In his press conference at the beginning of the week, Rene said that the League and not the Cup was his priority. So we can expect a makeshift team. Dempsey you'd think would get an outing. Also Dan Burn on his return. The main question is, will Rene give some of the youngsters a chance? I suspect not in the starting line-up an that he will include most of the 'other' squad players. So, ..............Stockdale........... ..Zverotic..Hughes..Burn..Richardson.. ........Kasami.....Sidwell... ...Dejagah...Ruiz....Dempsey... ............Hugo..... Dembele and Christensen are potential options for Hugo and Ruiz and it would be nice to give them a chance, but... Whatever it will be interesting to see since there may then be an indication of who might be moving on in January.
like C58 I'm fully expecting major changes for this game and unlike Hull away am happy with that. The team above is very close to what I had in mind other than Dembele in for Rodders.... Possibly Boateng or Karagounis in for Sidwell as well.
..............Stockdale................. Zverotic...Burn....Hughes.....Richardson ..........Kasami.........Boateng.............. Dejagah..........Ruiz.............Dempsey ...................Dembele....................
Like the idea of starting with Burn and Dembele. Any other younsters worth trying? Really not sure about Boateng over Sidwell or Kara; and Ruiz, since he'll be gone any moment. COYW!
Cookie's team is good, however, if dj plays I would rather see Riether at rb. I would be interested to see Ruiz playing if Dempsey starts, but Chris David should be thrown in IMO instead. He has recently come out and said he wants first team action so this would be a great opportunity to see if he can tough it out against premiership standard.
I like the look of Cookie's team, maybe with David or Christensen instead of Ruiz who I'm sure will be leaving in January. Could try Grimmer at RB too.
Is Dempsey ready? Even when he was "fit" in the MLS he couldn't find the goal with a magnifying glass. I'd leave Dempsey out and play one of the kids instead.
...................Stockdale........................... ..Reither...Grimmer...Burn....Richardson..... ..........Christensen....Boateng.................... ..Plumain.........David...........Dempsey....... ....................Dembele...........................
Like it. Why not? I think most of us don't really care if we do that well in the cup this year and it looks a good balanced squad. It might get hammered 5 - 0 but I don't think it would, to be honest.
I am absolutely 100% behind using more of the younger players. We have nothing to lose and I think that they would do well. I don't buy in to the theory that if they get spanked it would knock their confidence, they're young and would get over it easily. It also means the oppo can't do much in terms of player research as they don't know any of the players.
Nice heads up internal interview by Rene, again. Dan Burn definitely in and by the sounds of it one or two more youngsters - not sure they'll start though. [video=youtube;utnofGqoZ4w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=utnofGqoZ4w[/video]
afternoon whites, hope you don't mind a visitor? from reading your comments it seems you guys are about as bothered as we are about the result of this game given league priorities. neither would won't a replay either i'd have thought. like you I suspect we will field one or two youngsters, and we have a lot of injuries in midfield (Pilkington, Bennett, Tettey and Howson), plus Fer is suspended. also seems like despite the £15 entry, there are plenty of seats left on sale. anyway, here's to a good game - I'm sure you won't lose as Fulham seem to be a bogey team for us.
Welcome Max. Always good to get some thoughts from oppo fans. I agree, although RM says otherwise, it isn't a priority but we've sold our allocation of tickets so then team picked should be representative of a side that would want to win and give the fans a game. I love the Mule. he talks sense, he comes across with a lot of energy and he doesn't phaff about in what he says. I hope he does play 2 or 3 younger players. I think the fans would love to see how they get on. There's no pressure on them in terms of result, this could help them. COYW
Hi Max we will almost definitely be playing a very much changed side think we we will have at least two youngsters coming in Dembele and Burn plus I expect Dempsey to play and also 4 or 5 players who have been on the fringes recently! I'm guessing you guys will do the same, I would say that I wouldn't mind a replay I know it's another game but it would be another chance to play some of our promising youngsters and fringe players! what do you you think the Norwich team will be?
craving I agree with you Normally us fans moan about not taking the cups serious enough but this year in our position Most fans are looking at it as a bonus more than anything and therefore there will be no pressure on any youngsters! Burn and Dembele to start for me!
Give the youngsters a chance. The result is irrelevant this year. And as I was typing this I saw the squad. Only Stockdale and Amorebieta start from last 11.
Stockdale; Zverotic, Burn, Hughes, Amorebieta; David, Boateng; Kačaniklić, Dempsey, Kasami; Bent. Good to see Chris David, Dan Burn and Clint Dempsey starting. Darren Bent better get going today. Looking to see Dembele come on. COYW!