Hull (a) Pre Match Thread

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

They have to be, alongside those woeful Derby and Sunderland sides, among the worst group of players in Premier League history.

We definitely need to be winning games like this if we're going to mount a realistic challenge for the league.

Ah GDM, master of the understatement ;-) If we can't beat teams like this, well i'm off to the "do you want to win the cup" thread.

 

[Armaan]

You would be first on the match thread moaning if we played that team and lost.

Not when I understand we have Liverpool a couple of days after which is a Far Far bigger game than Hull.

 

[Easy]

This is an absolute must win game.

I would go for this team.

--------------Bravo-------------

Sagna-- Otamendi--Stones-- Kola

-------Yaya--Nando--Dinho-----

------Sterling--Nolito--Sane----

We should rest Silva and KDB to keep them fresh for the dippers, they have played a lot of games and this is a good opportunity to manage their fitness.

Yaya and Dinho in front of Nando should be creative enough as well as defensively sound.

With this team, I feel we are still very strong despite resting key players. Then vs Liverpool I would bring in Silva and KDB for Nando and Yaya, and Aguero for Nolito. IMO our strongest midfield 3 is KDB-Dinho-Silva and we want them fresh for the big game, that is if Pep uses a back 4 which he should given the pace we'll be facing.

Lets score a few, finish them in first half and get Sterling/Sane off for some rest.

 

[Marvin]

This is an absolute must win game.

I would go for this team.

--------------Bravo-------------

Sagna-- Otamendi--Stones-- Kola

-------Yaya--Nando--Dinho-----

------Sterling--Nolito--Sane----

We should rest Silva and KDB to keep them fresh for the dippers, they have played a lot of games and this is a good opportunity to manage their fitness.

Yaya and Dinho in front of Nando should be creative enough as well as defensively sound.

With this team, I feel we are still very strong despite resting key players. Then vs Liverpool I would bring in Silva and KDB for Nando and Yaya, and Aguero for Nolito. IMO our strongest midfield 3 is KDB-Dinho-Silva and we want them fresh for the big game, that is if Pep uses a back 4 which he should given the pace we'll be facing.

Lets score a few, finish them in first half and get Sterling/Sane off for some rest.

Need one of KDB or Silva to create chances and keep good possession.

 

[kaz7]

Not when I understand we have Liverpool a couple of days after which is a Far Far bigger game than Hull.

The next game is the important one,one at a time,it's better the team are winning as it gives them confidence for the following game,they don't need resting and we need our big players to play,pep will rotate but hopefully not the defence

 

[Len Rum]

Not when I understand we have Liverpool a couple of days after which is a Far Far bigger game than Hull.

The dippers game is five days after Hull which means we don't need to rest our best players for the Hull game as you suggest.

 

[The-Dogs-Pollocks]

We should keep exactly the same team as Arsenal. Swapping zabs for sagna. Need some to get some consistency and ensure everyone knows what they are doing. If we can play to the level of Arsenal second half then hopefully we can build a lead, ease off and make some subs second half with Liverpool in mind.

 

[the blue panther]

We should keep exactly the same team as Arsenal. Swapping zabs for sagna. Need some to get some consistency and ensure everyone knows what they are doing. If we can play to the level of Arsenal second half then hopefully we can build a lead, ease off and make some subs second half with Liverpool in mind.

2 days after Liverpool we have Burnley at home, so, not easy keeping a strong team for every match. Still, it's the same for all premier teams. However, looking at our fixtures between now and the end of Feb, it's a tough couple of months. But, it's tough at the top!
We have the power to win every game. Should get 3 points at Hull, but I'll be happy with 7 points from the next 9.

 

[chaddblue]

Not when I understand we have Liverpool a couple of days after which is a Far Far bigger game than Hull.

5 days later. No need to go under strength, especially after a long 8 day rest

 

[Bluekiwi]

Win two games on the trot and we can just walk out onto the pitch against teams like Hull with 11 names drawn out of a hat because we are the GREATEST - absolute arrogance from some on here.

If we want to put pressure on the teams around us we need the strongest possible team for EVERY game. We shouldn't simply rest players, just need good player management in the game making substitutions as the need arises.

