http://www.expressandstar.com/sport...2/01/25/roy-hodgson-hints-at-fa-cup-changes/? Not really a surprise because West Brom obviously need to focus on the league at the moment a bit more than we do, but this is very good news as it will probably make a little cup run that bit easier for us. Of course, we can beat their full strength team away as we have just seen, but anything can happen and this makes me a bit more confident that we'll get through.
or it could just be mind games! If true I would also fancy us to at least take them back to CR for a replay if not win on the day.
If we can progress without dropping points in the League then smashing, wouldn`t hurt to make a few changes too. Maybe give Morison a rest as he runs his socks off every game.
don't forget lads both teams have TWO premier league games the following week, so i think we may ring the changes too. The league is the priority. I wouldn't be surprised to see drury and lappin both start for example.
Exactly, we have a tough long trip up to Sunderland on the wednesday and then an important home game. Although we do get an extra days rest than Sunderland, who I believe are playing Boro on Sunday.
How would you classify us 'ringing the changes' though? Lambert has no hesitation in changing formation and players to suit the game. He could feasibly play three formations and any number of up to 15 odd players from the 25 man squad and any of them could be described as our strongest starting XI and thats not including the returning Vaughan and Ward, or Howson. Its a brilliant position to be in though. We've had far too many years of a starting XI and the back up players being there to make up the numbers in the squad and not being good enough to play in the first team. Whereas now any of the squad is more than capable of being in the starting line up.
Just a bonus if we beat them and progress in the Cup. Yes i'd expect some team changes (as always) but as we've seen before Lambert doesn't go into any games without intending to win so expecting a strong turnout
i think lambert will make numerous changes as well to be fair. we have a big game at sunderland on tuesday evening and i'm sure the league still takes priority. what is very interesting though is that with manchester united playing liverpool and having already knocked citeh out of the cup, this years fa cup is already beginning to open up. if we could get through against west brom (not the end of the world if not, admittedly) then there is a very real possibility of getting to the latter stages
I hope no changes are made (good for me getting points in the prediction league) and I can't actually see a good reason to make changes. These are professional athletes who have to play three games in 8 days; there should be no issue at all with that. A long journey to Teeside, my arse, they're not all hitching up there in the middle of the night with no food or water. The Sunderland match is now on Wednesday to give their poor, delicate limbs a rest, so strongest team for each match and on we go, an FA cup final and survival in the PL.
I imagine they might get a nasty crick in the neck after sitting on pampered arses travelling 1000 miles in one week
Lambert has hinted of changes of his own - no surprises there, really. James Vaughan may feature - hope he remembers to wear a gum-shield http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/27012012/63/lambert-welcomes-vaughan-return.html
