Team vs Reading

[andyrew]

No more history lessons...onto the next one

 

[hardybee]

Raya

Dalsgaard Pontus Pinnock Rico

Baptiste Norgaard DaSilva

Mbeumo Watkins Said

Would be happy to swap DaSilva with Jensen if fit

 

[lanzabee]

Same starting eleven except Bryan in for Fosu. Time to give the BMW a proper run out

 

[BFC1997]

Think Baptiste has earned a start, other than that really it’s just a case of Fosu vs Mbeumo.

 

[Raybees]

Think the way dasilva cramped up and limped off will see us start with Baptiste

 

[Leedsbee]

This is looking like the only game we have against a team that has nothing to play for. Go strong , get ahead early then use all five subs. Definitely try and give Julian and Halil some minutes.

 

[Ruislip_Rich]

It's a bit like choosing Stella or 1664 in the pub. Which ever one you go for, it gets the job done. Bring it on.

 

[grutter]

This is looking like the only game we have against a team that has nothing to play for. Go strong , get ahead early then use all five subs. Definitely try and give Julian and Halil some minutes.

Outside chance of a P/O place (8 points). They'll be having a go. If they lose to Derby today, then I think that may well put paid to it (although they have a decent run in after us). Having said that, look what 3 wins on the spin has done for us! You never know...

 

[Frothybaby]

I am hoping it will be a more comfortable watch then I think it will be. I have to trust in TF to select, but hope all are available.

I would like Mbeumo to start, and if Jensen out, Marcondes. If JDS struggling, then would like to see Shandon start. Though I like JJ and Roeslev, I would like to keep back four as much as possible.

 

[Mr Cynical]

Pretty straightforward I think. Assuming Jensen will be out and DaSilva was just cramp..

Raya, Dalsgaard, Pontus, Pinnock, Henry, Norgaard, Marcondes, DaSilva, Benhrama, Watkins, Mbuemo.

Subs: Daniels, Roerslev, Thompson, Jeanvier, Mokotjo, Baptiste, Valencia, Halil, Fosu (Canos for Thompson if he's fit)

 

[jlove]

Given we have a tough game against Wigan on Saturday, I'd expect to see a few players rotated to start, then possibly use the subs to make wholesale changes if we can. I'd have no problem with Jeanvier, Mbeumo, Baptiste and Mokotjo coming in.

 

[Paul USA]

Raya

Dalsgaard Pontus Pinnock Rico

Baptiste Norgaard DaSilva

Mbeumo Watkins Said

Would be happy to swap DaSilva with Jensen if fit

Agree - I would rather Jensen for DaSilva if possible - DaSilva for last 20 minutes though

 

[beebopalula]

Frank doesn't like making changes to his starting eleven. However l think he'll start Mbeumo instead of Fosu. Any other changes only if injuries require it.If it's needed in mid then Baptiste to come in.

 

[grutter]

Extra 24 hours recovery compared to Reading could be important too.

I think Baptiste and Mbeumo to start. Marcondes and Jensen (if fit) on bench. For me, Jensen needs to earn his place back, not walk straight back in.

 

[Banana]

This may be a game where we rest key players - I am thinking Pontus especially.

Reading are bang in mid-table and have NOTHING to play for.

 

[North London Bee]

This may be a game where we rest key players - I am thinking Pontus especially.

Reading are bang in mid-table and have NOTHING to play for.

That could work either way though as they are playing without pressure. I’d prefer to start with our strongest team, get the game won and bring on more subs in the second half.

 

[Indian Bee]

This may be a game where we rest key players - I am thinking Pontus especially.

Reading are bang in mid-table and have NOTHING to play for.

Unless there are any concerns with his fitness, I see no reason to rest him. I trust TF to make the correct call but wouldn't want to see wholesale changes for this game. Only a couple.

 

[Gazza Bee]

Raya

Dalsgaard Pontus Pinnock Rico

Baptiste Norgaard DaSilva

Mbeumo Watkins Said

Would be happy to swap DaSilva with Jensen if fit

This or Marcondes for Baptiste

 

[badgerbee]

This may be a game where we rest key players - I am thinking Pontus especially.

Reading are bang in mid-table and have NOTHING to play for.

They seemed pretty up for it v Derby today.....

 

[Mr Cynical]

Unless there are any concerns with his fitness, I see no reason to rest him. I trust TF to make the correct call but wouldn't want to see wholesale changes for this game. Only a couple.

realistically Pontus is not going to play 7 games in 3 weeks..

