How do we approach the last 2 league games?

[alias75]

4th place secure, the difference between 3rd and 4th is only financial but with the final to look forward to how do we approach the last 2 league games?

 

We dont need to risk injury to any key players but we also want our players to maintain their sharpness for the final, i reckon we'll play mainly reserves and 1 or 2 youngsters, should the 11 that are likely to start the final not play again until the final?

 

There was the same debate before the Chelsea game and i think Rafa got it right, as we saw Chelsea lost Carvalho who is a key player (it also meant Essien had to play out of position) we dont need to take the same risk. The question is can the players maintain their sharpness at Melwood?

 

So id like to see the players that played against Pompey last week plus Kewell and maybe 1 or 2 from the youth cup side given a chance in the last 2 league games. And let the likely starters for the final rest and train and get ready for the final.

[psl]

I don't think it would be a good idea for the first 11 not to play again until 23 May. Reckon most will play against Charlton.

[DonRafa]

By coach? by plane?

[alias75]

It is a tough one and Charlton could be fighting for their PL life in that game we dont want to risk injury to any key player when we dont need to. Keeping them sharp is going to be Rafas main job but at the end of a long season (coming off the back of a world cup) i think freshness is much more important. Im sure some of those that will start in the final will figure in 1 of the 2 league games we have left but i think our real key players like Reina, Carragher, Gerrard shouldnt play and risk an injury.

[JonShar]

It is a tough one and Charlton could be fighting for their PL life in that game we dont want to risk injury to any key player when we dont need to. Keeping them sharp is going to be Rafas main job but at the end of a long season (coming off the back of a world cup) i think freshness is much more important. Im sure some of those that will start in the final will figure in 1 of the 2 league games we have left but i think our real key players like Reina, Carragher, Gerrard shouldnt play and risk an injury.

 

Have you seen Charlton this year? They couldn't tackle a fish dinner. I'd be surprised if their kit lady has had to get any soil stains out of their kit either.

[Zoob]

There's a 10 day gap between our last league game, and the final. Obvioulsy we don't want key players to get injured, but it would be pretty risky to approach a final with the majority of our first team not having played in 2-3 weeks.

 

Think against Fulham we'll rest players (the other teams fighting relegation are just gonna love that...), but play a strong team against Charlton.

[Mr Makaveli]

get Kewell as fit as possible and also play fowler for 180 mins.. I honestly think he is more valuable than 99% of us think he is...

 

Im sure Rafa will use those 2 games to test possible teams for the milan game though... sure against a totally differen side but he can still watch and pick holes in the side.. he is a man of small details.

 

Maybe dudek might get one game but id not give him 2. Not that i dont liek him but Reina needs to stay fresh and on this brilliant form he is on.

 

its an interesting situation. 2 league games and then a huge huge game aginst a very good team with some aging players but also a team with kaka..

 

how do you prepare for Kaka?

[Nebraska Red]

to be fair to all the other teams in the relegation dogfight, we shud be putting out a strong team this Saturday at the very least.

 

if all the relegation places are sorted by the last weekend, we can take a different stance.

[growler]

lindfield, kewell, gonzo, leto and hobbs.

[Ginu]

get Kewell as fit as possible and also play fowler for 180 mins.. I honestly think he is more valuable than 99% of us think he is...

 

Im sure Rafa will use those 2 games to test possible teams for the milan game though... sure against a totally differen side but he can still watch and pick holes in the side.. he is a man of small details.

 

Maybe dudek might get one game but id not give him 2. Not that i dont liek him but Reina needs to stay fresh and on this brilliant form he is on.

 

its an interesting situation. 2 league games and then a huge huge game aginst a very good team with some aging players but also a team with kaka..

 

how do you prepare for Kaka?

 

Mascherano

[KD07]

With sense and sensibility.

[BDB]

I'd like to see El Zhar get a run out!

[RafaShanks]

I'd leave Stevie and Carra on the bench for both the games.

 

I'd like to see Insua start both games at LB and who knows, he could even make the bench for Athens, depending on how he gets on.

 

Kewell needs a solid work out, so it would be nice seeing him spend as much time on the pitch in both games. Same goes for Bellamy and Fowler.

 

For the Fulham game, give virtually everyone involved a rest (like the Pompey line up) and field a stronger team against Charlton.

 

The relegation battle isn't our problem, even though this doesn't help Charlton, who could be fecked anyway by then.

Edited May 4, 2007 by RafaShanks

[Mike]

M1 then queens drive.

[Gilps]

lindfield, kewell, gonzo, leto and hobbs.

 

I'd give Voronin a run out too.

[Herbie von Smalls]

play momo!

[RafaShanks]

I'd give Voronin a run out too.

 

What about Raul, Villa, Eto'o, Huntelaar and Henry?

[Rich Gobey]

lindfield, kewell, gonzo, leto and hobbs.

 

Might be a good time to give Alves and Torres their premiership 'bows' too!

[Stevie H]

team for tomorrow:

 

reina

 

arbeloa carragher hyypia insua

 

pennant sissoko mascherano gonzalez

 

crouch bellamy

[Alonso]

team for tomorrow:

 

reina

 

arbeloa carragher hyypia insua

 

pennant sissoko mascherano gonzalez

 

crouch bellamy

Paletta for Carragher, Alonso for Mascherano and Fowler for Crouch. Kewell to make an appearance off the bench.

[IgPig]

I'd play that Italian reserve keeper whose name I can't remember.

[cymrococh]

Padelli, apparently Sampdoria are over to have a look at him.

[Alonso]

I'd play that Italian reserve keeper whose name I can't remember.

Padelli. Wouldn't be a bad decision if he's gonna be no 2 next season.

 

As for the last game of the season I'd go as near full strength as possible to keep them match sharp. One thing I'd definitely do is give Kewell as close to 90 minutes as possible.

[crisps]

- - - - - -padelli - - - - - -

finnan - hyypia - arbeloa - insua

pennant - sissoko - zenden - kewell

- - - - fowler - lindfield - - - - -

 

dudek

paletta

riise

bellamy

alonso

[IgPig]

He's in his early twenties isn't he, and I believe has been doing well in the ressies, so he might as well get a game now when there's nothing riding on it.

Edited May 4, 2007 by Post Kuytal Glow