2nd string against Chelsea? Or do we risk more tiredness

Adamsk7

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Think we need a mixture tomorrow, a balance. I was all for us “throwing” this game because the West Ham game was more important but now City are out, this is a very good chance at silverware.
I don’t think playing Romero weakens us much, and we know Williams will be relatively fresh after his injury and less game time. I’d go with Maguire and Bailly and I would stick with AWB at right back.
in to midfield, Pogba and Bruno look REALLY leggy to me so I’d probably go with a midfield three of Matic, Fred and one of them, with the other playing the second half. A front three of Rashford, Martial and Greenwood (he only played a half last game) is the only way I’d feel confident in attack so they will have to play.

I do think a full second string would give Chelsea a game, we just wouldn’t have much cutting edge. I don’t envy Ole with this decision.
 

Berbaclass

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Whats your XI?
I think we would be silly to prioritize the Cup over the last two league games so I would go with:

Romero, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, TFM, Fred, Scott, James, Mata, Lingard, Ighalo

Fairly poor team but I don't want think the risk is justifiable

If it's a close game bring in Martial/Bruno/Rashford/Pogba later.

Edit: I might keep DDG in there too. 50/50 on that one...
 

Møllemanden

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It's advantage Chelsea when it comes to restitution time. But they have to play Liverpool and Wolves in their final must win PL games.

If I had to pick the starting lineup, it would look something like this: Romero, Fosu, Bailly, Maguire, Williams, Fred, Matic, McTominay, James, Greenwood and Ighalo.

Keep the big guns on the bench and introduce them if necessary. I love the FA cup, but right now it's not the most important priority.
 

Berbaclass

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It's advantage Chelsea when it comes to restitution time. But they have to play Liverpool and Wolves in their final must win PL games.

If I had to pick the starting lineup, it would look something like this: Romero, Fosu, Bailly, Maguire, Williams, Fred, Matic, McTominay, James, Greenwood and Ighalo.

Keep the big guns on the bench and introduce them if necessary. I love the FA cup, but right now it's not the most important priority.
I'd be happy with that Lineup.
 

stubie

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Go for the Cup and Europa, 2 trophies more and still achieve the same as going for 4th.

Celebrating 4th as an achievement is failure when there’s silverware to be won
 

Ronaldo's Mum Eh?

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Playing our best team still doesn't mean we will win the trophy or get to the final. Is it worth the risk to potentially harm our Champions League chances?
We will have an idea by half time of the leicester/spurs game whether our top 4 chances are going to be hurt or not. Would you feel more comfortable if spurs were up by 5 at HT of their game against leicester?
 

Berbaclass

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We will have an idea by half time of the leicester/spurs game whether our top 4 chances are going to be hurt or not. Would you feel more comfortable if spurs were up by 5 at HT of their game against leicester?
In theory yes, but at the same time no because we always seem to fail to capitalize on others' mistakes and also our starting team should be decided before then IMO.
 

Møllemanden

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Celebrating 4th as an achievement is failure when there’s silverware to be won
Agree to disagree. Getting champions league football is more important right now imo. I'd love to win the FA Cup, but in order to attract the best players for next season, CL qualification is way more important.

And just to let you know... Celebrating 4th position as an achievement is not what I want. But right now, that's what we are able to compete for.
 

Berbaclass

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Agree to disagree. Getting champions league football is more important right now imo. I'd love to win the FA Cup, but in order to attract the best players for next season, CL qualification is way more important.

And just to let you know... Celebrating 4th position as an achievement is not what I want. But right now, that's what we are able to compete for.
I'm pretty certain the club will feel like the CL is more important than the FA cup at this current time. No CL has some big knock-on effects potentially with transfers and finances, sponsors etc.
 

Møllemanden

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I'm pretty certain the club will feel like the CL is more important than the FA cup at this current time. No CL has some big knock-on effects potentially with transfers and finances, sponsors etc.
I agree. Let the reserves have a go at the FA Cup. And save the energy for the Premier League. That always has to be top priority.
 

Berbaclass

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I agree. Let the reserves have a go at the FA Cup. And save the energy for the Premier League. That always has to be top priority.
Also if we are trying to get to the next level then consistent CL qualification should be the bare minimum.
 

stubie

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Agree to disagree. Getting champions league football is more important right now imo. I'd love to win the FA Cup, but in order to attract the best players for next season, CL qualification is way more important.

