Crystal Palace (A) - Sun 14th Dec, 14:00 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[akrh215]

This is a really important match, we can’t afford anything but a win. We have to start our strongest team. There’s no room for Savio or Bobb in a game like this.

 

[Eaststander1]

It will be a battle, it always is at Palace, and we'll need to watch their pace, and cope with their first half enthusiasm .... hopefully they might run out of steam in the second half, like they did against the rags.

 

[samuelyeboah]

reijnders in for bernardo. also wouldn't mind marmoush in.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Going to be a tough game, quite a few are looking leggy. We are fortunate that we play a team also in Europe. They've got a really small squad so hopefully they'll be feeling it too.

Vital we win this, last time we got in a position to start pressuring arsenal we instantly fucked up by losing to Newcastle, do it again and it puts a serious dent in our hopes but also strengthens arsenals belief. We want to be breathing down their necks showing that we can win many games in a row to mount the pressure, not showing that we will slip up just as often if not more than they will and arent to be feared like we once were. Arsenal have wolves the day before, that's a given so no dropped points here despite it being a very tricky tie. If united can win there, there is no excuse.

 

[Zenmanc]

Hyperbaric chambers all around or whatever it takes to put in the same squad.

No foot off the pedal... make changes after the next game is done.

 

[sh249]

Really tough one this. Fair few looked fucked by the end last night and we obviously need to rotate a bit. But I can‘t think of a single change that doesn‘t weaken the team significantly - which is a bit worrying …

 

[Gabriel]

As strong as possible, but thereafter we need to start getting Bobb, Lewis, and Ake woven in more.

 

[OldhamBlue94]

Praying for same 11 and then rest players in the league cup game.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Same team, rest as needed. Pep has found his 16 players +/- 1 or 2!

Domestic cup team played against Leverkeusen.

 

[IrishBloodEnglishHeart]

We all know that Sav and Bobb will play.

 

[mdj0520]

This is a really important match, we can’t afford anything but a win. We have to start our strongest team. There’s no room for Savio or Bobb in a game like this.

Whilst I agree, there are a few that look absolutely knackered. As good as he was, O'Reilly looked dead on his feet by the end. Nico G will end up the same way as rodri if we don't give him some time off. Bernardo looked to be running on fumes.

I think you have to start reijnders for Bernardo. O'Reilly needs a break before afcon and we do t have the option, same with doku.

I'd go

Nunes
Dias
Gvardiol
Ait nori

Gonzalez
Reijnders
Foden

Cherki
Marmoush
Haaland

Three changes is reasonable and rests 3 players that desperately need it

 

[Blue Bogey]

I think you have to start reijnders for Bernardo. O'Reilly needs a break before afcon and we do t have the option, same with doku.

I'd go

Nunes
Dias
Gvardiol
Ait nori

Gonzalez
Reijnders
Foden

Cherki
Marmoush
Haaland

Three changes is reasonable and rests 3 players that desperately need it

Agree and I like this.

After this game Marmoush and Ait Nouiri will be on flights to AFCON. Surprised we did not use them more before because Doku and NOR are going to be used heavily in the coming weeks.

 

[WesthoughtonJohn]

O’Reilly and Gonzalez looked seriously gassed in injury time.

Maybe Ait Nouri comes in, or they get through this game and don’t play in the cup game to Brentford.

That's my gut feeling - strong at the weekend, then they can all have a week off.
Nico G needs a rest sooner rather than later, but doubt we can afford it at Palace

 

[vmsuhail]

Really tough one this. Fair few looked fucked by the end last night and we obviously need to rotate a bit. But I can‘t think of a single change that doesn‘t weaken the team significantly - which is a bit worrying …

Crystal Palace have a game tonight in the Conference league. So they have the same problems too. After the recent results, feeling much more confident now.

 

[Goater101]

I’d like to see Rico in this game. He keeps the ball well in midfield and that’s important at a ground like this.

Donnarumma; Lewis Dias Gvardiol NOR; Nico G Bernardo Foden; Cherki Haaland Doku

 

[WesthoughtonJohn]

I think we need to buy/loan a midfielder if the Rodri situation doesn’t improve in the coming weeks

100% this. Said as much in the Semenyo transfer thread - we need a back-up/rotation for Nico G.
Think it might have to be a loan though with Rodri hopefully coming back

 

[Ken92]

As strong as possible, but thereafter we need to start getting Bobb, Lewis, and Ake woven in more.

They can play in cup games , no room for them in league and cl games.

 

[chris85mcfc]

Agree and I like this.

After this game Marmoush and Ait Nouiri will be on flights to AFCON. Surprised we did not use them more before because Doku and NOR are going to be used heavily in the coming weeks.

That's the exact reason I'd play neither of them, I'd imagine both will be conscious of not picking up injuries etc

 

[waspish]

Well Glasner is resting all his players for there game today! That game will be so hard at palace we can’t lose it we have to win a draw isn’t really good enough!

 

[Blue Bogey]

That's the exact reason I'd play neither of them, I'd imagine both will be conscious of not picking up injuries etc

Understand your reservations about Marmoush and Ait Nouiri due to AFCON, but both should be showing Pep they want to be more involved in starting matches. Both very capable of this level.

For what it is worth don’t think Pep will start either of these against Palace, just don’t want OReilly and Doku gassed come next few weeks when the Games come so quickly and all will be important.