So why didn't Lescott play?

[bayblue]

He played in all the League Cup games until the final. He must be gutted to miss it and given Pellers "rewarded" Costel by playing him then why didn't he start Lescott?

[Tony P]

Cos his hair is shit.

[bayblue]

Cos his hair is shit.

.... or if the dressing room photo is anything to go by he's always on his phone!

[Bear60]

Carl messaged Pellers

[Dubciteh]

He should have played and it nearly cost us BUT I'm too happy we won right now to care!

[aaron bond]

It was no surprise to me that Lescott didn't play. Pellegrini has got plenty right this season, but on the centre-back pairing he is completely wrong. Demichelis is horribly out of his depth and it's costing us week-in, week-out. Pellegrini has failed on this all season, and it's still the most likely reason to cost us the league in my opinion.

HOWEVER...that debate really doesn't need to go ahead today.

We've just won our 4th trophy in 4 years!!! We weren't brilliant in the first half, but Yaya's and Nasri's spectacular goals turned the game around. There may be some questions on the line-up/tactics, but let's enjoy today!

We now have won all 4 domestic trophies on offer since 2011!!!

:-)

[Bleed_Blue]

HOWEVER...that debate really doesn't need to go ahead today.

:-)

Yup, I wonder if we can freeze threads

[Ted Hughes]

Demichelis has had some Lescott like treatment today.

He did ok; some great defensive clearances & decent interceptions. Lescott would probably have struggled for pace v the geezer who scored & handed him over into the safe hands of VK to push him out whilst they regrouped. Oops.

[Crossie]

Rested because demichellis can't play vs barca? Give Lescott today off, freshen up this week then play in the next few to get sharp for barca.

[Bleed_Blue]

Rested because demichellis can't play vs barca? Give Lescott today off, freshen up this week then play in the next few to get sharp for barca.

Guy who got us to finals, played every minute of the cup is rested. Dont fucking kid me, Lescott deserved more than panti to be out on the field today. I didnt want to get started on this but, lescott omission is plain stupid and unfair.

Glad we won

[gillie]

Rested because demichellis can't play vs barca? Give Lescott today off, freshen up this week then play in the next few to get sharp for barca.

Guy who got us to finals, played every minute of the cup is rested. Dont fucking kid me, Lescott deserved more than panti to be out on the field today. I didnt want to get started on this but, lescott omission is plain stupid and unfair.

Glad we won

So if he had played and got injured who would have played along side Vinny in the Camp Nou?

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I can't actually believe some people blamed Demichellis for Sunderland's goal. That was Vinnie's fault. All he had to do was shepherd him into the channels, he had no support, he didn't need to win the ball.
Vinnie's fault.

[Breks]

I can't actually believe some people blamed Demichellis for Sunderland's goal. That was Vinnie's fault. All he had to do was shepherd him into the channels, he had no support, he didn't need to win the ball.
Vinnie's fault.

I agree with that. Vinny could have forced him away from goal.

[Risby]

I think neither are Pellers first choice. He's waiting for Nasti to get fit again and he will play with Vinnie in the big games.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I can't actually believe some people blamed Demichellis for Sunderland's goal. That was Vinnie's fault. All he had to do was shepherd him into the channels, he had no support, he didn't need to win the ball.
Vinnie's fault.

I agree with that. Vinny could have forced him away from goal.

Sometimes it's far better for defenders to delay a player or just jockey him rather than dive in to try and win the ball.
Borini was by himself and we had two back. If Vinnie had just stood his ground, at best Borini would have got a corner.

I suppose he made up for it with that last ditch tackle later on but how anyone could attribute any blame to Demichellis for the goal is ridiculous.

[Bleed_Blue]

I can't actually believe some people blamed Demichellis for Sunderland's goal. That was Vinnie's fault. All he had to do was shepherd him into the channels, he had no support, he didn't need to win the ball.
Vinnie's fault.

Its not about the goal or Demi, but someone who played his way to final deserves to start.

Why was Panti played instead of Joe ? Because Joe is first choice in league and champions league and if we reach finals, he will be the one playing not panti.

Similarly Lescott deserved more for getting us to the finals than being on the bench.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Demichelis has had some Lescott like treatment today.

He did ok; some great defensive clearances & decent interceptions. Lescott would probably have struggled for pace v the geezer who scored & handed him over into the safe hands of VK to push him out whilst they regrouped. Oops.

Exactly. Cannot be blamed IMO for their goal.good pass behind him and VK in control.didnt play great but not at fault for the goal even if the reporters say so gleefully

[Dubciteh]

I can't actually believe some people blamed Demichellis for Sunderland's goal. That was Vinnie's fault. All he had to do was shepherd him into the channels, he had no support, he didn't need to win the ball.
Vinnie's fault.

I agree with that. Vinny could have forced him away from goal.

Sometimes it's far better for defenders to delay a player or just jockey him rather than dive in to try and win the ball.
Borini was by himself and we had two back. If Vinnie had just stood his ground, at best Borini would have got a corner.

I suppose he made up for it with that last ditch tackle later on but how anyone could attribute any blame to Demichellis for the goal is ridiculous.

Yeah mistake from Vinny but Demi should of got back on the cover, basic defensive work in a two v one situation.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I can't actually believe some people blamed Demichellis for Sunderland's goal. That was Vinnie's fault. All he had to do was shepherd him into the channels, he had no support, he didn't need to win the ball.
Vinnie's fault.

Its not about the goal or Demi, but someone who played his way to final deserves to start.

Why was Panti played instead of Joe ? Because Joe is first choice in league and champions league and if we reach finals, he will be the one playing not panti.

Similarly Lescott deserved more for getting us to the finals than being on the bench.

Oh I agree. I don't rate Demichellis at all. I was responding to people who blamed him for Sunderland's goal.

[whiskers]

pellegrini has a blind spot re demechillis full stop. we are always going to be under pressure when he is in the team. lescott is better than hin full stop.