Bringing Matic on ahead of him was strange. Perhaps it comes down to our defensive mentality

Was Mikel who came on but valid point regardless

He's the odd one out. Most of the youngsters are getting minutes apart from RLC.

He's the odd one out. Most of the youngsters are getting minutes apart from RLC.

 

Makes sense really, Traore and Kenedy are a good fit for the squad, RLC I still have my doubts. I hope this won't be the case but potentially could be another Ravel Morrison (talented but ultimately may not be a good fit for the team dynamic)

Let's wait and see if he gets a start against Stoke. Cesc will be rested for that game, don't think we got many options in that deep playing role. 

Was Mikel who came on but valid point regardless

I must have blacked out intentionally

It sounds like RLC is destined to fail unless he plays in attacking midfield, scores three goals, five assists and makes at least two goal-line clearances.

Makes sense really, Traore and Kenedy are a good fit for the squad, RLC I still have my doubts. I hope this won't be the case but potentially could be another Ravel Morrison (talented but ultimately may not be a good fit for the team dynamic)

 

Ravel Morrison had huge issues in his personal life that got in the way of his football. To say he had a troubled upbringing is perhaps an understatement, but he also had a poor work ethic and the people in his life weren't helping him. Morrison's failings have absolutely nothing to do with team dynamic.

 

Loftus-Cheek is not even close to being that type of person. He also doesn't have the natural skill that Morrison had but he's a very different player. 

 

How he's not a good fit for a squad that is lacking dynamic midfielders who are a presence at both ends of the pitch, can find a pass and even be a goal threat I don't know but when he's barely played in the league this year in any meaningful way I can totally see why some might see that.

Real shame he got no minutes again last night. 2-0 up and coasting looked an ideal opportunity and I would have put him on at H/T for Oscar who wasn't great and already on a yellow card. But the way the second half went, you just knew RLC would not get on as we were shocking and putting an inexperienced youngster on in those circumstances would have taken a braver man than Guus.

 

Hope he plays against Stoke but I won't hold my breath.

Can see Ruben playing more if we stay in the cups and Guus looks to rotate...a big if though

Real shame he got no minutes again last night. 2-0 up and coasting...

 

Coasting? Hardly. I still would've liked to see RLC and Pato make an appearance, though. 

Coasting? Hardly. I still would've liked to see RLC and Pato make an appearance, though. 

 

Wrong word. First half, although Norwich did cause us problems, we were opening them up at will. It was a very open game but with our quality I could see us adding more goals second half. But that was not allowing for the fact that most of our players decided to clock-off at half-time!

I know everyone hates the idea of it but if we do end up with EL football next season, could it be a blessing in disguise. Would that not be the best opportunity to give some of the kids a run? Isn't that how kane first came to prominence for example?

If we used it for that then yes but if we go with our usual first 11 we will suffer big time in the league.

I know everyone hates the idea of it but if we do end up with EL football next season, could it be a blessing in disguise. Would that not be the best opportunity to give some of the kids a run? Isn't that how kane first came to prominence for example?

 

Brilliant idea Barak. We could literally play all of the fringe players and prospects from Academy in every EL game with no need to play any of the usual first team squad.

The trouble with this is if we have a poor start to the season and top 4 becomes an issue, then the EL is the easiest way to get CL football.

Just putting it out there as I too would like to see it used for our fringe and younger players as it’s very tough to perform well domestically with Thursday night football.

Quite frankly, and especially in the early stages, our fringe players and youth  should be able to stand on their own in the EL if they are anywhere near as good as they are touted to be

Brilliant idea Barak. We could literally play all of the fringe players and prospects from Academy in every EL game with no need to play any of the usual first team squad.

I can't tell if your mocking me

I can't tell if your mocking me

 

Definitely NOT. You should know me better than that Barak!

 

No, I honestly like the idea of qualifying for EL and then playing the likes of...........well anyone who isn't a first team regular. I know some of these are on loan and will probably remain so but we could field something like:

 

 

................................Begovic

 

Aina.......Christensen...............Miazga.............Baba

 

 

......................Ake..............Baker.............

 

 

Boga...............RLC................Kenedy

 

 

....................Traore

 

 

Subs:Keeper,  Da Silva, Musonda, Abraham, Solanke.......................etc

 

That's just off the top of my head and we could also give the odd run-out to first-teamers returning from injury. Think it would make it exciting as opposed to being in the EL and seeing it as a complete pain in the arse.

 

I love your idea Mate!

Quite frankly, and especially in the early stages, our fringe players and youth  should be able to stand on their own in the EL if they are anywhere near as good as they are touted to be

If Manure's youngsters can beat Arsenal, ours should be able to reach the last 16 of the CL.

but if we play the kids in the EL and the kids do well and even win it..... then I'll want us to play in the EL every year! Too risky!

Brilliant idea Barak. We could literally play all of the fringe players and prospects from Academy in every EL game with no need to play any of the usual first team squad.

But would the clubs we send them on loan to release them?

Definitely NOT. You should know me better than that Barak!

 

No, I honestly like the idea of qualifying for EL and then playing the likes of...........well anyone who isn't a first team regular. I know some of these are on loan and will probably remain so but we could field something like:

 

 

................................Begovic

 

Aina.......Christensen...............Miazga.............Baba

 

 

......................Ake..............Baker.............

 

 

Boga...............RLC................Kenedy

 

 

....................Traore

 

 

Subs:Keeper,  Da Silva, Musonda, Abraham, Solanke.......................etc

 

That's just off the top of my head and we could also give the odd run-out to first-teamers returning from injury. Think it would make it exciting as opposed to being in the EL and seeing it as a complete pain in the arse.

 

I love your idea Mate!

Id love to see a bunch of youngsters being given serious opportunities to impress... but its very difficult to incorporate so many without experienced leaders around them. Especially in europe where teams are tactically much better than domestic teams, our young lads would be exposed by inferior players playing superior tactically. It would be horrible to see our young boys getting beaten and demoralised by poor azerbaijani teams with a half-decent counter attack strategy

After today's play i am beginning to wonder if he mentally has what it takes to get to the next level. When Mourinho was in charge he made an open comment about RLC stating that he is not asserting himself and is not defensively good. Today's game was yet another example of that. He contributed almost nothing in defense and was a bystander when he did not have the ball. He has the built, pace and strength to become a good player but it seems like mentally it seems like he has not progressed. 

 

If Baba Rahman was dropped for that bad pass (Which I agree with - he does need to be held accounable), Then I think RLC too should be dropped for the next few games and should not even be on the bench. 

Christ, he's just turned 20 and plays bit parts as a sub rarely. Give him some time, we need to give him more games, not less.

Edited March 5, 201610 yr by timetowaste

When you get you're lucky enough to get chances you have to take them and unfortunately I feel like he isn't. He's so bloody lazy off the ball.