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

[Haaland94]

Staggering that Grealish and Doku dropped. Jack made a huge difference in CM. Better to start them and withdraw.

Best game for them in months and we drop them. Both were arguably MOTM along Kevin. I don't get it.

 

[citizen_maine]

Exactly. Jack must be wondering what's going on.

because, of course, Pep won't have spoken to any of them about why

 

[Eric Hitchmough]

He rests them, Juve being the more important game given our injury situation.

I’d argue that today is the more important game given we’re more likely to fight for top 4 this season, but I get your point too.

 

[johnny crossan]

Exactly. Jack must be wondering what's going on.

Wonder what Eddy's wondering?

 

[Trickyblues]

Gosh, people love embarrassing themselves on here

 

[kaz7]

View attachment 139964

Someone has upset the grealish fan boy , lol

 

[I'm Blue]

That's all we can do, but fu*k me its hard at times :-)

It’s not that hard considering all the injuries and half fit players we currently have.
It is what is so no use moaning about it.

 

[mosssideblue]

I understand dropping Doku simply because he's perpetually injured, but I don't understand dropping Grealish just to put Nunes out wide. Eze will go past Gundo/Bernardo as if they aren't there. Start Nunes next to Bernardo and put Grealish out wide.

 

[AshtonBlueMooner]

Team selection looks like it’s based on players still coming back from injury and not wanting them to get a season ending injury for the sake of 3 points.
Plus we’ve got Juventus midweek and will need as many first teamers as possible for that.
Not my preferred line up but Pep’s hand appears to have been forced based on medical advice and probably from players themselves.
Hopefully Doku and Grealish won’t be needed.
Time for those selected to put a shift in and get us the 3 points.
Come on you blue boys.
CTID

 

[blueparrot]

"Energy. Fresh energy. Jack [Grealish] yesterday has some struggles. Jeremy [Doku] came back after three or four weeks with a muscular injury. Three days it was too much risk. Fresh legs, energy and let's go."
So the bluemoon fitness gurus can now shut up.

 

[Haaland94]

Wonder what Eddy's wondering?

I love Eddie and he is our number 1 but Stefan hasn't put a foot wrong. We can't drop him.

 

[mosssideblue]

Someone has upset the grealish fan boy , lol

Who's the fan boy?

 

[ufo]

I’d argue that today is the more important game given we’re more likely to fight for top 4 this season, but I get your point too.

I prefer league then uefa cup every day but pep is just trying to manage injury crisis regardless

 

[jimharri]

He rests them, Juve being the more important game given our injury situation.

Personally, I'd have priorised today's game. Win today, and it just increases the pressure ever so slightly on TMM. On Wednesday night, we could have been (realistically) 15 points adrift, taking GD into account. Win today and, even though they'll have a game in hand, we'll be 6 (realistically, 7)pts behind.I want the 5-peat, rather than a second CL. Others will disagree; so be it.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Exactly. Jack must be wondering what's going on.

Thing is none of us know what’s going on behind the Scenes or during medical analysis etc…. There must be a reason for both as they were 2 of the best 3 players so I’m sure ge wouldn’t have wanted to drop them if there wasn’t a reason to do so.

 

[Crooked_rain]

I would say he's resting Jack for Juve

But then I'd imagine Jack needs minutes after not starting regularly, especially if he's going to be utilised in a different position and needs to get used to it.

Who knows..

I guess we'll find out during the week if he was rested or not, going by if he starts that game.

 

[.db.]

Exactly. Jack must be wondering what's going on.

Or he might be thankful he’s not being flogged when only just coming back from injury.

In my head in was De Bruyne who was worrying me about starting again so soon after his first start back. But after 16mins and 11mins as a sub, then starting and playing the full game against Forest, it’s Grealish who isn’t quite ready for two starts in three days. Same with Doku.

Maybe it’ll be De Bruyne who doesn’t start at Juventus and Grealish comes in.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Feel like sticking pins in my eyes every time he picks Walker just fucking why can he not see it he's a disaster waiting to happen

 

[mosssideblue]

Some have really made fools of themselves on this thread, really embarrassing at times

 

[ScottSinclair]

Terrible line-up. Hope they prove me wrong