2023/24 Season

[Mark79]

And the one before we went out and hammered Bournemouth 4-0 away from home when that was a tough game on paper. If someone offered me the league or even the EL at the expense of the FA Cup, I'd snap their hands off, but i honestly don't see our chances increasing that much if Southampton were to beat us in the next round. I obviously understand all the reasons why having less games would be an advantage, but as I've said before, the advantages of going on a good cup run outweigh them imo.

Anyway, had this whole discussion multiple times before the Arsenal match. I accept the rationale for those (everyone but me it seems) who think we'd be better off out of the FA Cup, but I wholeheartedly disagree.

It's not one cup run though, it's three. And that's a massive order on top of a title tilt, even with a fit squad, nevermind how depleted we are.

I think we also had another discussion along similar lines over playing load, but specifically on Szobozlai. Look how that one turned out.

But fair enough, agree to disagree

[Mr Pink]

Alisson is the biggest loss, up there with Salah and VVD.

I would say Allison is a level above VVD and Salah, in terms of importance to the team. Kelleher was very good yesterday, but I think it might have been the first time this season that he had a decent game.

If Allison is out for long, I reckon it would be a matter of time til kelleher costs us, unfortunately.

[Exiled_red]

These are all the possible fixtures we could have between now and the end of the season:

21st Feb Luton (H) PL
25th Feb Chelsea (N) LC
28th Feb Southampton FA
2nd Mar Forest (A) PL
7th Mar Europa League Last 16 (A) EL
10th Mar Man City (H) PL
14th Mar Europa League Last 16 (H) EL
17th Mar Everton (A) or FA Cup Quarter Final PL / FA
20th Mar International Break
24th Mar International Break
27th Mar International Break
31st Mar Brighton (H) PL
3rd Apr Sheff Utd (H) PL
6th Apr Man Utd (A) PL
11th Apr Europa League Last Quarter Final EL
13th/14th Apr Crystal Palace (H) PL
18th Apr Europa League Last Quarter Final EL
20th/21st Apr Fulham (A) / FA Cup Semi Final PL / FA
24th Apr <Free> Everton (A)??
27th Apr West Ham PL
2nd May Europa League Semi Final EL
4th/5th May Tottenham PL
9th May Europa League Semi Final EL
11th/12th May Aston Villa PL
15th May <Free> Fulham (A)??
19th May Wolves PL
22nd May Europa League Final EL
25th May FA Cup Final FA

There are 2 free mid-weeks as things stand (24th Apr and 15th May), but if we get at least to the semis of the FA Cup and Europa League those will used to reschedule the Everton and Fulham games. If we don't get that far there will obviously be a few more free slots.

I just don't think we have the squad to compete all the way in all competitions especially with the injuries we have at the moment especially if Jota and Jones are out long term. When we went for the quad a few years back the players looked knackered towards the end of the season and those guys were used to the intensity and style of play etc. I worry that the 2.0 side isn't ready for that yet. We have started picking the type of injuries that come from not getting enough rest and playing too many games, we likely go into the next few games with only 4 fit midfielders (Endo, MacAllister, Elliott and Gravenberch), Szoboszlai will hopefully be back soon but will need his minute managed. Suggestions that Jones and Jota maybe out for the season, hopefully are wrong but you could easily see them being out for 3-4 weeks which could see them miss about 8 games. If we are to win the league we need to be on top of our game and I don't know we can do that with the likely size of the squad we'll have. Arsenal went out of both domestic cups early so only have the PL and CL to worry about. City are still in the FA Cup as well but they have a much stronger squad and don't have anywhere near the same number of injuries

[Exiled_red]

Really need the senior players who haven't played alot this season Elliott, Gravenberch, Gakpo etc, to step up and have big impacts in games between now and the end of the season, as they should have fresher legs and with the injuries and potentially a large number of games to be played, they may be needed.

With Robertson and Tsimikas coming back from injury and Gomez and Bradley in good form, I wonder if we would consider moving Trent to a proper midfield role if we are lacking numbers in there, which could well be the case.

[BigChief]

With the games leading up to City on 10th Mar I'd be tempted to go:

Luton: Kell, Connor, Quansah, VvD, Robertson, Endo, Mac, Gravo, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Chelsea: Kell, Gomez, Konate, VvD, Robertson, Endo, Mac, Gravo, Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

Southampton: Kell, Connor, Quansah, Gomez, Tsimikas, Elliot, McConnell, Dom, Salah, Gordon, Diaz

Forest: strongest team...TAA back?

Europa: rest everyone for City

[Fuzzy]

[ame]https://twitter.com/AnythingLFC_/status/1759340629144772956[/ame]

[vlahka]

Get ****ed

[Buzzo]

Clickbait.

[ame]https://twitter.com/anythinglfc_/status/1759341528558797190[/ame]

[Fuzzy]

Get ****ed

Honestly, I will, if this is true I'm left with no other choice.

[Buzzo]

This is the source.

[ame]https://twitter.com/stehoare/status/1759254570918666445[/ame]

[BobTheCharmer]

At this rate the season is going to start unravelling fast.

Any youngsters able to come in like Bradley has but in forward positions? I know Gordon is back but he's been out for ages. Any player banging in goals in the U21's?

[SB]

At this rate the season is going to start unravelling fast.

Any youngsters able to come in like Bradley has but in forward positions? I know Gordon is back but he's been out for ages. Any player banging in goals in the U21's?

Jayden Danns & Lewi Koumas have beeb banging them in for fun.

[Norbs]

Injury rumours never seem to turn out to be bull****

[vlahka]

So 1 striker fit and half our midfield out? Glorious.

[Pablo]

So 1 striker fit and half our midfield out? Glorious.

Plus rumours of Alisson out long term too.