UEFA Europa Conference League-Knockout stages (Olympiacos)

[frank black]

I’ll be absolutely gob smacked if we get through, I just can’t see us not conceded at their place. I also don’t think we have the mentality/know how in the team (a couple do, but it isn’t enough).

Unai needs to balance the team to be able to cope with a massive game against Liverpool. It’s unlikely we go full tilt and full strength.

[pauliewalnuts]

I dunno. We are absolutely running on fumes, knackered beyond belief by injuries and have only put in a handful of decent - by our own high standards - performances in the last month or two. I also think that in such a depleted state, fine margins come into play.

What we need in the pitch is calm, experienced heads as at two goals down, it’s a tricky position to be in, but certainly not terminal.

Unfortunately, I don’t feel we have enough such heads available this week.

You never know though, stranger things have happened. I’m just approaching it fearing the worst but hoping for the best.

[Drummond]

I'd go with a really strange lineup.

Martinez or Olsen
Konsa Carlos Torres Digne
Cash Luiz McGinn Moreno
Bailey Watkins

That's presuming Tielemans, Rogers and Zaniolo are still out.

Duran and Diaby on as subs.

Alternatively drop Watkins and start Duran, he can beat them up for 45 mins and bring Watkins on for a second half hattrick. (I may not be entirely serious with this suggestion.)

[algy]

I'm a believer, mate

[Risso]

I reckon Emery will rightly think this is probably beyond us and make a load of changes in preparation for Liverpool.

[Monty]

Yeah, if Zaniolo can start then rest Bailey. Tim in for one of Doug and McGinn, then bring the benched one on for the starter. Hopefully give Youri a warm-up, if able to make the squad. Cash at right-midfield sounds fine to me. Start Duran even.

[ChicagoLion]

I reckon Emery will rightly think this is probably beyond us and make a load of changes in preparation for Liverpool.

I hope so.

[algy]

It's not beyond us.

We're 3pts off qualifying for the champions league and those can come from either us beating Palace or Liverpool, or Spurs losing one of their 3 remaining games, or a combination of the above. One draw and Spurs failing to beat Man City would be enough. We do not need to rest players for that at this stage of the season.

We are 2 goals down, which is a bloody nuisance ... but we've beaten clubs by 2+ goals away before, and Olympiacos have lost by 2+ goals at home before.

It is most definitely not beyond us.

[ChicagoLion]

It's not beyond us.

We're 3pts off qualifying for the champions league and those can come from either us beating Palace or Liverpool, or Spurs losing one of their 3 remaining games, or a combination of the above. One draw and Spurs failing to beat Man City would be enough. We do not need to rest players for that at this stage of the season.

We are 2 goals down, which is a bloody nuisance ... but we've beaten clubs by 2+ goals away before, and Olympiacos have lost by 2+ goals at home before.

It is most definitely not beyond us.

17 to 2 attempts on goal to a depleted Brighton and Rogers now injured.

[Risso]

Ordinarily perhaps not, but we're currently playing like we're trying to stave off relegation and not compete at the top end of the table.

[algy]

It's not beyond us.

We're 3pts off qualifying for the champions league and those can come from either us beating Palace or Liverpool, or Spurs losing one of their 3 remaining games, or a combination of the above. One draw and Spurs failing to beat Man City would be enough. We do not need to rest players for that at this stage of the season.

We are 2 goals down, which is a bloody nuisance ... but we've beaten clubs by 2+ goals away before, and Olympiacos have lost by 2+ goals at home before.

It is most definitely not beyond us.

17 to 2 attempts on goal to a depleted Brighton and Rogers now injured.

I seem to remember our goalkeeper getting injured early on in an important European game once and that turned out OK.

Honestly, what's the point if you can't enjoy being in a European semi final for the first time in over 40 years?

Until at least 9.45pm on Thursday (Greek time) we are very much still in this competition. We don't know when the next time we get this deep in to a cup will be, if it happens at all. May as well enjoy it this time round.

[Demitri_C]

I gotta be honest i prefer we take Thursday game seriously.  As i think if we can over turn this we will win the cup.

We could just play a weakened team and lose to liverpool anyway so why not go for it?

[Nii Lamptey]

It's not beyond us.

We're 3pts off qualifying for the champions league and those can come from either us beating Palace or Liverpool, or Spurs losing one of their 3 remaining games, or a combination of the above. One draw and Spurs failing to beat Man City would be enough. We do not need to rest players for that at this stage of the season.

We are 2 goals down, which is a bloody nuisance ... but we've beaten clubs by 2+ goals away before, and Olympiacos have lost by 2+ goals at home before.

It is most definitely not beyond us.

17 to 2 attempts on goal to a depleted Brighton and Rogers now injured.

I seem to remember our goalkeeper getting injured early on in an important European game once and that turned out OK.

Honestly, what's the point if you can't enjoy being in a European semi final for the first time in over 40 years?

Until at least 9.45pm on Thursday (Greek time) we are very much still in this competition. We don't know when the next time we get this deep in to a cup will be, if it happens at all. May as well enjoy it this time round.

Totally agree Algy. We're never going to be in a position at the end of any season where we're not knackered and/or blighted with injury - Does that mean we just throw in the towel and never win anything? That extra push is what makes winners!
Spurs are a basket case, with a manager in a position way above his pay grade - 4th is ours.

I think getting past Olympiacos hinges on Tielemans being fit. If he's in, Watkins will feast!

Keep the faith everyone, FFS. UTV

[Bad English]

— it can stray too far.

He's a right charmer, isn't he?

Thanks for quoting all that!

[frank black]

I gotta be honest i prefer we take Thursday game seriously.  As i think if we can over turn this we will win the cup.

We could just play a weakened team and lose to liverpool anyway so why not go for it?

Because we simply can’t afford ( literally) to cock up the 4th place