USA: USA Network 3pm ET After the hiccup against Porto we had a quick turnaround and welcomed Bonesaw FC to the Grove. We owed them one for the absolute shitshow earlier in the season where they stole the 3 points, so giving them an absolute battering was top notch stuff. A slight break between the Newcastle game and this game before we get hit with a bit of fixture congestion (SHU Mar 4, Brentford Mar 9, Porto Mar 12, Chelsea Mar 16) and despite Sheffield U being absolutely awful this year, theres absolutely no chance we take them easily because we have see time and time again that when you don't respect your opposition in the Prem they sometimes can bite you and cause an upset. We are in imperious form, meanwhile in the EPL Sheffield United have lost 0-5 in their last two home games (against Villa and BHA). I am not expecting us to put 5 past them, but if we could it would be lovely to keep boosting that GD. I am tipping we win 4-0 with goals to Saka, Kai, Trossard, Saliba. LES FOGGIN' GO.
Partly is back, per Arteta, unless he reinjures himself between now and Monday. 🔴⚪️ Arteta: “Thomas Partey should be part of the squad on Monday”.“He had a session before the last game, now he’s done two or three sessions. It’s progressing well”. pic.twitter.com/bY8fGGRERe— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 29, 2024
Chelsea is getting rescheduled because of the FA Cup. If we get past Porto everything from City onward is going to be ridiculously congested.
That's how Top 4 football in the spring is supposed to be. That's how it used to be and that's how it's gonna be. Welcome back Thomas Partey. We'll need you too Tomi and Timber and Jesus. Bring on the big games!
Yeah I’m into it. Just making the observation. Sure. Probably even more so since they’re both still in the Cup.
FYP. One of our key advantages for this run-in could be that our 2 competitors are still in 3 comp's and thus stretched way thinner than we are. And injuries have not spared them, especially Pool. And yet they still seem to be able to win with kids.
Sheff Utd are a disaster. Possibly the worst team in the history of the Prem. We should absolutely wipe the floor with them. Thus I think that the psychological prep for this game may be as challenging as it gets. We have to battle any kind of natural complacency and instead get up for this game exactly like we just did for Newcastle. High press and dominate from minute 1, take away their O2, and put them to the sword before 30' are up.
The Carabao Cup is over. The Champions League is redundant since we are also still in it. The FA Cup is the differentiator.
Yes, but that 1 extra cup comp is still a factor I think... or hope. Plus Pool have been run a bit ragged, including having to play the EFL Cup Final just days ago.
I saw that, but I was referring to the FA Cup. That is the cup that they are in and we aren’t. We are all in one further cup competition outside the league, but both of those call themselves a league.
Aha. I guess I never have really thought of UCL as a league. It’s more a cup to me, regardless of its group stage. And that’s why I pluralized your post. The WC is also a cup tournament not a league, in my mind.
Just heard on podcast the following (or something like it): * SUFC have lost 5-0 in 2 of their last 4 league games * SUFC lost 5-0 to AFC in the reverse fixture, earlier this season * AFC have won their last 2 league games by 5-0 & 6-0 So why does this make me a tad more nervous about Monday?
This Monday afternoon fixture absolutely has the feeling of a 0-0 scoreline heading into the last 10 minutes
TEAM NEWS (as of yesterday 2/29): Jesus might play but isn't quite fit for 90 Partey should be in squad Zinny & Tomi are maybes Given the opponent I don't see the need to take any big risks. p.s. What he said about Tomi makes me a little more concerned about his ability to feature strongly for the business end.
It's been a month since Japan were eliminated from the Asian Cup, would like to see Tomi back on the bench soon.
Tomiyasu and Zinchenko still out, Partey and Vieira haven’t played in a million years, and Jesus is being managed through this knee issue. Realistic rotation basically consists of Trossard.