Middlesbrough v Aston Villa pre-match thread

[VillaTim]

one game at a time

[Brazilian Villain]

one game at a time

Thanks Lena.

[Clark W Griswold]

Player availability likely to drive the team selection. Kamara should be nice and fresh after his Xmas holidays. Hopefully Cash back too. Likes of Digne, Tielemans won't be available. Emery will probably give the likes of Duran and Zaniolo a go.

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Moreno, Kamara, Luiz, Zaniolo, Ramsey, Diaby, Duran.

Yeah that's a nice mix of strength and rotation.

Yeah i'd go for that team with the possible exception of Konsa for Carlos. Whilst i understand to a degree people saying that we should rest a few, i want to win it. I think that team would have enough to do so whilst giving a few of them a rest.

[VillaTim]

Konsa has played more EPL minutes this season than any other player we have 3 in the top 10 inc Luiz and McGinn.
We are in danger of burning our players out . Rest them.

[Risso]

Martinez

Cash Carlos Torres Moreno

Zaniolo Kamara Dendoncker Ramsey

Diaby Duran

Nobody in that line up has any reason to be fatigued, and several need the game time to try to get some form.

[Clark W Griswold]

To be fair, i think we already got your stance on it from the numerous previous posts on the subject. I suppose we'll wait and see. Although we could rest a few, we still need to have a good go at it.

[pablo_picasso]

Do we need to play the second string?

We only have three games in January.

Surely we don't want to run the risk of a little rust setting in.

Although I wouldn't mind giving Iroegbunam a game so he can show that he can be trusted in Kamaras absence & we don't have to go out & purchase a ball playing central defensive midfielder who can also pass & drive forward with the ball.

Because that would cost a fortune, fuck up our FFP figures, & we have one on our doorstep for free.

Maybe Feeney too, in place of Lenglent.

Mostly because I think Lenglet is shit as he has less pace & mobility than I do.

And I walk with a cane.

Apart from that, first choice's please...

[VillaTim]

To be fair, i think we already got your stance on it from the numerous previous posts on the subject. I suppose we'll wait and see. Although we could rest a few, we still need to have a good go at it.

yeah. You can use the squad and still "have a good go at it". We are playing Boro reserves not Liverpool

[Clark W Griswold]

Right, and we were playing an Everton side in September that we'd beaten 4-0 3 weeks before and lost 1-2 when we made loads of changes. I'm not altogether disagreeing with the idea but we don't need to field half a team, we haven't had the league cup to consider because of that night and we've avoided extra games in Europe. How many games do you think some of Man City's key players played last season??

[Hookeysmith]

Martinez

Cash Carlos Torres Moreno

Zaniolo Kamara Dendoncker Ramsey

Diaby Duran

Nobody in that line up has any reason to be fatigued, and several need the game time to try to get some form.

agree 100%

[VillaTim]

Right, and we were playing an Everton side in September that we'd beaten 4-0 3 weeks before and lost 1-2 when we made loads of changes. I'm not altogether disagreeing with the idea but we don't need to field half a team, we haven't had the league cup to consider because of that night and we've avoided extra games in Europe. How many games do you think some of Man City's key players played last season??

getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup was an absolute blessing in disguise

[LeeS]

Right, and we were playing an Everton side in September that we'd beaten 4-0 3 weeks before and lost 1-2 when we made loads of changes. I'm not altogether disagreeing with the idea but we don't need to field half a team, we haven't had the league cup to consider because of that night and we've avoided extra games in Europe. How many games do you think some of Man City's key players played last season??

getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup was an absolute blessing in disguise

If we win the ECL and then qualify for the Champions League on the last day of the season, we will say the same about getting knocked out of the FA Cup this weekend. I'd love us to have a go and win it but it has to be put in priority order. And for me, it is 3rd.

[PaulWinch again]

I’d rather win the FA Cup than the Conference League, if I had to pick, but hopefully we win both.

[pauliewalnuts]

I'd take the Conference League, as I am pretty sure first time we find ourselves in the Europa League, with Emery in charge it's as good as in the bag, which would mean we had done a clean sweep of all European trophies.

[Ads]

I'd rather win the Conference League. There's a level of prestige to winning a European trophy unrivalled domestically.

Let's be honest, the FA Cup means something to people who grew up with 3 channels. I want to win the FA Cup because I want to win things. Winning the FA Cup wouldn't feel any better than winning the League Cup to me.

"Oooooh the magic" yeah, whatever mate, just put the trophy in the back and mind that big one while you do it.