| The international break is probably to our advantage 11:27 - Sep 10 with 1525 views | muccletonjoe |
Its a 3 week break coming up in just over , 2 weeks time. That period could be precious to Gary O'Neil if he finds himself in a position where he has to think seriously about changing personnel or tactics or both.
Of course if we win those 3 remaining games against Palace and Everton away in the league and see off Arsenal in-between in a home tie in the league cup. It could be quite the opposite and interrupt the team from producing a good run of form.
I am giving no predictions of either scenario, a good win against Sunderland has been followed with very similar teams and tactics against both United and Liverpool.
Probably alot now rests on how we perform in these next 3 games, especially the two league games. It did surprise me that we kept to our usual formation in the last two games, but in hindsight I think the manager has to assess how good the team are / can be in the current set up.
Difficult game Saturday, G.O,N , will no doubt learn more about his team and will be alot closer to a full squad as well. |  | | |  |
| The international break is probably to our advantage on 11:42 - Sep 10 | _CliveBaker_ |
Saturday is really intriguing. We've gone toe to toe with Sunderland in a very even game, then fallen short against United and Liverpool which is to be expected. Not all fixtures are born equal, and it's the games against the likes of Palace and Everton that are really interesting in terms of a benchmark of where we're at. Of course 1 or 2 games isn't enough of a sample to act as conclusive, but will certainly be interesting to see how we do. Chances are we're in a mini league of about 6 or 7 (although 1 is currently 3rd), and we need to finish in the top half of it.
It wont be easy, for all the talk of Palace / Fulham / Everton etc having bad windows I still look at their lineups and see a lot of quality that would walk in to our side. Certainly given ourselves a chance with the recruitment though, hopefully the key players can stay fit and stay united. |  | | |
| The international break is probably to our advantage on 11:54 - Sep 10 | muccletonjoe |
| The international break is probably to our advantage on 11:42 - Sep 10 by _CliveBaker_ |
Saturday is really intriguing. We've gone toe to toe with Sunderland in a very even game, then fallen short against United and Liverpool which is to be expected. Not all fixtures are born equal, and it's the games against the likes of Palace and Everton that are really interesting in terms of a benchmark of where we're at. Of course 1 or 2 games isn't enough of a sample to act as conclusive, but will certainly be interesting to see how we do. Chances are we're in a mini league of about 6 or 7 (although 1 is currently 3rd), and we need to finish in the top half of it.
It wont be easy, for all the talk of Palace / Fulham / Everton etc having bad windows I still look at their lineups and see a lot of quality that would walk in to our side. Certainly given ourselves a chance with the recruitment though, hopefully the key players can stay fit and stay united. |
I think it will be interesting to see how Matisuwa and Philogene do when they are available. Personally I would play both against Arsenal if the option is there. | | | |
| The international break is probably to our advantage on 13:23 - Sep 10 | blue_curacao |
Which players will we lose during the international break? It would be great if GON has the core of the team to work with during that period |  | | |
| The international break is probably to our advantage on 13:43 - Sep 10 | Bellevue_Blue |
| The international break is probably to our advantage on 13:23 - Sep 10 by blue_curacao |
Which players will we lose during the international break? It would be great if GON has the core of the team to work with during that period |
Based on our PL registered squad it's the following ...
Goalkeepers
Alex Palmer — No
David Button — No
Christian Walton — No
Kjell Scherpen — No
Defenders
Darnell Furlong — No
Leif Davis — No
Cédric Kipré — No
Issa Diop — Yes — Morocco senior
Jacob Greaves — No
Dara O’Shea — Yes — Republic of Ireland senior
Abdoul Ouattara — No
Midfielders
Azor Matusiwa — No
Florentino Luís — No
Jack Taylor — Yes — Republic of Ireland senior but unlikely to be called up
Kasey McAteer — Yes — Republic of Ireland senior
Saša Lukić — Yes — Serbia senior
Exequiel Palacios — Yes — Argentina senior
Marcelino Núñez — Yes — Chile senior
Anis Mehmeti — Yes — Albania senior
Charlie Compton — No
Forwards
Abdul Fatawu — Yes — Ghana senior
Sindre Walle Egeli — Yes — Norway U21
Zian Flemming — No
Julio Enciso — Yes — Paraguay senior
Jaden Philogene — No
Emersonn — No
Chuba Akpom — No
Daizen Maeda — Yes — Japan senior
So that gives you 12 away / 16 available from the 28-man group or 7 possible starters.
Plenty of opportunity though, two first choice CFs, left side of defence, all the keepers, good chance to get CMs on the periphery into it. | | | |
| The international break is probably to our advantage on 14:04 - Sep 10 | unstableblue |
I’m not sure I agree for a number of reasons.
1) We are a new squad of players who need to really come together, during the international break most will be away on international duty (as the quality of the new players is higher), which disrupts the requiring ‘gelling’
2) We will hopefully build some momentum in these next two games, garner 2-4 points, and a break will disrupt that improvement following the Man U and Liverpool games
3) Most importantly Fulham have Liverpool away, West Ham away and Man U at home, real chance of 3 losses - and arriving straight to PR with low confidence, the break may give them the chance to reset, position it as ‘the season starts now’ |  |
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| The international break is probably to our advantage on 14:17 - Sep 10 | tractorboy1978 |
I'm not sure an international break is ever to our advantage these days given a lot of our squad will be going away with their countries. And we will be watching behind the sofa hoping they don't pick up injuries - some in games that do not matter whatsoever. Enciso is going to be off to Bolivia and Colombia to play x 2 pointless friendlies. | | | |
| The international break is probably to our advantage on 14:46 - Sep 10 | muccletonjoe |
| The international break is probably to our advantage on 14:17 - Sep 10 by tractorboy1978 |
I'm not sure an international break is ever to our advantage these days given a lot of our squad will be going away with their countries. And we will be watching behind the sofa hoping they don't pick up injuries - some in games that do not matter whatsoever. Enciso is going to be off to Bolivia and Colombia to play x 2 pointless friendlies. |
Alot better off than most PL sides by having fewer players called up. | | | |
| The international break is probably to our advantage on 15:26 - Sep 10 | PioneerBlue |
Yes probably. It looked quite handy on paper allowing the first moment to relax a little for some players, others get their break from Pl via international meet ups, offers a chance to get some players up that didnt do a lot of preseason, reflect on the first 5 league games, and prep for the adventure ahead until the next international gap.
Whether these things can be used to turn the dial in our favour is another question! The whole season is likely to be a case of getting used to the uncomfortable with nothing certain until late season or perhaps over the next several games we pick up big points and get ahead of our points targets a bit. | |
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| The international break is probably to our advantage on 15:49 - Sep 10 | redrickstuhaart |
Its a joke. Season barely started and we have a long break. | |
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