Team for Dortmund...

[Mr Pink]

I'm sure this will split some opinion but I'm firmly in the camp that we should be protecting/resting our whole eleven, or practically all of them, to play Bournemouth. Even if we fielded our first eleven we are not going to recover from a 0-3 deficit to a team of this quality. We must ensure we give ourselves every chance of beating Bournemouth, given our run of games afterwards.

A few of the big hitters on the bench just in case - you never know sort of thing. Dier, Toby, Alli and Dembele given a complete night off. I'm sure Bentaleb won't start, but I'd like to see him do so just to see how he goes and if he's got the right attitude to give his all.

Lloris

Trippier
CCV
Wimmer
Davies

Carroll
Bentaleb

Onomah
Mason
Chadli

Son

Subs: Vorm, Walker. Rose, Winks, Lamela, Eriksen, Kane

 

[mark87]

Lloris

Trippier, Toby, wimmer, Davies

Mason, Bentaleb

Lamela, onomah, Chadli,

Son.

 

[Blake Griffin]

can't see poch throwing ccv into this game and think it would be a little irresponsible of him to do so.

 

[hazzaaa]

I understand the logic of resting players, but if we get an early goal, isn't anything possible? Think back to when we beat Inter 3-0 in the ropey league. They then went on to beat us 3-0 and take us to extra time. We didn't deserve to go through that night I don't think.

My point is, why not give this a go anyway? If we get knocked out then that's fine, at least we gave it a go and we don't have this situation again for the run in

p.s. this DEFINITELY has NOTHING to do with the fact I'm attending on Thursday, I promise

 

[Mr Pink]

can't see poch throwing ccv into this game and think it would be a little irresponsible of him to do so.

Perhaps, and we wouldn't want to dent his confidence - high quality opposition etc.

But Toby is absolutely vital, easily our most important defender and I wouldn't risk him in a game where the tie is virtually impossible to recover from.

 

[easley91]

I understand the logic of resting players, but if we get an early goal, isn't anything possible? Think back to when we beat Inter 3-0 in the ropey league. They then went on to beat us 3-0 and take us to extra time. We didn't deserve to go through that night I don't think.

My point is, why not give this a go anyway? If we get knocked out then that's fine, at least we gave it a go and we don't have this situation again for the run in

p.s. this DEFINITELY has NOTHING to do with the fact I'm attending on Thursday, I promise

Attending also and would like to see a strong XI to watch a competitive game against a quality opposition.

 

[Spurger King]

Just name the club catering staff.

Couldn't give a flying fuck about this game, and this season-sapping tournament.

 

[E17yid]

Vorm
Trippier Tobi Wimmer Davies
Carrol Bentaleb
Son Mason Onomah
Chadli

 

[Syn_13]

I don't envy Poch here. He's going to be damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't when it comes to resting players. Some fans will have a go and say he's thrown in the towel and that we should have a go. If he plays a full strength side then others will have a go as it could jeopardise our title run. Plenty of people don't rate this tournament as it is.

Personally, I think he's going to rest the big players. Bournemouth are picking up momentum now, they're going to be a pain in the arse, and we can't afford to drop points, especially if Benitez does us a favour tomorrow night. I think the fact that we're in the title race is too big to chance. I'd say we should rest players and just hope that the B team pull something out of their arse.

 

[Spursidol]

I'm sure this will split some opinion but I'm firmly in the camp that we should be protecting/resting our whole eleven, or practically all of them, to play Bournemouth. Even if we fielded our first eleven we are not going to recover from a 0-3 deficit to a team of this quality. We must ensure we give ourselves every chance of beating Bournemouth, given our run of games afterwards.

A few of the big hitters on the bench just in case - you never know sort of thing. Dier, Toby, Alli and Dembele given a complete night off. I'm sure Bentaleb won't start, but I'd like to see him do so just to see how he goes and if he's got the right attitude to give his all.

Lloris

Trippier
CCV
Wimmer
Davies

Carroll
Bentaleb

Onomah
Mason
Chadli

Son

Subs: Vorm, Walker. Rose, Winks, Lamela, Eriksen, Kane

Think that's generally right, except I think Poch will start Alderweireld, as it would be totally unfair to start CCV without him having any previous sub appearances. Think Poch's gamble will be that after this week we play once a week so plenty of time to relax - especially with Vertonghen back to roate in if necessary (assuming this is the last EL match this year).