And just to let you know... Celebrating 4th position as an achievement is not what I want. But right now, that's what we are able to compete for.
But winning the Europa ensures CL football

We have a great chance of winning it
 

Møllemanden

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We have a better chance of beating West Ham and Leicester than winning (a now single leg) knockout tournament.
I absolutely agree. There are some good teams left in the Europa League. Not saying we wont be able to win it, but lets keep both CL options open, rather than destroying our players trying to win a semi final in the FA cup.
 

Mr Smith

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It's advantage Chelsea when it comes to restitution time. But they have to play Liverpool and Wolves in their final must win PL games.

If I had to pick the starting lineup, it would look something like this: Romero, Fosu, Bailly, Maguire, Williams, Fred, Matic, McTominay, James, Greenwood and Ighalo.

Keep the big guns on the bench and introduce them if necessary. I love the FA cup, but right now it's not the most important priority.
I would at least be playing one of Pogba/Bruno and one of Rashford/Martial.

I think people massively overestimate Ighalo. He has mostly played in the Europa league and FA cup against inferior opposition. Doubt he'll be effective at all against Chelsea.
 

wolvored

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Its a trophy so we should go out to win it. Against Norwich our second tier struggled and would get mauled by Chelsea. Its no guarantee we beat West Ham or Leicester either with a rested first 11. There will be a couple of goals in MMM. 2-1 Utd
 

LDUred

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I don't get the OP. Chelsea is is a massive game for us against quality opposition at Wembley. I don't understand why some people couldn't be fecked about this semi final, especially with the very real chance of adding to our silverware if we win. And that's forgetting the way in which we have fought to get to the final and come through tests along the way.

West Ham is the game to rest players in, not this one. They are more or less guaranteed they stay in the Premier League. Yes, they are a classic, 'banana skin', side who seem to delight in being the party poopers, but we should be able to beat them while keeping players fresh for Leicester.

Sending out second stringers to get pumped by a full strength Chelsea outfit could damage the whole confidence of the squad.
 

Maluco

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This would be a no brainer if we had any sort of attacking quality in our second tier, but we don’t. Starting the likes of Mata and Lingard is suicide.

Go for...

Romero
AWB
Bailly
Maguire
Williams
McTominey
Fred
Bruno
Greenwood
Ighalo
Rashford

Martial fully rested for West Ham, Ighalo can bully Rudiger/Christiansen. Bring Bruno off for Pogba after 45 minutes and if we get into a lead, can take off Rashford for James and Greenwood for Lingard.

A bad result could knock confidence and rhythm and that could be as fatal as legs that are that bit stretched.

Compete for this and use the 5 subs to our advantage to start 4-5 key players that can then come off.

Chelsea’s defence is bad, it’s a winnable game unless you forsake the attack.
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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Chelsea is up for this game and they would be looking to play with speed and energy and would not want to give us time to think. We need players with energy directness and stamina for this. Bruno has 20 Lungs since his days at sporting and I'd start him. We don't just need his creativity but his energy and directness. Mctominay and Fred are perfect for games like these. Martial is also in the form of his life and I'm sure he wants to play every game at this point. Ole must also not Rob us of the chance to see Greenwood and Martial against Kepa and Chelsea's defense. Our defense right now is shaky though so needs enough protection. I'd start

De Gea
Bailly Maguire TFM
Dalot Mctominay Fred Williams
Bruno
Greenwood Martial​
 

Shark

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I don't get the OP. Chelsea is is a massive game for us against quality opposition at Wembley. I don't understand why some people couldn't be fecked about this semi final, especially with the very real chance of adding to our silverware if we win. And that's forgetting the way in which we have fought to get to the final and come through tests along the way.

West Ham is the game to rest players in, not this one. They are more or less guaranteed they stay in the Premier League. Yes, they are a classic, 'banana skin', side who seem to delight in being the party poopers, but we should be able to beat them while keeping players fresh for Leicester.

