this. On the one hand the league should almost always come first. On the other, trophies are trophies - and we should always be looking to win them.
I'm all in favour of resting a few players and giving some kids a chance but playing a team that has never seen the pitch together, not had the manager's tactics drilled into them and is "led" by total castoffs from the first team squad - well, that's just asking for embarrassment. And embarrassment leads to media hysteria which leads to more pressure on the manager and the first team squad. Make changes, by all means, but don't send them out to slaughter.
I'd not play mignolet in case playing near Enrique ruins him forever. I think it'll be something like
Bogdan
Randall Ilori Enrique Smith
Allen Brannagan Milner
Kent Teixeira Ojo
Bogdan
Randall Ilori Enrique Smith
Allen Brannagan Milner
Kent Teixeira Ojo
The "good news" I guess, is that the likes of Kent, Brannagan, Smith and Randall, as well as Sinclair, Chirivella, Cleary and Wilson (if these guys are picked) have played together since the U18s, while Teixeira (if he indeed exists) also played a season, on and off, in the U21s with some of them. So perhaps a lot of excited and energetic guys who're familiar with each other out to stake a claim to a place in next season's squad, might make up for the unfamiliarity with Klopp's methods/demands and the lack of match experience. Well, that's what I hope anyway.
We're always talking about having the U21s play in the lower leagues for their development. Here's an opportunity, albeit forced upon us, to see how good our guys really are, against a team who'll be up for it at home to kick us in the nuts. I'm quite excited about watching how these youngsters fare in this environment.
We're always talking about having the U21s play in the lower leagues for their development. Here's an opportunity, albeit forced upon us, to see how good our guys really are, against a team who'll be up for it at home to kick us in the nuts. I'm quite excited about watching how these youngsters fare in this environment.
He's played 30 and 45 minutes in two friendly games recently (last one was earlier this week). I suppose he might be ready to come on as a late sub if we need him.
Playing enthusiastic kids will probably help us play a high tempo pressing game again. Its often noted that kids can be a little bit too keen and leave holes in midfield but I actually think Klopp doesn't see it like that. In the first few games he let our attacking players close down with complete freedom. It was the role of Lucas, the full backs or CB's to then push up quicky and pressure any outlet that had been left unmarked due to our attackers aggressively persuing.
We are playing a lower league team that try and play football. These tactics leave us susceptible to the long ball and knock downs but from what I've read Exeter don't have the players to execute that style effectively.
Wilson, Ojo and Kent have pace to burn and will cause significant problems if they are told to harass and attack everything. Playing Steamboat Teke will negatively impact on any pack pressure we implement. The guy is so slow to react that the opposition can easy find an outlet pass and bypass the press completely.
If we are goalless or behind (which is a possibility as the young lads are not noted for their finishing) then bring Benteke on to change the game...but starting him simply slows us down, makes us look disjointed and forces our lads to question the intensity and energy they put into our pressing game. The longer this game remains 0-0 the harder it will get. Their confidence will grow whilst we start to panic.
Allowing Exeter to play the ball on the ground and keep possesion against us would be risky. I don't think our ragtag team have played enough together to keep it tight. We need to go straight for the throat and finish them off in the first 40mins
We are playing a lower league team that try and play football. These tactics leave us susceptible to the long ball and knock downs but from what I've read Exeter don't have the players to execute that style effectively.
Wilson, Ojo and Kent have pace to burn and will cause significant problems if they are told to harass and attack everything. Playing Steamboat Teke will negatively impact on any pack pressure we implement. The guy is so slow to react that the opposition can easy find an outlet pass and bypass the press completely.
If we are goalless or behind (which is a possibility as the young lads are not noted for their finishing) then bring Benteke on to change the game...but starting him simply slows us down, makes us look disjointed and forces our lads to question the intensity and energy they put into our pressing game. The longer this game remains 0-0 the harder it will get. Their confidence will grow whilst we start to panic.
Allowing Exeter to play the ball on the ground and keep possesion against us would be risky. I don't think our ragtag team have played enough together to keep it tight. We need to go straight for the throat and finish them off in the first 40mins
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Aaahh its all beginning to make sense now... doc Mac got bored and created a parody account
I've come full circle with this match.
Looking at the amount of youngsters we'll likely be playing has got me wanting to watch it, so I'm off out the pub to get drunk whilst I do so.
It could be an exciting showcase for the youth at the club, or it could just be an embarrassing defeat at the hands of lower league opponents!
Looking at the amount of youngsters we'll likely be playing has got me wanting to watch it, so I'm off out the pub to get drunk whilst I do so.
It could be an exciting showcase for the youth at the club, or it could just be an embarrassing defeat at the hands of lower league opponents!
Up to a point, Lord Copper. The reason for my (somewhat) greater optimism than yours regarding top four is that the kind of implosion you refer to wouldn't be that bizarre this season. Do I think we will get there? In all honesty no, not now. But do I think it's out of the question? That's another no from me.
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