by Bad Bob » Sun Apr 30, 2006 6:35 pm
I don't expect Robbie to start in this one either. He's cup-tied and Rafa will be stoking up the competition between the other strikers for a place in the starting 11 in Cardiff. As such, I think we'll see Nando pairing Crouch again, with Cisse on the right to start.
Like others, I'm not expecting Man U to slip up (although I'd be delighted if they did, of course). Don't overlook the motivating force of pride: they've not only been beaten by the team they were supposed to be challenging for the title...they've been embarrassed! I expect they'll have come away from the Bridge more determined than ever to finish the season strongly and solidify their grip on 2nd.
Frankly, that's not our concern. We'll need to go to Pompey with the Cup Final in mind, which means protecting players carrying any knocks while evaluating potential starters for Cardiff. As such, I suspect we'll field a strong albeit somewhat unorthodox line-up.
And, while Rafa will certainly want the players to take the opportunities that present themselves, I don't think he'll field a team whose primary aim will be to score a bucket full of goals in order to reduce the goal difference figures separating us and the Mancs. You know our Rafa--easy does it!
I'm hoping for a nice 2-0 victory to end the league on high, to set us up well for Cardiff and to equal the club's clean sheet record from 1983-84. And, if the Mancs stumble and let us in, so much the better!
