Lyon (a) pre-match thread

[SebastianBlue]

Had a feeling it would be Mahrez.

He has more than enough talent and intelligence for it, I just hope his effort is up to the standard required.

 

[abu13]

It shows that although we are all eager to see Foden start a game, the champions League when qualification has not yet been secured is not the time to experiment.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Disappointed no Foden personally

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Happy with that team. Poor bench though.

 

[kaz7]

Disappointed no Foden personally

Instead of who?

 

[Clercqs]

It shows that although we are all eager to see Foden start a game, the champions League when qualification has not yet been secured is not the time to experiment.

Bigger experiment to play Mahrez in central midfield than to play Foden in his natural position.

 

[jaiguruKun]

How is Foden ever going to learn if he's playing in games with little or no jeopardy to them?

If he isn't starting tonight when KDB and Gundo are both out then when will he?

I really thought tonight would be the night. Maybe Pep just isn't convinced by him?

 

[kaz7]

How is Foden ever going to learn if he's playing in games with little or no jeopardy to them?

If he isn't starting tonight when KDB and Gundo are both out then when will he?

I really thought tonight would be the night. Maybe Pep just isn't convinced by him?

Silly pep trusting his senior players

 

[aguero93:20]

Bigger experiment to play Mahrez in central midfield than to play Foden in his natural position.

It's not the first time he's played there for us.

 

[SebastianBlue]

How is Foden ever going to learn if he's playing in games with little or no jeopardy to them?

If he isn't starting tonight when KDB and Gundo are both out then when will he?

I really thought tonight would be the night. Maybe Pep just isn't convinced by him?

Or, as others have said, tonight really was not ideal, as it was a high risk, high reward/penalty situation.

I am disappointed, too, but can understand the logic behind not starting him.

 

[Clercqs]

It's not the first time he's played there for us.

Only played there in a couple of friendlies no?

 

[BringBackSwales]

Instead of who?

Instead of one of Mahrez, Sterling or Sane. He is more centrally centre mid

 

[mosssideblue]

How is Foden ever going to learn if he's playing in games with little or no jeopardy to them?

If he isn't starting tonight when KDB and Gundo are both out then when will he?

I really thought tonight would be the night. Maybe Pep just isn't convinced by him?

This is a key game. Hopefully if we get a decent lead, he will get minutes.

 

[aguero93:20]

Only played there in a couple of friendlies no?

Also constantly rotated with Bernardo when on the right wing, as he'll more than likely do with Sterling tonight.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Win this and Foden will start against Hoffenheim. League cup in a couple of weeks too. He'll get games.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Silly pep trusting his senior players

It’s not a case of silly Pep, it’s a case of a game waiting for Foden and he is, in my opinion, more suited for centre mid. To mistake disappointment on a particular selection for disappointment with Pep is completely wrong

 

[TravisBickle]

This is a key game. Hopefully if we get a decent lead, he will get minutes.

^^^^^This ^^^^^

 

[aguero93:20]

Fekir confirmed starting for Lyon.

 

[RandomJ]

Or, as others have said, tonight really was not ideal, as it was a high risk, high reward/penalty situation.

I am disappointed, too, but can understand the logic behind not starting him.

So what we will only play him when it's safe to do so? Only when we are 3 or more goals up, only for a few minutes at the end of the game. Pep keeps saying he is in the first team on merit yet everything he does shows he doesn't trust him. I agree that he is not going to improve playing against a tired team who are already beaten. He needs to be playing with real stakes, against a team who are still in the game.

 

[kaz7]

Instead of one of Mahrez, Sterling or Sane. He is more centrally centre mid

Madness to leave any of those 3 out in a difficult away CL game,people lose all sense when talking about phil