Preston vs Saints - Saturday 2nd May 12:30pm

[Mboto Gorge]

About 75 tickets left as of right now. Guess these will go if we win tomorrow. Great effort none the less 

[Stud mark of doom]

Anyone know when we should expect to receive our tickets? 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

10 minutes ago, Stud mark of doom said:

Anyone know when we should expect to receive our tickets? 

Mine were through the door when we got back Saturday.

[Mboto Gorge]

1 hour ago, Stud mark of doom said:

Anyone know when we should expect to receive our tickets? 

Not got mine yet either 

[Sheaf Saint]

I'm guessing we'll be in our black and red kit for this one, to avoid a clash with Preston's blue shorts. Shame we won't be able to bring some of that "Yellows" energy from Wembley for our last away day but oh well.

[Football Special]

38 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

I'm guessing we'll be in our black and red kit for this one, to avoid a clash with Preston's blue shorts. Shame we won't be able to bring some of that "Yellows" energy from Wembley for our last away day but oh well.

Could this suggest Preston will be yellow? 

[Dr. Kucho]

With automatic promotion of I would definitely rest Peretz, Scienza, Jander, Harwood-Bellis and Azaz. Don’t want them injured for the playoffs.

[SouthWalesSaints]

Huge game.  Finishing 4th and having Boro in the second leg at Home is MASSIVE. They’ve hit some form of late, and they have players that could hurt us.  Can see any result in them v Wrexham.  But they did better against Ipswich than we did. 
 

Very tough games await.  I’d like 4th, first legs tend to be more cagey. 

[Harry_SFC]

Peretz, Jelert, Wood, Quarshie, Welington, Bragg, Charles, Edozie, Archer, Fellows, Stewart. 

[Hodgey]

Not sure even if we go full strength we win this as they are knackered, we may actually do better with reserve players - not having a decent 2nd string keeper is a problem but we cannot afford any injuries to Bree, Azaz, THB, Larin or Peretz so I’d go:

Long

Jelert-Wood-Quarshie-Wellington

Charles-Bragg

Edozie-Matsuki-Archer

Stewart

id also have the kids on the bench - Dibaga, Williams, Obrian-Whitmarsh, Oyenkunle

[bpsaint]

2 minutes ago, Hodgey said:

Not sure even if we go full strength we win this as they are knackered, we may actually do better with reserve players - not having a decent 2nd string keeper is a problem but we cannot afford any injuries to Bree, Azaz, THB, Larin or Peretz so I’d go:

Long

Jelert-Wood-Quarshie-Wellington

Charles-Bragg

Edozie-Matsuki-Archer

Stewart

id also have the kids on the bench - Dibaga, Williams, Obrian-Whitmarsh, Oyenkunle

It’s a fair point but risking the surrender of the unbeaten run with that many changes isn’t worth it IMO.

Boro have a tough game to play against a Wrexham side that have to win, and the second leg at home is a prize worth aiming for us IMO. 

[S-Clarke]

No wholesale changes, you'd probably have to consider giving Leo a rest - as he looked totally shot tonight, maybe Bree and Larin as well. I don't think I'd go further than that if I'm honest.

Momentum is key, I'd hate us to throw that all away by chucking in the squad players in the final game.

[Wade Garrett]

We have to rest players or we might lose them for the play-offs.

I would rather have all my players available than play the second leg at home.

Rest Bree, THB, Jander, Leo, Larin and Stewart.

[MB]

Although RM was a clown tbf to him he played full strength at Leeds away on the  last day, seemed madness to most but we won the game and gave us key momentum into the play offs. Make a couple of a tweaks here & there but I would go strong. And judging by his post match interview tonight he will do. 

[S-Clarke]

2 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

We have to rest players or we might lose them for the play-offs.

I would rather have all my players available than play the second leg at home.

Rest Bree, THB, Jander, Leo, Larin and Stewart.

But then we'd have to play Archer as a lone 9, and that never works. At the most I can see 3 or 4 changes.

Wellington for Bree, Edozie for Leo and Stewart for Larin. I don't think we'll change up either CB with Stephens still out.

[SaintBobby]

Is this match the exact opposite of a "must win"?

 

[Andy Hill]

Need to rest as many players as possible. I have a feeling that Boro will beat Wrexham.

[Pilchards]

I truly believe we can beat anyone away even if the first leg is home for us first.

It’s important to get Bree, Leo, Jander & THB rested, Stephens and Matsuki back plus Azaz over his leg injury.

This squad has played far too much football in the last 7 weeks and a rest will do them the world of good.

