07 Sep 2022 08:14:06
We open our EL bid this week.
We will Edgefield have 2 games a week now right up until the break for the world cup in November.
This will stretch our and the other top teams resources to the max.
As we know we are not blessed with a lot of quality in depth.
The group stages are all about finishing in the top 2.
We just need to do enough to qualify from a group that in paper does not look too difficult.
I'm hoping to see a lot of rotation for the group stages in the hope we have enough to get through while playing pretty much a 2nd string side.
I'm sure casimero will start tomorrow alongside fred and possibly the reintroduction of last seasons back 4.
Not sure where donny has been or if he is available.
Perhaps Antony who needs games will play in the EL and league for the next few weeks to help bring his match sharpness up to speed.
Ronaldo elanga martial garnacho will all likely feature in the el games too initially.
Looking forward to seeing what approach eth takes.
Tomorrow is the toughest team we'll face in the group and a fast start would be ideal.
Winning will maintain the tiny bit of momentum we have picked up and it will also be good for moral particularly for those that have not kicked a ball in anger so far this season.
Looking forward to it.

1.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 08:41:53
Agreed Ken I expect a healthy if not heavy rotation for the Sociedad game. Whilst we by no means have the depth of being able to field a second team of excellent quality there are options. Like you say the back four could theoretically completely change and maybe Dubravka / Casemiro / Ronaldo get first starts. I wonder how much change is healthy though, might lose that little bit of momentum we've gained. But certainly good to have options.
Optimistic of a great Europa run. Just like Chelsea were :D.

2.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 09:15:48
I'd expect to see a fair bit of rotation. I agree Casemiro and Antony probably need to start to get up to speed.

Martial should come in as well if he is fit enough.

I think we need to rest both Martinez and Rashford who both seemed to pick up knocks and have until the Arsenal game played pretty much all of the minutes available this season.

Varane is another who has struggled with injuries and I'd be concerned about over playing him. He should probably be rested.

Dalot and Eriksen are others who probably need a rest having played pretty much all the minutes available, Malacia as well.

Maybe something like: DDG, AWB, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Bruno, Elanga, Ronaldo, Garnacho.

Although I'd be concerned with that defence.

3.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 10:15:10
Agreed Guys, just rotate and put a team out to get a result. October is a bit of brut of a month in Pl for us and would be great if we break for the world cup with the team in good form and good league position.

4.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 11:08:19
Shapoy,

Any defence that this maguire starting, will always be of concern. If Tuanzebe was fit, I'd rather he got game.

5.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 11:49:55
MH, I think Maguire is a liability in defence. But he is an expensive signing and club captain (in name at least) .

I can't see the club selling him any time soon. I can't imagine who would want to buy him even if they did put him up for sale.

His only redeeming quality is that he's nearly always fit. Give the others in our stable of CB's that makes him a regular starter by just being available.

I'd much rather start a fully fit Jones over Maguire. But that isn't going to happen.

As such Maguire will have to come in on rotation regularly.

Personally if I was EtH I'd be making a big push in the league and the EL. With less emphasis on the domestic cups.

Surely to help rebuild next summer we need UCL qualification, both for the attraction it is to top players and the money it brings in.

We can get that by finishing in the top four or winning the Europa League.

We have a decent first team now, but a suspect squad. We need to keep our best players fit for the competitions that matter most.

6.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 11:56:49
Tuanzebe has not been named in the EL squad.

7.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 12:17:14
I reckon Maguire will be gone in next summer's window, for less than half what we paid, assuming anyone can afford the wages and it doesn't just become another standoff with. him sat in the wings for two years. If he can't keep up with the pace or quality of the new system then it's pointless hanging onto him just to avoid losing face. Hell, they lost Pogba for nothing then went out and got him again for a world record fee, they have nothing to be embarrassed about.

8.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 12:34:54
If he doesn't get much game time, then I hope Maguire leaves in January.

9.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 12:47:42
--------------It needs to go on the teams page---------

10.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 14:06:00
I diagree; I think he will keep pretty much the same team as Sunday.

I think he will want to keep the momentum going and get off to a good start in the competition against the toughest team in the group.

11.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 14:46:31
He won’t make too many changes tomorrow can’t afford a beating not when just getting some confidence in them, only changes I expect will be Casermiro McGuire and Ronaldo in… still needs to win can't afford big changes because as Ten Haag knows the back ups ain’t great…. imagine losing 3 or 4 nil, all that confidence been building starts to drain.

12.) 07 Sep 2022
07 sep 2022 19:49:15
unfortunately it’s not about finishing in the top 2, it’s about winning the group so that we automatically go through to the last 16 and don’t have to play an extra 2 games. 2nd place means a playoff to make the last 16 against a tough team from the cl.

i think he will make a few changes, players like casemiro, fred and ronaldo need games, varane is unlikely to play 4 games in 10 days so i doubt he will play, and maybe a couple of other changes, shaw, dubravka, elanga maybe.

13.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 20:01:00
Hardest game in the group. Put out a strong team, minimal changes, and get off to a good start. Then start playing the squad players.

And that's why I'm not managing Utd ?.

14.) 07 Sep 2022
07 Sep 2022 22:43:13
Have the europa league knockout rules changed? Thought group winners go into the round of 32 as well and don't get to skip a round?

15.) 08 Sep 2022
08 Sep 2022 10:59:40
No I don't think so, there are 12 groups of 4 with the top 2 going through and joined by the 8 best third placed teams from the CL to form a knock out round of 32.