You are correct that it sends a message in Europe. I will have to disagree on the psychological result. Whether we had that boost or not (i generally agree wins and form at important than rest although we still rest in the cups, so you're damned if you do or don't if you lose your next game) ,we lost against City so the boost obviously wasn't an important enough factor. CL might be a priority but its not at the do or die stage imo. The big clubs still coast this stage although to be fair we are in the group of death. Not necessarily disagreeing with going for the win and first team against madrid, just that this game was not half as important compared to the City game imo.
And just about enough time to get them down your gob before things kicked off !!! Different times. I certainly don't miss the rucks but the atmosphere on the shed was brill !
Disagree. We are 6 points off the top with 31 games left, which can easily be clawed back. We have played 4 of last seasons top 6 in our opening 7 games, plus the 2015 champions. Had it not been for our opening day brain fart against Burnley, we would be 3rd, only 3 points from the top. After 5 games last season we were in a similar situation after back to back losses against Liverpool and Arsenal. With the Champions League, you have only 6 group games, points dropped in a CL group are much more valuable.
We know in such a tight run premier league with your rival, those 6 points (3 for us, 3 less for City) could decide the title. The points in the CL don't amount to anything as long as you qualify and typically 10 points (another 2 wins and a draw) would have seen us through. You can afford to lose the next 2 and win the next 3 and we'd make it through in the CL (situation prior to beating Madrid). In fact i bet you that we will be qualified without the last 2 games being played and then at that point 2 of the games are absolutely meaningless
Yeah possibly. And I suppose finishing top of the group doesn't always help. But then we are making the assumption that playing in the Atletico game caused Morata's injury. Which is an assumption.
It's probably true re qualification. But most people will look at our group and surmise that whoever does best in the head to heads between us an AM will probably top the group. Could be crucial come last 16 draw. Arsenal often finish runners up in their group and then always get Bayern or Barca!
But we could win the group and end up with PSG in the next round, which has happened to us the last two times we have been in the competition!
You're taking what i've said out of context. I haven't said whether i would have played the first team or not. I've just said that a CL group match is no where near the importance of a prem league match against a title rivalling team
I thought you were saying that to justify leaving Morata out of the team. To me, regardless of which is more important, a player should be able to play two games in a week in September, only 6 games in to a season! If he is suffering from burnout already then that's on the player to get his fitness sorted.
Traditionally Atletico don't smash their groups either so i'm doubtful they'll finish above us. As for finishing first or 2nd in the group, looking at most of the groups theres 2 strong teams in most groups so i'd say it's pretty much down to the luck of the draw anyway.
It's okay, you can't help not absorbing all of my football knowledge . He probably should get his fitness sorted if he can't handle that but whilst i'm no expert on footballers physiology pretty sure contes moaning suggests that playing so many games in such a short space of time was key to him coming off and feeling a tweek. Not saying conte could have anticipated what a weak sauce he is
true. Just hoping we give ourselves a chance to get whoever comes runners up in United's group....as they always draw pub teams in the group stages
I think you are both right in your assessments but maybe on the wrong tack? Morata should definitely have played both games, absolutely no doubt in my mind. Burnout at this stage?? Not a chance. His injury against City was just that, an injury, he could have slipped on the front steps and got an injury. Like it or not we have to get on in both comps, plus the FA, plus the other Cup whatever its called this year, with the squad we have. That our squad is too small and too weak was suspected by pretty much everyone except our recruiters. Now they know it as well. Starting from the premise that we are neither weaker nor stronger than last year, we cannot think we were going to repeat last years PL form with CL games to play as well this year? Maybe, just maybe, if Drinkwater proves a solid and reliable player, if Bakayoko keeps improving and if Morata, Hazard and Kante stay fit or ,if a miracle occurs and Michy ever becomes the player we thought we'd bought, then we should be able to have a decent shot at at least the CL semis, and finish in the top 4, even make a nuisance of our selves and fight for top 2. I'd write off the FA and the other dopey Cup and concentrate on the PL and CL. Time for some pragmatism, but definitely not time to start slashing wrists and berating players.
That doesn't always work out though does it. last year Poncetto played a weakened team against KAA Gent because they were playing Chelsea on their return and we all know that didn't work out for them. A manager's role is to take the game at hand especially as he has probably be instructed from above to make Europe a priority. I can't honestly believe some of the comment's here as we all knew success in winning the title was always going to put stress on our squad with the extra games especially on return from abroad. We just have to get on with it, we wont be the only top team City roll over this year.
Wow.. It is not like City defeated comprehensively. We were awful and Cescy was kissing KDB shadow well. Mistake we could should have avoided. Ours was spineless directionless performance. That is the worrying part. Not defeat by City.
Now then, Kante is injured. We are officially fcuked!! Kiss Top 4 good bye. Hey atleast Palace will be 2nd worst ever behind Manutd come next weekend.
Stan, calm down! We are SEVEN games into the season. We’re doing alright. Injuries happen but we deal with it and move on.
This time last season we'd lost to Arsenal away and been beaten at home by Liverpool. I trudged off from the Liverpool game thinking we'd be very lucky to finish in the top six, then came the 13 match winning run and we won the league. One thing is for sure, we have a gifted manager and coaching team to see us through.
Exactly my point. Last season this time, Cescy was made officially surplus. Now he is the mainstay and add in Europe as well. We have no hope. We cannot expect that 13 match streak. I will believe if Conte listens to us and sits Cescy!!
Give it a rest Stan ffs! We get your point that you dislike him despite having the most assists last year.
