Crystal Palace (A) - Sat 7th Dec, 15:00 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Ric]

Guess Pep knows the fitness of the players better than the rest of us, and has probably got one eye on Juventus, but feeling a bit less optimistic after seeing that line up.

 

[ufo]

genuinely and i have already said this i would play simpson - pusey and play gvardiol at left back, pep has a real hard on for lewis but he has been tried in so many positions and he doesnt excel in any of them

Disagreed strongly!

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Exactly, was just wondering, if the OP knew better ,seeing as he believes the sensible reason to be bullshit.

he either knows better than Pep and our entire fitness team or he’s another internet football clown.

 

[heslops barnet]

Wouldn’t have Walker anywhere near the team today with Palace speed up front….just please don’t go over the halfway line as you add nothing to the attack

 

[clarion]

Anyone who expected Akanji to play today after being taken off at h/t midweek was delusional, the only reason he would have been replaced at h/t was injury.

We also need a team for midweek against juve, so can see why others aren't playing from the start.

That’s never a reason when it comes from Pep. If that was the reason he would drop Bernardo or even Gundo.

He is just sticking to his tactics from this terrible run.

 

[blueste41]

Anyone who expected Akanji to play today after being taken off at h/t midweek was delusional, the only reason he would have been replaced at h/t was injury.

We also need a team for midweek against juve, so can see why others aren't playing from the start.

I don't think anyone has said they expected him to play just disappointed to see it confirmed he won't.
Jack and Doku on the other hand....

 

[TinFoilHat]

That team is about solidity and control.

Might change my prediction to a boring as fuck 0-0

 

[pudge]

He’s obviously not fit enough for 3 full games in a week. Pep plays the long game. Why can’t people see this?

If Gundogan is deemed fit every week then Pep might reckon Bell could start at Juventus

 

[Claytop]

Bernie or Nunes in the middle?

Going to be a rough one today..

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I'll never get Pep at times, Grrlish and Kev parynered well behinfld haaland, and berny had a better game on the wing than recently the 4 attacking midfielders look in harmony not the messy unbalanced one recently, why mess with it

because of fitness. FFS.