 

[die Mannyschaft]

Pointless game and long trip now to see reserves. No point playing any 1sf team players or get them off ASAP.

For once I will be happy yo see a repeat of most seasons RM sideways and back,  lots of walking,  900 passes . Just don't do anything

Just Stop Azaz...best stickers at Wembley 

[die Mannyschaft]

Just now, Pilchards said:

I truly believe we can beat anyone away even if the first leg is home for us first.

It’s important to get Bree, Leo, Jander & THB rested, Stephens and Matsuki back plus Azaz over his leg injury.

This squad has played far too much football in the last 7 weeks and a rest will do them the world of good.

 

I'll be very happy to see the U21s play Sat

[James G]

I think this should be full on Harlem Globetrotters mode

Play like playboys, win or lose

Not too much effort, come what may

Scienza should go full Brazilian if on. Just show off, same for everyone else

Then reset for playoffs

[SNSUN]

1 hour ago, Andy Hill said:

Need to rest as many players as possible. I have a feeling that Boro will beat Wrexham.

I can see why there would be two points of view on whether we go strong or not but for me, with 3 huge games (potentially) deciding our season, I'd be resting as many important players as possible so they don't get injured. You can still field a line up of:

Peretz, Jelert, Wood, Quarshie, Welington, Bragg, Charles/Rom, Fellows, Matsuki (if fit, Archer if not), Edozie, Stewart 

in a 451 or 442 and get some joy out of it - not that I think Tonda will. But you don't even need to put any youth in as our 1st team squad is so large. (I include Bragg in the 1st team squad). 

It's injuries that I worry about presently - obviously we'll have Downes back for the play-offs which is huge but Matsuki picking up an injury really makes you think how key injury losses at this time of the season could ultimately cost us. 

[AlexLaw76]

“Rotate” Larin, Scienza, Jander, Azaz and maybe Bree

we have enough decent players to come in

[sisi1992]

Got an extra ticket available for this if anyones interested? £25

[Football Special]

35 minutes ago, sisi1992 said:

Got an extra ticket available for this if anyones interested? £25

I think there will be loads of spares floating around for this now, taking 5.5k for a lunchtime ko in Preston was going to be a phenomenal effort even with promotion at stake , even more so now with another long trip to MIddlesbrough the following week 

[Football Special]

46 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

“Rotate” Larin, Scienza, Jander, Azaz and maybe Bree

we have enough decent players to come in

Probably right, their 'replacements' should be good enough to come in, would be nice to enter the play offs on the back of a win rather than a run of 4 without just as Middlesbrough are finding form again 

[Oisin]

Well, I know some people are very concerned about 4th v 5th but to my mind it doesn’t really matter and this is a free hit - Boro have to go for it so let’s give our guys’ tired bodies and minds a break and extra rest over Boro. I’d give half of them a good couple of days off to be honest.

Not sure on the full 11 but I’d have something like

Jelert Quarshie xxx Wellington

xxx Bragg

Robinson xxx Archer Edozie

Sorry for all the fans making the trip up but I’d want all the key players on r&r

[EssEffCee]

1 hour ago, sisi1992 said:

Got an extra ticket available for this if anyones interested? £25

Wonder how many more of these posts we'll see over the next few days 😅

[Lord Duckhunter]

It’s a bit of a delicate balancing act, but fall on the side of the players being fit, refreshed and ready to go for the first leg. There’s a slight advantage in playing  home second, but that advantage is wiped out, and more, if key players are injured or dead on their feet. 
 

Some look they need a rest to me. I’d consider starting with Archer or that young lad down the middle, as Larin was hobbling about a bit last night at the end, and we can’t risk Ross being out if Larin is  struggling. THB looks like he needs a rest to me, last night was his worse performance for weeks, and clearly Bree is shot. I’d play Bragg & Charles, with OR coming on after an hour. Go with Robinson & Edozie, resting Fellows & Leo. Azaz hasn’t really got a replacement, so he’ll probably start, unless he wants to go 4-4-2. 
 

Game after game after game, takes its toll, and we’ve got a decent squad, let’s use it. If we’re firing on all cylinders we’ll beat Middlesbrough home & away, no matter which order the games are in. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Lord Duckhunter

[benjii]

I agree we should use the squad a bit, but it would still be nice to finish with a win after two league draws. But it is a good chance to give players like Jelert some minutes in case we end up needing them.

