| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? 13:03 - Apr 7 with 4741 views | nrb1985 | I just wonder given the obvious circus that’s going to surround him whether KM may be tempted to bench him. Ferguson (Alex not Bobby) used to do that quite often. There were a few ocassions where both Neville and Rooney were dropped for games at Anfield. Neville once said he was told not to even go and warm up there through fear of inciting the crowd and stirring up the atmosphere. Could take the wind out of their sails a bit if they see he isn’t on the team sheet. [Post edited 7 Apr 13:17]
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 13:11 - Apr 7 with 3193 views | Sir_Bob | Our form is so much better when he plays.... So a definite starter. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 13:15 - Apr 7 with 3178 views | franz_tyson | I'm thinking we could be underdogs with Norwich's form and them being at home.... so might it be to be our advantage to stir things up and, also, level things up by using Nunez as added spice. Let's not kid ourselves..... their form is incredible. I quite like the idea of him being a wind up merchant and putting them off their stride. Odd that it might seem, but I think we might need to act tbe underdog and get under their skin. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 13:16 - Apr 7 with 3156 views | ElderGrizzly | In the 10 yes, in the 8 no. My assumption here is Matusiwa is fit and is paired with Neil or Taylor. [Post edited 7 Apr 13:16]
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 13:18 - Apr 7 with 3122 views | Len_Brennan | Yes, 100%. Apart from the statistically impressive benefits of having him in the team, his presence is likely to be a far bigger distraction to them than it will be to us. Their midfield is strong, so having him in the #10 position, dropping back to add presence, especially if Matusiwa is not fit, would be a bonus for us. An effective trio of Neil, Taylor & Nunez should be able to win that battle, while still offering quality going forward. [Post edited 7 Apr 13:30]
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 13:27 - Apr 7 with 3061 views | Garv | See the point but it's not Anfield and he's clearly not bothered about winding a few people up. Either that or he's just so far away with the fairies that he doesn't notice. Interesting character is Nunez. He's arguably our most important player. Their players and fans will be desperate to see him fail, which means they'll be nervous any time he's near the goal. Works hard and presses, plays forward passes, good on set pieces and offers a direct free kick threat. Useful traits for any game, especially a derby. If fully fit, play him. |  |
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 13:32 - Apr 7 with 3010 views | Churchman |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 13:27 - Apr 7 by Garv | See the point but it's not Anfield and he's clearly not bothered about winding a few people up. Either that or he's just so far away with the fairies that he doesn't notice. Interesting character is Nunez. He's arguably our most important player. Their players and fans will be desperate to see him fail, which means they'll be nervous any time he's near the goal. Works hard and presses, plays forward passes, good on set pieces and offers a direct free kick threat. Useful traits for any game, especially a derby. If fully fit, play him. |
I think he’s our best player. He is also no shrinking violet and I think he will be desperate to play - so if fit, play him. Who cares if they get wound up. Their problem |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 14:07 - Apr 7 with 2937 views | blueoutlook |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 13:16 - Apr 7 by ElderGrizzly | In the 10 yes, in the 8 no. My assumption here is Matusiwa is fit and is paired with Neil or Taylor. [Post edited 7 Apr 13:16]
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Agreed. In the 10. The 8 not so sure. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 14:13 - Apr 7 with 2916 views | eirannach_gorm |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 13:15 - Apr 7 by franz_tyson | I'm thinking we could be underdogs with Norwich's form and them being at home.... so might it be to be our advantage to stir things up and, also, level things up by using Nunez as added spice. Let's not kid ourselves..... their form is incredible. I quite like the idea of him being a wind up merchant and putting them off their stride. Odd that it might seem, but I think we might need to act tbe underdog and get under their skin. |
He could also be a foul magnet which would be good to break up their game. |  | |  | Login to get fewer ads
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 14:14 - Apr 7 with 2915 views | SomethingBlue | Start him, he is very important to us and clearly doesn't mind the panto villain thing at all. Let them get wound up about it. |  |
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 14:16 - Apr 7 with 2893 views | TRUE_BLUE123 | He is our best number 10. 100% he should start. |  |
