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Do you want us to lose v CSKA?

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posted on 5/12/16

I've just checked our fixture list and the schedule for the FA cup and Europa League.

By the time the Europa league starts up again we will have played 25 EPL matches. By this point we will have played most of our difficult fixtures. Our only four difficult ties left at this point will be United, Arsenal, Southampton and Everton and they are all at home.

It is likely the last 32 tie will be a walkover for us. There will be no premier league football in between the 1st and 2nd leg of the last 32 tie because that weekend will be a FA cup weekend.

So by the time we play the 2nd leg of the last 32 tie we will know the following information.

- Our situation in the league
- Whether or not we have made it to the last 8 of the FA cup


How much energy we put in the Europa should purely rely on our league and FA cup situation.

This is how I would play it.

-If we are within 5 points of the top of the table then the league must be our main priority.

- If we are not in a title challenge but within 5 points of top 4 then put some effort into the Europa League but rotate the squad for these matches.

- If we have no realistic chance of top 4 and we are at least 6 or 7 point from fourth place, then I see no reason why we should not put everything in Europa League campaign.

So in essence let's try get into the Europa league and if we are in a good situation then we can treat these games like the league cup but if there's nothing to play for in the league then I see no reason why we cannot go for it.


posted on 5/12/16

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

posted on 5/12/16

It's a chance to win a trophy.

You boys know what that is?

posted on 5/12/16

Guys lets be real here, Tottenham aren't gonna win the title and if you are good enough to be the Champions of England, you should be good enough to compete in two competitions at the same time, it really is that simple. If you can't handle playing Europa/PL together, then you're not good enough to win the PL.

comment by Hengy (U9129)

posted on 5/12/16

United are playing in Ukraine on Thursday. Yes it's against a rubbish team but he's been playing the main players in the comp so we have no excuse not to be able to play this weds then Sunday.

If we lose against cska the pressure and feeling all summer about playing at Wembley next season will kill
Us imo

Just win weds and see where the Europa takes us. We could just get knocked and straight away

posted on 5/12/16

given the way youre performing in the CL you might not be given the choice

posted on 5/12/16

comment by Yohan's Kebab Van (U8691)
posted 1 minute ago
I find it laughable how clubs like Spurs (no offence) throw competitions they might have half a chance of winning so they can concentrate on the league (which they have no chance of winning).
It's not only Spurs, Arsenal have been guilty of it too in the past, but it makes no sense. I thought the game was about glory?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

No. The game is not about cups.

It is all about net spend and managing the books.

posted on 5/12/16

comment by Yohan's Kebab Van (U8691)
posted 1 minute ago
I find it laughable how clubs like Spurs (no offence) throw competitions they might have half a chance of winning so they can concentrate on the league (which they have no chance of winning).
It's not only Spurs, Arsenal have been guilty of it too in the past, but it makes no sense. I thought the game was about glory?
-----
Sadly it's all about the money these days. High finish in the league + CL place is a good season for the board, just not for the fans

posted on 5/12/16

comment by Mamba - If it looks like a duck , swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck , then it is a duck (U1282)
posted 4 minutes ago
It's a chance to win a trophy.

You boys know what that is?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Those things that Liverpool used to win in the 80s?

comment by (U18543)

posted on 5/12/16

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

posted on 5/12/16

comment by sir super (U13280)
posted 1 minute ago
I've just checked our fixture list and the schedule for the FA cup and Europa League.

By the time the Europa league starts up again we will have played 25 EPL matches. By this point we will have played most of our difficult fixtures. Our only four difficult ties left at this point will be United, Arsenal, Southampton and Everton and they are all at home.

It is likely the last 32 tie will be a walkover for us. There will be no premier league football in between the 1st and 2nd leg of the last 32 tie because that weekend will be a FA cup weekend.

So by the time we play the 2nd leg of the last 32 tie we will know the following information.

- Our situation in the league
- Whether or not we have made it to the last 8 of the FA cup


How much energy we put in the Europa should purely rely on our league and FA cup situation.

This is how I would play it.

-If we are within 5 points of the top of the table then the league must be our main priority.

- If we are not in a title challenge but within 5 points of top 4 then put some effort into the Europa League but rotate the squad for these matches.

- If we have no realistic chance of top 4 and we are at least 6 or 7 point from fourth place, then I see no reason why we should not put everything in Europa League campaign.

So in essence let's try get into the Europa league and if we are in a good situation then we can treat these games like the league cup but if there's nothing to play for in the league then I see no reason why we cannot go for it.



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Also this is easily the weakest the Europa League has been for some time.

The only sides reasonably decent in the main draw are a weak Manchester United side, Southampton
( although they are struggling to make the knockout stage), Villareal and Roma.

From the champions league Benefica are at slight risk of dropping to the Europa but apart from Lyon who are sixth in the French league there is no one of note.

