I don't want to sound like I'm directing the narrative, but to be fair to @RTB this a good match thread and this is match day. We all know that the league, and the Burton match, are much more important and that this isn't the FA Cup, but a win tonight would mean the chance of seeing our players celebrating a trophy at Wembley, which doesn't happen too often. It's time, at least in my opinion, to accept that the game is on and enjoy it for what it is. At worst the TV money and the £1 million for winning gives the club a boost financially. I'm hoping for a good performance, the chance to see Jones, etc, properly and a few goals to cheer. The team news will be interesting and we might see new names on the bench. Having a break from the intensity of the league might do a few players good, and whatever the case I hope that it's an entertaining game and we perform well in front of the cameras Haway the Lads!!!
Indeed the team news will be interesting, as the team news from Lincoln will be, but i know nothing of the Lincoln players. So if anyone can point out what if any changes they make will be helpful.
I know that we all talk about having a big squad, but if RTB is right we have eight players injured, two of whom we won't see again this season whilst Lincoln only have one injured, so by my reckoning that negates any numerical advantage that we may have had six weeks or so ago. I know that some will return fairly quickly and if we play our big names tonight, which I think LJ will, we're in danger of ending up in the same predicament that we had under Jack Ross when the players literally ran out of steam in the last three weeks of the season. I don't envy the manager having to pick our team tonight.
It’s in the bag...there’s been “a sign”... I get an update from our FD each day and in one column (out of about 15) if you adjust the decimal point, net off the number in a different column the answer was 1973... Can’t lose now - it’s in the stars!!!
My grandson arrived this morning in his S.A.F.C. kit like a tornado. He announced a win for The Lads 6-4 ! He’ll be watching with me, so it’s in the bag ! Fingers crossed that we don’t let him down.
I think we will win well. 3-1 I’m calling. For all there’s still issues, we are better under LJ I think we will do enough to get up, won’t be a smooth ride but we will get there I feel. If we do, with the takeover, summer be a wild ride trying to build a whole team to compete in the most competitive league there is.
The Lincoln team that I posted was the one that drew with Accrington minus the 2 cup-tied players. I'm no expert on their squad but i did read that they only had 4 players on the bench for one of their recent games. They could have more than 1 injury (Bridcutt) as they have a 23 man squad but I just can't find a list of injured players.
Both. Why does there have to be a choice? We're strong enough to win 2 knockout games AND mount a challenge to the top 6. Foolish to prioritise. Shanks never did, nor Fergie.
Lee Johnson: "It's big, I want to get a new suit and go to Wembley!" "I've played at Wembley before [for Bristol City in the 2008 play-off final] and it's always a fantastic occasion. We want to get there." "We've got a few issues [defensive injuries] for this one, no doubt." "But we want to give the fans as much of a feel-good factor as we can." "I think that was what was so disappointing about losing to Shrewsbury last week, we could see and feel that we'd let people down." "The win against Doncaster was a great response to that and hopefully we keep that feel-good factor going by winning this one." "We've got five centre-halves out so we're going to have to adjust there a little bit that's no secret. We have got players who can play there" "Luke O'Nien has played at centre-half before. You've got [Conor] McLaughlin that could step inside one." "I've always wanted to get a team of centre-midfielders out anyway because I think they're generally pretty good at everything." "I'm biased because I was one! "We've got some players who are unavailable because they were cup-tied the likes of [left-back] Jake Vokins and Dion Sanderson as well. "We'll be strong we're going to win the game. In forward areas we've got an abundance of riches." Ha'way the lads
It's it extra time then pens, or straight to pens? Edit, No extra time: (iv) Matches will be played by way of only one leg and be of ninety minutes duration with no extra time. If the scores are level at the end of the Match the winners shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with procedures as approved by IFAB. https://www.efl.com/papa-johns-trophy/the-competition/rules/
