We've qualified, topped the group but let's not play for a draw eh? Good news - Varane is back. Looks like a number of changes by Ralf tonight. Cavani and Shaw may start. DVB and Henderson are very likely to. Whoever we put out, we really should be going out to win this. 3 home wins in a row... woohoo! Keep this next bit for posterity... play Fred and keep his good form / development under Ralf, going! 4-2-2-2 again? ‐-----------------Henderson Dalot------Varane----Maguire-----Shaw ---------------DVB---------Fred --------Greenwood-------Lingard ------------Cavani--------Martial ?
I thought Varane and Cavani weren't quite there? If they are ready though, be a good way to get them up to match fitness. Suspect Matic will play a part, possibly instead of Fred.
Skysports saying they both trained yesterday. I think last week Carrick said Arsenal game was just a little too soon for Varane and would take a few more days or so, which kind of ties in here.
Worth a run out then, but nothing too strenuous! How about; ........................................................................Henderson ......................................Varane.......................Maguire............................Bailly........................................................ AWB/Dalot....................................................................................................................................Telles ..................................................Matic......................................................DVDB.............................................................. Greenwood.............................................................................................................................................Sancho/Elanga ..........................................................................Cavani.....................................................................................................
I’m very excited to watch this game to see how the team performs in terms of chemistry. I guess it would be good to see what Shaw can do in comparison to Telles under the new regime.
3 at the back is a good shout. I'd like him to give Martial a start tbh. I still think he may come good on the left under a decent manager.
Just on a separate thing, if Ralf can raise the performance of our midfield with the likes of DVB, Fred, McT then Pogba really isn't needed. However, Pogba himself may want to prove himself and Ralf may get the best out of him as well when he returns.
I like the look of this team, some hungry lads in there with no pressure other than to impress. please log in to view this image Dean Henderson please log in to view this image Wan-Bissaka please log in to view this image Matic please log in to view this image Bailly please log in to view this image Shaw please log in to view this image Van De Beek please log in to view this image Mata please log in to view this image Lingard please log in to view this image Amad Diallo please log in to view this image Greenwood please log in to view this image Elanga SubstitutesSubs: Kovar, Heaton, Savage, Mengi, Hardley, Iqbal, Shoretire
Well well well... Mata, as I live and breathe. He may not have the legs anymore but there's a playmaker of the highest order if ever I've seen one
Should've gone 2 or 3 up. Instead literally give away a stupid goal... after, it has to be said, a very good performance both attack wise and defensively.
And now our defence has suddenly gone into panic mode Past traumas suddenly resurfaced by the looks of it.
Two really good goals in that half, let's hope for two more from us in the second half. Been keeping an eye on Amad all game, the lad has great game intelligence and movement for his age, star in the making with a good coach.
Definitely, but his inexperience showed a bit when he had the chance to score. When you're 6 yards out and cut inside, shooooooooooot ffs! We go 2 up there and it's game over.
He had another chance in a great position but Greenwood decided Mata was better placed or easier to pick out.
I thought that was Lingard's pass to Mata? Suffice to say we've had 3 or 4 clear chances to put this game to bed. At least we look like scoring so if it carries on the same in the second half, we should be winning this.
We're getting pegged back here a bit. Maybe a bit of experience is needed. Or a few players who've played together
Now that Chelsea finished second, it looks a very good thing to have finished first. PSG and Atletico aside, the rest are very beatable. Chelsea must be kicking themslves.