 

[Armaan]

The dippers game is five days after Hull which means we don't need to rest our best players for the Hull game as you suggest.

Here's me thinking it was two days after lol. Yep, full strength is the way to go!

 

[mosssideblue]

Not when I understand we have Liverpool a couple of days after which is a Far Far bigger game than Hull.

Totally disagree with your logic. Not winning against Hull is the worst thing that could happen for several reasons.

 

[inchy14]

8 days between Arsenal and Hull- play best available 11, no resting player.
5 days between Hull and Liverpool - play best available 11, no resting players.
2 days between Liverpool and Burnley - play freshest 11, rest ones who are exhausted after securing maximum points*.
4 days between Burnley and WHU - play a mix of 2/3 youth players with strongest other available first team players.
9 days between WHU and Dippers everyone should hopefully be fit and raring to go.

*hopefully*

 

[BlumerMooner]

I'm not buying the rest players argument. Just ease off on training over the busy periods. Focus more on tactics and educating players in the classroom at these times. They are clearly good enough at this stage.

Leicester last year and Chelsea this year have shown the consistency you get with playing your best team (granted they don't have chumps league to contend with).

Strongest team please Pep

 

[BuryBlue1977]

Remember Bullard and his celebration after scoring the penalty that made it 1-1 at the Etihad. Strongest team, let's smash this lot, take no chances

 

[Cityfan]

Leicester last year and Chelsea this year have shown the consistency you get with playing your best team (granted they don't have chumps league to contend with).

Chelsea and Leicester players have around 20-30% fewer games than us at this stage, I would argue that this shows how much having rested players helps.
Ferguson who though I dislike the guy it has to be admitted was very successful was always very particular about resting players, Fatigue is often cumulative and though I think Pep could have done with a slightly more settled defense I think resting players is vital.

 

[Marvin]

8 days between Arsenal and Hull- play best available 11, no resting player.
5 days between Hull and Liverpool - play best available 11, no resting players.
2 days between Liverpool and Burnley - play freshest 11, rest ones who are exhausted after securing maximum points*.
4 days between Burnley and WHU - play a mix of 2/3 youth players with strongest other available first team players.
9 days between WHU and Dippers everyone should hopefully be fit and raring to go.

*hopefully*

I like the Christmas games as a fan, but it is a bit mad playing Liverpool away then 48 hours later playing another game.

The Burnley game is the difficult one rest wise. But they'll be in the same position.

 

[Danny_Johnson4]

I like the Christmas games as a fan, but it is a bit mad playing Liverpool away then 48 hours later playing another game.

The Burnley game is the difficult one rest wise. But they'll be in the same position.

I agree, but this is why we have spent so much money in the past few years,
We are supposedly the best prepared for such situations over the course of the year due to having a wealth of talent and a squad packed with quality, but it is not really the case

One thing is for sure, we cannot moan about having a tired squad against Burnley when they (along with Hull, who we also happen to play during this period), have the smallest squad and tightest budget in the league

We have to be more ruthless over this period than ever before and show why this lot are here, and why they arent at a side like burnley or hull. 3 wins from 3 is crucial if we want to win the league, and I have no idea if its possible considering Anfield will be buzzing on NYE
The worst thing would be to win at hull and liverpool, only to fu** it up against Burnley

 

[bluemc1]

I agree, but this is why we have spent so much money in the past few years,
We are supposedly the best prepared for such situations over the course of the year due to having a wealth of talent and a squad packed with quality, but it is not really the case

One thing is for sure, we cannot moan about having a tired squad against Burnley when they (along with Hull, who we also happen to play during this period), have the smallest squad and tightest budget in the league

We have to be more ruthless over this period than ever before and show why this lot are here, and why they arent at a side like burnley or hull. 3 wins from 3 is crucial if we want to win the league, and I have no idea if its possible considering Anfield will be buzzing on NYE
The worst thing would be to win at hull and liverpool, only to fu** it up against Burnley

No the worst thing would be to lose all three :)

 

[its a Barm]

Is this game on TV ?