Swansea (again) Monday 8pm

[growler]

Just realised next game is Swansea again. How did that happen? Didn’t we just play them?

[McBain]

There's always a short turnaround between an Xmas fixture and it's counterpart

 

All the games played on Boxing Day are repeated this weekend

[Jonesy]

Just realised next game is Swansea again. How did that happen? Didn’t we just play them?

 

boxing day. tends to happen these days though. that tricky fixture generator has a lot to answer for. 

anyway we're winning this. 

[sutty]

Outside of the pain in the arsedness of the Monday night, its quite good to have the extra rest post city. 

[Hightown Phil]

Outside of the pain in the arsedness of the Monday night, its quite good to have the extra rest post city.

It livens up what would be an otherwise mundane Monday.

 

I suggest we play every Monday.

[sutty]

It livens up what would be an otherwise mundane Monday.

 

I suggest we play every Monday.

Not helpful for me that, s***bag. 

[growler]

I prefer points in the bag early, rather than having context to our game. We don’t do well as a team or fans under pressure.

[Case]

They played last night too.

 

I'd play Lallana in this with Ox and Can behind.

 

Solanke too, possibly.

[Big Red Machine]

I prefer points in the bag early, rather than having context to our game. We don’t do well as a team or fans under pressure.

 

And it wouldn't be a surprise whatsoever if the rest of the top 6 had all won before we play.

[Conrad]

They played last night too.

 

I'd play Lallana in this with Ox and Can behind.

 

Solanke too, possibly.

why would you start Solanke? the players have had 8 days since the last game. Pick the strongest available team.

[Case]

Because Solanke is good enough to play in this game. If he isn't, why have him at all?

[RP]

I prefer points in the bag early, rather than having context to our game. We don’t do well as a team or fans under pressure.

 

 

What evidence is there of the team not doing well under pressure (of playing on a Monday night)?

 

And how does "fans not doing well under pressure" manifest itself exactly? I'm really interested in that one.

[Hassony]

Because Solanke is good enough to play in this game. If he isn't, why have him at all?

Good question, he's nowhere near being good enough atm

[Gethin]

Pick the strongest available team.

 

This. 

 

Our next few games are all pretty well spaced out - and even the midweek games stack up as well as can be expected.

 

Spurs home game is a good example - we play Huddersfield on the Tuesday, they've got Man Utd on the Wednesday which they'll have to go full strength for 

Edited January 18, 2018 by Gethin

[Red Yoda]

full strength, look to dominate and hopefully rest a few later in the game.

[magneto]

Bony and Ayew will be their threats upfront. Never easy when going there.

[Cobs]

Because Solanke is good enough to play in this game. If he isn't, why have him at all?

 

play him in the Cup next Saturday night

 

we've a League Game on the Tuesday after away to Huddersfield when we should be at full strength again

[Case]

Ay, maybe. It's difficult to know if players will ever be good enough sat on their a*** though. Putting him in against Swansea with strength all around him isn't going to automatically doom us to defeat.

 

But yes, had forgotten the Cup game

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

play him in the Cup next Saturday night

 

we've a League Game on the Tuesday after away to Huddersfield when we should be at full strength again

 

run of games coming up now - so will need the rotation 

 

22 Mon - Swansea (A)

27 Sat - WBA (Cup)

30 Tues - Huddersfield (H)

4 Sun - Spurs (H)

11 Sun - Southampton (A)

14 Weds - Porto (A)

 

Then it's the f***ing international break

[Conrad]

Because Solanke is good enough to play in this game. If he isn't, why have him at all?

as back up if we have fixture congestion/injuries?

Good question, he's nowhere near being good enough atm

plus there's this

play him in the Cup next Saturday night

 

we've a League Game on the Tuesday after away to Huddersfield when we should be at full strength again

yep

Ay, maybe. It's difficult to know if players will ever be good enough sat on their a*** though. Putting him in against Swansea with strength all around him isn't going to automatically doom us to defeat.

 

don't think anyone is saying it will

 

but we need 3 points against swansea. its a big game. the players have had plenty of time. go full strength. plus also he hasn't looked all that great so far.

[The_Adder]

Same team as City but with VVD in for Lovren.

 

And that Olbak lad in nets, obviously.

[LicK]

Because Solanke is good enough to play in this game. If he isn't, why have him at all?

There's no sign that he is, yet. Better to give him 30 minutes when the game is won and the pressure's off, ideally.

[Jarg Armani]

Maybe solanke will get his goal on Monday.

 

Maybe Gini too.

[Alonso]

Apparently no salah in the training pictures today. Neither were klavan or lovren but far less of an issue! Vvd back training though

[Swipe]

Vvd set to return says the echo. Moreno available again too.