 

[Voice from the Braemar]

This may be a game where we rest key players - I am thinking Pontus especially.

Reading are bang in mid-table and have NOTHING to play for.

wtf,,,,,,,pontus doesnt play and most of the time we dont win,,,,,,,,,,can we stop this sort of defeatest talk please.,.......pontus plays until hes injured and he aint getting injured before aug 5th,,,,its official

 

[FJBee]

I’d rest Dasilva and Pontus, potentially Benrahma too. Can’t rest too many but Shandon has earned a starting chance, and Mbuemo could come in for Benrahma allowing us to continue giving Fosu a run in the team.

 

[wibs]

This may be a game where we rest key players - I am thinking Pontus especially.

Reading are bang in mid-table and have NOTHING to play for.

Madness. One of the most important things in football is momentum. We have it more than any team in the league. Hold on to it tightly.

 

[Holysmit]

Pick the best team. Win the game. Assess the situation of players afterwards for Wigan and pick the best players. No point resting players if it costs us the auto chances.

 

[djheavens]

Play strongest possible team then look to rotate from 60 mins on when hopefully in command .. can’t afford to rest key players as we must keep keep the pressure on WBA.

 

[No_sting_Bee]

Play strongest possible team then look to rotate from 60 mins on when hopefully in command .. can’t afford to rest key players as we must keep keep the pressure on WBA.

This

 

[Lewbeelou]

Totally agree, and consider resting henrik.

 

[hypa123]

Madness. One of the most important things in football is momentum. We have it more than any team in the league. Hold on to it tightly.

Agreed. Best to stick to the basic winning eleven for as long as possible. No doubt TF and the training staff will be monitoring the situation closely to detect any signs of legginess among the players. Perhaps, as the two-games a week rhythm begins to take its toll, subs could be brought on earlier than the second refreshment break, perhaps even at half-time depending on the situation. Some of those on the bench, for example Roerslev, could be brought on without any significant loss of quality.

Actually, the team with the greatest momentum at the moment is Derby. Interesting that both we and West Brom have to play them in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Hakonen_72]

We will have 7 matches in 23 days in Championship left. The strongest team sounds the best possible way to go but does someone think we can play all the matches with our "strongest" team (and I mean we have excellent players outside first 11)? Rest of the matches will be played just 3-4 days between them and I am really worried how the players cope with that. I can see us winning matches with rotated team.

 

[Mr Cynical]

We will have 7 matches in 23 days in Championship left. The strongest team sounds the best possible way to go but does someone think we can play all the matches with our "strongest" team (and I mean we have excellent players outside first 11)? Rest of the matches will be played just 3-4 days between them and I am really worried how the players cope with that. I can see us winning matches with rotated team.

we've shown over the last couple of seasons we generally can't cope with 3 games in a week with the more or less the same line up so I think it's crazy to believe we're going to be able to play that many games with the same intensity without rotating a little. We've got the squad we need to use it wisely.

 

[wibs]

I agree we will need to rotate bit for now we need to get up to WBA and be in a league position where they know if they lose a game we could go above them.

I think we need to keep the pedal to the floor till we get to that psychological level.

 

[jlove]

The first two rounds of games have clearly shown that fitness and freshness plays a significant part in performance. Once the games get into a weekly-double pattern, I think this will be a major factor and we have a squad depth, quality and consistent style of play to enable rotation in almost every position, either in the starting line-up or to make early substitutions. The only one, personally, that I'd be concerned with is Nørgaard, so it's a question of what percentage of Christian gives a Kamo.

 

[clarkeeuk99]

I remember earlier in the season when we rested a load of key players for the Leicester FA cup game, and then when we came back to it, with our starting 11 having had a 2 week break, we played poorly (can't remember who we played against).

Momentum is everything...

 

[grutter]

I remember earlier in the season when we rested a load of key players for the Leicester FA cup game, and then when we came back to it, with our starting 11 having had a 2 week break, we played poorly (can't remember who we played against).

Momentum is everything...

It was Notts Forest (which sadly, I had the misfortune to go to - we didn't look like scoring all night). To be honest, apart from thrashing a very poor Hull team, we rarely looked good after that cup game, scraping a home win against Boro, drawing too many games, losing to Luton, then thrashing the Owls.

