If the bolded is true, isn't that a strong reason to play him against Wigan?
Since like you said, he won't be starting any of the bigger games.
Personally, I think he is no more risky than a rusty Kompany and a recently error prone Stones. And he is a better Left sided Center back. So I see no legitimate reason why he shouldn't start.
Well actually, there is one reason ( If Pep concludes he is the best LCB on the squad and has decided to predominantly save him for the big games). In that case, he is likely to start the very games you think he won't start :)
But if I'm reading Pep right ( which I often don't) this will be a Stones/ Laporte start because they both need game time, but more importantly that means he gets to save Kompany to play in the finals and lift the cup If we win.
I sense Pep will play Kompany in the Cup finals (all of them if we make it to each final). The sentiment of the Captain lifting the cup is important to him.
And he has hinted at this before. So I'm almost certain Kompany plays against Arsenal. Not so certain he does here. And if he does, I expect it will be with Laporte.
Personally, I expect Laporte to play tonight.I'd wager Laporte makes an appearance in there somewhere.
And have egg on his face?We will Cross that bridge when we come to it, bring him back too early and Pep will be crucified.
Sounding close to a dipper there mate. No doubt Vincent might play the final but if he does it's because Pep feels he is a better fit against Arsenal than the other 2 CBs he displaces. Pep is as unsentimental as it gets.If the bolded is true, isn't that a strong reason to play him against Wigan?
Since like you said, he won't be starting any of the bigger games.
Personally, I think he is no more risky than a rusty Kompany and a recently error prone Stones. And he is a better Left sided Center back. So I see no legitimate reason why he shouldn't start.
Well actually, there is one reason ( If Pep concludes he is the best LCB on the squad and has decided to predominantly save him for the big games). In that case, he is likely to start the very games you think he won't start :)
But if I'm reading Pep right ( which I often don't) this will be a Stones/ Laporte start because they both need game time, but more importantly that means he gets to save Kompany to play in the finals and lift the cup If we win.
I sense Pep will play Kompany in the Cup finals (all of them if we make it to each final). The sentiment of the Captain lifting the cup is important to him.
And he has hinted at this before. So I'm almost certain Kompany plays against Arsenal. Not so certain he does here. And if he does, I expect it will be with Laporte.
What a surpriseAlways dread playing this lot, our record is terrible against them at times, jinx team.
Me too.I'd much prefer to go with Stones and Laporte if Otamendi isn't going to play. They are more suited to the way we play than Kompany I think.
Having said that, perhaps Guardiola will hold one of them back to play with Otamendi in the final next weekend and give Kompany a run out this evening.
What a surprise