Tottenham - EFL Cup Final | Pre-Match Thread

Result Prediction

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alexmcity said:
People wanting Pep to play our strongest team... Do you realise that the final may go to extra time, and 5 of our potential starters vs PSG may have to play 120 minutes 2 days before travelling to Paris? Not going to happen.
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By playing the strongest team you are ensuring it doesn't go to extra time ... play fringe players and you are risking losing let alone being able to stretch to extra time ...

Play strong team, win it early and make FIVE subs ... that's ideal scenario as playing the likes of Mendy, Torres and Sterling (all passengers on form right now) is handicapping ourselves from start and if we then need to bring on the big guns (Foden, KDB, Gundo etc. - feels good putting Foden as first name on big guns list ;) then they end up playing anyway and not resting so might as well start them and take off later.

KDB is exception here though as he's coming back from injury and if he is ready for PSG, maybe give him 20 mins at the end here, NOT for trying to win the game BUT for his run out back on the field after the injury rather than starting directly against PSG.
 
kaz7 said:
No point getting to final to put out a weak unco-ordinated team, no point
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Agreed! There was no point doing it in a semi-final either btw ... but now especially a week after that semi-final there is absolutely no excuse to try that again.
 
MAG said:
By playing the strongest team you are ensuring it doesn't go to extra time ... play fringe players and you are risking losing let alone being able to stretch to extra time ...

Play strong team, win it early and make FIVE subs ... that's ideal scenario as playing the likes of Mendy, Torres and Sterling (all passengers on form right now) is handicapping ourselves from start and if we then need to bring on the big guns (Foden, KDB, Gundo etc. - feels good putting Foden as first name on big guns list ;) then they end up playing anyway and not resting so might as well start them and take off later.

KDB is exception here though as he's coming back from injury and if he is ready for PSG, maybe give him 20 mins at the end here, NOT for trying to win the game BUT for his run out back on the field after the injury rather than starting directly against PSG.
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Utterly naive. No selection can guarantee an early win.
 
lionheart said:
Personally I feel that Steffan has blown his chance with a few errors vs Chelsea, whereas Ederson looked in prime form against Villa both defensively and creatively. We do want to win this trophy don't we?
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Steffen is starting. There's absolutely zero chance he misses this game unless it's through injury or illness.
 
There is no way Pep is playing “the strongest team”. PSG will be playing on Saturday and won’t need to travel for the Wednesday game. It’s not hard to guess which players need rest especially
 
I'll be absolutely gutted if we field a weakened team, you just know we won't win, spurs seem to get the rub of the green when they play us, no doubt bale will score a fucking worldie
 
alexmcity said:
People wanting Pep to play our strongest team... Do you realise that the final may go to extra time, and 5 of our potential starters vs PSG may have to play 120 minutes 2 days before travelling to Paris? Not going to happen.
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You know its a final right?

Seems fans have adjusted to the rotation policy to the point where they think its now impossible for the players to play 3 times in a week. They can play 3 games in a week, they couldn't play 3 games in a week every single week and barely any of them have done that this year. all that rotation has been precisely so that when it comes to this stage of the season they're in good enough condition to be able to play 3 times a week.

Pep would be insane to deviate from last nights team too much for our next two games, it'll be strongest 11 all the way.
 
MAG said:
There are no guarantees in anything ... but a stronger team has more chance of winning than losing ... and a weakened team has ... oh well, haven't we seen enough of them against Leeds and Chelsea just recently?
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I want City to win everything, but the better strategy might be to concentrate on the CL and try to win the league cup with many squad players. Our style relies quite a lot on high pressing and the players must be fresh to implement it in the best possible way. Let's see what Pep thinks.
 
ninjamonkey said:
You know its a final right?

Seems fans have adjusted to the rotation policy to the point where they think its now impossible for the players to play 3 times in a week. They can play 3 games in a week, they couldn't play 3 games in a week every single week and barely any of them have done that this year. all that rotation has been precisely so that when it comes to this stage of the season they're in good enough condition to be able to play 3 times a week.

Pep would be insane to deviate from last nights team too much for our next two games, it'll be strognhest 11 all the way.
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He must be insane if he doesn't think like you :)

Isn't Pep a genius, because he doesn't think like your average fan, though?
 
alexmcity said:
He must be insane if he doesn't think like you :)

Isn't Pep a genius, because he doesn't think like your average fan, though?
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Absolutely. Anybody whose opinion differs even slightly from my own needs sectioning immediately.

I suppose we will find out on Sunday but I'm positive all the rotation this season has primarily been about reaching this stage relatively fresh so we can take advantage, to gain that advantage over 9 months and not use it would be a complete waste.
 
I think Pep has confirmed Steffen will start and will probably rotate. Difficult one but as a trophy is at stake I'd like to see (assuming Steffen starts) Walker, Dias, Laporte, Zinky; Fern, Rodri; Gundog, Bernie, Foden, Mahrez. Probably a bit harsh on Jesus but I think Rodri could be effective pushing forward late amongst the skilful 'attacking' midfielders
 
Akpowell said:
I'll be absolutely gutted if we field a weakened team, you just know we won't win, spurs seem to get the rub of the green when they play us, no doubt bale will score a fucking worldie
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Prepare to be gutted. This final has come along at a bad time for us and a great time for them. The fact that the games following this one are more important will mean more rotation. You will see a number of changes from last night but probably 3 or 4 rather than 7 or 8. I think the Spuds hunger gives them a slight edge but we may not wish to repeat the bitter taste of last weeks defeat against Chelsea.
 
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