Rest the big names for the Derby?

Who are the big names though because every player plays a vital role, Rafa will rest the players he feels he needs more in the game after the next one. Like he may feel that it would be best to play alonso against mannure but lucas would be the better option for at everton.

Here's an idea.

Pick your best team, comprising of the best players who are in the best shape/form for EACH game.

Might just work....

I think Rafa has learnt his lesson from earlier in the season to be resting key players in the key games, like Portsmouth.

Hopefully all of our key players will play in every game for the remainder of the season.

Premier League is priority end of the story. As for the international game, I can't see Gerrard playing 2 halfs, I'm sure that RAFA will let Capello know, although saying that, Capello has enough experience himself at the european level to know what to do.

Whatever game is on now, we go for it! and we will count at the end.

Great thread this, so many different views.

I would say if possible Rafa must play the strongest 11 we have available. If we beat Man Utd and Everton I can see Rafa resting players for the Arsenal league game. Lil Ciise posted up the upcoming fixtures and the players will be shattered, mind Mascherano has to go to Argentina and play then come back, that won't be easy!. It's not just us in the situation though Arsenal will be getting tired with all their internationals coming back, we are in a better position than them for this. Play strongest 11 vs Everton and United and see how we do in the 1st leg against Arsenal.

The Arsenal league game is clearly the least important - at this stage.

However, if we beat United and then Everton, we could find ourselves with an outside chance of a title push. Highly unlikely, but who knows?

These fixtures are nuts, though - crazy timing. It's going to be a big time for Benayoun, Lucas and Crouch - very good players who are capable of helping us win these games if they play to their best ability.

I don't see how Rafa *cannot* rotate in these games. Maybe dragging Gerrard and Torres off after 60 minutes of each game, whatever the score, rather than resting them from the start is an alternative.

I think Rafa has learnt his lesson from earlier in the season to be resting key players in the key games, like Portsmouth.

How was Portsmouth away a "key game"? And what did he "learn" from getting a good result - 0-0 - there?

By that logic, every game is a key game. It only became a key game in the eyes of some as we didn't win it because two players were left out.

We should rest our big players against the scum so they will be fit for Eng France and Argie Egypt

We should rest our big players against the scum so they will be fit for Eng France and Argie Egypt

 

We should rest our big players against the scum so they will be fit for Eng France and Argie Egypt

Is he joking?

The only player I want to see have a rest in the deby is Reina.......

Ehm, Why?

Sure your name isn't Dozy89? Wake up lad.

Needless but ok, was just a question. Can't really tell sarcasim when someone types. I am not as cool as you.

Needless but ok, was just a question. Can't really tell sarcasim when someone types. I am not as cool as you.

It was only a joke mate.  Apologies if you took it the wrong way.

Wouldn't you rather have Reina get his shades on, put his feet up and relax while we bombared the bitters goal though? Surely?

Now that would be a picture! Would love to see him just sit down during the game and lean against the post

Sorry about the reaction mate, just in from a mid-week game I had and we got beat and I don't take losing very well.

Now that would be a picture! Would love to see him just sit down during the game and lean against the post

  It's funny you should mention that. I'm sure the bin man Neville Southall done that years ago. But it was at half time because he'd had a nightmare in the first half. So he just sat and leaned against the post through half time with a sulk on. Anyone remember that?

No worries about the reaction mate. Must not get beat next game though. 

Classic Southall, I think they were playing Leeds in the early 90's  and he had let 3 past in the first half.

Rest the big names now? I don't think so.

That ugly amphibian moyes was there for the manc game. I hope he thinks he's got us sussed..... Because he'll have another thing coming.

No we must play full strength teams, too many times we field the wrong team! this game is as important as Arsenal, because if we lose to Arsenal we are out of the champions league, lose to Everton we are out of the Champions league place.