If we were in the Europa League we would be one of the four best sides there - Roma , Villareal and Manchester United are the best three other sides there. And whilst each could beat us over two legs I would feel confident against each. The rest are absolute gash.

posted on 5/12/16

My preference is to play a good side this week and qualify, and use the KO rounds to give others a chance to play

comment by Hengy (U9129)

posted on 5/12/16

What line up would you go with HRH?

posted on 5/12/16

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

comment by Phenom (U20037)

posted on 5/12/16

Lloris
Walker Dier Vertonghen Rose
Winks Wanyama
Sissoko Alli Nkoudou
Kane

comment by Phenom (U20037)

posted on 5/12/16

comment by ®åρtorāœ” (U1071)
posted 1 minute ago
I want us to drop into the Europa personally. And aim to win the facking thing
----------------------------------------------------------------------

comment by Chronic (U3423)

posted on 5/12/16

By the time the Europa league starts up again we will have played 25 EPL matches. By this point we will have played most of our difficult fixtures. Our only four difficult ties left at this point will be United, Arsenal, Southampton and Everton and they are all at home.

----------

very naïve if you think we will suddenly start beating teams we should...... how many points have we dropped so far this season against inferior sides?

plenty is the answer

comment by Hengy (U9129)

posted on 5/12/16

comment by The Phenom - Thread Killer (U20037)
posted 11 minutes ago
Lloris
Walker Dier Vertonghen Rose
Winks Wanyama
Sissoko Alli Nkoudou
Kane
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not bad I'd have Toby play. 60 mins to get ready for Man U

Lloris
Trippier Toby Wimmer Rose
Winks Waynama
Son Alli Eriksen
Kane

Hate to put trippier in but think walker could do with breaks as much as possible ( same with Rose but Davies out injured )

comment by GOODBYE (U1029)

posted on 5/12/16

Yes

posted on 5/12/16

comment by Hengy (U9129)
posted 1 hour, 14 minutes ago
What line up would you go with HRH?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Personally I would go with the side that beat Swansea, to keep the momentum. I would stick with that XI v United too.

The exception being Toby, becuase he comes in when he is fit.

Dier/Wanyama or Son/Lamela would be my only debateables (at present that is), and a settled side until Europe resumes should see us put heavy points on the board

comment by Hengy (U9129)

posted on 5/12/16

comment by HRH King Ledley (U20095)
posted 11 seconds ago
comment by Hengy (U9129)
posted 1 hour, 14 minutes ago
What line up would you go with HRH?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Personally I would go with the side that beat Swansea, to keep the momentum. I would stick with that XI v United too.

The exception being Toby, becuase he comes in when he is fit.

Dier/Wanyama or Son/Lamela would be my only debateables (at present that is), and a settled side until Europe resumes should see us put heavy points on the board

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good post.

I'm with you but would like the FBs to take rest when ever possible which means unfortunately I'd play trippier Wednesday and give Walker a break.

Toby could do with 60 mins Wednesday to get up to speed for Sunday game.

Doesn't look like Lamela is going to be ready for a while yet so really could do with Sissoko getting some confidence as we might need him more often. Got a nice assist on Saturday so I'm sure that'll do him well.

posted on 5/12/16

Sissoko does look short on confidence, always looks to lay the ball off instead of being more adventurous.

There was one occasion on Saturday when he put his head down and ran with it...really showed what he could be like as he just seemed to plough his way through anyone in front of him. I don't think he'll ever be a worldbeater but he could be one that gives us options when we need them

posted on 5/12/16

comment by Hengy (U9129)
posted 52 minutes ago
comment by HRH King Ledley (U20095)
posted 11 seconds ago
comment by Hengy (U9129)
posted 1 hour, 14 minutes ago
What line up would you go with HRH?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Personally I would go with the side that beat Swansea, to keep the momentum. I would stick with that XI v United too.

The exception being Toby, becuase he comes in when he is fit.

Dier/Wanyama or Son/Lamela would be my only debateables (at present that is), and a settled side until Europe resumes should see us put heavy points on the board

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good post.

I'm with you but would like the FBs to take rest when ever possible which means unfortunately I'd play trippier Wednesday and give Walker a break.

Toby could do with 60 mins Wednesday to get up to speed for Sunday game.

Doesn't look like Lamela is going to be ready for a while yet so really could do with Sissoko getting some confidence as we might need him more often. Got a nice assist on Saturday so I'm sure that'll do him well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah, cant argue with Walker getting a break really. Perhaps it is Trippier and Sissoko down that right side for this one and a rest for one of Son and Eriksen too.

posted on 5/12/16

Hope you beat CSKA, but Alli cuts out diving

posted on 5/12/16

No how could anybody justify their team losing? It doesn't matter if it is a friendly I want to win the game, if we lose it hurts less obviously but you still should always wanna win.

This notion of us struggling competing in two competitions is utter rubbish.

The problems are...

Our first 11 being very competitive with the leagues best but underneath it just utter dross. Sunderland would not pick nkodou, wimmer,vorm, Carroll, even janssen.

Pochs cup record. In my opinion poch is one of the worst in the country for cup performances every performance is bang average or worse.

Whatever happens in Europa or champions league and wherever we play Wembley or white hart lane does not effect the above.

our group in the champions league was a walkover and we deserved more hammerings from the media about it. Disgraceful performances.

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