Chelsea (H) - Sun 21st May, 16:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[TrentGrisham]

I thought our A team would start today and next weekend to maintain momentum but get them down to 1 match a week.

Also think this could blow up in his face down the line. He did this at Bayern twice.

I assumed they'd be rested today and start vs Brighton and Brentford. I think it's the right call.

 

[Vester]

Would say this lineup is about as weak as it gets (from us).
Hopefully the backups are still able to win against a terrible Chelsea, I guess it will be a good test of how strong our squad really is. Would be awful to see us lose our great form in these 3 dead rubbers and have to "bounce back" when its time to play finals.
Being a City fan I'm always worried and assume the worst, but Pep usually knows what he is doing! A win today, with this lineup, would strengthen the confidence of the team even more :)

 

[blueballs84]

Inter are in a top 4 dogfight aswell and play Napoli today. They will be 100% dialled in and sharp whereas this says to our squad go have a piss up for 2 weeks the rest of the Premier League season means nothing.

That's my worry.
Hope it doesn't come true.
Arsenal squad was getting plenty of rest when it blew up too. Sometimes the best way to keep playing great football is to keep the games coming.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I think this is a massive fuck up personally. Momentum is everything in football. I know Chelsea are wank like but if I had to pick a starting XI out of our squad to get beat by them...

Also completely thrown us all under the fantasy football bus. A fucking rags gonna win my league now haha

Entirely agree. We're losing this one, in my view. I'm not there, but I'd be fairly pissed off if I were at the Etihad.

 

[malg]

A few in here already...

 

[chesterbells]

Perfect game to rest them, allows half to feature midweek and half next Sunday. Resting and keeping ticking over. Lovely.

This, 100%, looks like being the plan. I’m happy with it too :-)

 

[M12Blue]

I thought our A team would start today and next weekend to maintain momentum but get them down to 1 match a week.

Also think this could blow up in his face down the line. He did this at Bayern twice.

Be fine mate, first team players with foot of the gas risk injury and defeat. Momentum will be unaffected, the boys have their eyes on the prize.
Will all be good

 

[Manc in London]

Best game for Gomez, Lewis, Palmer and Phillips to play today. The next two games can be used for momentum leading to the two finals.

To those questioning the extent of the rotation....the club's backroom staff know better than we do about the condition of the players.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

Fantastic team. Would have preferred Carson for Ederson to give the fans a Glauber Berti moment in the last ten minutes but it may still happen at Brighton or Brentford...........or at Wembley or Istanbul if we're 5-0 up with 10 to go.

 

[malg]

Entirely agree. We're losing this one, in my view. I'm not there, but I'd be fairly pissed off if I were at the Etihad.

I'm here and I'm fine. Party atmosphere. Fans in the concourse have seen the team and are in very good voice.....