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:20 - Apr 7 with 2744 views | nrb1985 |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 14:14 - Apr 7 by SomethingBlue | Start him, he is very important to us and clearly doesn't mind the panto villain thing at all. Let them get wound up about it. |
Isn’t your last sentence the point though - we don’t want the crowd there any more wound up than they obviously will be already. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:25 - Apr 7 with 2730 views | itfcjoe | Updated Nunez stats by itfcjoe 7 Apr 12:05Nunez starts in the 10 - 44 from 18 - 2.44ppg
Nunez starts in CM - 1 from 2 - 0.5ppg
Nunez starts - 45 from 20 - 2.25ppg
Nunez doesn't start - 26 from 18 - 1.44ppg
Nunez doesn't start in the 10 - 27 from 20 - 1.35ppg |  |
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:32 - Apr 7 with 2675 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:20 - Apr 7 by nrb1985 | Isn’t your last sentence the point though - we don’t want the crowd there any more wound up than they obviously will be already. |
So we don't play our most influential player because 'The Snakepit' might be wound up? Cutting off your nose to spite your face. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:33 - Apr 7 with 2665 views | positivity |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 14:13 - Apr 7 by eirannach_gorm | He could also be a foul magnet which would be good to break up their game. |
would be good if he attracts them into an early red card, not so good if he gets injured though... |  |
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:39 - Apr 7 with 2637 views | nrb1985 |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:25 - Apr 7 by itfcjoe | Updated Nunez stats by itfcjoe 7 Apr 12:05Nunez starts in the 10 - 44 from 18 - 2.44ppg
Nunez starts in CM - 1 from 2 - 0.5ppg
Nunez starts - 45 from 20 - 2.25ppg
Nunez doesn't start - 26 from 18 - 1.44ppg
Nunez doesn't start in the 10 - 27 from 20 - 1.35ppg |
Would be interesting to see those stats adjusted for since Mehmeti joined. [Post edited 7 Apr 15:42]
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:41 - Apr 7 with 2608 views | nrb1985 |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:32 - Apr 7 by tractorboy1978 | So we don't play our most influential player because 'The Snakepit' might be wound up? Cutting off your nose to spite your face. |
That’s rather the point of the OP though. Would it be doing that? Or would it potentially be additive. Ferguson obviously thought it would be on said ocassions and you can’t argue that United were a better team without Rooney or Neville in on paper. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:42 - Apr 7 with 2593 views | dirtyboy |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:20 - Apr 7 by nrb1985 | Isn’t your last sentence the point though - we don’t want the crowd there any more wound up than they obviously will be already. |
McKenna has in the past, talked about getting a home crowd quiet and including Nunez in the line up will do anything but that. Make no mistake, Norwich will be right up for this and looking forward to ruining our run towards another promotion, it's probably the best thing in their season right now, realistically, they're not going to catch Wrexham or Southampton (imo). They're the best team in the division over the past couple of months and we'll be leveraging every advantage and if that's not having a '12th man' behind them, the sheer presence of Nunez is likely to be an aid to them. If we're losing, then he comes on, it's a disruptor then. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:48 - Apr 7 with 2562 views | nrb1985 |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:42 - Apr 7 by dirtyboy | McKenna has in the past, talked about getting a home crowd quiet and including Nunez in the line up will do anything but that. Make no mistake, Norwich will be right up for this and looking forward to ruining our run towards another promotion, it's probably the best thing in their season right now, realistically, they're not going to catch Wrexham or Southampton (imo). They're the best team in the division over the past couple of months and we'll be leveraging every advantage and if that's not having a '12th man' behind them, the sheer presence of Nunez is likely to be an aid to them. If we're losing, then he comes on, it's a disruptor then. |
That’s probably where I come out too. If he comes on if we’re losing then it probably has the effect of giving us a big lift not them. Mehmeti is also a bit more “robust” and I think the first 20 there will be difficult for anybody to put their foot on the ball. Nice to have options either way. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 16:02 - Apr 7 with 2506 views | TrumptonBlue |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:39 - Apr 7 by nrb1985 | Would be interesting to see those stats adjusted for since Mehmeti joined. [Post edited 7 Apr 15:42]
