Well said NSS, we need to keep our momentum going and Harry has indicated, correctly, there won't be wholesale changes. A few changes can be made without seriously weakening the team, Livermore for Modric in a game like this is probably a smart move, Nelsen for King likewise. This will definitely not be an easy game if we rest key players and bring in unproven reserves/youth players, it could turn into a nightmare and national humiliation very easily under such circumstances. I don't think it's likely to be an easy game whatever our selection, but with a very strong team out we might make it one.
With the better part of 2 weeks rest I would prefer that we battered the **** out of the opposition - winning is easier when people are used to winning.
YV - burn out from what?, one game a week? Too many people wobble on about resting and rotation, in many cases to appear clever I think. (look at my team selection!...) Look at the apps of our players compared to those around us, they've still played more despite being rested themselves. I was fully for it last season, it just doesn't apply to us this season imo. As I said, a couple for the reason you say, but no more.
I would like to remind people that when Spurs did the double that they did so with 15 - yes fifteen players.
Just looking at the BBC Stevenage v Spurs page. Bringing up an older topic here but its a complete mess. What were they thinking with that redesign? That's just the sort of muddled thinking that might one day get them to pack up and move to Manchester for no reason. Oh hang on a minute...
Exactly NSS, why do our players need a rest? One game a week is hardly taxing. Some players like King and Friedel it makes sense to rest, but I don't see a need to rest anyone through tiredness. It's important to get this tie done and won first time round. What we don't need is a replay, or a humiliating defeat.
4th is a bit of a nightmare, we were lucky getting Young Boys but we could get a tougher one next season or we could finish 5th. We got one win in 13 near the end of last season which would turn our 10 point gap to dust. If I was going to risk one competition it'd be the FA Cup. The FA Cup will be there next season if we **** it up, the CL won't if we **** up the league.
We can't lose a FA Cup tie and be humiliated on national TV because of injury fears. This is the trophy we have a realistic chance of winning, not the title. We're favourites for the FA Cup, way behind in the odds for the league. We have to reach out and grab this chance, plus losing to Stevenage might hinder our league form too, it might not, but it's not a chance I want us to take. Play our physically strong players who can stand up to the 'rough stuff' which will doubtless come. Though because the game is televised before a massive audience (easily the biggest of Stevenage's history I would imagine), I think the ref won't be letting go a lot of challenges that might be allowed in Lge One games normally. EDIT - Just checked the ref and it's Phil Dowd according to this http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/feb/17/squad-sheets-stevenage-tottenham-hotspur He's obviously a Prem ref, and as such should be ensuring proper standards of behaviour are met, otherwise out come the red and yellow cards. Incidentally the Guardian has us at full strength except for Nelsen, but I would have thought Cudicini and Livermore are right for this game too. Although maybe the more robust Brad might be better for Stevenage than Carlo.
I think its about time (20yrs) we went for it, I'm from the era "when the year ends in 1", which has since gone pearshaped and not made a final, let alone win it. 4 wins for a trophy...do-able, another 13 or whatever it is, and hoping others slip up...risky! We'll have CL YV, I think we have every reason to be quietly confident of that now.
You might be from the era of FA Cup wins but I'm from the era where we've thrown away most of our opportunities to take a step forward. I'm not going to discuss this anymore as we're not going to agree unless I admit that I'm wrong, which aint gonna happen
well, i hope today's results have confirmed why harry is right to take this game seriously and field a strong team as I and NSS have been advocating.
But more importantly, Norwich and Chelsea actually do back it, instead of your sarcastic and slightly out of place retort...2 to 1 ...you lose!
AVB could have his pick of 12 players from any clubs in the World to start against Birmingham and they still would've drawn
We need to pick a strong team today, Harry has said he will, that team should be good enough to win, and I think it will.
