Albion Away 3rd May

[GLASGOWOLF]

I don't want some clogger trying to make a name for themselves in a local derby by "testing" Raul's physical condition.

If he's on the bench and unused then that's fine, but I doubt Raul would agree to sit on the bench if he's not going to come on at some point.

This is not Sunday League, we know Albion are Shit, but with Var with cameras you cannot clog a player to test them, refs send you off these days for kickimg the ball.

He will be fine, lets get him on the pitch asap

 

[Loki]

Nah. Happy for him to be on the bench if it might give the players a morale booster but no way will he come on. The weather conditions could be dodgy too.

 

[Loki]

This is not Sunday League, we know Albion are Shit, but with Var with cameras you cannot clog a player to test them, refs send you off these days for kickimg the ball.

He will be fine, lets get him on the pitch asap

Wasn`t there an incident yesterday? Think it was a Spurs player getting his face trod on. Looked deliberate to me. Can`t remember now but someone will, I`m sure

 

[Tony Towner]

The only reason I’d like him not to play this season is to discourage Mexico from picking him for the Olympics.

This is the point for me. He plays in any of the last games then he's off to the Olympics the final of which is a week before the PL season starts so that's him gone for all of what everyone agrees is a big pre season

 

[GLASGOWOLF]

This is the point for me. He plays in any of the last games then he's off to the Olympics the final of which is a week before the PL season starts so that's him gone for all of what everyone agrees is a big pre season

Maybe, but he has had a long break now, it may just do him well to be in the olympics.

Would Mexico make the final?

 

[Tony Towner]

I don't know, but they won it in 2012 and do take it seriously

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Wasn`t there an incident yesterday? Think it was a Spurs player getting his face trod on. Looked deliberate to me. Can`t remember now but someone will, I`m sure

He better not play ever again then. Just in case.

 

[Loki]

He better not play ever again then. Just in case.

Er, why?

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Er, why?

Because he will get his head trod on.

 

[PuntsWolf]

There’s not many Kevin Muscat’s around these days. People don’t tend to go around deliberately trying to hurt players, certainly less so in a way that would be a risk to their life/ long term physical well being.

Was Fleck’s deliberate? Don’t know, only he will. It can’t be proven and those sort of instances always look worse in slow motion.

 

[Trips]

Wasn`t there an incident yesterday? Think it was a Spurs player getting his face trod on. Looked deliberate to me. Can`t remember now but someone will, I`m sure

Fleck trod on Lo Celso at the start of the second half. Looked a red to me. It appeared he could have avoided, and also like he had a little look down when doing it, but only he knows

 

[Loki]

Because he will get his head trod on.

Haa, I was responding to GLASGOWOLF`s comment with regards VAR and clogging.

 

[Loki]

Fleck trod on Lo Celso at the start of the second half. Looked a red to me. It appeared he could have avoided, and also like he had a little look down when doing it, but only he knows

That was how I saw it to, he did look down, whether it was avoidable from his point on view, who knows?

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

This is the point for me. He plays in any of the last games then he's off to the Olympics the final of which is a week before the PL season starts so that's him gone for all of what everyone agrees is a big pre season

Could work one of two ways.

a) He has a successful confidence building tournament with Mexico and comes back fresh for us, ready to kick on and in really good shape.
b) He doesn't go and we see a flat, not match ready Raul at the start of a season where we really need him.

 

[Tony Towner]

c) Nuno spends all of pre season trying to embed a new formation and or tempo of play without the player who will be the focal point of it

 

[AndyWolves]

He better not play ever again then. Just in case.

I get your point, but we don't know how well or otherwise Raul has been introduced back in. We don't know if he's played in any friendlies or any other type of games.

For me, it's just not worth it for such little reward. I'd much rather he goes through pre-season like everyone else rather than being him back now.

I have horrible visions of losing at a wet poorthorns with Raul going off with his leg dangling off and west Brom crowing about it for the next decade.

I feel there are "better" games for Raul to make his comeback in, where the intensity and rivalry will be less

 

[YoungWolf]

I’d rather he didn’t go to the Olympics but as long as he is match sharp come the start of our season I’m not as worried about it as other areas of the squad/preparation for next season

 

[sycophantia]

Fleck trod on Lo Celso at the start of the second half. Looked a red to me. It appeared he could have avoided, and also like he had a little look down when doing it, but only he knows

looked deliberate to me, no-one can be sure though apart from Fleck

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

c) Nuno spends all of pre season trying to imbed a new formation and or tempo of play without the player who will be the focal point of it

Fair.

 

[Gonby's Games Gone By]

I would be very nervous if Raul came on today, but I think I'd be nervous whenever he returned. I would have expected him to be on the bench unused for a game or two, though, just as a kind of psychological preparation for his return. I suppose that works both ways though: could increase any anxiety if he meditates upon things too long from the bench.