Needless to say how important this Sunday's Match is with the Hammers.
Another Must Win Game Surely, down to the Last 8 'Cup Final Games' to secure CL Football for next Season and this one sticks out as a Real Six pointer, win and it's 7 points ahead of the in form Team breaking into the top 4, Lose and it's just 1 point but lets everyone else catch up as well, the same with a Draw really.
One of the Biggest questions is what does Brendan do with Maddison, before he got injured it would have been unthinkable to be asking how does he fit in as Ian has done so exceptionally well and formed that Partnership with Vardy.
Drop Perez Mersey is creaming at the Computer but does that solve the problem or lose the balance as his position isn't the same as Maddison plays so well.
Then there's Ricardo, bring him in or go with Mr Ever Ready Albrighton, Ricardo is no where the player he was pre injury, now obviously he needs a bit of game time to get that fitness back but does that come at this crucial stage?
Soyuncu not available after Covid so I guess Daniel gets to show his slinky skills again?
Really is time to see if a lot of the Success this Season was by systems almost being forced on Brendon by the Injury List or if he's the most technically astute Manager we've ever had?
He seems to struggle a bit when there's something to win, not the League itself obviously this time but CL Football, an incredible achievement if we do it in this crazy Season.
Must Win?
posted on 9/4/21
Must not lose. That’s the category I’d put this one in!
posted on 9/4/21
I hope you and West Ham both make top 4.
posted on 9/4/21
Brendan has a problem with Soyencu and should start with Amartey who has not let him down. Maddison off the bench as an impact sub .same as last week.
posted on 9/4/21
To answer some of the questions raised, I think a fully fit Maddison is straight in for Perez but only if he’s fully fit. Anything else and Perez retains his place.
You’ve assumed we’re staying with a back 5 to keep Nacho in. There is the harsh possibility we could go to a back 4 and Nacho is on the bench. With Soyuncu out we wouldn’t be reliant on Amartey and with West Ham playing on the counter do we really need a back 5??
For me, until Barnes is back it’s tricky to go for the 4, but I’d be tempted.
posted on 9/4/21
I wonder whether Rodgers will consider a surprise Diamond, considering availability and the fact that Tielemans and Praet look comfortable in the side midfield roles.
posted on 10/4/21
Next two games will say alot about Rodgers. Massive Massive games. Real test for our mental resolve.
posted on 10/4/21
Nope. It’s not a must win as there are 7 games to go after this one. It might, however, give us some indication of how much ‘squeaky bum time’ we’re going to get between now and the end of the season.
A draw would actually be a pretty good result for us, but not for West Ham. A win for us and it takes the pressure off us for a few weeks and heaps it onto them.
Of course, the irony is, I’d love both us and West Ham to qualify for the Champions League. It would be a real shot across the bows for those that want to turn it into a closed shop in future years.
posted on 10/4/21
Must Not Lose.
A draw would be ok but a win would be so much better.
Looking at the remaining fixtures several teams (other than us) still have to play each other which means points dropped. We've got the worst looking run in (but don't have any European matches), Liverpool look to have the easiest (save playing United and their ongoing Champions League fixtures).
It's still been a fine season results wise whatever happens.
posted on 10/4/21
Agree, must not lose this game. Do that and take the gained confidence into remaining fixtures. I think we’ll be ok.
posted on 10/4/21
Results today showing it certainly is a Must Win Game against another Rival, can’t afford to lose a second Game in a Row and Drawing not much better.