Is tonight important?

Depends what trophy it is.

In this case it's the Europa league of course.

I think we should be going out to win this trophy, it is still a European trophy for goodness sake and we’re two games away from winning the thing and have a very good chance. We should be able to go through in second gear tonight them have a great day out and the potential of a major trophy.

That said top four does remain the priority, I just think we need to balance the games smartly, the team can be rotated but I never want to see wholesale changes, resting players in certain areas of the pitch one or two at a time so there remain quality and seniors players in all areas of the pitch in all games.

The key league games we should look to play our strongest team at all times with the exception of a playing looking completely burnt out. Don’t rest players and need to call on them to turn a game around, play them and take them off if we’re two up. Torres and Ba can continue to rotate as can the back four as we have quality and depth there now players are returning from injury, I have no issues with anyof them playing although not sure about Cahill and Luiz alongside one another.

It is the supporting trio I worry about, I have no issues with Marin, Moses or Yossi playing but I’m not sure we can afford to rest more than one of Mata, Hazard or Oscar at the same time. I couldn’t stand to see the three understudies in the team at the same time. Mata has played a lot and isn’t quite at his supreme best but regardless he still plugs on and Mata at 90% is still our best player, Oscar seems to suit some games more than others so can rotate with Moses accordingly and Hazard does seem to have more impact when rested so again Moses can come in there. I’d like to see Mata play all the time if possible and Hazard, Oscar and Moses equally rotate from now till the end of the season. If we are cruising then is the time to give them a break and look to Marin and Yossi but frankly the stakes are too high to be starting them if it can be avoided.

Cech
Ivan Luiz Terry Bert
Ake Lampard
Moses - Yossi - Marin
Torres

Cech
Ivan Cahill/Ake Terry Bert
Luiz Lampard
Oscar - Yossi - Moses
Torres

Forgot about Cahill. He needs to start ahead of Ake.

I think we will play an almost full strength squad, Rafa and CFC want to win this trophy and rightly so.

Cech
Ivan Cahill Bertrand
Lampard Ake
Moses Hazard Marin
Torres

or you could swap Oscar for Hazard and thus play Benayoun instead of Marin. But if Hazard starts then Marin should as well, IMO.

Need to rest Ramires and one of Mata/Hazard ahead of the crucial league games.

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I think we will play an almost full strength squad, Rafa and CFC want to win this trophy and rightly so.
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I don't feel we need to start our best 11 to advance. We should be able to draft in some bench players and still come away with a draw at worst.