Look at it another way. We could have played the big guns last night and still not gotten a result. Three critical games in a short space of time, we couldn't afford to play them all in all three risking injuries / fatigue. Nothing wrong with the selection last night in my mind and had the pen gone in, I think that starting 11 would have gone on to score again. I do concede the lateness of the subs was strange, but I suspect pep saw an opportunity as spurs were flagging
Of course none of us are psychic or we would be highly successful millionaires now. I understand Pep's thinking. You have put out a team that looks solid and think, " I have Mahrez, Sterling and Aguero. Three potential match winners. If they don't score surely with that talent on the pitch we will score at least one." Small margins, if the penalty had gone in we would be saying it was a Pep masterclass as the very least we would have now is a score draw. In my opinion scoring an away goal in this competition is vital to your chances. We didn't so now we have to win the return leg by two cleat goals, which we are of course capable of doing.
At this stage of the season mental grit and confidence is as important as anything else. If the players sense Pep is showing a bit of fear in team selections the players can become edgy. I know he is a brilliant manager but last night I think he got it wrong and as a result handed the initiative to Spurs. Deep down how many of us before the game looked at that team selection and started to worry? Probably at least 80% of us if people are honest.
His hands were tied slightly of course by injuries to Zinchenko and Bernardo, both big misses. Mahrez for me never gets a start so long as we have a fit Sane. We have all waited for this former POTY and an established premier league player to "Settle in, to come good." I'm sorry but for me I don't see it happening. He reduces our style, threat and flow by at least 30% every time he plays, even against third division opponent's. Delph we are stuck with unless he plays Laporte at left back. The other player worrying me and it kills me to say this, is David Silva. For the last few months the magician has lost his magic. Will it cone back? Please God.
Our midfield if everyone is fit now has to be Ferna, Bernardo and Kev. Up front Sterling, Sane and Aguero. The time for game management, rotation and resting players are gone. We have a maximum of eleven games left if we continue progressing in the champions league and we have to win every game, especially in the league. We can rest players by using substitutions if games are won early, aside from that it is shit or bust.