I'd like to see CCV get a sub appearance on though.

The other unknown is Bentaleb....has he definitely got up Poch's nose, in which case he will be on the bench, meaning either Winks starts in his place or more likely Mason drops back into CM with maybe Lamela starting as one of the 3 AM's. Better idea would be that Mason and Winks join Carroll in CM to provide solidity in the middle with both Mason and Carroll supporting the attack when appropriate - but I don't see Poch changing tactics for this one....although he needs to if Dortmund play 3 at the back again as in the first leg (and v Wham) we showed we didn't have a Scooby as to how to cope with that formation.

Might be another youngster like Harrison on the bench in place of a full back - unless there's a miracle its a dead rubber and he might as well get a few minutes and we get some positives out of the tie by blooding youngsters.

 

[Hazardousman]

Honestly I wouldn't play any of our first teamers, if I had the choice right now I would put out the under 21 side and give everyone a rest.

Even with our best 11 overcoming a 3-0 deficit to Dortmund would be a massive battle, borderline impossible quite frankly and if we did manage it our players would be utterly fucked for the Bournemouth game.

We don't need any negativity rubbing off on our first teamers right now, I don't want another 3 goals put past Lloris, he looked off today and I think that's an after affect of losing to Dortmund, making the players believe we are miles off a team like them isn't exactly a good way to inspire them and give confidence, we also don't need to be running them into the ground for a competition that quite frankly we look like we are going to crash out of.

I would go with Vorm in goal, if I had it my way neither Toby or Wimmer would be playing, imagine if one of them get injured? What would we do?

But do we have a choice? Not really.

Vorm, Trip, Toby, Wimmer, Davies, Mason, Bentaleb, Carroll, Onomah Chadli, Son.

Just play defensive and try to limit the damage. If they beat us 1-0 or we manage to maybe even beat them 1-0 it will do no harm for us.

If we get smashed 3-0 again then it is what it is.

 

[Hazardousman]

I don't envy Poch here. He's going to be damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't when it comes to resting players. Some fans will have a go and say he's thrown in the towel and that we should have a go. If he plays a full strength side then others will have a go as it could jeopardise our title run. Plenty of people don't rate this tournament as it is.

Personally, I think he's going to rest the big players. Bournemouth are picking up momentum now, they're going to be a pain in the arse, and we can't afford to drop points, especially if Benitez does us a favour tomorrow night. I think the fact that we're in the title race is too big to chance. I'd say we should rest players and just hope that the B team pull something out of their arse.

Bournemouth are going to be a serious threat to us, I actually think we have a better chance against Liverpool, we cannot take Bournemouth lightly, they are bang in form and we are going to be at home with lots of pressure on us, especially if Leicester drop points against Newcastle.

Bournemouth game has to be the priority, 100%.

 

[jezz]

Dead rubber who cares.
Same as last week except for Toby.

 

[Wellspurs]

Why the despondency? We won our last two EL games 3-0... might take extra time and pens though.

 

[edson]

Would like to see Winks involved he has deserved his chance for a long time now.

 

[tdk101]

I am not exactly a fan of Bentaleb. But that CM pairing of Mason and Carrol is just ridiculous. I am hoping to see Bentaleb and Mason in the MF, which was good enough to get us 5th last season.

 

[UpTownSpur]

We made relatively easy work of Villa because some of the key players were fresh and we have to make sure it's the same for Bournemouth - we just have to take our medicine against Dortmund then pay them back in the CL next season.

 

[Banny]

Just send a team out to win the game on the night. A 2-1 win on the night wouldn'tbe a complete embarrassment (4-2 on agg)

Just need to be careful of sending out the kids as a 0-5 tonking won't do us any favours or a younger member of the squad as they'll feel they have been used as cannon fodder. Difficult decision for Poch to make here.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

No matter what team he picks SC is going to be in meltdown because there will always be one or two players that someone would have rested. Personally I think we're going to see a mega meltdown because I think he might name a strong team. Well, I might not actually think it, but I half hope it, just to see the reaction on here.

 

[guy]

433 is needed here I think, our backup CMs are all a little lightweight as a pairing

Vorm
Trippier Toby Wimmer Davies
Bentaleb
Carroll____ mason
Son Chad Josh​