I really hope our best players are given the weekend off. Rest up and prepare for Burnley. I’d go with something like this… Moore Lavery Johnson Hjelde Alese(?) Jones Samed(?) Aleksic Ba Ogunsuyi Rusyn Question marks over the fitness of Alese and Samed - would be great to see him in action.
Isn’t there something that says that the strongest team has to be fielded? Whilst your team are on the fringes bar the odd two or three minute substitute appearances for a couple of them, none of them play for the first team regularly. Not that I disagree with your team choice btw. I’d rather our strongest team were rested prior to the Burnley game.
No mate - FA Cup you can field whatever side you want. There’s no chance of the side I’ve picked being selected as I think RLB will include 3/4 first teamers, it’s just the sort of side I’d like to see fielded
I'd want some minutes going to players just coming back from injury as we don't play Burnley until the Friday, so something like Moore Johnson ballard (c) Hjelde Cirkin/Alese Sameh Rigg Mayenda Connolly Aleksic Rusyn Harsh on jones and Trey, so I'd be wanting to give both of them at least 30 minutes as well
Playing a weakened team in the Fa cup is considered disrespectful to the opposition. So I'm in favour.
Think Reg will go 50/50 with his team selection, a smattering of youth supported by first teamers. We just don't want another LND at Fulham scenario.
I love the FA Cup but we have more important things going on this season. Use it as a game to get players up to fitness, experience for youngsters and game time for fringe players. If all are available, i'd go with; Moore Johnson Ballard Hjelde Cirkin Rigg Samed Jones Rusyn Connolly Aleksic Would like to see Ogunsuyi get a good chunk of the game as well.
Stick a couple of senior players in there (O'Nien, Roberts) with some fringe players (Hjelde, Connolly, Rusyn, Aouchiche) and then add the kids (Johnson, Jones, Aleksic) and see what happens. Stick a couple of the previously injured lads on the bench with the intention of giving them 20 mins at the end. Under no circumstances do I want to see Jobe, Neil, Wilson, Mayenda, Mepham, Cirkin or Hume in the squad. Moore Johnson O'Nien Hjelde Anderson Jones Aouchiche Aleksic Roberts Connolly Rusyn Subs: Noukeu, Lavery, Ballard, Rigg, Samed, Ogunsuyi, Ba, Marcus Neill,
Agreed with a lot of that. Alese in at LB and somehow strengthen in CDM then the team should give Stoke a decent game.
I don't think he'll want to lose this match,but I do think it's an opportunity to give Patto,Jobe,Neil,Wilson and Mayenda a rest. Think he'll play..........Moore Hume, Mepham,O9,Alesi Rigg, Samed? ( If both fit,at least to start),Aleksic Roberts, Connolly, Rusyn Looking to get Ballard,Adil,Cirkin and/or Hjelde on at half time or 60 mins....maybe Ogunsuyi too.
Is it a game any of us are “bothered” about if we do lose? Want to win it obviously, but it would distract from the main goal this season imo
I'm going and I want us to win, but I won't be arsed if we lose. Wouldn't mind Tottenham or Arsenal away in the 4th round, just for the away day but not bothered really.
I would give O/9 the first half in midfield , I have always thought he has the quality to play there , others dont I know, but its a perfect opportunity to find out who is wrong , not bothered if its me at all in this game but its worth a try and wouldn't half increase our options for the games that matter. I would also like to see Luke Bell step up at right back and see Zak playing in his proper position in the middle .he deserves a shot after sitting on the bench so often without a sniff this season, I feel a bit sorry for him tbh. its the same with Connolly, as it was with Adil until a game or two ago . Bennette Trey, H Jones and Blondie also should be involved . . Give these lads a chance they wont let us down, and we owe it too them imo. Most of all I want records to be broken and all five subs used it is allowed RLB so do it.
Absolutely and I am hopeful of a win, in all probability Stoke will also view this game as a side show , their priority is just as clear as ours and a home game against Premiership opposition other than the SAS would be a bonus .
I think the team will be stronger than people are hoping / predicting. It's not like it's a mid-week game so it's not exactly running players into the ground, and continuity is always a good thing. I think we'll see a lot of the first team with a few fringe players and one or two youngsters, at most. I'm almost certain one of Neil or O9 will play, maybe both. I can't see RLB benching both captains together. They both have great engines and haven't shown any signs of needing a rest. Besides that, I think Connolly and Aleksic will start. Moore also to reward him for his performances earlier in the season. Hopefully Rigg and Samed will get some minutes, although it might have to be from the bench. Same for Ballard, although I think Hjelde will start with Ballard coming on later if he's able. I have a feeling AA will play again, he needs the minutes / possible "shop window". Rusyn possibly a "shop window" game also, although not sure on that one. If Alese is fit enough I imagine him and Cirkin will get 45 each again. I can see Mayenda playing, he's only young and doesn't need the rest, getting him more experience is a positive imo. Hume I'm unsure, he's one I think we'd rest ideally due to lack of cover, but that same problem also means he's hard to drop. Maybe Johnson is given a go at RB (or O9?) Mepham, Roberts, Patto rested I reckon, and likely Jobe and Isidor as well (bench?). So, in summary, maybe something like this... Moore Johnson/Hume O9 Hjelde Alese/Cirk Neil Aleksic Aouchiche Mayenda Connolly Rusyn Maybe in the 4-4-2 formation we've been favouring recently instead? If Rigg or Samed are fit enough to start I expect one of them to be in the centre.
@Scout73 Slightly off topic mate but I've always wondered why you call Samed "Sameh"? Is it an auto correct thing? Haha
