TFF chit chat 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th February

[morganb]

FRIDAY 16TH FEBRUARY

FIFTH ROUND

Leicester 19:45 Sheff Utd

Leicester kick the FA Cup weekend off with the earlier Friday night fixture. The Foxes are up against the Blades, who lie in the top half of the Championship. In the previous round, Diabetes was the star of the show and I would expect a fairly strong team for Leicester as they have very little else to play for this season.

Chelsea 20:00 Hull

The second FNF sees Chelsea entertaining Hull at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have had a tough time recently but you would expect a weakened team could easily beat Hull who are in a relegation battle at the foot of the Championship. Is Giroud to start - he's not Cup tied...

SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY

FIFTH ROUND

Sheff Wed 12:30 Swansea

Saturday's early match sees the Welsh Wizards from Wales travel to Sheffield Wednesday. The Swans put in the performance of the last round against Notts County, but it was a minefield trying to pick the right players. Will a similar squad turn out today?

Brighton 15:00 Coventry

The Seagulls welcome Coventry to the Am Ex. Will Brighton be distracted by thoughts of Premier League survival? You would expect a weakened Brighton side to get a run out here, with the likes of Hemed and Ulloa getting a rare game.

West Brom 15:00 Southampton

The first All-Prem match of the round sees bottom of the table WBA up against the Saints, who are also embroiled in this season's relegation battle. I'd imagine we could see a selection of B teamers and bench warmers here today.

Huddersfield 17:30 Man Utd

The second All-Prem match of the round sees Manchester United take on Uddersfield at the Kirklees. United haven't been great on the road recently but Jose does likes a good Cup run. Huddersfield need to work out this season's priorities and are likely to be a tad under strength here.

SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY

FIFTH ROUND

Rochdale 16:00 Tottenham

Sunday's only fixture sees Spurs visiting the beach (otherwise known as the rather exotic sounding Crown Oil Arena) at Rochdale. Harry may not feature from the off today but hopefully ‘come on my’ Son will as he only had a short cameo in midweek.

MONDAY 19TH FEBRUARY

FIFTH ROUND

Wigan 19:55 Man City

The final fixture of this FA Weekend sees giant killers Wigan, who have already seen off Bournemouth and West Ham, up against the might of Man City. Will Pep risk any of his superstars for this one, as I remember he has fielded strong teams in previous rounds?


A reminder of the Prem teams already out:

Arsenal
Bournemouth
Burnley
Crystal Palace
Everton
Liverpool
Newcastle
Stoke
Watford
West Ham

[murf]

This one might be worth holding fire on til Sunday/Monday.

Chelsea and Man U have CL games next week so will be wary. Man C and Spurs played last Tuesday so, unless they are carrying knocks, can play anybody they like with a reasonable gap to the next game.

[morganb]

Yes, City and Spurs played this midweek (along with Liverpool and Arsenal) Chelsea and United play next midweek (along with Arsenal again) so rotation may be greater for these two teams (though Chelsea play Fri eve and Utd Sat tea-time so most likely candidate for rests)

[Thomarse]

Which Chelsea striker is now first choice i.e. which is most likely to be rested for CL?

[Troopon]

If Vardy starts I'm wondering whether a Firminho>Vardy for a 2-0 is worth a punt vs Sheff utd and Stoke (both home)

Firminho been doing well for me but Liverpool are out the cup so don't know whether I would get him back or not.

[dunx]

I'm thinking if he doesn't start tonight doing Hazard to either Vardy or Mahrez if they start for a 4 over 2, Chelsea play Man U and Man C away for the 2 where as Leicester play Sheffield U (h) Stoke (h) Bournemouth (h) West Brom (a) then back to Hazard for their home game against Palace, dilemma being do I go Vardy or Mahrez if they both start, advice would be welcome thanks,14 transfers remaining .

[Troopon]

I'm thinking if he doesn't start tonight doing Hazard to either Vardy or Mahrez if they start for a 4 over 2, Chelsea play Man U and Man C away for the 2 where as Leicester play Sheffield U (h) Stoke (h) Bournemouth (h) West Brom (a) then back to Hazard for their home game against Palace, dilemma being do I go Vardy or Mahrez if they both start, advice would be welcome thanks,14 transfers remaining .

If I had Hazard and he didn't start tonight I'd do this. More likely Vardy though as I question Mahrez's motivation

[jobmeister]

I'm thinking if he doesn't start tonight doing Hazard to either Vardy or Mahrez if they start for a 4 over 2, Chelsea play Man U and Man C away for the 2 where as Leicester play Sheffield U (h) Stoke (h) Bournemouth (h) West Brom (a) then back to Hazard for their home game against Palace, dilemma being do I go Vardy or Mahrez if they both start, advice would be welcome thanks,14 transfers remaining .

As per Bram Vardy on 4.67 pts per game and Mahrez 5.15 but think I would now prefer Vardy as not sure where Mahrez's head will be at the moment !

