Team v Leicester (FA cup & Prem)
- Thread starter thinktank
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Lighty64
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- Aug 24, 2010
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I would love to win the FA Cup, but with it taking 6 games to do so, I would hate to wreck our chances of a top4 finish, against a Leicester team that's going to be severely weak in the Cup match, then 2 more important league matches in the next 6 days.
if we put a full strength team out in the cup, and then in the 2 league games , suffered for it with injuries, then get drawn away to 1 of the big boys in the next round, we could lose major ground in the chase for top 4, no guarantee still of reaching the 4th or 5th round.
CL monies is going to be important to get these next 2 seasons, and 4-6 points in the next 2 fixtures are just as important at the moment than a cup run is.
There are no guarantees about anything, we had a chance to beat a weakened Arsenal side and didn't take it. Jol in 2006-07 achieved 5th place, FA cup quarter finals, League cup semis and Europa quarter finals, we were very unlucky to go out of all those cup games. I don't see why we couldn't do even better with the team we've got, we should embrace it and not be scared of failure.
The games come thick and fast when you are successful and the momentum and excitement of being in these competitions can give an extra boos to tired players. Injuries can happen at any game, Lloris has been adamant that he wants to play in cup games, he wants glory.
CL monies will not be important in the next two seasons, our model does not depend on CL money, if it did we would be in trouble because we've only qualified for it once
Lighty64
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mate I want us to win everything going, but in that period of Jols we had 3 strikers, Keane, Defoe & Mido, today we have Kane, and possibly play Son there.
the annoying thing v Arsenal was if we had, had Lloris in goal we would of got through
I think CL footy is important, have that for 2 years and a 3rd going into the new stadium, and a big part of the debt will be cleared especially with the new TV money, and we will have the chance to keep most of this squad together.
keep this squad together for a good few years with quality additions and the new stadium will not hinder our progression. then hopefully we will have a team that can compete on all fronts.
4 strikers we had Berbatov as well, we play a different system now so there is no need for 3 or 4 strikers because that is overkill. Sure our strikers were a big help in what we achieved that season but my point is, I think our squad is better now then it was back then. I said before that anyone who we wouldn't play in the league should not play in the cup. Would we really play Son and rest Kane in the league no we wouldn't. Fans can afford to say that they don't care about the FA but the coach and the club can't or shouldn't that. If we had done some rotation in league games with the likes of Son, Wimmer, CCV and some others I would have less of a problem with it but it's a lot on them to throw them in and expect them to perform.
The game was close with Arsenal but I think it's a bit unfair to blame Vorm for the loss.
My thoughts about Levy are well known but I have complete confidence that he can pay off the stadium without CL money, yes that money would be helpful and I think there is a chance for us to qualify but i don't think we have to sacrifice chances of glory in the process. I am pretty confident that this squad will stay together even without CL. Verts hasn't signed a new contract but he's got 3 years left so it's not a worry. I think Lloris will stay now that Poch is here and he can see direction and a plan but even if he goes it won't be to a club in England.
thebenjamin
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spids
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Centre backs do not get run into the ground like other players. They can play twice a week no problem. It's the full backs and attacking players who do lots of sprints and mileage who need to recharge their batteries. As an example, in Arsenals' "invincibles" season, Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure started 50 and 53 games respectively. Poch has been rotating Rose/Davie and Walker/Trippier a fair bit (more than any other positions) so far, and I suspect the club uses a lot of science to track players fitness levels and exertions on a game-by-game basis. I think a major reason for our defensive resilience this season is the fact that our CBs and Dier have played pretty much every game. Familiarity breeds consistency.
dricha1
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- Jul 26, 2005
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Think Eriksen will play cup game - he's not played more than an hour in any game over Christmas. Also might see a Townsend farewell ?(which would have the bonus if cup-tie-ing him as well)
Apart from that think it'll be rotation in fullback areas and possibly son or Chadli starting ahead of Kane.
Apart from that think it'll be rotation in fullback areas and possibly son or Chadli starting ahead of Kane.
