Aston Villa - Nottingham Forest

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Agreed particularly about Villa. However Pep has always had the small squad thing too, regularly just names squads short of 25 and a few youngsters. Man Utd filled there bench using 18 year olds yesterday.

A totally different argument and hopefully one for the summer, but as well as we have done this season I do think realistically we are a long way short of being competitive in the Champions League

[Username]

Those reinforcements are out of our league finance wise!

Agreed but you’ve completely missed the point.

[Username]

Agreed particularly about Villa. However Pep has always had the small squad thing too, regularly just names squads short of 25 and a few youngsters. Man Utd filled there bench using 18 year olds yesterday.

A totally different argument and hopefully one for the summer,  but as well as we have done this season I do think realistically we are a long way short of being competitive in the Champions League

Pep has always had the best pick of players, all of which are complete athletes. City are a great example, look at them without Rodri. 

And United only go to reinforce the point. 

It’s no good just having bodies for the sake of it in this division so we really need to manage the players fitness over these remaining games, hopefully starting at Villa. 

I never want us to lose but this game feels like a free hit* in the scheme of things


*that phrase again

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Maybe. To keep Villa 9 points behind us would be very very helpful though
Is it a game where it would be preferable rest a few and come away with nothing rather than snatching a point at the expense of picking up more injuries? Not sure.

[Shawoddyred]

I really don't see the point resting players against Villa. We've got a week until the next match, they've played in the FA cup and they have had a day less rest than us.

Having said that, I think they will have too much for us. Feels like the game against Newcastle for me. Though if Wood is fit, CHO is back then we always have a chance.

[Username]

Maybe. To keep Villa 9 points behind us would be very very helpful though
Is it a game where it would be preferable rest a few and come away with nothing rather than snatching a point at the expense of picking up more injuries? Not sure.

I’d rather be full strength for the more winnable games.

We should really be targeting six points in the Everton and Spurs games.

[Username]

I really don't see the point resting players against Villa. We've got a week until the next match, they've played in the FA cup and they have had a day less rest than us.

Having said that, I think they will have too much for us. Feels like the game against Newcastle for me. Though if Wood is fit, CHO is back then we always have a chance.

The point I’ve made a few times above. 

We have a small squad. It is being stretched. We need to manage the players. 

If Sosa, Jota Silva, Toffolo, Sangare are not up to it then now is the time to flush that out.

[Shawoddyred]

I really don't see the point resting players against Villa. We've got a week until the next match, they've played in the FA cup and they have had a day less rest than us.

Having said that, I think they will have too much for us. Feels like the game against Newcastle for me. Though if Wood is fit, CHO is back then we always have a chance.

The point I’ve made a few times above. 

We have a small squad. It is being stretched. We need to manage the players. 

If Sosa, Jota Silva, Toffolo, Sangare are not up to it then now is the time to flush that out.

Do you mean you're worried they might get injured? Or just tired.... tired I don't think should come into it, they have a week off after

[Username]

I really don't see the point resting players against Villa. We've got a week until the next match, they've played in the FA cup and they have had a day less rest than us.

Having said that, I think they will have too much for us. Feels like the game against Newcastle for me. Though if Wood is fit, CHO is back then we always have a chance.

The point I’ve made a few times above. 

We have a small squad. It is being stretched. We need to manage the players. 

If Sosa, Jota Silva, Toffolo, Sangare are not up to it then now is the time to flush that out.

Do you mean you're worried they might get injured? Or just tired.... tired I don't think should come into it, they have a week off after

Injury is the concern. 

MGW took a knock at Brighton. 

The manner in which Elanga plays always runs that risk. 

Anderson has never played this many minutes in one season in his professional career. 

We’ve lost Wood. Aina is out for the time being…

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

There is risk of injury every time a player walks onto the pitch. That has always been the case and always will be.

We are now at the business end of the season and it is not the time to be resting players in my opinion.

Villa have played a lot more games than us this season so we can't complain about being tired.

[Username]

The stakes are too high now though Sniffer, we’re one game away from an FA Cup final and in reality we probably only need four wins and a few draws in the league.

It shouldn’t be seen as resting players if the likes of Sangare, Danilo, Jota Silva and Sosa are good enough to play their parts.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Yes I get that and you are right.

I think we need to let the medical staff do their jobs by assessing the players as they know best.

I am sure Nuno listens to them and takes their advice before naming his team.

But the danger of injury will always be there no matter what.