Sending out second stringers to get pumped by a full strength Chelsea outfit could damage the whole confidence of the squad.
Your entire post is discredited when you say this.
 

cyril C

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Think we need a mixture tomorrow, a balance. I was all for us “throwing” this game because the West Ham game was more important but now City are out, this is a very good chance at silverware.
I don’t think playing Romero weakens us much, and we know Williams will be relatively fresh after his injury and less game time. I’d go with Maguire and Bailly and I would stick with AWB at right back.
in to midfield, Pogba and Bruno look REALLY leggy to me so I’d probably go with a midfield three of Matic, Fred and one of them, with the other playing the second half. A front three of Rashford, Martial and Greenwood (he only played a half last game) is the only way I’d feel confident in attack so they will have to play.

I do think a full second string would give Chelsea a game, we just wouldn’t have much cutting edge. I don’t envy Ole with this decision.
Almost agree with your assessment except on Ighalo, who deserves game time. Martial can rest and perhaps James in 1st half and Greenword in 2nd.
 

GorgeousGeorge

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Ole will probably not start Inghalo and most likely start with James over Greenwood. I reckon he’s gonna build the team around hitting Chelsea on the counter with speed and also add height for set pieces.

Don’t forget, Kante is injured, he is not sold on Alonso and they have no commanding CB. Lampard’a Derby conceded more goals to fast breaks than any other team in the Championship last season, Chelsea have have also conceded more goals than any other team in the Premier league this season, and they have conceded 12 goals from set pieces (only Villa and Norwich worse in the league).

Our strengths exploit their weaknesses. So I can imagine Ole and the team coming up with something similar.
 

The Brown Bull

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I miss the days when an FA Cup semi final was considered a massive game.
One to be savoured.
Some of my best United memories are from semi finals.
85 against Liverpool and 99 against Arsenal being my favourites.
Sucks getting old.
 

r0663664

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Play the 2nd stringer for god sake. Motivate them and ask them to show their worth wearing this shirt. To some, it will be their last chance to wear this shirt. If they plays like shit, they will be shown the door. If they raise their game then they might still have a chance to stay. CL is the most important as there is a lot of consequences of not making it. Hope Spurs beat Leicester by 3 goals.
 

RedRonaldo

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Let's just rest Bruno, Pogba, Rashford, Martial, and Greenwood, at the very least. These 5 are absolutely crucial for our last 2 league games, let's not risk them in cup competition.
 

The Oracle

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I used to think that having extra rest days compared to the other team, was always an advantage.

I stopped thinking that way in 2003...


Tuesday 25th February 2003

Champions League – second group stage

Juventus 0-3 Man Utd

Man Utd’s best players: Giggs (played 40 minutes) and Van Nistelrooy (played 42 minutes)


Thursday 27th February 2003

UEFA Cup round of 16 – 2nd leg

Liverpool 2-0 Auxerre

Liverpool’s best players: Owen (played 90 minutes) and Gerrard (played 90 minutes)


Sunday 2nd March 2003

League Cup Final

Liverpool (2 x full day’s recovery) v Manchester United (4 x full day’s recovery)

Score: Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United

Note:

10 of the 11 starting players for Liverpool on Thursday, started on Sunday, including Owen and Gerrard.


When it comes to the biggest matches of the season, rest days don’t come into it.

Who wants it more on the day?

Tiredness is NOT an excuse.

Now let’s beat the pensioners!
 

pratyush_utd

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Don't think Martial or Rashford needs rest.

I would go with below team

------------------------Romero-----------------------

--------------Bailly Lindelof Magurie----------
Wiliams---------------------------------------TFM (if AWB is feeling fatigued)

Fred-----------------Matic------------------Scott

------------Rashford-----------Martial

Would give us enough firepower and we can bring on Pogba and Bruno if we need at 60-70 minutes. Greenwood should be rested for this one. He didnt look match fit last match.
 

HailtotheKing

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We have GOT to rest some of our front 5. It's absolute suicide to go with Pogba, Matic and Bruno in all 3 games. And I'd also rest Martial , Rashford and Greenwood in terms of not playing more than a half. If we play our full team today we'll then have a game against West Ham after 2 days rest when they've had 4. Plus we have the travel. Then 4 days later we'll play Leicester who will have had 6 days rest to our 3. Plus not forgetting we'll be starting by playing Chelsea who have had 2 days more rest. So regardless of playing 3 games in 7 days and the cumulative exhaustion that creates , we'll be playing teams who are fresher, thus exhausting us more each game and finally we'll rock up in our must win Leicester game after they've had a full week to prepare while we've crisscrossed the country and played solidly. Nuts. Don't do it Ole! Fred & McTominay + Bruno + James + Martial + Igalo Bring on the others if need be. We have enough go give Chelsea a game without going all out.
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P-Nut

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I'd maybe go full counter attack for this game, Chelsea's defence has been terrible so they'll cough up chances for us regardless.

