Huddersfield (a) Pre-Match Thread

[Akiva]

The only question is about what City will turn up. The point is, we have an exceedingly deep squad and some players who are at worst league average (see: Delph, Nolito, Garcia, Toisin, Fernando, Navas etc) aren't getting a look in otherwise. It's the ideal opportunity to give them a chance to impress and save our best squad for Monaco.

My feeling is that Pep will rotate and play a few key components (Dinho, Kompany, possibly Sterling). Monaco are so unbelievably red hot right now that it appears the public consensus is that we are in for a hammering, but I don't expect Pep to lie down so easily. The point is, we can, in theory, beat Huddersfield with a weakened side, especially if they are holding back even slightly to concentrate on promotion chances, but Monaco we absolutely, positively must be at our very best to come out of with a win. I have no doubt we'll see that much reflected in the lineup at the weekend.

Do we think Huddersfield might rest players? Given they're still in the mix for automatic promotion

Huddersfield fans apparently expect an under-strength team (which they will be regardless as Mooy is ineligible) and for good reason. The FA Cup is an unwelcome distraction that they have little hopes of ultimately triumphing in that could, in theory, detract from their push to the Prem.

 

[townkid]

We rested 5 players last night, but not sure what that tells us - other than the fact that we may well be putting out a strong side. But knowing Wagner, he is always full of surprises so could be a complete red herring.

 

[MarsLlama]

People are actually saying that we should rest players so as to avoid the red cards that Taylor is apparently sure to award. We've had six red cards the last two seasons and all but one of them were fair. Go full strength and if someone gets injured, then that's tough. We need to win this game.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

All about keeping our run going going into the monaco game with another win under our belt will breed confidence! No team wants a reply so expect an attacking open game! Sergio,diniho,kdb to play for an hour and hope they get the win done for us. No game for 11 days after monaco so time to rest then!

 

[BlumerMooner]

.................Bravo

Zab......Ota.......Stones......Clichy

Navas...Fernado....Delph....Nolito

.................Kdb.....................

.................Nacho..................

Strong enough to get a win.

 

[BLUEMATT23]

Represents our best chance of silverware, strongest xi available please.
Anything else and we risk getting eliminated.

 

[Peggy's a blue]

Huddersfield have a tough game v Reading the Tuesday after the game, I think they have the same challenges as us, given that promotion would be more important than a cup run. So I expect them to rotate as well.
With Jesus being injured, I am not sure Aquero should start, keep him fresh for Monaco, nolito, delph, Navas,have hardly played along with Vinny, who should start, so we do have good options available, still a tough game Huddersfield are no mugs, but can see us winning 3-1 :-)

 

[kaz7]

Huddersfield have a tough game v Reading the Tuesday after the game, I think they have the same challenges as us, given that promotion would be more important than a cup run. So I expect them to rotate as well.
With Jesus being injured, I am not sure Aquero should start, keep him fresh for Monaco, nolito, delph, Navas,have hardly played along with Vinny, who should start, so we do have good options available, still a tough game Huddersfield are no mugs, but can see us winning 3-1 :-)

Sergio looked very rusty on monday,he does usually need minutes to get back up to speed,he could get injured anytime it's a risk for them all,other than that i don't know how pep will go

 

[WAGNER]

Hello there, Town fan here.

Looking forward to Saturday - not least because it should hopefully be a bit more relaxing than a league game where we always need the points. Should be a decent atmosphere - with you selling out and the Town fans selling out (though how many plastics,who don't bother to do the Rotherham home games on Tuesday nights, show up remains to be seen).

I would be surprised if Wagner played a full strength side, ahead of what is a more important game vs Reading. Mooy obviously can't play. My best guess at our team would be:
Coleman
Cranie Stankovic Hudson Holmes-Dennis
Billing Whitehead
Lolley Payne Van la Parra
Quaner

I'd expect you to be resting some of your key players too ahead of your game vs Monaco.

The club is absolutely flying at the moment. We've won six in a row in all competitions. This includes last nights last gasp win, we're one of your former youngsters Tommy Smith popped up and struck a half volley home from the edge of the box to send the Town fans wild. We're doing all this in a season where spending in the Championship has gone barmy - Villa have spent about £80mil on players this season!! I like to think that we're an example of how running a football club well is better than stupidly splashing the cash about. We play a good brand of football, all thanks to Wagner - who has helped transform this club. He really is destined for big things - and I hope it is with us. Our good style means more pre teams trust us to develop their players - you loaned us Mooy, Chelsea loaned us Palmer and Brown. If we do somehow get promoted - no man would deserve it more than our chairman Dean Hoyle - the man is a living legend. He's taken us from league one obscurity where we were sometimes getting crowds as low as 6000 (it was that bad) to fighting for automatic promotion in the championship. A self made, local boy - stuff of dreams!

Anyway enough gushing now - hope for a great game and atmosphere - and PLEASE not a draw - I think we could both do without that!!

 

[waspish]

Silva Sane and Sterling should be rested for this game.

______________Bravo_______________

Zab___Kompany__Stones___Delph

_______Fernando_Garcia___________

Navas________Nacho________Nolito

_____________Aguero______________