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[ChrisD]

Food for thought:
Here's how #lcfc will line up for #LeiShu

Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan (c), Maguire, Chilwell, Ndidi, Iborra, Mahrez, Gray, Iheanacho, Vardy.

Subs: Hamer, Dragović, Fuchs, James, Silva, Albrighton, Diabaté.

[ChrisD]

Not so much food for thought:

Chelsea team: Caballero; Rudiger, Cahill (c), Ampadu; Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Fabregas, Emerson; Willian, Giroud, Pedro.

Subs: Eduardo, Chalobah, Sterling, Scott, Moses, Hudson-Odoi, Morata.

#CHEHUL

[dunx]

Ok so is it Vardy or Mahrez,I'm thinking Vardy

[ChrisD]

Vardy has scored in last 4 so form seems with him (also has pens) but who knows how Mahrez will be (with a point to prove). I'd agree Vardy...just!

[Always Next Year]

Anyone know anymore on the Kane injury?

[Maldini]

Brought Vardy in for Hazard where I've 17+ transfers left. Cue yellow card and missed penalty.

[dunx]

Anyone know anymore on the Kane injury?

Heard it was just a knock in the later stages v juventus
and he'll be fit for next premiere league game.

[ChrisD]

Anyone know anymore on the Kane injury?

Quote from Poch (taken from Mirror but in various places): "We need to assess him tomorrow to see if he’s possible for Sunday. We are not worried [about him facing Crystal Palace next weekend]."

I read that as he won't be risked Sunday, but then I hadn't expected him to anyway!

[Midlander]

How long is Alonso out for?

[murf]

How long is Alonso out for?

Was seen training on wednesday (but not in thursday photos?) so someway on mend I guess but nothing official said

[SPR]

I'm tempted by Mahrez for Salah.

[longjohn12]

Aguero to Giroud is on its way to paying off following one extra game already now hopefully will turn into a 3 for 0. Hoping Aguero will be rested next Monday in the view of the League Cup Final on next Sunday enabling Giroud to play again before Aguero does again. Giroud points tonight while Hazard holders miss out will be perfect!

[murf]

I'm tempted by Mahrez for Salah.

It's a 2 for 0 at least. Did it in 1 or 2 but my main move was Alonso to Vardy.

Leicester's upcoming fixtures are good. Chelsea's aren't and at worst it is a reversible 2 for 0. Can also bring in Christensen to save cash maybe even keep Vardy somehow. All very flexible how it ends. At best Leicester draw 7-7 tonight and get a replay

[SPR]

I'm tempted by Mahrez for Salah.

It's a 2 for 0 at least. Did it in 1 or 2 but my main move was Alonso to Vardy.

Leicester's upcoming fixtures are good. Chelsea's aren't and at worst it is a reversible 2 for 0. Can also bring in Christensen to save cash maybe even keep Vardy somehow. All very flexible how it ends. At best Leicester draw 7-7 tonight and get a replay

My evaluations have come to the conclusion that I should do the Mahrez move. Unfortunately it is now 19:48!

Vardy was only an option if I removed one of Kane, Son, or Aguero.

[Midlander]

I'm thinking if he doesn't start tonight doing Hazard to either Vardy or Mahrez if they start for a 4 over 2, Chelsea play Man U and Man C away for the 2 where as Leicester play Sheffield U (h) Stoke (h) Bournemouth (h) West Brom (a) then back to Hazard for their home game against Palace, dilemma being do I go Vardy or Mahrez if they both start, advice would be welcome thanks,14 transfers remaining .

Thanks for this. Did Hazard to Mahrez.

[SPR]

Just seen that Jesus is apparently returning this weekend. Will he start I wonder?

[ChrisD]

It's so frustrating knowing there is probably a good opportunity in there somewhere, but not having a clue which way to go...and so doing nothing! Good luck to those who did!

[ChrisD]

Just seen that Jesus is apparently returning this weekend. Will he start I wonder?

Taken from sky sports today:
Jesus has been sidelined since suffering knee ligament damage against Crystal Palace on New Year's Eve, but began training with his team-mates on Friday.

"It's good news," said Guardiola. "I don't know when he'll be ready [to play].

[murf]

It's so frustrating knowing there is probably a good opportunity in there somewhere, but not having a clue which way to go...and so doing nothing! Good luck to those who did!

So far it appears to have been in the opposite game to the one I focussed on.

(to be fair the 2 for 0 only worked with Leicester, they have better upcoming fixtures, I didn't know who to go for out of will.i.an/pedro/giroud and finally there was no way I'd want to keep any of the Chelsea picks so Vardy(/Mahrez) won)

[Eddie Elbows]

Three nowt. Willian (Giroud)

[Clueless65]

2-0 Pedro (Fabregas, Giroud)
3-0 Willian (Giroud)

[Clueless65]

4-0 Giroud (Emerson)