Barring an absolute miracle either way, we have finished 2nd this season. Our place in the CL group stages is also secure after results yesterday.
With this in mind here is how I would approach the final few games, with a view to next season.
If Chelsea win 2 of their next 3, as is likely, they will have won the title. In that time, we play just the once - United at home.
UNITED - HOME
The final game at the Lane as we know it. Treat this one with the respect it deserves, absolute full strength whether Chelsea have it wrapped up on the Friday before or not.
One more point would almost certainly secure 2nd due to the GD between us and City. A win and it is 100%. A good send off for the stadium, and a chance for the players and fans to pay their respects to eachother.
LEICESTER - AWAY
HULL - AWAY
So on to the last two. Both away from home.
If, as expected, Chelsea are champions by the time we play Leicester, and we have wrapped 2nd up v United, I think this is a fantastic chance for us to start preparing for next season.
I feel that these games may well see our first team 'on the beach' if there is nothing to play for, also having had a home finale v United just days prior to it.
This is the perfect opportunity for us to have a look at our options for next season, against two teams who will give us a game. To me It is better to try it now with nothing at stake, than try and do so when we need points. I would like to see:
1. Pau given his first team debut in at least one of the games. He has obviously been bought as a long-term replacement for Hugo, and has played La Liga football. Lets see what he is made of.
2. Carter-Vickers and Davies played on the right and left of the three at the back, with Jan and Toby given a game each in the middle. Seeing how both do here could help refine our targets for the Summer. Sink or swim, lots of games next season and whether they struggle or not will help us prioritise signings.
3. Nkoudou given a couple of games at LWB. Lets see what he can do in that wide position, in a competitive environment. If it does not work, so be it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. People would have laughed if you had said Moses could be a RWB this time last year. We need a pacey alternative to Rose, so lets see if the boy shows any promise there.
4. Sissoko given one game at RWB, one in CM. Lets see what Sissoko can do in these positions. He has struggled to find his feet in the attacking midfield positions, so it may be last chance saloon for him. Neither a stretch as he often played on the right for Newcastle, and started his career as a deep-lying midfielder. We may well have a position on the right becoming vacant soon after all.
5. Kyle Walker-Peters given a start. He is a hghly rated young rightback, who has been in an around the first team this season. I would like to see him get a start in one game, probably Hull.
6. Janssen given a couple of starts. Ideal time for Vincent to stake his claim to keep his squad place next year.
7. Onomah given a start in CM. It is his position, one we have not seen him in. Give him a bit of muscle to play with, probably Wanyama, and lets see how he does
8. Marcus Edwards given a cameo or two. Unleash the boy. No better time to give him 15/20 minutes than this for me.
LEICESTER
...............................Lloris
..................CCV........Toby.....Davies
Sissoko......Wanyama....Onomah......Nkoudou
...........................Alli........Kane
.............................Janssen
HULL
.........................Pau
..........CCV........Jan.....Davies
Kyle W-P.....Dier......Sissoko......Nkoudou
................Eriksen........Son
........................Janssen
My Approach For The Remaining Games
posted on 8/5/17
Techincally Chelsea need to win 2 of the next 4.
Good article though HRH, personally I would like us to just go out there and enjoy our football, wrap up 2nd place early doors and then try and work on playing progressive passing football.
posted on 8/5/17
Good idea in theory, but I want us to batter those anti-football merchants Leicester. Would be happy to mix it up vs Hull - even if it means meddling in the relegation race and risking a fine.
I also want Kane and Lloris to win the golden boot and golden glove award respectively.
posted on 8/5/17
Very good article in theory but I want us to win our last three and finish the season on a real high.
People forget that Leicester had an outstanding second half of the season showing championship winning form prior to the season they won the title.
I would however like to see the likes of KWP, Edwards and Onomah make our bench for the last 2 games.
posted on 8/5/17
comment by Dont cry for me Argentina we have pochettino and Lamela (U17539)
posted 34 minutes ago
Very good article in theory but I want us to win our last three and finish the season on a real high.
People forget that Leicester had an outstanding second half of the season showing championship winning form prior to the season they won the title.
I would however like to see the likes of KWP, Edwards and Onomah make our bench for the last 2 games.
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No thu
posted on 8/5/17
comment by Ledders The King - Football Manager Icon. (U20121)
posted 0 seconds ago
comment by Dont cry for me Argentina we have pochettino and Lamela (U17539)
posted 34 minutes ago
Very good article in theory but I want us to win our last three and finish the season on a real high.
People forget that Leicester had an outstanding second half of the season showing championship winning form prior to the season they won the title.
I would however like to see the likes of KWP, Edwards and Onomah make our bench for the last 2 games.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No thu
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No they didn't, they won 7 of the last 9 or something like that. If they'd showed championship winning form for half a season they'd have picked up about 40-odd points and have been safe well in advance
posted on 8/5/17
definitely give janssen minutes. I think he will stay so a couple of goals might help kick start him next year. hes had a tough season.
posted on 8/5/17
MUST finish the season on a high to break the habit of fading.
posted on 8/5/17
comment by Ledders The King - Football Manager Icon. (U20121)
posted 3 hours, 21 minutes ago
comment by Ledders The King - Football Manager Icon. (U20121)
posted 0 seconds ago
comment by Dont cry for me Argentina we have pochettino and Lamela (U17539)
posted 34 minutes ago
Very good article in theory but I want us to win our last three and finish the season on a real high.
People forget that Leicester had an outstanding second half of the season showing championship winning form prior to the season they won the title.
I would however like to see the likes of KWP, Edwards and Onomah make our bench for the last 2 games.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No thu
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No they didn't, they won 7 of the last 9 or something like that. If they'd showed championship winning form for half a season they'd have picked up about 40-odd points and have been safe well in advance
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Last half a season was an exaggeration and you are right it was the last 9 games they excelled winning 7.
My point was that they finished the season very well and they took that form into their next season.
That's why I want Spurs to finish on a high and not sacrifice the last two games even if they are dead rubbers,
posted on 8/5/17
Walker Peters and Onomah called up for the U20 world cup, so neither available.
CCV injured.
Shame. I would still like to see the others given games
posted on 8/5/17
I want us to remain undefeated at WHL, which will be a great way to send the old girl off. I also would love to smash Moanrinho`s bus stop to pieces on Sunday.
Once second place is secure, we can then utilize the squad more and give some of the younger players some valuable game time.