Prem chances

[rubyred]

Ok, so now all the disappointment and anger has settled a bit after today's match I was just wondering.

I have read comments on other sites that Rafa will always rest his key players before a CL game because of the huge financial implications for the club. We rely on this money for future player transfers etc and so it is very important we don 't miss out on it, making it more important to us than the Prem.

That being the case we will play our "second-tier" team in Prem games near to any CL game.

If we do that, we may not have any realistic chance of winning the Prem, but have a fairly good chance of getting the CL again.

So, my questions are -

Do you think that we will rest key players automatically before CL games?.

Do you think it is more important to win the Prem or the CL?.

If we do rest key players, do you think we can win both?.

[Kopite_Colin]

NO you play your best team ALL THE TIME, with your best plyaers in their best position. If they lose form because they are tired - that's the time to rest them, because hopefully the player coming in will be fresher (and of slightly less if not similar ability),a nd hopefully do the job. This rotation stuff in key areas doesn't help (esp with a new squad and at this stage of the season).

[kurtangle01]

My expectations now are the same as they were at the beginning of the week. I expect us to challenge for the Premiership title and a poor performance on the opening day of the season against a dogged and compact newly promorted team isn't going to change that. This was Sheffield United Cup Final today. If the chavs only managed a draw in similar circumstances on the opening day of the season would you be writing off their chances? Not a chance!

I honestly can't believe how many doom merchants are out in force today!

[Kopite_Colin]

My expectations now are the same as they were at the beginning of the week. I expect us to challenge for the Premiership title and a poor performance on the opening day of the season against a dogged and compact newly promorted team isn't going to change that. !

Agreed.

This was Sheffield United Cup Final today. If the chavs only managed a draw in similar circumstances on the opening day of the season would you be writing off their chances? Not a chance!

Agreed

I honestly can't believe how many doom merchants are out in force today!

Not being a doom merchant, I just think today could have been avoided. I hate rotation for rotataion's sake. As for moving SG to accommodate Zenden is just downright crazy in my humble opinion.

[SouthAfricaRed]

NO you play your best team ALL THE TIME, with your best plyaers in their best position. If they lose form because they are tired - that's the time to rest them, because hopefully the player coming in will be fresher (and of slightly less if not similar ability),a nd hopefully do the job. This rotation stuff in key areas doesn't help (esp with a new squad and at this stage of the season).

You are looking at a very Frustrating season

Rafa loves rotating his teams. You might as well get used to it

[SouthAfricaRed]

Not being a doom merchant, I just think today could have been avoided. I hate rotation for rotataion's sake. As for moving SG to accommodate Zenden is just downright crazy in my humble opinion.

I think the main reason why Rafa played Gerrard on the Right, was that he didnt trust Kromkamp and Pennant on the Right.

[kurtangle01]

I hate rotation for rotataion's sake. As for moving SG to accommodate Zenden is just downright crazy in my humble opinion.

I agree with that but I also thought that leaving Xabi and Stevie out against the chavs was crazy last Sunday and look what happened there.

I think todays match has to be put into context. We have a huge game coming up on Tuesday and that has obviously been taken into consideration by Rafa. I think we have to look at the bigger picture here and ask ourselves just how many times Rafa has done something like this and got it right.

Have faith because regardless of todays result we will be there or there about come may.