Lighty64
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I checked 2005/06 hence missing out on Berba (whoops).
most of the teams people are selecting are only missing 2 players that would play a league match, and yes Kane is the 1 being rested by all, and with 3 games in 6 what 1 would you rest him for? because no PL game is easy and Leicester will not be too strong on selections, yet only Wimmer would be the only player I've seen selected hasn't featured in a PL match.
I agree with you about Levy, but I would prefer to go into the new stadium even stronger
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bat-chain
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This won't happen most likely but I'd like to see Townsend given a start.
Had a very good game against Man Utd u21’s and seems to be working hard. Of course it looks like he's on his way out but no harm in a last look.
I will probably get a bit of stick for this but I'd even like to see him tried as a striker. Pochettino has shown he likes to try players in new positions and Townsend up top is one I've always wondered about. He's quick so he could set off the press, he likes to shoot so this in theory puts him in better positions to do this. For a while last season he was designated penalty taker so he clearly has some coolness in front of goal. He's genuinely two footed also so you'd think that would give him an advantage.
As I said no one will likely agree with me but I think Townsend could be developed into a quick Vardy/Bellemy style pest of a forward far easier than he could a creative midfielder.
Had a very good game against Man Utd u21’s and seems to be working hard. Of course it looks like he's on his way out but no harm in a last look.
I will probably get a bit of stick for this but I'd even like to see him tried as a striker. Pochettino has shown he likes to try players in new positions and Townsend up top is one I've always wondered about. He's quick so he could set off the press, he likes to shoot so this in theory puts him in better positions to do this. For a while last season he was designated penalty taker so he clearly has some coolness in front of goal. He's genuinely two footed also so you'd think that would give him an advantage.
As I said no one will likely agree with me but I think Townsend could be developed into a quick Vardy/Bellemy style pest of a forward far easier than he could a creative midfielder.
Lighty64
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With the news on Mason
FA cup...
Lloris
----Trippier--------Toby-------Wimmer-------Rose
----Dier--------------- Bentaleb
-----------Lamela---Onomah---Son----------
Chadli
Vorm, Davis, CCV, Carroll, Alli, Eriksen, Kane
I have put Chadli as lone striker, as his closing down, chasing back is something that struggles, so use him as a striker and see if he could play that role if we never got a striker in, in this window----Trippier--------Toby-------Wimmer-------Rose
----Dier--------------- Bentaleb
-----------Lamela---Onomah---Son----------
Chadli
Vorm, Davis, CCV, Carroll, Alli, Eriksen, Kane
Prem...Lloris
Walker------Toby-------Verts-------Davies----
Dier---------- Alli
-----------Lamela---Eriksen---Son----------
Kane
Vorm, Trippier, Rose, Bentaleb, , Carroll, Onomah, Chadli
Walker------Toby-------Verts-------Davies----
Dier---------- Alli
-----------Lamela---Eriksen---Son----------
Kane
Vorm, Trippier, Rose, Bentaleb, , Carroll, Onomah, Chadli
Mr Pink
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What news on Mason?
Lighty64
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rabbikeane
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Lloris (c)
Trippier - Alderweireld - Wimmer - Rose
Alli - Bentaleb
Lamela - Carroll - Chadli
Son
subs.
Vorm, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Winks, Onomah, Kane
FA CUP team
I would play Kane on Sunday and then assess the situation after that. I mean the full backs can be swapped if needed, I don't think there is much to choose between them. I think Toby and Verts can play no problem, I feel like Dier, Lamela have to play. We could always start with Kane and if we get a couple of goals up then take him off. I know Poch said he's happy with his forward options but I am not, really. If I was going to not start with Kane, like yourself I would prefer Chadil upfront to Son for some reason, even though Son is a better player.
Shadydan
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- Jul 7, 2012
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Mullers, Kane was absolutely flagging last Sunday against Everton from minute 60, he needs a rest. I know you think highly of the FA cup and so do I but we need to rest him and allow other players to come in otherwise he will suffer burn out. We play Leicester again 3 days later where he needs to come in as that game is a 6 pointer. I agree with you about the Centre backs but I think Wimmer needs to come in and replace either.
