Starting 11 v City.

Travers
Smith Zab Senesi Kerkez
Semenyo Cook Christie Kluivert
Tav
Evanilson

I’m a big believer in rewarding players for positive performances. Travers, Tav and Evanilson all deserve to start based on their previous showing. I don’t think that Unal and Dango did a lot wrong but the players above earned their right to start.
 
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One thing I think Andoni does better than any previous managers we've had is to think of the game 4-dimensionally, i.e., along the full 90 minutes.
Thus, the classic assumption that you always start your best 11 doesn't necessarily hold. What's important for Andoni is finding a way to get the result at the end of 90 minutes. (to be fair to Eddie, the 5-sub rule definitely facilitates this 4-D way of planning the game)

So, I wonder whether he doesn't go with a very defensive starting 11 - but still with some pace on the wings - and then (assuming the game is not dead and buried by then) around 60-70 minutes make 3-4 attacking changes after City have tired a bit.

Kind of like bullfighting! Let the bull get tired, then ...
I agree. He's incredibly flexible the way he thinks about each game. It reminds me a bit of the 4 x 100 relay team. Do you start with your fastest runner to establish an early lead, put him last to get you out of trouble or somewhere in the middle to make sure your last runner is still in the race? Certainly makes it difficult to predict how we'll line up which means he keeps the opposition manager guessing.
 
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I agree. He's incredibly flexible the way he thinks about each game. It reminds me a bit of the 4 x 100 relay team. Do you start with your fastest runner to establish an early lead, put him last to get you out of trouble or somewhere in the middle to make sure your last runner is still in the race? Certainly makes it difficult to predict how we'll line up which means he keeps the opposition manager guessing.
Apart from that’s over in under 40 seconds.
 
One thing I think Andoni does better than any previous managers we've had is to think of the game 4-dimensionally, i.e., along the full 90 minutes.
Thus, the classic assumption that you always start your best 11 doesn't necessarily hold. What's important for Andoni is finding a way to get the result at the end of 90 minutes. (to be fair to Eddie, the 5-sub rule definitely facilitates this 4-D way of planning the game)

So, I wonder whether he doesn't go with a very defensive starting 11 - but still with some pace on the wings - and then (assuming the game is not dead and buried by then) around 60-70 minutes make 3-4 attacking changes after City have tired a bit.

Kind of like bullfighting! Let the bull get tired, then ...
It’s true but no afcb manager has a squad as good as ours so it helps with squad rotation. Our bench was better than that of Villa and arsenal
 
It’s true but no afcb manager has a squad as good as ours so it helps with squad rotation. Our bench was better than that of Villa and arsenal
We have an OK bench, but that makes our squad perhaps 15 strong, minus the keeper.

If we have serious aspirations for Europe we do need more depth, and that depth costs money.

Not sure if Bill wants us to just get there, or actually compete whilst there.

To compete in Europe you need 20 bloody exceptional players.
 
I see it
Don’t tell R&R, but some of them may be fatiqued.
I see it's an 8.15pm kick-off tonight. Excellent, with any luck the game will go on to 10.30 or later.

Will weary City be able to withstand a rested, refreshed and energetic Cherries side on Saturday?
 
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I see it
I see it's an 8.15pm kick-off tonight. Excellent, with any luck the game will go on to 10.30 or later.

Will weary City be able to withstand a rested, refreshed and energetic Cherries side on Saturday?


I know we're all on a high after the last 2 results.

So yeah, let's upset the apple cart, and win this game.

Together we are all impossible
 
We have an OK bench, but that makes our squad perhaps 15 strong, minus the keeper.

If we have serious aspirations for Europe we do need more depth, and that depth costs money.

Not sure if Bill wants us to just get there, or actually compete whilst there.

To compete in Europe you need 20 bloody exceptional players.
Don’t disagree we don’t have enough players but we have got for quality over quantity now, hence letting out the likes of Moore, meps, rothwell, Anthony, traore, Faivre
 
Travers
Smith Zab Senesi Kerkez
Semenyo Cook Christie Kluivert
Tav
Evanilson

I’m a big believer in rewarding players for positive performances. Travers, Tav and Evanilson all deserve to start based on their previous showing. I don’t think that Unal and Dango did a lot wrong but the players above earned their right to start.

Interested to know the thinking why you’d have Kluivert on the wing and Tavernier as the 10 when both starting rather than the other way around?
 
Interested to know the thinking why you’d have Kluivert on the wing and Tavernier as the 10 when both starting rather than the other way around?
Because I think that Tav is our most creative player and being stuck out on the wing limits him, he’s better when he can operate in central areas.
 
Looks like Dango missing - personally not sure he would have started this one and i don't think it weakens the starting team but its one less option from the bench.

Two options as I see it - the more likely one of Tav on the wing and Kluivert in the ten with Brooks and one of Arajuo or Aarons providing the 65th min wide legs.

Or - Adams comes in, Christie moves forwards and we still have Kluivert and Brooks to bring on and add the 65th min legs.
 
Looks like Dango missing - personally not sure he would have started this one and i don't think it weakens the starting team but its one less option from the bench.

Two options as I see it - the more likely one of Tav on the wing and Kluivert in the ten with Brooks and one of Arajuo or Aarons providing the 65th min wide legs.

Or - Adams comes in, Christie moves forwards and we still have Kluivert and Brooks to bring on and add the 65th min legs.
Can Adams start?...I suppose if he's coming off after 55/60.
Billing on the bench will be an option too.
 
Yes if Billing doesnt make tomorrows bench and we have two keepers i think we can safely wave goodbye...
We could be in trouble for the City game as we now have Kepa, Scott, Sinnistera and now Ouattara all unavailable. It is injures on this scale that always has a profound effect on our results and performances especially against stronger opposition.
 

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