RedForever2014
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2014
- Messages
- 3,603
As we all know, after the international break we've seven crucial matches to navigate before the next break.
We'll have to see who comes back from the international break unscathed, but it's clear that some rotation will be necessary.
Personally I think we'll have to use squad players en masse in the League Cup and take our chances. It's the least important competition, whilst blending fit first choice players with squad players lacking match fitness can cause injuries, when players have to stretch for misplaced passes from those finding their feet.
So what do people think we should do?
Spurs, 9/15, away:
All being well with injuries, the Spurs game requires our strongest defence and attack and a balanced midfield.
There's an argument for giving Fabinho a go at right back, as TAA hasn't been convincing so far this season, though maybe TAA should get another chance in the name of defensive stability.
In midfield, I'd have Henderson at 6 despite his poor performance at Leicester, hopefully he'll be a bit more match fit after the England matches. The midfield three didn't work well at Leicester and Gini does often go missing away from home, so I'd play Keita and Milner with Hendo.
Team: Alisson, TAA, Gomez, VVD, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Milner, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
PSG, 9/18, home:
I'd go with the same 11 as against Spurs, except for bringing Gini in for Milner for some fresh midfield legs. I'd consider giving Fabinho a start at right back, as he knows PSG, but would probably hold him back another match.
Team: Alisson, TAA, Gomez, VVD, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Gini, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Southampton, 9/22, home:
To keep energy in the side, I'd rotate a couple of defenders, a forward and maybe a midfielder.
I'd probably start Shaqiri instead of Salah, give Fabinho his first 90 at right back, play Moreno at left back and bring Milner back in for Henderson and use Gini at 6.
Team: Alisson, Fabinho, Gomez, VVD, Moreno, Gini, Keita, Milner, Shaqiri, Mane, Firmino.
Chelsea (League Cup), 9/26, home:
I'd play an entire second string, with Fabinho in defensive midfield, to give us a look at him there. I'd play Lallana alongside him, or a 1-2 with Lallana and Shaqiri as the 2.
Very attack minded, but I'm sure Origi and Solanke could press high from wide positions and work back.
The bench would be entirely the youngsters.
Team: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Fabinho, Lallana, Shaqiri, Solanke, Origi, Sturridge.
Chelsea (Premier League), 9/29, away:
Obviously by this point there's a possibility of injuries or form dictating the side, a player or two having done well and deserving their place, or carrying a knock.
For me I'd expect us to go back to the strongest 11, although given Chelsea's midfield we'd maybe have Fabinho at 6, Henderson a bit more advanced pressing and Keita alongside.
Team: Alisson, TAA, Gomez, VVD, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Napoli, 10/3, away:
We'll need to get something away at Napoli, but with City to come and the end of this sequence in sight, we could rotate one or two of the best 11.
I'd consider playing Fabinho at right back to give TAA a break before facing City and rest a forward. We might want to rest a centre back too.
Team: Alisson, Fabinho, Lovren, VVD, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Milner, Salah, Shaqiri, Firmino.
Man City, 10/7, home:
We need to take more than 10 points from 30 against the top 6 to have a shout at the title, so have to start off with a win if possible.
I'd go with the strongest 11, save for any form/injury variations.
Team: Alisson, TAA, Gomez, VVD, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Milner, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
We'll have to see who comes back from the international break unscathed, but it's clear that some rotation will be necessary.
Personally I think we'll have to use squad players en masse in the League Cup and take our chances. It's the least important competition, whilst blending fit first choice players with squad players lacking match fitness can cause injuries, when players have to stretch for misplaced passes from those finding their feet.
So what do people think we should do?
Spurs, 9/15, away:
All being well with injuries, the Spurs game requires our strongest defence and attack and a balanced midfield.
There's an argument for giving Fabinho a go at right back, as TAA hasn't been convincing so far this season, though maybe TAA should get another chance in the name of defensive stability.
In midfield, I'd have Henderson at 6 despite his poor performance at Leicester, hopefully he'll be a bit more match fit after the England matches. The midfield three didn't work well at Leicester and Gini does often go missing away from home, so I'd play Keita and Milner with Hendo.
Team: Alisson, TAA, Gomez, VVD, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Milner, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
PSG, 9/18, home:
I'd go with the same 11 as against Spurs, except for bringing Gini in for Milner for some fresh midfield legs. I'd consider giving Fabinho a start at right back, as he knows PSG, but would probably hold him back another match.
Team: Alisson, TAA, Gomez, VVD, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Gini, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Southampton, 9/22, home:
To keep energy in the side, I'd rotate a couple of defenders, a forward and maybe a midfielder.
I'd probably start Shaqiri instead of Salah, give Fabinho his first 90 at right back, play Moreno at left back and bring Milner back in for Henderson and use Gini at 6.
Team: Alisson, Fabinho, Gomez, VVD, Moreno, Gini, Keita, Milner, Shaqiri, Mane, Firmino.
Chelsea (League Cup), 9/26, home:
I'd play an entire second string, with Fabinho in defensive midfield, to give us a look at him there. I'd play Lallana alongside him, or a 1-2 with Lallana and Shaqiri as the 2.
Very attack minded, but I'm sure Origi and Solanke could press high from wide positions and work back.
The bench would be entirely the youngsters.
Team: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Fabinho, Lallana, Shaqiri, Solanke, Origi, Sturridge.
Chelsea (Premier League), 9/29, away:
Obviously by this point there's a possibility of injuries or form dictating the side, a player or two having done well and deserving their place, or carrying a knock.
For me I'd expect us to go back to the strongest 11, although given Chelsea's midfield we'd maybe have Fabinho at 6, Henderson a bit more advanced pressing and Keita alongside.
Team: Alisson, TAA, Gomez, VVD, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Napoli, 10/3, away:
We'll need to get something away at Napoli, but with City to come and the end of this sequence in sight, we could rotate one or two of the best 11.
I'd consider playing Fabinho at right back to give TAA a break before facing City and rest a forward. We might want to rest a centre back too.
Team: Alisson, Fabinho, Lovren, VVD, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Milner, Salah, Shaqiri, Firmino.
Man City, 10/7, home:
We need to take more than 10 points from 30 against the top 6 to have a shout at the title, so have to start off with a win if possible.
I'd go with the strongest 11, save for any form/injury variations.
Team: Alisson, TAA, Gomez, VVD, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Milner, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Last edited by a moderator: