The problem is, just three days later we face Southampton in a “must win” game at St James’ Park. It’s must win because we still have Premier League safety to consider and a quick look at the table will show you that a win against the Saints will lift us further away from the relegation spaces, and with league games running out that has to be the priority.
So as you can see, it’s a fine balancing act. We named a strong side last Thursday which wasn’t able to break down Metalist Kharkiv, but we only really named a strong side because we didn’t have a league or FA Cup game this weekend in my opinion. Next weekend it’s different, we do have a game, so where is the priority now?
There are, or were, plenty of people calling for a strong side to be named last Thursday. They got their wish but it wasn’t enough to get a result which allowed us to rest some of those players and protect them from making a round trip of over 3,000 miles this Thursday. To go through we’re going to need another strong side, or to name a weakened side with the league game in mind and hope for the best.
For me it should be the second option. Our second string isn’t as weak as it once was thanks to the additions made in January so all is not lost and they can still get a result in Kharkiv. It will be tough, but it was going to be tough anyway. The chance we had to go through was missed last week when we failed to build up a lead to take to Ukraine so for me this competition is done and dusted and if we manage to get through it’s a bonus.
I just can’t put to the back of my mind the importance of the game against Southampton and that is my priority right now. We need to make sure as many of our first-team are fit and raring to go against the Saints as a negative result would be dire for us.
I do understand that this is a chance at trying to win a trophy, but I’ve personally waited 30 years and some of you old buggers have been waiting longer than that. I think I can wait another year before trying for one, but as for relegation I’m not so sure I’d enjoy going through that again.
But, as the title says, you’re the boss so what would you do?
TOONSY agree 100% mate,another point southamton will be fresh and they always play a full 90min
icedog(Quote)
I’m not convinced that we can pick up the score draw (or better) needed to go through, anyway.
Wellington(Quote)
I’ll be happy with 2 score draws.
I would rest a few key players against Metalist. Santon, Cabaye & Sissoko.
I would play Krul, Colo & Saylor, Tiote, & Cisse and build round that.
Soton we have HBA & Goofy back.
We don’t need to win against Soton, too many other poor teams down there, but we must not lose either game.
premandup(Quote)
we didnt play out of our skin last season to field a weakened team its a strong squad for me and we still go out n beat southampton we need to be positive in all our games which i think we can HWTL
migthemag(Quote)
—————————–Elliot——————————
-Simpson—Williamson–Yanga Mbiwa—Haidara-
——————Bigirimana–Perch———————–
—-Obertan————–Anita————Marveaux—-
—————————–Shola—————————-
Subs:
Harper
Tavernier
Colo
Jonas
Cabaye
Campbell
Cissé
This team whilst weakened should have enough to beat them. If we’re doing ok bring on Campbell if we need a goal bring on Cissé and Cabaye.
Andymag(Quote)
If we start with Soton in mind we would play Goofy, Cisse & HBA up front.
Tiote, Cabaye & Sissoko in Midfield and our best defence.
We need our best defence in Europe as well, but Debuchy is not available and Santon needs a rest. in come M’Baiwa & Haidera. We could still play Tiote, Anita, Bigi, Marveaux Obertan & Jonas with Cisse up front. Strong enough to get a score draw.
premandup(Quote)
I think its a very tricky situation , on one hand we have a chance to get into the quater finals of a major tournament. And if we want to keep and attract better players having a chance to win silverware will get players in. The very same has to be said for league safety. I do think we have the depth for both competions. But I would play a stronger side against Southampton. But the likes of Anita Perch Jonas should play on Thurs and we hopefully we can get a result we need.
Johno Toon(Quote)
Premandup
Gouffran is cup tied mate
Andymag(Quote)
Yeah it’s a hard choice but I still think we should be able to put a strong side out at least a best 9 with a few back ups again.
Yeah we could say forget about this yr and we can go for it next yr, but in my life I think you have to grab the chance while it’s there, for all we know it could be another 10yrs or more before we get a crack at it.
Big Dave(Quote)
It’s a tricky one for sure . We know the saints ain’t no pushovers even if we are at home ,we still need to be strong for 90+mins ,cause they will be . As for Metal Crappy ,it’s very disappointing we didn’t finish them off at our place ,I’m still seething over the officiating and it puts us in a **** position now. Do we go for it risking injury/tiredness with all our ‘purples’ in a bid for potential glory or play it safe 😕 hard decision but I guess the sensible one is to hold back our glory players for Saints since safety in the PL is the most important issue for us. So with heavy heart I have to say Don’t send Sissoko, Cisse ,cabs or god forbid Benny . Iwould think Anita ,Marv ,possibly Elliott in goal and Obertan up front even might work . Have often wondered if Oba could be better as a forward 😕 Simmo to go if fit and Mbiwa too since Pards doesn’t seem to want to play him at CB yet 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Speaking of Thursday’s match, does anyone know if it’ll be on terrestrial tv or is it gunna be ESPN again?
Andymag(Quote)
We aren’t going to win the Europa League whether or not we go through as we will get turned over as soon as we take on a Champions League side.
Take a weakened side and concentrate on Southampton
The Kid(Quote)
It’s a tricky situation indeed, Southampton at home has to be the priority though. We need wins in the Premier League to ease the pressure.
Saying that, I still want us to go and try beat Metalist and I think we will if we field a half decent team. Perhaps give Cabaye, Coloccini a rest, and give Sissoko 45 minutes, but besides that we are Europe after all, we might as well give it a right good go.
I get the feeling Pardew will look to field a strong team in both the tie and hopefully a win in Europe can spur us on to another victory at St.James’ against Rickie Lambert and co..!
Keep up the good work lads, site looks good 🙂
Doocey(Quote)
For me its simple we play our best 11 available then the same again for the Southampton game . With the new players in , everyone is in a upbeat mood and that will give the squad enough energie too get through all the games . Lets face it ,if we had good officiating against Metalist we were 2 goals better than them . Some on here have been slagging Cisse but imo he scored 2 good goals . We have more than enough too win both the next 2 games .
Axel(Quote)
KRUL
Simpson Yang-Mbiwa Taylor Haidara
Anita Tiote
Marveaux Cabaye Sammy
Cisse
This team should be strong enough nd it rest five players 4 Sunday
Adam Barnes(Quote)
Adam
Why Sammy ahead of Obertan? Whilst both haven’t looked brilliant I’d rather gabby be in the team, he seems to know what he’s doing rather than Sammy who stumbles towards the box.
Andymag(Quote)
—————————–Krul——————————
-Simpson—Williamson–Yanga Mbiwa—Santon-
——————Anita—————-Tiote———————–
—-Obertan————–Sissoko————Marveaux—-
—————————–CIsse—————————-
Subs:
Harper
Tavernier
Colo
Jonas
Cabaye
Campbell
Shola
Dan(Quote)
Is anyone else really excited for the Soton game? We can finally see the full strength team (fingers crossed no injuries on Thursday)
—————————-Krul—————————–
-Debuchy——Taylor——-Colocinni—–Santon-
——————Cabaye——–Tiote——————-
—-Ben Arfa———–Sissoko———Gouffran—-
—————————-Cissé—————————
SUBS:
Harper
Simpson
Yanga Mbiwa
Perch
Jonas
Marveaux
Shola
Andymag(Quote)
Possibly swap Perch for Anita and Pards might not want to start Gouffran/Benny after their injuries so Jonas will probably start. If Mbiwa impresses then he might start ahead of Taylor.
Andymag(Quote)
Personally I think we should go for the Europa. Like Big Dave said you never know when we will get another chance. All we need is 4 wins and a draw from our remaining fixtures to get survival. The best players in the world can handle 60 games a season so I am sure our top players can handle a couple of additional games. Also I saw a comment saying we would get turned over as soon as we played a champions league team. I don’t agree with that, we have beaten Chelsea this season and came close to beating Man Utd without our strongest side. Later in the competition hopefully we will have our strongest side when we get Ben Arfa back. I think our first team is capable of going toe to toe with some of the bigger teams in the league and we just need to have a bit of faith in the team rather than worrying about players getting tired or injured go for it. As Toonsy said our squad depth is better than it was previously. Surely people on the fringes of the starting line up like Anita and Marveaux are good enough for the league. Gouffran, Ben Arfa and Debuchy are due to come back into the squad after Europe so at least Gouffran and Debuchy will be fresh for the Southampton game. You could even rest one of our centre backs move Santon to right back and play Haidara at left back so there is a 4th player who would get rested.
lualua17(Quote)
Krul (Needs to learn distribution)
Simpson, Mbwia, Colo, Hiadara
Anita, Perch, Tiote
Obertan, Cisse, Marv
7 Changes for soton; Debuchy for simmo, Taylor for Mbwia, Santon for Hiadara, Cabaye for anita, Sisokko for Perch, HBA for obertan and Gouffran for marv.
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
I’m reluctant to start Cissé for Thursday’s game as although we have a bit of backup I don’t want our main striker picking up an injury. Especially with the precarious position we’re in.
Andymag(Quote)
LuaLua @ 20 it seems to be the same thing every season there is always a reason to not try to win things, the season before last was that we needed to concentrate on staying up, last season was that we needed to focus on staying in the Euro spots rather than cups. But now we are in the Europa it’s changed back to we need to focus on staying up, imo if this team isn’t capable of staying up then so be it, but I really don’t think putting a strong team out in the Europa cup would be the reason.
Our team should be capable of doing both now that we strengthened it, im just tired of excuses
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave
To be fair Pards hasn’t put out a weakened team as of yet we’ll have to wait and see so no excuses have yet been made.
Andymag(Quote)
100% agree BIG DAVE its time too stop the pathetic excuses grow some balls and give it a go . We have some top talent and we have depth in the squad now .
Axel(Quote)
I’m afraid to say that I would sooner take 3 premiership points than Euro progression and because if that I think we play a weaker starting 11 against Metalist.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Elliot
Anita mapou Williamson haidara
Jonas perch marveaux obertan Ferguson
Cisse
Tell these players if they play well and win they’ll keep their place in the next round.
Rest key first team players, fill up the midfield because we were overrun there in the first leg, push Gabi inside to get him more involved, Jonas and Ferguson are our best crossers.
Put Adam and cabaye and Benny on the bench for late injection if pace and quality.
Job done.
Andy hebburn(Quote)
Andy meant @6 that starting lineup against Soton.
premandup(Quote)
sorry to clarify
v Metalist
Krul; M’Baiwa, Saylor, Colo, Haidera: Tiote, Anita, Marveaux; Jonas, Obertan, Cisse.
v Southampton
Krul; Debuchy; Saylor, Colo, Santon; Tiote, Cabaye, Sissoko; HBA, Gouffran, Cisse.
premandup(Quote)
Andy @ 24 i’m not talking about Pards i’m talking about fans making excuses for him, if we keep making excuses and never taking a risk we’ll never win owt, I don’t want to wait another 40 odd yrs to see us win something, and while we’re still in and going for it we still have a chance
Big Dave(Quote)
Premier league survival is the key so I’d play a reserve team against Metalist; some will disagree with me as it’s our last chance of silverware this season but relegation would no doubt be disastrous. I’d go for the following team:
Elliot
Anita, Yanga-Mbiwa, Williamson, Haidara
Bigirimana
Obertan Amalfitano Marveux
Shola Campbell
The team above should at least pose a few problems for the opposition and hopefully they can secure a score draw. I won’t lose too much sleep over getting knocked out though in truth.
Mihesh(Quote)
Yeah I totally agree Big Dave @ 23 & 30. I think the fans have lost faith that the team can win anything with us waiting for so long for a trophy. But I would like to see us have a proper go at winning the trophy. It could totally transform this club and if we win one trophy no matter what it is, it could give us the hunger to get another. It is the only way we will retain top players as well because at the end of the day the top players are going to want to be challenging and winning trophies. Lets show these players they are capable of realising that dream here.
lualua17(Quote)
Any1 thats ganna play in southampton game should not be on the plane for the replay simple as that
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
peeps better ask themself whats more important prem ship football or a replay we likely to lose
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Big Dave @ 23
Exactly that!!
We should put out a strong team against Metalist and put subs on earlier than we usually do in the second half if we want to rest people for Soton.
I’m sick of excuses for not trying for things. The more we get our best players playing together now, the quicker they’ll gel and become a team. That will help us staying up and it will help us next season.
We
Pootle(Quote)
Just imagine if we put out a second string team against Metalist and get beaten, then put out a full strength team against Soton and get beaten or even scrape a weak draw.
I think that would kick our new found confidence right in the balls.
Strong team against Metalist, full strength team against Soton.
Go for it. Exude confidence and fight.
Pootle(Quote)
My real worry is injuries at a key time in our survival fight if we only had 32 points already things would look so much better cause you’d only be looking at another 3 wins to be safe most likely. The boards lack of strengthening last summer has caused us so many problems. Yes I am desperate for silverware too but more desperate to stay in the PL tbh. We have seen how we struggled without key personel ,if we lose Cisse ,Sissoko or Cabs now it would be a disaster probably and knowing our luck ,well enough said really.
KIMTOON(Quote)
BIG DAVE @ 30 **** me thats a scary thought another 40 years before we win something . Considering we won the Fairs cup the year before i was born !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! another 40 years will make me 83 FFS . ****** it iam gaan to the fridge for a can of beer .
Axel(Quote)
Kim we could put out a second string against Metalist and just capitulate our chances of doing something positive this season.
What happens if we do that and lose Cabaye and Cisse to injury to Soton anyway? How will we really be any better off?
For me, the only reason to be fielding weaker players now is tiredness. If some players are really tired then by all means give them a game off to rest. I think playing a weaker team with wholsale changes is just counterproductive at this point.
Pootle(Quote)
<<<<<<, wonders if any of yous heard the word jet lag lol
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Kim the way I see it is that if we arn’t going to grab our chance now, what was the point in fighting to get in the top 6 ? We may aswell just give up trying to get in the top 6 and just be content being a mid table team with no ambition to do better.
I do agree my main priority is the prem, but surely when you get the chance you have to grab it with both hands. I also thing that playing a strong team won’t mean getting relegatedand if we did well I would say it was necause we were totally useless and deserve to go down but I wouldn’t blame it on the Europa.
I really don’t believe in in wrapping players up in cotton wool or going into a game thinking what if we get an injury etc . You get nothing in life without taking a risk
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave , Totally get what you’re saying and Pootle and would love to go for it ,but I just don’t feel we can risk certain players when our PL survival is at stake. If we can get through and get a couple more PLwins then I’d say go for it . Ido agree we wasted our time working hard for Europe if we don’t try but that’s not down to fans it’s down to the boards ineptitude at not giving Pards the tools to work with from the summer .Had they done so then this conversation would be redundent most likely.
KIMTOON(Quote)
By no means should we throw the Europa cup away fielding a **** team but neither should we field a full strength team because we want to preserve that for the league and later on in the Europa competition. The answer then is simple play the fringe players that are on the edge of the first team but aren’t getting as many games. Elliot, Simpson, Mbiwa, Willo, Haidara, Bigi, Anita, Perch, Obertan, Marveaux and Shola all could threaten for a first team place and so could do the job over in Ukraine. That is by no means a weak side, all have something to prove to try and get into the first team.
Andymag(Quote)
I guess what I’m saying is I don’t want us going down cause we lost key players in Europe and were left with the also rans to keep us up cause we all know that won’t work as witnessed already this season. 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
@ ANDYMAG @ 43
agreed
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
You can add Ferguson, Tavernier and Campbell to that list as well.
In related news
I see Campbell played in that Italian tournament so he’ll have to fly back from that, have a couple days rest then fly of to Ukraine to play Thursdays game. Jet lag might be a serious problem so I reckon he won’t go with the team to play metalist.
Andymag(Quote)
Kim’s right, imagine how annoyed the fans would be with Pardew if we got relegated because he fielded the first team against a Ukraine side which clattered them.
Andymag(Quote)
Andy well if they are all capable of threatening a 1st team spot well then in the event of getting an injury to one of our better players in Europa then we shouldn’t worry that much as they would then be able to slot into the 1st team ?
Big Dave(Quote)
The replacement for Cisse would be Gouffran ,what’s his record as a forward ?anyone know 😕 This is should he get crocked in Europa game like. Who is good enough to replace Cabaye or Sissoko to keep us up ,given we have only looked anywhere near decent since they arrived back or into the team.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Dave
They may be able to deputise for a player but they aren’t going to be as good. Shola isn’t Cissé, Obertan isn’t Ben Arfa. The bottom line is Metalist may be a challenge but the PL is harder.
Andymag(Quote)
Kim is right we’ve got adequate numbers of holding midfield players but attacking midfield is different. Ben Arfa and Marv may be able to play there but there true talent is the wing in my opinion.
Andymag(Quote)
Well we do have a couple cup tied for the Europa league ,i would play Anita at Rb for those games and i would not be risking HBA against Metalist . Would drop Taylor because he can get injured quick in tose sort of games as well and go with Colo and Mbiwa . Tiote and Bigi inthe middle with the pace of Obertan and Ferguson out wide .Shola with Cisse up top and play long too shola ,Cisse to feed from his knock downs .
Axel(Quote)
Axel
Why not Simpson at RB? Anita can play CM in place of Tiote who will probably start v Soton.
Andymag(Quote)
Dave ,TBH I would love to really attack Europe and I’m really miffed at this relegation side issue we got going on it’s ruined what should of been a thrilling season for us and we all know who’s to blame for that. I don’t want us to be like Portsmouth win a cup and sink out the league as I don’t see us comeing straight up again. Bet Pompey fans would trade that cup to be back in the PL again truth be told. I know we don’t have their money issues but the sentiment is the same.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Also what about Marveaux?
Andymag(Quote)
<<<<<<<<,, after hearing what most have to say on the issue here i still think we should follow our heads here and not our hearts
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
I would go with
Elliot
Simpson Williamson Mbiwa Haiddara
Perch Bigi Anita Jonas Marveux
Shola
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
i dont buy this tired ****,they work a couple of hours per day and sometimes play twice for 90min and then looked after like babys ffs,ask lads that work hard 5/6 days at times 12hr shifts and play footy on day off for a hobby,more like hippy gits imo,i remember dave watson being asked that qes on tv,he said how can you be get tired playing your hobby for money its a just some say it when they played bad,more so winning teams never feel tired
icedog(Quote)
Ice ,Excellent point ,I’ve never gotten it either. I suppose long haul flights could be a pain but even so they wanna do a weeks real work for a fraction of the coin before they moan. My worry is injuries more so than tiredness really.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Only cause we been beset with them all season and don’t see our luck or bad luck changeing any time soon ,we nearly lost Goofy after two games ,got lucky there.
KIMTOON(Quote)
KIM i agree it is a worry,but then again they can get injured in training,we have even saw then pull sumit in warm up,but it is a worry,pity we were not sitting 10/11 then worry eases
icedog(Quote)
ANDYMAG i think Anita is a better RB than Simpson plus Tiote has it in him too play both games . I think Tiote and Bigi could boss the midfield against Metalist . I would give Cabaye a rest ,lest not forget he is not long back from an inury himself . Sissoko on the bench with Marveaux meaning we have power pace and skill too call on if needed .
Axel(Quote)
lets say the fringe players pull this off and beat the odds when is the next round 1st leg to be played
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
and how many prems games we got before the next round tie played
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
@57
In the case why not just save money on the flights and not bother turning up.
Stop worrying about them getting injured so much. What’s to stop them getting injured against Soton anyway, or ace Ice said, injured in training?
Then we’ll be in the same **** anyway but have just passed up our only decent chance to win something in years.
