Good job we were playing to show the world that not all clubs in England are **** in Europe (including those in the CL)
Very true, Gonz. The smell of fear has been palpable for a while now! I have to say that the starting selection last night baffled me a bit. Carroll? Up against one of the best midfields in Europe?? I thought we were taking this seriously! Obviously M.P. Knows more about the players individually. Who needs a rest, who's carrying a minor injury etc. So, I haven't lost any faith in him. He's done a great job so far, but yes, made selection mistakes last night. If he's given the resources in summer, I think we will strengthen further.
It was disappointing, that's all. Nothing more than that. It goes to show just how tough the Europa League is, when you get down to the last 16.
Interesting point. Why take Europa seriously v fiorentina and not take cup seriously v palace. Surely better to drop Europa and take cup seriously ?
Last nights line-up made a mockery of Poch's decision to rest players in the FA Cup game against Palace in preparation for the EL game against Fiorentina. I understand choosing the PL over the EL and EL over the FA Cup, but why risk going out of the FA Cup if you don't plan on taking the EL seriously later on?
That is a fair question, and one some of our posters posed last night. I can only assume the physical condition of some of our players has worsened since Fiorentina and so the situation is now different. In hindsight, the FA Cup would have been a better option to concentrate on. Or maybe he realised that Dortmund were just too good for us - they were magnificent last night. Can't see any team in the Europa being able to stop them frankly.
The game was lost in the midfield, as is so often the case. We badly missed Alli. But, as I've said, I don't understand some of the selections. Carroll & Onomah particularly, looked way out of their depth against a side like that.
My belief is that Poch has sacrificed both the FA Cup and Europa League in order to ensure top 4 in the EPL. It's the only way to make sense of his recent decisions.
Teddy, you will know better than most that it only takes an injury to one or two of our key players and we could blow top 4. We've still got some tough games to play, and we're already without Vertonghen, with a couple of niggles to other players, such as Alli, Dembele and Kane. All of these players are key to us. The alternative is to believe that a man who has completely transformed out club has suddenly lost it! Only a complete imbecile would not give Poch the benefit of the doubt. Obviously, Pixie never does.
I don't think he's lost it, I think he's bottled it. There was no reason as to why you couldn't have gone for both. Poch playing a reserve team completely shot my argument with Fossy yesterday where I claimed Spurs were better placed to cope with both domestic and european football considering their experience in recent years. Last nights selection suggests not.
