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Race for the Top 4 - 2018/19

Where will we finish in the league ?


  • Total voters
    423
  • Poll closed .

Lilbaz

Just call me Baz
Apr 1, 2005
41,363
74,893
Unfortunately they have already qualified for the next round, so many of their players will be rested.

They have to take 18 players. They have a squad of 25. They can't rest them all.
 

Lighty64

I believe
Aug 24, 2010
10,400
12,476
They have to take 18 players. They have a squad of 25. They can't rest them all.

do they need to registered their U23's though. they have to name a 25 man squad but think youth "HG" can still be involved

whatever happens they can still leave 7 players at home to stay fresh, we have to play our strongest XI the night before to have any hope of staying in the CL
 

Lilbaz

Just call me Baz
Apr 1, 2005
41,363
74,893
do they need to registered their U23's though. they have to name a 25 man squad but think youth "HG" can still be involved

whatever happens they can still leave 7 players at home to stay fresh, we have to play our strongest XI the night before to have any hope of staying in the CL

I think they might be able to take u21s that have been with the club for at least 3 years.

Edit- 2 years. See rules below.
 
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coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
But they will want to win group or may face a CL team in last 32. Also have 3 or 4 on long term injury so only really have 18 outfield players. Welbeck is a bad injury for them means lacazette or Auba have to play every game.
 

King of Otters

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2012
10,751
36,093
Love the optimism in here but cant see us in any top 4 hunt without at least 4 pts from chelsea and goon. We've already lost at home against our current top 4 rivals, would expect similar outcomes away from home in the reverse fixtures.

Therefore its imperative we take points in the next 2 if we're to be top 4 again. This is without considering the fact that the squad is already stretched this way and that and the players are nowhere near the level of fatigue they'll be feeling after xmas. Signings are not guaranteed, nor is the stadium uncertainty.

If we got top 4 this year all things considered I'd be genuinely shocked


Even if we lose both games, we'll be a maximum of 3 points behind 4th place with 42 points left to play for.

Slightly melodramatic to say anything less that 4 points in these games puts us out of the top 4 race.
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
Do lengths of flights really play much of a factor any more? It's not like they'll be flying Squeezyjet

I don't think it's so much the comfort of the flight so much as the travel time and how that impacts training/preparation the following days

Their game kicks off at about 6pm London time, so they'll get into the changing rooms etc. by just before 8pm. By the time they've done their media stuff, showered etc. etc. and then driven to the airport, it's going to be getting on for 10 pm when they take off. It's about a 4 hour flight so they'll be landing at around 2am, then by the time they've driven home from the airport etc. they won't be getting to bed until at least 3 o'clock on Friday morning, if not later. That makes Friday a complete write-off in terms of training/prep for the game, then Sunday is match day. So really they get 1 day, Saturday, to prepare for the game. It's a massive disadvantage playing Thursday nights away IMO.
 
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BehindEnemyLines

Twisting a Melon with the Rev. Black Grape
Apr 13, 2006
4,575
13,165
Do lengths of flights really play much of a factor any more? It's not like they'll be flying Squeezyjet
I suspect it could affect muscle recovery after the match as blood circulation may be diminished for an extended period.
 
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coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
I don't think it's so much the comfort of the flight so much as the travel time and how that impacts training/preparation the following days

Their game kicks off at about 6pm London time, so they'll get into the changing rooms etc. by just before 8pm. By the time they've done their media stuff, showered etc. etc. and then driven to the airport, it's going to be getting on for 10 pm when they take off. It's about a 4 hour flight so they'll be landing at around midnight, then by the time they've driven home from the airport etc. they won't be getting to bed until at least 1 o'clock on Friday morning, if not later. That makes Friday a complete write-off in terms of training/prep for the game, then Sunday is match day. So really they get 1 day, Saturday, to prepare for the game. It's a massive disadvantage playing Thursday nights away IMO.

If 4 hour flight won’t land till 2 am. So Friday is definitely a write off. Effectively we have x2 extra days preparation.
 

smallsnc

Well-Known Member
Mar 30, 2017
699
1,237
Do lengths of flights really play much of a factor any more? It's not like they'll be flying Squeezyjet

How many time zones are they changing. For me, that is worse than just the travel because it messes with your sleep and eating patterns, even if for one night.
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
How many time zones are they changing. For me, that is worse than just the travel because it messes with your sleep and eating patterns, even if for one night.

I suspect they probably just stay on UK time to be honest so it doesn't really matter. Ukraine is only something like 2 or 3 hours ahead so it's not like they'll be trying to go to sleep while the sun is blazing in through the window or anything.
 

alfie103

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2005
3,967
4,441
Even if we lose both games, we'll be a maximum of 3 points behind 4th place with 42 points left to play for.

Slightly melodramatic to say anything less that 4 points in these games puts us out of the top 4 race.

Someone being melodramatic and completely over the top on here? Well I never....
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
We’d also be 3pts behind Arsenal with 3 home games in hand and that’s worst case scenario with them playing United the next game.Tbh as far as top 4 goes x2 draws would be fine.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Funny people declaring these next 2 games as a decider for top 4 this early in the season, people do this in this thread every damn year :D
 
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