Your team v Rangers (Champion's League, Group Stage, second game)

[Insidious]

That is a tough one to swallow. It's all feeling a little 09/10 right now.

With Chelsea sitting in 4th spot on 16 points, we'll have to ensure that we aren't cut too far adrift in the coming weeks in the League, as Champion's League football for next season is incredibly important. We could be 9 points off the Champion's League spots very quickly.

Ignoring next season though, in the shorter-term though, we have this season's campaign to worry about. A win against Rangers would put us in a brilliant position in our group. Indeed, if we win - and Napoli beat Ajax - then a point in our own Ajax fixture would see us qualify.

It makes the Rangers game a massive one. But we need to manage some minutes, as we can't play a weakened side against Man City. How to balance it? Possible injuries to Trent and Diaz to factor in.

.........................Alisson

Gomez.......Konate.......Van Dijk.....Tsimikas

..............Henderson......Thiago

Jota.............Firmino.......Carvalho

......................Núñez

We're a disjointed mess just now, sorry to say.

[justme]

Its amazing how you managed to type all this out about 2 seconds after the game finished. Its because you already had it typed out.
get with the reality check. we will not even finish in the top 4 this season. so, get your abacus out and make excuses for the owners next season when we can't find any money get in players.
And all this how good our young players look. To me Elliot is just an average player same with Jones. they get hyped up beyond their ability

[Insidious]

Its amazing how you managed to type all this out about 2 seconds after the game finished. Its because you already had it typed out.

You're not new to the forum justme. In the Premier League the ball spends about 25 minutes out of play for throw-ins, for goal-kicks, delays in play etc.

In the past I used to just put the team up. One or two forum users asked that I put a little context/content into these threads, so I have attempted to do that - and if me typing (which I can do, rather quickly) a couple of bits here or there instead of watching players time-waste, or Managers shout at each other, or goalies wave lads up the pitch etc is of annoyance to you, then that is a you problem - not a me problem.

Can't please everyone.

[Kev0909]

I don't think Hendo and thiago will make it through another full game if today is anything to go by

Defo give konate a start over one of the cbs though

[Insidious]

I don't think Hendo and thiago will make it through another full game if today is anything to go by

Defo give konate a start over one of the cbs though

My thinking (optimistic perhaps) is that we would be 1-0 or 2-0 up after 60-70 minutes and could bring both off.

Ideally if Milner still had legs I would start him for one of them - but with the stakes being so high for this one (would we trust the lads to beat Ajax right now?) I don't want to rotate TOO much, much as I am a fan of rotation from the sports science side of things.

[CCTV]

Alisson
Gomez Konate VVD Tsimi
Salah Fab Thiago Jota
Firmino Nunez

Subs: Adrian, Ramsay, Philips, Matip,
Hendo, Milner, Elliot, Carvalho, Robbo?

442/4411 Bobby off Nunez

Ideally....

Matip on for VVD
Milner on for Tsimi
Hendo on for Thiago
Carvalho on for Jota
And a run out for Ramsay perhaps?

[miller0863]

I wouldn’t start Salah, he needs to get his head out of his wallet, been very poor.

I’d rest Diaz too but for different reasons

Alisson

Gomez
Konate
VVD
Tsimi (Robbo?)

Milner
Fabinho
Elliott (Jones)

Núñez
Bobby
Jota

[Insidious]

I’d rest Diaz too but for different reasons

I think he will be out for a while unfortunately. We'll know more in the coming days.

[Kev0909]

Diaz will be injured Miller.. if it's a knee injury he won't be back that quick

[miller0863]

Might just be a knock, he didn’t appear to twist it or put weight on it the wrong way.

Fingers crossed, we will really miss him if he’s out for any time