[Albion] This Sunday pre World Cup:

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Mitoma, Trossard, Caicedo, Estupinan, Mac Allister, Sarmiento - for one game do we start them this Sunday or keep some/all of them on the bench? (Being a keeper, I see less of a problem in starting Sanchez.)

This is no reflection on their professionalism at all but with the world cup starting in 2 weeks, you couldn’t blame them for sub-consciously taking it easy this weekend and not going fully into challenges etc. For a professional footballer, especially from smaller countries like Ecuador or Japan, they would be absolutely heartbroken to miss the world cup at this late stage and it could have have a really detrimental long term impact on their season.

However we feel about this sham of a World Cup, it will mean everything to the players.

 

[Insel affe]

Mitoma, Trossard, Caicedo, Estupinan, Mac Allister, Sarmiento - for one game do we start them this Sunday or keep some/all of them on the bench?

Oh yeah, let's do that should we....

Not !

They are contracted to play for the Albion first and foremost, we pay their wages, and look after their wellbeing.
I think every single one of those players are professional enough to want to play, so to me it is a silly question.

 

[GT49er]

Sorry, no. It's their job and they're well paid to do it.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

With Ecuador playing in the first game, I could see Caicedo, Estupinan and Sarmiento on the bench.
Missing Caicedo and Macallister would be tough, so I would like to think Ali Mac would start still.

RDZ seems to like to stick to the same team, as much as possible, so maybe he won't rest anyone and expect them to get stuck in.

 

[Swansman]

Have to look at them in training. If they're not fully willing to commit as the usually are, the most sensible thing would be not to use that player. Think most of them are going to want to play, but you never know.

 

[SpongebobSquarepants]

Not a chance Caicedo is benched! Why does RBZ care about Ecuador. 3 points on Sunday is all that matters to him (quite rightly)

 

[nicko31]

They work for us, YES

 

[trueblue]

I'd be happy for Moises to be on the bench, for sure. Just seven days later, he will be playing in the opening game of the World Cup finals - which would be a dream for any of us. If he got injured I'd be gutted for him. And a 50-50 challenge? He's only human. It'd be amazing if subconsciously he didn't hold a little bit back.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Have to look at them in training. If they're not fully willing to commit as the usually are, the most sensible thing would be not to use that player. Think most of them are going to want to play, but you never know.

Yes this is the sensible answer I suppose.

I expected the 'we pay them, of course they should play' responses but I think it's naive to expect that all players going to the world cup are going to give 100% this weekend and I think you have to look at the bigger overall picture. Even if they outwardly say they want to play, subconsciously some players will not be giving their all for their clubs this weekend. The reality is the World Cup is a lot bigger to these players than a league game against Aston Villa.

 

[Simster]

Oh yeah, let's do that should we....

Not !

They are contracted to play for the Albion first and foremost, we pay their wages, and look after their wellbeing.
I think every single one of those players are professional enough to want to play, so to me it is a silly question.

Sorry, no. It's their job and they're well paid to do it.

I don't think anyone is arguing with this, but the point he makes is a good one. Over half our first XI is going to be made up of players on planes to Qatar less than a week later. Some of them (subconsciously or otherwise) are not going to perform at 100% against Villa. The question is, which of our WC bound players do we take the chance on playing? Is having a 80% Trossard or Caidedo worth playing? Do we actually want to ensure they don't get injured with the WC being the shop window our business model relies on?

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

I don't think anyone is arguing with this, but the point he makes is a good one. Over half our first XI is going to be made up of players on planes to Qatar less than a week later. Some of them (subconsciously or otherwise) are not going to perform at 100% against Villa. The question is, which of our WC bound players do we take the chance on playing? Is having a 80% Trossard or Caidedo worth playing? Do we actually want to ensure they don't get injured with the WC being the shop window our business model relies on?

Spot on. It's also the effect it could have on them mentally for the rest of the season with us.

 

[Insel affe]

Yes this is the sensible answer I suppose.

I expected the 'we pay them, of course they should play' responses but I think it's naive to expect that all players going to the world cup are going to give 100% this weekend and I think you have to look at the bigger overall picture. Even if they outwardly say they want to play, subconsciously some players will not be giving their all for their clubs this weekend. The reality is the World Cup is a lot bigger to these players than a league game against Aston Villa.

I get your point and understand what you are saying, but I find that difficult to think a player through on goal whilst in the midst of a game with the crowd roaring (hopefully) with Mings bearing down on them, thinks oh hang on, I don't fancy this...

If that is the case, why are bothering playing in the first place, and why the hell should I pay my hard earned money to show up and support them.

There is probably more chance of them coming back injured from the world cup than going, and then what, we possibly fielded a weaker team, and could be potentially three points worse off, not to mention how long they could be out for.

Just one of the reasons this world cup is utter bollox

 

[Uh_huh_him]

I don't think anyone is arguing with this, but the point he makes is a good one. Over half our first XI is going to be made up of players on planes to Qatar less than a week later. Some of them (subconsciously or otherwise) are not going to perform at 100% against Villa. The question is, which of our WC bound players do we take the chance on playing? Is having a 80% Trossard or Caidedo worth playing? Do we actually want to ensure they don't get injured with the WC being the shop window our business model relies on?

I suspect some of them will be on their way, pretty much straight after the game won't they?
Surely the Ecuadorians will need to be together almost immediately, to prepare for their first game, 7 days later.

 

[Muzzman]

If I was playing for RDZ, there's no way I would give anything less than 100%. He'll probably have you sleeping with the fishes otherwise.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Speak to them.

Speak to them individually and ask what they want to do. If they don't want to play, respect their wishes. There should be no ill thoughts to anyone who decides not to. It's not them who scheduled a world cup in the middle of the season.

If we force them to play and they get injured the relationship between club and players will be hugely damaged.

 

[amexer]

You are joking. Ridiculous suggestion

 

[Insel affe]

Speak to them.

Speak to them individually and ask what they want to do. If they don't want to play, respect their wishes. There should be no ill thoughts to anyone who decides not to. It's not them who scheduled a world cup in the middle of the season.

If we force them to play and they get injured the relationship between club and players will be hugely damaged.

We should not have to speak to them, that is the most annoying thing, this stupid money driven world cup is just so wrong.
We therefore could potentially lose out on points, all because of it.
Total and utter elephant shite.

 

[beefypigeon]

Just had a look and was really surprised to see that only two of Villa's regular starting 11 look like they're going to the world cup, and one of them is the GK (Martinez and Cash). Pretty astonishing considering the amount of money they splash around.

Games at home to teams below us in the league have tended to be frustrating affairs for us over the last few seasons. Given they don't have too much to worry about RE world cup, and given they have a new manager and are coming off a good result last weekend, I am really not feeling too confident about Sunday!

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

If it's on their minds for the Villa game then it will have been on their minds for the past few weeks as any injury over that time period could have an effect on them making the world cup. We've seen no evidence that the players aren't 100% committed to the stripes. Besides which not giving it your all in a game and ducking out of going into challenges fully committed is actually the easiest way to get injured. Thankfully the players are professional and know all of this so we have nothing to worry about.

 

[highflyer]

How many of the Villa likely first 11 will be in the same position? I have no idea, and really can't be bothered to check, but would assume roughly same as us?