With top 4 gone (and EL qualification pretty safe) the season is pretty much over aside from the three cup games.

I think it is a great time to play 2-3 youth players in each of the next 7 games and see if we can unearth a gem for next season rather than waste these minuted of the likes of Pedro, Giroud, Fabregas or Drinkwater.

Would also love to see Barkley and Bakayoko given chances to play without any pressure to assess if they are fit for a squad role for next season.

 

What does the shed think will happen in this regard? Will we see Conte (and the squad) just go through the motions or will there be some sensible use of this opportunity?

I don't think we are quite at that stage yet. 

And whilst I really don't think we will achieve this, if we were to win every game until the end of the season all Liverpool would need to do is drop 3 points else where and we pip them to 4th, and with the distraction of the UCL I don't see that out of the question.

I think we have to keep going for it whilst its still possible but I see why pundits and even fans have started to write it off.

Edited April 8, 20188 yr by PedroMendez

The little hope we had of top 4 this season are well and truly gone after today's game

 

While it would be nice to see the likes of Hudson-Odoi get some proper game time that probably isn't going to happen. I'm almost certain that Pedro will be picked ahead of him. It would be nice to see Alonso given a rest and Emerson to get some minutes to see what he can offer but again that's unlikely to happen. It would be nice to see Sterling get a few games ahead of Moses at RWB but again that probably won't happen

It's pretty sad really, we literally have nothing left to play for in the League and this would be a great chance to give serious minutes to Hudson-Odoi and Dujon Sterling.

 

I'd like to see Moses, Alonso, Fabregas & (Cahill) out of the team and other players given a chance certainly.

Forget Youth. I would take playing zapacosta, palmeiri, DD as a massive step forward.

Unfortunately expecting some change when things are not going right is too much from the multi million pound earning jackass that we have as our manager.

Forget changes in the 11, it is too much to expect him to actually make a f**king change as a substitute. 

one or two would be nice. no more pedro, just stick hudson-odoi on the bench for the remainder of the season. it's the only thing i might be able to get excited about. not gonna hold my breath though. 

The trouble is most of the young players that you would think are close to breaking into the first team are out on loan. 

Would love to see Hudson odoi, and sterling get a couple of starts though, and it's a really pity ampadu get injured.

Give Moses, Cahill, Pedro, Fabregas and Alonso a period on the bench or out of the squad.

More game time for Hudson Odoi, Bakayoko, Sterling, Emerson and Zappacosta.

Champions League is now gone. You'd think it would make sense to see more of CHO and Sterling who have a genuine chance of playing first team long term.

For me Conte is still playing cat and mouse with the board over whether he will resign or be sacked which is why he won't play the youngsters. 

Suppose the one giant benefit of not making the Champions League this season (and to be honest it looks a challenge) is that we can look to use the Europa League as a breeding ground for the young guns. Bring back Abraham, Loftus Cheek, Baker, Jay Da Silva, Zouma, Tomori, Aina etc. and combine with CHO, Sterling, Ampadu and T Chalobah and use it to breed the next gen in a tested environment. Let the main squad focus on the Prem and champions league qualification and then we can start taking it more seriously if we need to.

1 hour ago, Fruity66 said:

Suppose the one giant benefit of not making the Champions League this season (and to be honest it looks a challenge) is that we can look to use the Europa League as a breeding ground for the young guns. Bring back Abraham, Loftus Cheek, Baker, Jay Da Silva, Zouma, Tomori, Aina etc. and combine with CHO, Sterling, Ampadu and T Chalobah and use it to breed the next gen in a tested environment. Let the main squad focus on the Prem and champions league qualification and then we can start taking it more seriously if we need to.

In theory this is how it should work. I'd wager though the club would target the Europa League as a way back into the CL at less expense . So the manager would feel pressured to play a strong team to fulfil the boards wishes.

16 hours ago, charierre said:

In theory this is how it should work. I'd wager though the club would target the Europa League as a way back into the CL at less expense . So the manager would feel pressured to play a strong team to fulfil the boards wishes.

Unfortunately your probably right... suppose it depends who comes in?

I mean I went on a hunt to see the regularity of youth brought through by the managers It seems we are after. (Enrique, tuchel, Jardim, Allegri and Sarri)

Enrique, --> gave 16 youngsters debuts whilst coaching Barcelona. Seems to have preference for youngsters in cup competitions.

Tuchel --> brought through the likes of Weigl, Passlack, Dembele and Pulisic. the later two have been very positive about his impact on their careers.

Allegri --> has developed a few players such as Rugani and Pjaca but not as many.

Jardim --> bringing youngsters through left right and centre.

Sarri --> not as many as others but still promotes.

Not sure who i'd rather have to be honest.

Not looking forward to a season full of Sunday ko’s, especially as they sometimes ko at times when the TV games aren’t on l.e. 12pm our game before tv 1:30 and 4:00 not fun if travelling away