I'm sure there will be some of us who will think we need to go all out and win this trophy, there will be others like me who thinks we should go all out for the PL even if it meant at the expense of the EL.
It's not that I don't care about the Europa League but these are our next lot of fixtures including Europa league fixtures if we win.
Ajax (A)
Ajax (H)
Norwich (A)
Tottenham (A)
(EUROPA LEAGUE)
West Brom (H)
(EUROPA LEAGUE)
Wolves (A)
Fulham (H)
(EUROPA LEAGUE QF)
Blackburn (A)
(EUROPA LEAGUE QF)
QPR (H)
Wigan (A)
Aston Villa (H)
(EUROPA LEAGUE SF)
Everton (H)
(EUROPA LEAGUE SF)
Manchester City (A)
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We have 10 PL fixtures and 2 EL fixtures between now and the city game. City look almost unstoppable right now which is why we need to go for virtually maximum points to put ourselves in a position that if we beat City the title is ours to lose.
If we do beat Ajax and potentially win the rest of the games then we could have another 6 fixtures to contend with between now and the city game. I would much rather see key players like Carrick, Rooney, Nani, Rio, Evra, Valencia rested for these games so that they are fit to fight for the PL.
People may say that we've done it before, we've made the champions league final whilst still winning the PL. But City don't look like a team who's going to just go away, it wasn't until the last couple of weeks that Chelsea slipped up last year, and Arsenal faded away much earlier.
This year we need to go all out to win the PL, even if that means sacrificing Europa League. I'd rather that than go for the Europa League and end up sacrificing the PL. We've got more points at this stage of the season than we did last year yet we're still second, that just goes to show you how tough the league is to win this year.
League > any other competition for me. Doesn't mean I wouldn't like us to win it, I'd just like to rest key players.
We could still put out a team like this. I think it gives us a good balance of youth + experience whilst still allowing some much needed rest for certain key members.
Amos
Rafael Smalling Evans Fabio
Park Cleverley Pogba Young
Berbatov Hernandez
How do we tackle the Europa League?
posted on 8/2/12
I think Ajax will be tougher than most people think, especially in the away fixture.
I look forward to seeing that Christian Erickson lad play against us, he looks a real talent.
posted on 8/2/12
Athletic Bilbao are a good team from what I have seen
posted on 8/2/12
Domestic form doesn't always carry over to European competition, but Ajax seem to be going through a big slump in form.
They haven't won a game since the end of the winter break, losing 3 and drawing just 1.
posted on 8/2/12
BB on Athletic. I agree.
I'd consider United overwhelming favourites, as Athletic still lack a bit of experience and consistency, but Bielsa's doing a good job.
They press quite a bit, have good intensity and can mix more direct football with keeping the ball on the deck. They've played some really nice football at times too.
They're a predominantly young side, with the likes of Javi Martínez, Ander Herrera, Muniaín, Aurtenetxe or Iturraspe, alongside a few more seasoned pros like Llorente, Iraola or Gabilondo.
Iraizoz's a good and experienced keeper, though he's a bit prone to dropping the odd clanger here and there. Basque keepers generally have a better aerial game than most Spanish keepers due to the brand of football they favour up there.
They qualified for the Spanish Cup final last night, albeit by pummelling a Spanish 3rd division side, but they were good to watch.
Anyhow, I guess you might want prefer to cross that bridge when you get to it.
posted on 8/2/12
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 8/2/12
Hopefully two footed and studs up. for us
posted on 8/2/12
itsonlyagame
I read a few articles about Bielsa and Guardiola's relationship, apparently, when first going into management Pep took a lot of tips from Bielsa and the whole Barca pressing tactic came from his theories.
Big up Bielsa.
posted on 8/2/12
Could well be. I do know that Guardiola found a lot of inspiration in Juanma Lillo, but Bielsa's teams are reknowned for their pressing.
posted on 8/2/12
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/dec/20/football-tactical-trends-of-2011
posted on 8/2/12
Interesting read, cheers BB.
In case you're interested, here's one (albeit less technical) about Lillo's influence:
http://www.barcablaugranes.com/2011/7/26/2295142/manager-maestro-and-mentor-juan-manuel-lillo-and-pep-guardiola