Bertie Wooster
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- Jan 21, 2021
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10 out of the starting XI was what I wanted / predicted, so I was happy enough with that. But my change was a 2nd natural CB - say Lindelof for 45 mins, then Mengi - and Matic at CM with Mata on the bench. I felt playing Matic out of position, and giving Mata a very rare start, were two changes too far and changes that didn't tell us anything long term - and in fact probably hindered what we could have learned from those others brought in as I'm sure it would have helped the performances of VDB, Lingard, etc, if we'd had Matic in midfield and a natural CB partnership. I don't think we'd have looked as disjointed and sloppy and it would have given them a better opportunity to perform, while still resting the majority of the players set to face Norwich.
I was happy to see the academy products on the bench, but would have preferred another senior option or two to bring on if the game was in the balance late on - such as Mata in my preferred line up were he was on the bench - as I wanted us to avoid defeat to keep the recent momentum going.
Fortunately that happened anyway, albeit unconvincingly, so I'm happy enough with avoiding defeat, not needing to use the regulars, and giving some game time to the likes of Elanga and Amad.
I was happy to see the academy products on the bench, but would have preferred another senior option or two to bring on if the game was in the balance late on - such as Mata in my preferred line up were he was on the bench - as I wanted us to avoid defeat to keep the recent momentum going.
Fortunately that happened anyway, albeit unconvincingly, so I'm happy enough with avoiding defeat, not needing to use the regulars, and giving some game time to the likes of Elanga and Amad.
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