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Since Mehmeti joined: Mehmeti starts as 10: 9 pts from 6 (1.5 ppg) Nunez starts as 10: 13 pts from 5 (2.6 ppg) Mind you, 4 of Mehmeti's starts have been away from home and 4 of Nunez's have been at home. [Post edited 7 Apr 16:04]
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 16:03 - Apr 7 with 2495 views | BouncebackIpswich | Don't want to see him get injured by one of his old team mates holding a grudge or some clogger getting egged on by the crowd I'd save him as an impact sub if needed |  |
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| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 16:06 - Apr 7 with 2471 views | LandOfMickyStockwell | Play Nunez. Fits with McKenna playing ex-players away. I can't see the Nodge fans getting into the head of Nunez (it'll be the other way around), but this would still happen if he was sat on the bench. At least on the pitch he has an immediate way of silencing them, rather than stew as a substitute. Something sneaky on Mattsson would be an absolute p!ss take! |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 16:18 - Apr 7 with 2407 views | nrb1985 |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 16:02 - Apr 7 by TrumptonBlue | Since Mehmeti joined: Mehmeti starts as 10: 9 pts from 6 (1.5 ppg) Nunez starts as 10: 13 pts from 5 (2.6 ppg) Mind you, 4 of Mehmeti's starts have been away from home and 4 of Nunez's have been at home. [Post edited 7 Apr 16:04]
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Thanks - much appreciated. So marginally better in the “without column” - especially taking into account the home/away disparity. I dunno I just think if we had him to come on his presence would be a boost to us not them. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 16:24 - Apr 7 with 2364 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 15:42 - Apr 7 by dirtyboy | McKenna has in the past, talked about getting a home crowd quiet and including Nunez in the line up will do anything but that. Make no mistake, Norwich will be right up for this and looking forward to ruining our run towards another promotion, it's probably the best thing in their season right now, realistically, they're not going to catch Wrexham or Southampton (imo). They're the best team in the division over the past couple of months and we'll be leveraging every advantage and if that's not having a '12th man' behind them, the sheer presence of Nunez is likely to be an aid to them. If we're losing, then he comes on, it's a disruptor then. |
"They're the best team in the division over the past couple of months.' I think there's a risk of being blinded by their climb up the table - they had a very low starting point. Over 6 games they're 1 point ahead of us, over 12 the same and over 20 games we're identical. If this wasn't a big derby game, it would be seen as two of the best performing teams over the past 4 months coming together for a battle royale. Some are at risk of overstating this budgie team. Yes, had they been playing as well all season, they'd be pushing for promotion, in the same way that if we'd done better in our first 6 games, we'd be top of the league. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 16:33 - Apr 7 with 2330 views | PhilTWTD |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 16:02 - Apr 7 by TrumptonBlue | Since Mehmeti joined: Mehmeti starts as 10: 9 pts from 6 (1.5 ppg) Nunez starts as 10: 13 pts from 5 (2.6 ppg) Mind you, 4 of Mehmeti's starts have been away from home and 4 of Nunez's have been at home. [Post edited 7 Apr 16:04]
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And I'd say the comeback at the end of the first half yesterday doesn't happen if Mehmeti doesn't come on as the 10. I think we look a better attacking side with Mehmeti starting. I suspect Mehmeti may be given the nod at Norwich, unless Matusiwa isn't fit, in which case Nunez starting as the 10 would add to our midfield as he plays deeper. |  | |  |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 16:33 - Apr 7 with 2308 views | nrb1985 |
| Would everybody start Nunez on Sat? on 16:24 - Apr 7 by SuffolkPunchFC | "They're the best team in the division over the past couple of months.' I think there's a risk of being blinded by their climb up the table - they had a very low starting point. Over 6 games they're 1 point ahead of us, over 12 the same and over 20 games we're identical. If this wasn't a big derby game, it would be seen as two of the best performing teams over the past 4 months coming together for a battle royale. Some are at risk of overstating this budgie team. Yes, had they been playing as well all season, they'd be pushing for promotion, in the same way that if we'd done better in our first 6 games, we'd be top of the league. |
Did you see the second half yesterday?! I think most of us are approaching this in a realistic fashion - knowing they are massively on the up and we still have the potential to inexplicably throw in a really bad half of football. We won yesterday by playing well for 15 mins against a Brum side with nothing to play for. |  | |  |
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