Rival watch

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BrunelGooner said:
Genuine question(s) - I've just realised you're playing Inter Milan on Wednesday and the outcome of that game will have huge ramifications on whether you progress to the KO stages or whether you drop down to join your wonderful north London neighbours in the Europa <smooch>. How strong a team will Poch field on Wednesday? And do you think (potential) fatigue from this game would affect you in the NLD on Sunday? Baring in mind that we will (if Emery has any common sense whatsoever) rest all our first team players and field the youngsters/fringe players in Ukraine on Thursday.

I'm just thinking, depending on how much the game on Wednesday takes out of you, stamina could be a decisive factor in the NLD. Especially in the last 20 minutes or so. Inter don't play with a high intensity of course, but they've won 8 of their last 9 league matches, and got a solid result at home to Barcelona in their last CL outing. So they're obviously no mugs.

Would be interesting to see how Pochettino manages your players in midweek.
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They do... kinda. If it's anything like our first game it won't be too tough to play through though, we were pretty comfortable until we cocked it all up at the end. Maybe they'll be more reserved seeing as they're away and only needing a draw, I don't know.

It'll be largely the same team as Saturday with maybe Winks, or Jan if he's fit, coming in. I don't think playing Wednesday/Sunday is a big issue though, unless it's a particularly frantic game.
 
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BrunelGooner said:
Ukraine.

I ****ing hate the Europa League so ****ing much! <laugh> You're facing absolute dross up until the quarter final stages. Although I suppose we have a better chance of winning it than most, so beggars can't be choosers. And I guess it's an opportunity to blood some of the youth prospects.

Still though. Really can't wait until we're back in the CL. Everything about it is so much better than this absolute turd of a competition.
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Sad to say but I think you will make the CL along with us, Liverpool and City. I've forgotten what it's like being in the Europa.
 
D.G.C. said:
Sad to say but I think you will make the CL along with us, Liverpool and City. I've forgotten what it's like being in the Europa.
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Not sure if we'll get top 4, I think we may well have to do it through the Europa League depending on how we manage the squad come February time when the fixtures come thick and fast.

Man United are a lot cause, but I'm surprised you think Chelsea won't make it. I know you bossed them at Wembley, but that was their first loss of the season. And it was against top quality opposition. They've (more or less) beaten all the other sides they're supposed to. We'll have to see whether Hazard's form dips or if he makes any more noises about leaving, coupled with Morata/Giroud finding their shooting boots as soon as possible. Wouldn't surprise me if they try to bring a striker in January, though. So I wouldn't rule Chelsea out at all.
 
BrunelGooner said:
Wouldn't surprise me if they try to bring a striker in January, though. So I wouldn't rule Chelsea out at all.
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I'll be shocked if they don't.
Morata spends more time offside than Inzaghi did and he's nowhere near as dangerous.
Why Sarri persists with him over Giroud is beyond me, despite the Frenchman not being entirely suited to Sarriball.
 
PleaseNotPoll said:
I'll be shocked if they don't.
Morata spends more time offside than Inzaghi did and he's nowhere near as dangerous.
Why Sarri persists with him over Giroud is beyond me, despite the Frenchman not being entirely suited to Sarriball.
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Abramovich hasn't been as keen in spending big in the transfer market as he has done previously. Not sure what the reason for that is, but it's telling that they went into this season with Giroud and Morata as their striking options, whilst loaning out Batshuayi, when everyone knows all of those options aren't good enough to be first-choice.

Giroud at Chelsea will suffer similar problems to what he had at Arsenal. His lack of movement and inability to get beyond defenders doesn't suit a possession based Chelsea team who want to play expansive football, rather than go direct. He can hold the ball up well and will win aerial battles, but he seldom gets into good positions in the box. His goalscoring record for Chelsea reflects that. He did ok when he came on as an impact sub vs you lot, but is he reliable to start every week? The answer is obviously no.

I'm not sure who they will look to bring in January, as no club would be willing to let go of their strikers midway through the season. Falcao loan again perhaps?
 
BrunelGooner said:
Abramovich hasn't been as keen in spending big in the transfer market as he has done previously. Not sure what the reason for that is, but it's telling that they went into this season with Giroud and Morata as their striking options, whilst loaning out Batshuayi, when everyone knows all of those options aren't good enough to be first-choice.

Giroud at Chelsea will suffer similar problems to what he had at Arsenal. His lack of movement and inability to get beyond defenders doesn't suit a possession based Chelsea team who want to play expansive football, rather than go direct. He can hold the ball up well and will win aerial battles, but he seldom gets into good positions in the box. His goalscoring record for Chelsea reflects that. He did ok when he came on as an impact sub, but is he reliable to start every week? The answer is obviously no.

I'm not sure who they will look to bring in January, as no club would be willing to let go of their strikers midway through the season. Falcao loan again perhaps?
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They'll probably offload Morata and look to bring in someone more suited, even if that player's out of favour at his current club.
Sarri may look back to Italy, as he's bound to be familiar with a few players there that could do a decent job.
What's Balotelli up to at Nice? <whistle>
 
"Thanks for that Brian" said:
Stunning opening goal for Maxwel Cornet against Citeh.
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Only for Laporte to equalise shortly after!

I hope people realise that, as amazing as Man City are, they aren't invincible.

They lost 2-1 at home to Lyon and are lucky to even be drawing with them right now, as the French side missed 2 sitters and hit the woodwork in the first-half.

They're actually competing with Man City. Giving them as good as they get it.

This is (partially) the difference with foreign sides, in my opinion. They don't have the same mentality that the domestic teams have. They play with no fear.

Also, that Ndombele looks one hell of a player. So powerful and energetic.
 
BrunelGooner said:
Only for Laporte to equalise shortly after!

I hope people realise that, as amazing as Man City are, they aren't invincible.

They lost 2-1 at home to Lyon and are lucky to even be drawing with them right now, as the French side missed 2 sitters and hit the woodwork in the first-half.

They're actually competing with Man City. Giving them as good as they get it.

This is (partially) the difference with foreign sides, in my opinion. They don't have the same mentality that the domestic teams have. They play with no fear.

Also, that Ndombele looks one hell of a player. So powerful and energetic.
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2-1 - Double cornet. Does pep want a flake with that?
 
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BrunelGooner said:
Irrespective of the outcome of this match, it'd come as no surprise if Man City come unstuck in Europe again.
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For all the smoke that gets blown up his arse in England for winning the league, the CL becomes a cup competition where having 25 players who cost £50m+ isn't such an advantage and having a proper defence is.
 
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