If anyone is badly fatigued give them a rest, or sub them early in the second half. Otherwise stop fannying about and play all our remaining games like we intend to win them. Our best players need playing time together to gel properly as a team. Also winning games will breed confidence – sending out ****-weak teams and deploying ‘try to scrape a draw’ type tactics is a large part of what got us in this mess in the first place.
Pootle(Quote)
^^as Ice said^^
Pootle(Quote)
TAE@64, last 16 1st leg 7th march 2nd leg 14march
QF 1st leg 4 th april 2nd leg 11th april
SF 1st leg 25 april 2nd leg may 2nd
Final 16th may
so 2 PL games before last 16 1st leg and 1 before the 2nd leg .Then 2 PLgames before QF1st leg and 1 before the 2nd leg . 2 PL games before the 1st leg of SF and 1 before 2nd leg then 2PL games before Final with 1 remaining PL game there after.
By my reckoning we would need to secure 3 wins against next 3 PL games being Saints ,swansea and Stoke to feel comfy enough to throw everyone at it should we progress after next week . We would then have 36 points and only need 1 or 2 more wins or a win and two draws would survice. But winning 3 on the trott is a tall ask.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I would play a strong team for several reasons. Firstly I think we now have enough strength in depth to have enough cover in the positions that need it. The goalkeeper and defence should be able to play 2 games in 3 days, but even then Debucy will be fresh and if we think Santon can’t play (all the evidence so far is that he can) then play Haidara. In midfield we have effectively 2 first team players for every position now should someone get injured or be too worn out. I also think we have this opportunity that we worked hard for and why give the competition the respect that it deserves. I also don’t agree that ‘as soon as we play a champions league team we will be out anyway’. Well are Chelsea not a champions league team? (current European champions) and we have beaten them something like three out of the last five times we have played them. I would love for us to get a game against an Inter Milan or a team like that at SJP. We are not that far away from it and it would be one positive from this season. I also think we should have been at least 1-0 up and in the driving seat against Kharkiv so I think it is all to play for. Lets stop with this defeatist stuff please. Did Wigan not go and get a win at Huddersfield today in the FA cup with a strong team? Their league position is much worse than ours, it can have a positive effect to do well in a competition IMO. If players aren’t playing games they can just as easily get injured in training. They can get tired from too many games but they can lose match practice/fitness as well, say if we hadn’t played for 2 weeks.
DJG(Quote)
And, yes, I know part of the reason for sending out ****-weak teams was the boards plainly ludicrous decision not to strengthen an obviously weak squad in the summer. But it demonstrates that fielding teams containing predominantly players like Williamson, Ameobi, etc is not really going to get us anywhere. If it was we wouldn’t all be sweating about relegation, would we?
They have finally seen sense and supplied players good enough to keep us up and have a decent go at Europe. Why waste either opportunity?
Pootle(Quote)
36 PL points up for grabs between now and season end we just need 13 to get 40 can we do it . 😕 4 wins and a draw.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim I would take a chance on Cisse as it might do him a world of good if he can get the shooting boots going again. But I don’t think we would need to risk both Cabaye and Sissoko. I am not asking for our best 11 but would like to think that we could put out our best 8-9 and throw Marv, Oba and Anita into the mix. I agree with Ice about tiredness excuse these are professional athletes they should be able to play 2 games in a week ffs
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave @71 , Yeah agree with that and thinking about it we have Goofy to cover Cisse if the worst should happen. But I don’t think Cabs ought to go as only just back fit again.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim, I’m telling you now, 3 out of the 4 teams below us will not get anywhere near 40 points this season, 36 if their lucky. 😉
DJG(Quote)
We must now play our strongest side in Europe or we will wait another 40 plus years fir a trophy. If you have a cance of the last 16 go for it every time
Russell Charleton(Quote)
KIMTOON i mentioned that earlier about Cabs ,the guy has looked great since coming back and is too important too us too risk on a freezing cold night in the Ukraine . The pitch could be as hard as concreet ,thats why i would not risk Taylor as well with his injury history .
Axel(Quote)