Next few days a real test for Rafa

[David Hodgson]

Just thinking about how quickly the next two games come on top of last night's and how Rafa will treat them given the experiences of this 'difficult' campaign.

 

The traditional Rafa approach to a fixture pile-up is to effectively choose his 11s in advance of the cluster of games, so that all required in the squad are properly rotated to achieve maximum physical capacity for the team. Ordinarily he wouldn't consider a line up for Lille without having more than half an eye on the Old Trafford fixture 3 days later.

 

Now, are things different ? There's a view that says that we have to sacrifice perfect calibrating of energy levels for the pyschological benefits that may accrue from continuity. Let's take Babel and Aquilani, for example: Rafa-logic says that they haven't played enough to have the fitness to handle this run of games, and in any case they may not be tactically right for all 3 games. A more than reasonable approach, but I'd like Rafa to go 'sod it, we've been a mentally broken team for much of this season, and last night we finally turned a corner, in our minds at least. We need to hold on to the feeling achieved yesterday, and that can only be done by risking the same 11 again. Make those players believe that in tandem they are the key to re-awakening our season. Even if they tire, confidence and adrenalin will get them through'.

 

He surprised us all last night by ditching Lucas and Kuyt and I think having the courage to do it again could be a defining moment for him.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

one game at a time - go for Lille like yesterday, worry about the Mancs in turn. Vidic will have started his insomnia after watching last night, so he'll be knackered

[Marvin]

Last night was really positive and we need to take that forward. However I don't believe he can simply play the same team against Lille and again on Sunday. Some rotation will be necessary.

[John am Rhein]

courage is just another word for stupidity

[Cobs]

courage is just another word for stupidity

 

 

took a lot of courage for you to say that

[johngibo YPC]

I think we'd all like to see the same team on Thursday bar Kuyt or Yossi for Maxi

But what team he picks on Sunday is largely dependent on what happens on Thursday as much as anything else. Especially in terms of Aquilani and Babel

[smithdown]

I don't think he can mess with that middle three and keep his job. If Lucas starts again he could blow it.

[Rich Gobey]

The side that destroyed the Mancs last year had lucas, Riera and Kuyt in it...

[Hassony]

If he doesn't start Pacheco in place of Maxi than he should be sacked on the spot

[Frosty Jack]

I don't think he can mess with that middle three and keep his job. If Lucas starts again he could blow it.

 

The side that destroyed the Mancs last year had lucas, Riera and Kuyt in it...

 

And at home this season.

 

If he doesn't start Pacheco in place of Maxi than he should be sacked on the spot

 

Deported

[smithdown]

If he drops Aquilani for Lucas we will have to win. He'll be gambling fourth place f*ckin big style. I really really hope he doesn't.

[Hassony]

If he drops Aquilani for Lucas we will have to win. He'll be gambling fourth place f*ckin big style. I really really hope he doesn't.

 

 

what if he plays aquilani and we lose 4-0 with Aquilani having a stinker?

 

I think whatever side he playes we need to get something out of the game

[smithdown]

I think we might go there and split their kipper with Aquilani in the game. We'll create more chances than them and score more goals.

[sean]

I think we might go there and split their kipper with Aquilani in the game. We'll create more chances than them and score more goals.

 

 

I'm having some this Smithdown!!!

[Epic Swindle]

Lets just keep a winning side and put some trust in the players. Picking a defensive line up after last night just sends out the wrong mentality. I don't think the mancs are in top form despite their lofty position and we can get at them.

[John am Rhein]

 

took a lot of courage for you to say that

 

it would have been stupid not to

[David Hodgson]

courage is just another word for stupidity

 

So it would be stupid to leave Lucas and Kuyt out for another match ?

 

If he doesn't start Pacheco in place of Maxi than he should be sacked on the spot

 

He should be sacked for presiding over one of our s***test seasons in living memory, but play like we did last night for the next dozen games and redemption may just be at hand.

[johngibo YPC]

Still think we should wait and see what happens against Lille before we are picking a side for Man U

[Hassony]

 

 

He should be sacked for presiding over one of our s***test seasons in living memory, but play like we did last night for the next dozen games and redemption may just be at hand.

 

Hopefully he'll be brave enough to go for it like we did last season when we averaged over three goals a game at the end, will be the only thing that might save his job

 

I know it was only Pompey, but it was weird actually enjoying watching us play

[Berger]

Still think we should wait and see what happens against Lille before we are picking a side for Man U

Yes, a game at a time approach. Win the first game first only think about the next game.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

The Mancs don't like it at them. Teams who play too cautious against them are setting themselves up for disaster. It needs Masch to do a job on Rooney.

 

Anyway, f*** them, Lille first

[CarraLegend]

Just get through Lille and see what happens. I've given up on getting anything at Old Trafford after seeing Howard Webb is reffing so not arsed what team we play.

 

The man who's turned down about 15 stone wall pens for us this season and handed Man Utd the title last season when they were being completely outclassed by Tottenham.

Edited March 16, 2010 by CarraLegend

[David Hodgson]

Hopefully he'll be brave enough to go for it like we did last season when we averaged over three goals a game at the end, will be the only thing that might save his job

 

I know it was only Pompey, but it was weird actually enjoying watching us play

 

It was a strangely uplifting experience. It actually shown how far we'd fallen in many respects. You could suddenly see again what major talent we have at our disposal. it's a crying shame that we're not still in the CL as we definitely have the players to win it. I wonder if the defining moment of our season wasn't when Lyon equalised Babel's goal and it dawned on the players that we were not a CL side any more (at least for this season). For a team that defined itself as a European power in recent times it must have been a devastating psychological blow.

 

Just get through Lille and see what happens. I've given up on getting anything at Old Trafford after seeing Howard Webb is reffing so not arsed what team we play.

 

The man who's turned down about 15 stone wall pens for us this season and handed Man Utd the title last season when they were being completely outclassed by Tottenham.

 

I agree it should be same again for Lille, win that and then see who's still fit enough to face the Mancs. The old 'one game at a time' adage has to apply.

[goose island]

Just get through Lille and see what happens. I've given up on getting anything at Old Trafford after seeing Howard Webb is reffing so not arsed what team we play.

 

The man who's turned down about 15 stone wall pens for us this season and handed Man Utd the title last season when they were being completely outclassed by Tottenham.

 

 

that's a shame.

 

too preoccupied by Lille to give much thought to Sunday at the minute though. the whole tie has a Benfica 2006 feel about it for me.

[CarraLegend]

Lille is gonna be a pain in the a***, we could be nearly out after 5 mins, all it takes is a fluke goal, non existant penalty and we're in deep s****. Then again we do love doing it the hard way.

 

I thought they were very very average in France so if we play well we should get through.