Team v Antwerp (H)

[Monkey boy]

Would love Bale to get some form and rhythm going starting tonight. We really need him to start stepping up now with all the fixtures we have going on.

 

[Monkey boy]

I didn’t see the game in Belgium but from the reports it seemed we were pretty bad that night. Can someone who did watch it give a run down of what type of team Antwerp are and if they have any stand out players that I should watch out for?

 

[Rosco1984]

Rest him until Stoke? Rest him!!!

I was trying to be nice about it as I don't think he's a bad player I just think he is a bag of nerves with shot confidence and a bit confused about when to step out and when to hold his position in the deeper line. I think his nervousness rubs off on those around him and repeated poor performances are denting his confidence and just making it worse I would leave him out until he gains some confidence in training and maybe some u23's games wouldn't hurt him either. I think there's a top player in there but he needs some time out of the spotlight or it could just keep getting worse.

 

[VegasII]

I’d love us to tonk them tonight.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

I’d like us to play wing backs to see if Doherty is going to step up or if he’s a complete disaster of a signing.

................................. Hart ..............................
....... Tanganga..... Sanchez .... Davies ..........
Doherty ...... Winks ....... Lo Celso ...... Reguilon
............. Bale ....... Vinicius ..... Alli ................,

Regardless of how well things go we’ll only need to protect Lo Celso and Reguilon. The rest have a place to fight for.

 

[Laboog]

I didn’t see the game in Belgium but from the reports it seemed we were pretty bad that night. Can someone who did watch it give a run down of what type of team Antwerp are and if they have any stand out players that I should watch out for?

It is kind of hard to give a good assessment from the last game because we were so bad. Honestly, that might have been the worst game I have watched us play in years. We made them all look good.

They have played some form of 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 in every match this season. In league play they usually have the majority of possession but their fans have said in Europa it varies. Against us we had more possession but in other games it was close to 50/50.

For Europa if you care about any advanced stats, they have been pretty fortunate in defense. With the amount of shots on target and shots they have given up, they should have allowed a few more goals than the 3 they have allowed. If we are finishing our chances, I expect us to score a few tonight.

The above assessment is all based on fbref stats and what I have seen from their fans on a few different forums so take it all as word of mouth/opinions.

 

[Pochemon94]

I’d like us to play wing backs to see if Doherty is going to step up or if he’s a complete disaster of a signing.

................................. Hart ..............................
....... Tanganga..... Sanchez .... Davies ..........
Doherty ...... Winks ....... Lo Celso ...... Reguilon
............. Bale ....... Vinicius ..... Alli ................,

Regardless of how well things go we’ll only need to protect Lo Celso and Reguilon. The rest have a place to fight for.

Yes I think Doherty hasn't been great this season but his signing is still a great one as it has pushed Aurier into this form through competition of his spot and essentially playing for his top end career

 

[OPModric]

I think Mourinho wants to win the group. I wouldn't be surprised if Kane starts.

 

[yankspurs]

I think Mourinho wants to win the group. I wouldn't be surprised if Kane starts.

He absolutely will not start Kane. I doubt Kane will even be named in the squad for this. We have a decent backup and we have 3 league games in 7 days after this then its the festive period with like 4 games in 8 days

 

[Mr Pink]

He absolutely will not start Kane. I doubt Kane will even be named in the squad for this. We have a decent backup and we have 3 league games in 7 days after this.

Yep I'd be amazed if he started him. Vinnie all day long...

 

[OPModric]

He absolutely will not start Kane. I doubt Kane will even be named in the squad for this. We have a decent backup and we have 3 league games in 7 days after this then its the festive period with like 4 games in 8 days

We'll see soon. As it stands right now, I think it would be foolish to not go for the group win, and I guess Mourinho thinking that way.

Seeded teams

Ajax (NED)*
Arsenal (ENG)
Club Brugge (BEL)*
Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
Hoffenheim (GER)
Manchester United (ENG)*
Roma (ITA)
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)*
Villarreal (ESP)
7 group winners TBC

Unseeded teams

Crvena zvezda (SRB)
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)*
Krasnodar (RUS)*
Olympiacos (GRE)*
Salzburg (AUT)*
11 group runners-up TBC

 

[Mr Pink]

We'll see soon. As it stands right now, I think it would be foolish to not go for the group win, and I guess Mourinho thinking that way.

Seeded teams

Ajax (NED)*
Arsenal (ENG)
Club Brugge (BEL)*
Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
Hoffenheim (GER)
Manchester United (ENG)*
Roma (ITA)
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)*
Villarreal (ESP)
7 group winners TBC

Unseeded teams

Crvena zvezda (SRB)
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)*
Krasnodar (RUS)*
Olympiacos (GRE)*
Salzburg (AUT)*
11 group runners-up TBC

We're more than good enough to win tonight without Harry.

He's going to pick up another muscular injury soon if we're not careful. His game time needs managed.

We're about to enter the most hectic period of the season, starting him tonight would be crazy imo.

 

[OPModric]

We're more than good enough to win tonight without Harry.

He's going to pick up another muscular injury soon if we're not careful. His game time needs managed.

We're about to enter the most hectic period of the season, starting him tonight would be crazy imo.

Well, we lost the last time.

I think Mourinho will field a strong team.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Yes I think Doherty hasn't been great this season but his signing is still a great one as it has pushed Aurier into this form through competition of his spot and essentially playing for his top end career

I’ve been really impressed with Aurier... massively improved defensively and we’re no longer reliant on his as our only attacking outlet.