Off we go to Ewood Park for the second installment of the "Alan Shearer Derby". Tuesday night - 7.45 kick off. Rafa's already done the presser and said his concentration is on the Cardiff game at the weekend so will protect players. Youngster Cal Roberts seems likely to be given a run alongside Sterry and Woodman. With 3 of the senior midfielders out and Longstaff and Hayden probably in line to start at Cardiff it will be interesting to see who starts CM Benitez said he will rotate his squad for the third-round replay against Blackburn on Tuesday, as he did when the teams drew 1-1 at St James' Park. He said clubs have to be "realistic" about their FA Cup chances when deciding to prioritize the competition. "Who has a chance, a realistic chance? Teams in the middle of the table because they can have a go because they are safe," Benitez said. "The other teams, you have to manage it really carefully." Fellow Premier League strugglers Huddersfield, Cardiff and Fulham went out in the FA Cup in the third round to lower-league opposition, while Southampton were taken to a replay by Derby. "Why you see these teams and they were out? Because the Premier League is massive," Benitez said. "You have £130m guaranteed if you are there. So everyone is trying to manage the situation. You have to be realistic." Team news Mohamed Diame, Paul Dummett and Jonjo Shelvey remain out for Newcastle for the trip to Ewood Park. Freddie Woodman, Javier Manquillo, Jamie Sterry and Jacob Murphy are among those likely to come in. Charlie Mulgrew and Derrick Williams could feature for Blackburn. The pair trained before the game having missed the weekend win against Millwall in the Championship. However, midfielder Corry Evans is unlikely to play due to injury. Match facts Blackburn have won just two of their 12 FA Cup matches against Newcastle United (D4 L6). However, both of those victories have come at home, winning 4-1 in the third round in 1927-28 and 1-0 in the fifth round in 1992-93. Blackburn are unbeaten in their last three games against Newcastle United in all competitions (W2 D1) - the Magpies last went longer without a victory against Blackburn in all competitions between May 2007 and February 2011 (P7 W0 D1 L6). Newcastle United have been taken to a replay in the third round of the FA Cup for the second time in the last three seasons, progressing past Birmingham in 2016-17. Blackburn have lost their last three FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents, since beating Stoke 4-1 in the fifth round in 2014-15.
I’d play a lot of the reserves to give them some game time, like Perez, Ritchie, Yedlin, Rondon and Diame. Is what Rafa should be saying if mike wasn’t a complete ****.
Going to be a fairly young side tomorrow with Woodman, Sterry, S.Longstaff, C Roberts in the squad and all likely to play.
No problem with playing a few of the youngsters. Have a feeling we will win this - think 2019 could be our year for the unique double. Relegation and 4th Round of the cup loss.
So no Diame, Shelvey and Ki, so midfield is looking decidely lightweight. That means our boy Longstaff is gonna be in there, and Hayden beside him....urgh. And if like the first leg, the likes of Joselu, Kennedy, Woodman, Manquillo and Sterry are in there, Blackburn will rip through them like there's no tomorrow. Tenner on Blackburn, Stoke and Soton gets me £52.90.....do i do it? And I could add in Luton to get it up to £134.10.
We will win if Rafa allows them to win. Shelvey - knob Diame - **** Ki - suprised me but still should be a 4th choice for most PL clubs. Longstaff - hell yeah! Roberts - can't be any worse than any of our other alleged wingers. Woodman - long term goalkeeper - no one should have any issue with him playing Sterry - needs first team football in order to make the leap.
No idea who'll line up tonight as it sounds like we are writing it off in favor of Cardiff at the weekend I'd go: Woodman Sterry, Schar, Fernandez (if fit), Manquillo CM?, CM? Murphy, Roberts, Aarons Joselu The following played last night for the U23's so unlikely to be involved: Huuhtanen, Barrett (Sangare 86), Walters, Bailey, McEntee, Watts, Longelo, Longstaff, Toure (Allan 78), Cumbreras (Charman 55), Lazaar. Harker, Barlaser, Gibson, Sorenson and Wilson all left out and Sangare only got 5 mins so maybe get 4/5 of them in the squad. Sangare and Barlaser starting CM pairing? Few seniors on the bench??
Longstaff HAS to start! As for his partner I would go for the number 44 who played against the Makems
Pretty sure that was Sangare although it may have been Longelo can't remember tbh. I'd like to see Longstaff but he may need the rest befor eCardiff - got through the most KM's on Saturday and looked shattered to me.
Agreed he should be able to but if he picks up a knock we are in massive trouble. Unless Diame and Shelvey are guaranteed to be back and starting vs Cardiff I don't expect him or Issac "better than Kante and Pogba" Hayden to start.
