Our realistic ambitions after these two upcoming games could go from "Let's win the title and have a deep run in the CL" to "Let's secure top 4 and grab a cheeky Europa League/FA Cup trophy" ala Arsenal or Chelsea. I'm not feeling so good after the injuries to Gomez, Lovren, Mane, and Clyne.
Lovren is out with a concussion. read above.
Can't keep up with the injuries...Matip VVD Robertson maybe?How long is Gomez out for?
Whats odds on Rafael Camacho starting at RB in order to rest Trent? Did brilliant at RB in pre-season and some fans have suggested he could be a replacement for Clyne if he leaves in the summer.
They finished 9th in 2016/17 and 12th in 2017/18. Their only relegation fight was their first PL season in 2015/16.As for the 'dross' you refer to - those 3 players were ever-present throughout their 3 promotion seasons, helping the team get from League Two to 7th place in the PL. They've formed the backbone of a defence in a side that has finished 9th and 12th in the last 2 seasons, individually costing less than Mo Salah earns in a week.Perspective.
We could also use Milner at RB to rest Trent.
Just used transfermarkt to figure out how many positions he has actually played for us since joining. CM - 51DM - 3RM - 20LM - 11LB - 40So yes, might be worth tossing him in at RB just to continue his quest to play every position for us. Failing that, throw him in to replace Gomez at CB as well.
AllisonFinnan Sami VVD Aurelio Mascherano Alonso Gerrard Suarez Torres Owen
Crosby Nick never fails.
replace Owen with Suarez, and Salah with Owen and you got a deal
Camacho ought to play when we are up against a defensively minded relegation threatened team at home. So Trent can play the next two and be on the bench next Sunday.
Fabinho can also play CB so we have options.Can VVD realistically play tomorrow,Weds and against United considering he’s already played 2 games in 4 days (Everton/Burnley) ? If he gets injured we are fked.
Central defenders are normally capable of playing 38 league games per season unless suspended or they're injury-prone. Especially in a top team, they don't need to run all that much and can save the effort for when they're under pressure.
It’s not 38 games though is it with CL and cups. 5 games in 15 days for any player is pushing it.
Brasshouse, tonight?
16/17 - Were as low as 16th in MW 33, they were never solidly mid table17/18 - Were bottom 3 until MW 20Defensively in 16/17 - 5th most goals allowed, 4th worst in xGADefensively in 17/18 - 4th most goals allowed, 19th in xGAThat's great that they helped them get promoted. They sure as heck aren't PL level and the club is at risk of going down until they replace them or like this season do their utmost to where they don't have the ball.