Now we'll have to play a full strength team next week

[nickspurs]

Pretty clear that Ramos was disappointed with only winning 2-1 last night after the first half performance and now we can't take the home leg for granted.

As mentioned by many in a recent thread, we needed to be comfortable after the first leg to truly rest players ahead of the Carling Cup final. I for one don't believe we have that luxury now and we'll be putting out a full strength starting team next Thursday.

2-0 last night would have seen Bent and Kaboul and the like starting at the Lane but it's unlikely now. A bit of a blow really as a few rested players ahead of the CC final might just make the difference.

 

[buttons]

Cerny

Chimbo
Woody
Hudd
Tainio

O hara
Zoko
Steed

Taarabt
Bent
Lennon

Should do the trick......

 

[Evolution]

I think 1-2 was a good result and Ramos probably would have taken it before the match so whatever his plans were, i'm not so sure they would be effected much by this result.

Would certainly like to see King Play 2nd leg alongisde Woodgate. Even if its only for 45 mins as I think this should be the 2 pairing at back in the final. Then perhaps bring Kaboul on 2nd half or something. Taraabt, Bent & Lee should also get a run.

 

[Colonel_Klinck]

I'm going to the Lane next thurs and so in some ways am glad we will be seeing the likes of Berbs and Keane. We will have it won in the 30mins and then can take off the players and give them a rest.

 

[Legend10]

I'm confident that we won't be playing a full strength team next Thursday.

I think that the following players will start who are very unlikely to appear in the final....

Lee
kaboul
Bent
Gunter

In addition to this only 1 of O'Hara, Hudd, Zokora and TT will get the nod to partner JJ at Wembley so I expect to see the other 3 play.

Of the outfield players I believe only 3or 4 will start both games.

 

[Chuba]

As said above 2-1 is a very good result, we have 2 away goals for a second leg in which we don't have to travel anywhere as we're playing at home, they MUST score 2 goals to go through so even with losing 1-0 to them we still go through to the next round.

The pressure is on them not us, a 0-0 draw is even enough for us to go through so im not worried about the game next thursday, the players have one week in which to relax and prepare for it.

COYS!

 

[Chaplain]

They'll be getting a weeks rest, match practice in the prague game and fighting fit for chelski...or did you intend to give them a week + break and no match practice until then?

We won't be on 110% against slavia prague, I can see us scoring 3 early goals and subbing key players.

 

[Stoof]

I think 1-2 was a good result and Ramos probably would have taken it before the match so whatever his plans were, i'm not so sure they would be affected much by this result.

Agreed.

I think it's a myth, personally. If you're at a football club, you don't want to miss out games, you want to keep playing.

If some are rested, that's 10 days without a competitive match - probably more harmful than playing 3 days previously.

The thing to be in the mind is injury protection - but I expect all who eventually play in the Final will play a chunk of Thursday's fixture.

 

[butch]

It's clear we're in the driving seat but can't afford to slip up, so I got no problem with the idea of fielding a strong team.

I'll be happy as long as we get through and don't pick up any injuries.

If the players can't recover physically and psyche themselves up for a Wembley final against CHELSEA from having played a 90 minute home match against a weaker team, then they need to stop eating muffins, cakes and sweets, and take a good long look at themselves!

 

[SpurSince57]

I'm confident that we won't be playing a full strength team next Thursday.

I think that the following players will start who are very unlikely to appear in the final....

Lee
kaboul
Bent
Gunter

In addition to this only 1 of O'Hara, Hudd, Zokora and TT will get the nod to partner JJ at Wembley so I expect to see the other 3 play.

Of the outfield players I believe only 3or 4 will start both games.

I'm pretty sure that Gunter hasn't been registered for UEFA.

 

[Flatters]

The thing to be in the mind is injury protection - but I expect all who eventually play in the Final will play a chunk of Thursday's fixture.

Apart from Ledley.

 

[DC_Boy]

yep I agree with 57, gunter isn't registered -

I suspect Bent will start
also expect King to play some part and that to happen regardless of whether it was 2-1 or 3-0

of course it would have been better to win 2-0 but 2-1 away against a team top of the Czech lge is a tremendous result

 

[nickspurs]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoof
The thing to be in the mind is injury protection - but I expect all who eventually play in the Final will play a chunk of Thursday's fixture.
Apart from Ledley.

Naturally. Ledley must stay in oxygen tents, cotton wool duvets and bubble wrap at all times.

 

[nightgoat]

I don't think Ramos would have fielded much of a weakened team anyway, even if we'd won 3-0 or something...

 

[fozzi44]

bent on his own upfront please. Keane and berba in cotton wool.

 

[buttons]

I reckon Berba and Keane may well start from the bench and if things start going the wrong way may come on........would like to thin we have enough in the tank to do it without them tho.....

 

[SpurSince57]

Frankly, I'd be astounded if we didn't start with two strikers, although one of those may be Bent. Maybe Chimbo at RB and Lee at LB and a little twiddling in midfield, but I really don't think it's possible to predict what Ramos will do. They'll have had a full week's rest.

Meanwhile, Grant has his problems. Huddersfield won't roll over, and then Chelsea have to play Olympiakos, who are no mugs—they thrashed Werder home and away, beat Lazio in Rome, held Real at home and were ahead at the Bernabeu. Any slip-up in Athens and Chelsea have a whole lot to think about for the Wednesday after the final.

 

[TheBigMatch]

Better to finish a game well. Send out a strong well organised defense, but give Bent and whoever is the new #4 striker a chance to shine before finishing them off with Keane/Berbatov.

 

[Krafty]

They didnt really trouble us, and it looked like if we could be bothered to get out of second gear we would have battered them.

We are at home, we have two days in between to rest, I can see a strong team for 45-60 miuntes, maybe with Bent starting instead of berbs, get a goal early on, more will follow, breeze to a 3-0/3-1 victory

 

[fozzi44]

We have 2 away goals. We can definitely field some 2nd choices. But we also have what is becoming the fittest team in the league. I think most of these guys can afford to play Wed and Sunday.

i know that. iam more worried about a bad tackle injuring one of our guys.