3 games in a week including tough ones against Arsenal and Liverpool, maybe too many for Stephens , plus Puel may wish to see Caraces ahead of deciding whether to offer contract in summer. Cedric, Tadic, Gabbiadini not in the squad at all. If unavailable there's not so many other lineups they could have gone with. 'Ridiculous' is an over-reaction
I get Stephens but Gabbiadini travelled! And he's not in the squad! Either leave him at home or at least put him on the bench!
I was actually interested in seeing a change back to the diamond, as we created chances in that formation back in the 1st part of the year, but i wanted it to be with Gabbiadini putting them away...
From the bench, yes. I don't understand that. But I have no issue them being excluded from the XI. Trying something different. Good to see Clasie back (I don't understand what he's done wrong). Good to see Caceres finally being given a game (although the wrong CB has made way, in my view). Good to see a team without Davis in it. And potentially good to see two up front, if that is how we line-up; there is the risk that either Long or Jay get shoved out wide. I want to see this as Puel deciding to give things a real shake-up, in the knowledge that it is a risk and could back fire and turn into him leaving the club in a blaze of glory. That's balls. But based on earlier this season, it is probably just his usual rotational policy, and the side will be back to normal in midweek.
I was going to! But then my gf's parents are coming down from London, so passed. If Puel is saying **** it because he is leaving would be a little funny though.
I actually think that team looks alright. Fair play for mixing it up - because it was stale as hell before. No doubt there'll be the standard over-reaction from some, though.
Certainly going to be interesting. We know full well that CP can't win, whatever he does though. If we lose, the Facebook page will actually catch fire.
