I know nothing about French football. I should say that from the off. I also have very little interest in the Champion’s league normally, because I find it frankly boring, with practically the same teams involved every year.
But obviously, I’m taking more notice this year and have been watching the games.
I’ve come to the conclusion that while some sides are very good, it seems to me that many are overhyped. Or is it just that we’ve excelled in our previous qualifiers? It’s a very subjective thing, but I don’t think we’ve looked very good in our games, the Bayern one apart. Mind you, I don’t think we’ve looked very good for most of the season, but the reality is we’re still very much in the mix.
That’s not to say I think Monaco are rubbish. I don’t think much of Ligue 1, a few teams apart but they do have a few decent sides, of which Monaco appear to be one. They’re a very young side, the third youngest in their league, but reading around tells me they’re very tenacious. They’ve made the most tackles, ball recoveries and second-most interceptions of any team in the French top flight. They’re also fourth in the table. So definitely no mugs then, although I should probably add that they’ve been on a poor run of late.
Hence it would seem it’s by no means going to be easy. My lack of European football knowledge makes it a bit tricky to give an opinion, but I can have a guess or just give my feelings.
And while I don’t want to jinx us, I do think we can get something from this game. A win wouldn’t make us mathematically certain to qualify automatically, but it would put us in a very strong position and however you look at it, that would be some achievement.
A draw obviously wouldn’t be as good, but you’d have to think that with our last game being Celtic at home, we would still be in with a very good chance
And that’s what I’m going for.
We always look like we’re going to concede, although it seems we’re looking to address this weakness, with a young full back, Andreas Garcia announced as having been signed from Levante just this morning and a central defender being in the offing who will replace Diego Calos who is apparently going to Fenerbache, if Wolves can’t persuade him to join them.
Squad news and John McGinn remains out with injury. He’s also looking doubtful for the Celtic game. Amadou Onana limped off against Arsenal on Saturday and is also very doubtful. Ross Barkley and Pau Torres are both injured and Diego Carlos is suspended, which is probably academic anyway, if he is indeed off to Turkiye. New signing Donyell Malen isn’t eligible.
As for Monaco, it’s all a bit vague but from what I can see, they have several players coming back from injury or illness, with Denis Zakaria, as well as Aleksandr Golovin who was ill, Christian Mawissa and Wilfried Singo all available and it appears they’re practically at full strength.
So if Monaco are going to get one goal, logically we’re also going to get one. In which case, could it be Duran who gets it? My guess is yes he will. The big question there is will he start or come on as sub?
Either way, that’s my prediction. A 1-1 draw.
UTV!
Bailey is a busted flush.
As the great Bill Shankly once perceptively asked – ‘is he a great player having a good game, or a good player having a great game’
In Bailey’s case he’s a not very good player back to his average standard after one stand out season. No time to get rid now but he has to go in the summer.
I don’t want to see Bailey anywhere near the team; Malen must start Saturday and Ramsey on Wednesday – if McGinn not fit then give Bogarde a chance alongside Kamara, Tielemans moved forward and Rogers back in the centre – he’s wasted out wide.
My team for Saturday – Martinez, Cash (who again put a shift in last night), Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Bogarde, Tielemans, Malan, Rogers, Watkins
That all assumes Onana is still on his sick note!
Good call Hitch. Same team that I would pick against West Ham. I don’t think Emery will start Bogarde or Malen but hope to be surprised.
Cash, Buendia and Digne were our best players last night. Question is why do we need two defensive midfielders against lesser teams? Kamara is good enough to cope in front of the back 4 with Tielemans and Buendia threading passes to Watkins, Rogers and Malen (hopefully)
I hope we go for the throat at full throttle rather than the slow let’s get into our stride approach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoiOXhW6IQk
Must see Unai’s post-match interview:
– Scathing of the set pieces. MacPhee must have been cringing and hanging his head.
– Full of praise for Buendia.
– Strong hints that some players are not following his instructions.
– Admitted he got it wrong with two strikers.
Fair play – can’t argue with that.
Oh wow, I’m watching the post-match and Unai is pissed.
When asked if he can elaborate on who’s not following, he just points to his head – mentality. He’s not a happy chappy. Full respect for admitting several times that he got it wrong with the two strikers.
Who do we think he’s referring to? Bailey, perhaps?
Oh and apparently Rogers was ill, which explains the substandard performance.
Fingers crossed that Shakhtar hold on to their 2-0 half time lead against Brest. Brest will overtake us if they were to win