I'm really excited for this game as I'm hoping to see a lot of our development squad playing. It's a good chance to have a close look at them and more importantly, a chance for them to stake at least a place in the first team match day squad. ------------Pickford------------ Celustka-Laing-Roberge-Alonso -----------Colback--Ba-------- Karlsson------Borini----Mavrias -------------Wattmore--------- I am especially excited to see Karlsson who even though he wasn't on the pitch for long against Tottenham in pre-season, he looked a class act. Has bags of pace, runs at people, got a good shot on him too. Also looking forward to seeing Ba play. When we signed him, he come with a reputation for being one of the best youngsters in Europe, so excited to see more of him. I may well have missed one or two out mind. What's other peoples views on the Carlilse game?
I'd add Cabral and Ji to that if it was up to me. Gus will give some fringe players a run but it won't be anything like as experimental as this, I don't think. Gardner, Alonso, Cabral, Ji, Johnson etc
Cabral, forgot about him so he comes in for Colback. We need to rest all our experienced squad for the Man Utd game in midweek. We have had 1 good cup run and I fear with another cup run, it could have a negative impact on our league form. I would keep playing the sort of players I've mentioned in the team and see how far they will go.
Pickford Laing/Roberge/Diakite/Alonso Cabral/Gardner/Ba Watmore/Ji/Mavrias Mannone, Egan, Larsson, Gorrin, DMK, Mandron,Altidore.
Fletcher and Jozy Icantscore should both play imo as they need to start to find some form very quickly and feel what its like to see the back of the net bulge. WE need to get through this tie as a defeat at home to lowly opposition won't help morale one bit but we do need to rest some players. Roberge and Diakite haven't played many games so stay. Giacherinni, Johnson and the 2 strikers need to play as they need to get some form too. I would never change the keeper in a team unless they are injured or suspended. You cannot afford an in form keeper to lose focus imo. Id have 4 of the new lads in and on the bench too. Mannone Gardner, Roberge, Diakite, Alonso Karlsson, Cabral, Giacherinni, Johnson Fletcher Icantscore Pickford, Brown (give him a 20 min run out), Mandron, Ba, Colback, Larsson, Ki
I'd play Altidore, even though i think he's ****e, i keep hearing about lack of confidence. So let him play, maybe get a goal or two, confidence may go up..
Me too - the midweek cup game is more important IMO and obviously the league game. Is the Carlisly game on TV?
Manonne Celustka Diakite Roberge Alonso Karlsson Cabral Ba Mavrias Altidore Borini Diakite and Roberge need to play for more game time together, as well as building up some confidence against what should be a weaker team. Give Bardsley a rest as he has worked his socks off the last few games, to get him up to 100% before Man U, and bring in Alonso to give him a run out with the team. Give all the new midfielders a run out to give them game team, let people see what they can do and give the others a rest before Tuesdays Man U match. Play Altidore to hopefully get him to bag some goals and get him some confidence, alongside Borini - who should be played up front for this game, rather than sticking him out on the wing like we normally do for some reason.
I had to laugh at that part about having a negative impact on our league form...a sort of gallows humour laugh.