However, this is different; there will be no wholesale changes like there were for the Leicester game. The squad has also benefited from 3 months rest. Thomas simply does not do mass rotation in the league. I expect one or two changes at most.

 

[A Real Mysteron]

On their day any team can beat any other in this league. Except maybe QPR.
We may not get a better opportunity to sell our soul to the devil.
Strongest line up every game.
Respect every opposition.

 

[kaebess]

Play strongest possible team then look to rotate from 60 mins on when hopefully in command .. can’t afford to rest key players as we must keep keep the pressure on WBA.

Spot on

 

[kaebess]

We will have 7 matches in 23 days in Championship left. The strongest team sounds the best possible way to go but does someone think we can play all the matches with our "strongest" team (and I mean we have excellent players outside first 11)? Rest of the matches will be played just 3-4 days between them and I am really worried how the players cope with that. I can see us winning matches with rotated team.

All other teams have to play the same in the same time. Very few now have the depth we do. Win the game in 60 and make 5 changes.

 

[IslandBee]

Only question for me is whether we go with Emiliano or Shandon if Jensen is not fit. I would go with the former ... just.

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

Strongest team please TF. Mbeumo back in and EM to keep his spot.

 

[Banana]

Strongest team please TF. Mbeumo back in and EM to keep his spot.

12 players. Guess that's strong, but not sure if Reading will object or not.

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

12 players. Guess that's strong, but not sure if Reading will object or not.

With Fosu dropped back to the bench

 

[londondude]

Raya
Dalsgaard Jansson Pinnock Henry
Norgaard Mokotjo Baptise
Benrahma Watkins Mbeumo

 

[shouldbee]

On their day any team can beat any other in this league. Except maybe QPR.
We may not get a better opportunity to sell our soul to the devil.
Strongest line up every game.
Respect every opposition.

100% agree. It's the same for every other team. Always play you strongest team and if we can open up a lead then bring on fresh legs.

 

[Wooburn Bee]

Raya
Dalsgaard Jansson Pinnock Henry
Norgaard Mokotjo Baptise
Benrahma Watkins Mbeumo

Think will need more creativity in midfield so Marcondes for Mokotjo, wouldn’t be surprised to see Roerslev start at right back. So:

Raya
Roerslev Jansson Pinnock Henry
Norgaard Marcondes Baptiste
Benrahma Watkins Mbeumo

Subs: Daniels, Dalsgaard, Jeanvier, Mokotjo, Da Silva, Zamburek (assuming Jensen not fit), Valencia, Fosu, Halil D

Some gentle rotation that should not weaken team and rests a couple of key players in Da Silva and Dalsgaard that will be needed for Wigan.

 

['Ayes B]

Give Reading the same respect as Fulham and WBA and keep the same side. Only make changes if their are niggles or the health stats that are below par.

IF we are comfortable we can refreshen the team during the game.

 

[BFC1997]

Often this season when there’s been 3 games in a week we’ve rested Henrik and Pontus on at least one occasion.

Perhaps we will see JJ and/or MR in some capacity?

 

[Mr Cynical]

Often this season when there’s been 3 games in a week we’ve rested Henrik and Pontus on at least one occasion.

Perhaps we will see JJ and/or MR in some capacity?

Do we know if Pontus' niggling injury is now totally cleared up? Presumably that was one of the major reasons for him being rotated?

 

[Banana]

We have a match against the form team in the league on Saturday, we will need our strongest team fit, rested and ready.

It's isn't an 11-a-side game anymore. Especially when 5 subs are permitted.

It's a 20-a-side game now. We need to be smartest at that game. Smart is not playing the same 11 for 9 matches over a 4 week period.

 

[Banana]

Do we know if Pontus' niggling injury is now totally cleared up? Presumably that was one of the major reasons for him being rotated?

Who will know. Until he plays matches we won't know. He hasn't played matches (well except on the xBox) So we have to manage the risk carefully.

 

[grutter]

We have a match against the form team in the league on Saturday, we will need our strongest team fit, rested and ready.

It's isn't an 11-a-side game anymore. Especially when 5 subs are permitted.

It's a 20-a-side game now. We need to be smartest at that game. Smart is not playing the same 11 for 9 matches over a 4 week period.

Agree with all that. but I'm prepared to bet that the likes of Watkins, Benrahma and Rico will start every one of those games, barring injury. We could really do with being 2 or 3 up in a game with 30 left and then make a few changes. That's just greedy though!