Middlesbrough v Aston Villa pre-match thread

[olaftab]

The players in the Stevenage game might have been good enough to win the game, but that ignores the fact that when you change half the team at once, you lose a lot of consistency and fluidity, especially when the players coming in are reserves who haven’t played much.

Given how badly this approach has served us in recent years, I’m a bit surprised this needs to be spelled out.

Exactly. I don't get this "these players should be good enough" line. Look at past 7 years, 7 fucking years we have done that and got precisely nothing. Play the best and only make necessary changes.

[TaxDodger]

The first teamer I'd rest would be Watkins and that's only because I think Duran would benefit significantly from starting. We can always bring Watkins on if we're struggling.

[Drummond]

At least he didn't add an extra 'o' to Middlesbrough, we should still be fine.

Midodlesbrough

[LeeB]

The players in the Stevenage game might have been good enough to win the game, but that ignores the fact that when you change half the team at once, you lose a lot of consistency and fluidity, especially when the players coming in are reserves who haven’t played much.

Given how badly this approach has served us in recent years, I’m a bit surprised this needs to be spelled out.

Absolutely correct.

[Nii Lamptey]

FA Cup is the only major trophy we haven't won in most fans lifetimes on here. There would be a lot of dust in the air if we ever got to see Sir John McGinn climb those Wembley steps and lift that trophy for us.

It may have lost some of it's prestige over the years, but this is the trophy I want to see us win more than any.

[LeeB]

FA Cup is the only major trophy we haven't won in most fans lifetimes on here. There would be a lot of dust in the air if we ever got to see Sir John McGinn climb those Wembley steps and lift that trophy for us.

It may have lost some of it's prestige over the years, but this is the trophy I want to see us win more than any.

Again, absolutely correct.

[Drummond]

                  Martinez
Cash Carlos. Lenglet Moreno
         Kamara. Dendoncker
Zaniolo                            Ramsey
               Diaby. Duran

[Monty]

The players in the Stevenage game might have been good enough to win the game, but that ignores the fact that when you change half the team at once, you lose a lot of consistency and fluidity, especially when the players coming in are reserves who haven’t played much.

Given how badly this approach has served us in recent years, I’m a bit surprised this needs to be spelled out.

Villa aren't magic or cursed. Every PL team does this including whoever ends up winning it. Emery has no need to think about how it's served us or not, just to do what is right by the generic logic of football management.

And what he did might have increased the risk of an upset, but really it ncreased it from 0,2% to 0.4%.

Edit: we are obviously both magic and cursed, but you know what I mean.

[Risso]

                  Martinez
Cash Carlos. Lenglet Moreno
         Kamara. Dendoncker
Zaniolo                            Ramsey
               Diaby. Duran

That's probably what I'd put out. Still mostly first team players but those who are just coming back from injury or who haven't been first choice for a while. And obviously a big fat no to Olsen in goal.

[john e]

All those pleading for Watkins, McGinn and others to be rested for two weeks, are the exact ones who will be saying they are rusty and not quite match fit if they put in a subpar performance when they return

Playing twice a week on a regular basis yeah maybe you need a rest every now and again
But if you want to maintain form and fitness you should to be playing at least once a week

This idea that playing less football makes you better is a complete myth

[PaulWinch again]

All those pleading for Watkins, McGinn and others to be rested for two weeks, are the exact ones who will be saying they are rusty and not quite match fit if they put in a subpar performance when they return

Playing twice a week on a regular basis yeah maybe you need a rest every now and again
But if you want to maintain form and fitness you should to be playing at least once a week

This idea that playing less football makes you better is a complete myth

It’s not about being better though is it? It’s about not getting to the point where they breakdown and get injured.

As it happens I wouldn’t rotate too much because there’s a two week break coming up. But players can’t play all the time, because longer term it’ll lead to injury.

[PaulTheVillan]

Ideally Konsa, McGinn, Luiz and Watkins could probably do with some rest.

That would leave us with Kamara, Chambers, Donk and Duran to come in?

I'd hope that would see us through to the next round.

[algy]

The players in the Stevenage game might have been good enough to win the game, but that ignores the fact that when you change half the team at once, you lose a lot of consistency and fluidity, especially when the players coming in are reserves who haven’t played much.

Given how badly this approach has served us in recent years, I’m a bit surprised this needs to be spelled out.

Absolutely this. Fine with squad rotation, but it should be 2-4 players not the entire team. Besides which, there's only 2 League games in January & none in Europe so players will naturally get a bit of a breather

I'd go something like

Martinez
CashThe butcher of B6 - Lenglet - Torres -Moreno
Kamara - Luiz
Zaniolo - Tielemans - Ramsey
Watkins

Gives a few players a bit of a run out, still should comfortably dispatch Boro. Bring off Ollie as soon as we look vaguely comfortable - wouldn't be dead against starting with Duran

[brontebilly]

The first teamer I'd rest would be Watkins and that's only because I think Duran would benefit significantly from starting. We can always bring Watkins on if we're struggling.

McGinn has to take a breather too. Likes of Moreno and Ramsey need games. As do Duran and Zaniolo (if we are keeping either or both). Emery has managed the load on the players very well despite all the games.

[ChicagoLion]

                  Martinez
Cash Carlos. Lenglet Moreno
         Kamara. Dendoncker
Zaniolo                            Ramsey
               Diaby. Duran

Looks about right, not sure if Torres needs some game  or more recover time.