Rest Bruno and Pogba and play McT and Fred with Lingard (I'd prefer Matic but the press conference makes me think he'll start)

Let James come in for Greenwood and hope the top 3 can bag us a goal on the counter. Back 4 besides AWB haven't looked too tired, possibly Maguire looks a bit leggy, but he never misses a game.
 

Mindhunter

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Even from a pragmatic viewpoint, it makes sense to not throw the game. A cup win for this team will motivate them to achieve higher things next season. They will develop belief in themselves and it will also cement OGS's immediate future with the club. It will me amazing to win the FA Cup this season.

Also, you don't know if we will get 4th place even if we rest all our key players tomorrow so it's not mutually exclusive as some people here are suggesting. We have a real chance to win a trophy by beating a team against whom OGS has a great track record. We should not let this go for waste. If this Chelsea team wins it then they will come out stronger than us next season.
 

TheRedHearted

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This would be a no brainer if we had any sort of attacking quality in our second tier, but we don’t. Starting the likes of Mata and Lingard is suicide.

Go for...

Romero
AWB
Bailly
Maguire
Williams
McTominey
Fred
Bruno
Greenwood
Ighalo
Rashford

Martial fully rested for West Ham, Ighalo can bully Rudiger/Christiansen. Bring Bruno off for Pogba after 45 minutes and if we get into a lead, can take off Rashford for James and Greenwood for Lingard.

A bad result could knock confidence and rhythm and that could be as fatal as legs that are that bit stretched.

Compete for this and use the 5 subs to our advantage to start 4-5 key players that can then come off.

Chelsea’s defence is bad, it’s a winnable game unless you forsake the attack.
Switch Mata for Bruno and Lingard for Rashford and you’re golden.
 

superdry

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I wouldn't water the team down, I'd keep going and build a spirit of togetherness between our best players.... our goals are in sight, defining moments and all that. We'll win every game if we set our minds to it!
 

cptkeane1993

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This would be a no brainer if we had any sort of attacking quality in our second tier, but we don’t. Starting the likes of Mata and Lingard is suicide.

Go for...

Romero
AWB
Bailly
Maguire
Williams
McTominey
Fred
Bruno
Greenwood
Ighalo
Rashford

Martial fully rested for West Ham, Ighalo can bully Rudiger/Christiansen. Bring Bruno off for Pogba after 45 minutes and if we get into a lead, can take off Rashford for James and Greenwood for Lingard.

A bad result could knock confidence and rhythm and that could be as fatal as legs that are that bit stretched.

Compete for this and use the 5 subs to our advantage to start 4-5 key players that can then come off.

Chelsea’s defence is bad, it’s a winnable game unless you forsake the attack.
Spot on.

We can win this if we really want to but the core of our best XI need to be on. Reality is while we have a better first team, Chelsea have the better squad. They will play a strong side. Lampard needs a trophy too, to kickstart his premier league career and earn some credit. Losing, regardless of who starts, will do more damage at this critical stage of the season. The momentum we have now is our greatest asset, not so much the fitness levels although that’s important too. And we have Arsenal in the final, not City. Let’s go for it!
 
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flappyjay

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Just like Arsenal with Wenger?
Arsenal with Wenger were content with that. We want to do it and make it easier for us to sign someone like Sancho who could help springboard us to league and ucl competitors. Whilst also trying to convince Pogba that this current project is viable. Btw arsenal have won about 3 fa cups in the last 10 years, it makes a season look good but it doesn't take you anywhere.
 

Isotope

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Arsenal with Wenger were content with that. We want to do it and make it easier for us to sign someone like Sancho who could help springboard us to league and ucl competitors. Whilst also trying to convince Pogba that this current project is viable. Btw arsenal have won about 3 fa cups in the last 10 years, it makes a season look good but it doesn't take you anywhere.
It's like you're answering your own question.