Peretz

Jelert Wood Stephens/Quarshie Weli

Bragg Charles

Fellows Robinson/nipper Edozie

Stewart

Subs: Bree, THB, Manning, Jander,  Azaz, Archer, Larin, Scienza, nipper/Robinson 

Could play Archer instead of Fellows if he's knackered and if Azaz is deemed not too knackered he can start and give us the first 45.

 

I assume everyone agrees that the strongest XI is currently:

Peretz

Bree THB Stephens Manning

Downes Jander

Matski Azaz Leo

Larin 

I think the only positions up for debate are left back (if you think Weli is a better defender and that will be the priority) and right wing (if you want more pace).

Edited 2 hours ago by benjii

[James G]

I hope Jelert gets a run out. It'll be interesting to see where he's at. I like his direct play, it adds something different 

[Football Special]

23 minutes ago, Oisin said:

Well, I know some people are very concerned about 4th v 5th but to my mind it doesn’t really matter and this is a free hit - Boro have to go for it so let’s give our guys’ tired bodies and minds a break and extra rest over Boro. I’d give half of them a good couple of days off to be honest.

Not sure on the full 11 but I’d have something like

Jelert Quarshie xxx Wellington

xxx Bragg

Robinson xxx Archer Edozie

Sorry for all the fans making the trip up but I’d want all the key players on r&r

Why dont you think it matters? 

Finishing the season with a win and positivity matters 

Having home advantage in the 2nd leg matters - have a look at past play off results. 

If we can do that and rest some players then great, but at least have some of our 'rested' players on the bench ready to come on if needed. 

[AlexLaw76]

28 minutes ago, Oisin said:

Well, I know some people are very concerned about 4th v 5th but to my mind it doesn’t really matter and this is a free hit - Boro have to go for it so let’s give our guys’ tired bodies and minds a break and extra rest over Boro. I’d give half of them a good couple of days off to be honest.

Not sure on the full 11 but I’d have something like

Jelert Quarshie xxx Wellington

xxx Bragg

Robinson xxx Archer Edozie

Sorry for all the fans making the trip up but I’d want all the key players on r&r

Of course finishing 3rd or 4th matters

[Mattio]

Leave some of the more leggy players back at Staplewood recovering for this one, we need them at 100% for the play-offs. Makes sense to give minutes to the more impressive second string players to get them match fit - still go for the 3 points but it would be a disaster if we lose key players.

[Midfield_General]

10 hours ago, SaintBobby said:

Is this match the exact opposite of a "must win"?

 

A match we should aim to lose at all costs? 

[tdmickey3]

39 minutes ago, Oisin said:

Well, I know some people are very concerned about 4th v 5th but to my mind it doesn’t really matter and this is a free hit - Boro have to go for it so let’s give our guys’ tired bodies and minds a break and extra rest over Boro. I’d give half of them a good couple of days off to be honest.

Not sure on the full 11 but I’d have something like

Jelert Quarshie xxx Wellington

xxx Bragg

Robinson xxx Archer Edozie

Sorry for all the fans making the trip up but I’d want all the key players on r&r

Lol, this game is a week before the playoffs, plenty of time to rest

[benjii]

10 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

A match we should aim to lose at all costs? 

A "must lose", if you will.

[Saint Garrett]

Can see both sides of the coin. I'd probably go "standard" rotation and keep momentum, they get a full weeks recovery after this. Momentum is important. Full backs have pretty much played every game so I'd be tempted to rest both.

Peretz

Jelert THB Wood Welington

Bragg Charles

Matsuki Azaz Edozie

Stewart

 

[RedWillie]

51 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Why dont you think it matters? 

Finishing the season with a win and positivity matters 

Having home advantage in the 2nd leg matters - have a look at past play off results. 

If we can do that and rest some players then great, but at least have some of our 'rested' players on the bench ready to come on if needed. 

I'm in your camp.  Success breeds success.

[LGTL]

I personally think people are underestimating the importance of finishing 4th. Having the second leg at home in the evening is hugely advantageous compared to a first leg home tie at 12.30. 

Finishing 5th makes it much less likely we make the final IMO as Boro are certainly no mugs. 

[Mboto Gorge]

We need to rotate a bit , but not too much. We should rotate those who clearly need a rest but keep as much momentum and cohesion as possible for the play offs. There are probably 4-5 players we can and will rest, but I’d like to think we’d keep a steady core in the team and not fall into the trap of resting players for the sake of it. As has been mentioned, it’s a big advantage finishing 4th to finishing 5th, not least because of the stupid 12:30ko for the home leg if we finish 5th. I think Tonda will make the right call regardless