please log in to view this image Millwall v Saints please log in to view this image Capital One cup- Tuesday 26th August 19:45 So what does Ron do on Tuesday? Play his strongest side or give some fringe players a chance to impress. Its a tricky one as West Ham on Saturday will be very physical so we cant afford any key injuries. Millwall have made a fair start to the season with two wins and a draw from their 4 league matches. Saints may come up against old boy Ricardo Fuller although sadly not Richard Chaplow who seems to have very bad luck with injuries. We could badly do with a win to kick start our season. Saints have a pretty good record against Millwall and haven't lost at the den since the late 70's when we lost 3-0 inthe old second division. Our last visit in 2012 ended up with Saints winning 3-2. I'd settle for that again. I'm sure both sides will rest some players but personally I'd go with Forster Clyne Gardos Stephens Targett Cork Taider JWP Long Pelle Isgrove Subs KD Bertrand Fonte Mcqueen Davis Tadic Seager That side will give a good mix of youth and experience and gives the front men a chance to get their scoring boots on and get their seasons up and running. Lets hope for a good result and the start of a long cup run. Its a while since we've done anything in the league cup. COYR!
Pretty good on the line-up. My only change might be resting JWP, being the set piece taker and link up to the front i think i'd rather keep him on the bench...replace with Davis maybe. Saints 2-0 with Long and Taider to score.
I think we should keep the strongest team in to give them more practice, but I agree with giving Taider a run out, and Gardos if he's fit. Bring some of the youngsters on if we're ahead with half an hour to go. I'll sticky this tomorrow when we unstick the West Brom thread.
I love these games...takes the pressure off a bit and provides a good chance of getting a win under the belt. I'm also sure that Koeman will play a strong side as he will know that this team need to play together more....not a time to rest many. Does give him a chance to perhaps try Long and Pelle up front together and play Taider and Gardos (if fit). Come on, Pelle...get your first goal and shut the noisy fans up.
First 11 for me, the guys need to play and gel...a good win against Millwall could be what the doctor ordered.... They lost at home to Rotherham yesterday so should be a win for our first 11.
I agree with the posts above and that we should keep playing our strongest team so they can gel a bit more. If we are winning comfortably then bring on some young players in the second half. Would like to see Taider get a run out and hopefully Pelle can get off and running.
Think this game will be used to test some of the youngsters out and see whether they will be able to step up if needs be. Davis McCarthy - Stephens - Hooiveld - Targett Cork - Taider - Reed Isgrove - Long - McQueen
Too many youngsters, that team would get beaten. We don't want to lose otherwise the media will start with the crisis club comments again and we don't need that.
Give Isgrove, Stephens, Cork, Taider, Targett and Reed a start, alongside established first team names.
Reed was touted as being our next big thing preseason, but now he's dropped off the radar. Irritating!
Davis Clyne Gardos Stephens Targett Reed Taider Cork Long Pelle Tadic A good mix in there I'd say. Our midfield seems to be sorted, so I'd rest Wanyama/Morgan/Davis/JWP. Reckon we keep our front 3 as it was in the second half yesterday as they'll need time to gel - this will be a good opportunity. As for the defence, hopefully Gardos gets a run out alongside Stephens with target getting an opportunity to impress. I really do hope we take this seriously, with anyone performing well keeping there place for Saturday. Hoping to get tickets tomorrow, best not to show your colours outside the ground or will it be okay for capital one cup match?
Gazzaniga McCarthy Gardos Stephens Targett Cork Taider Reed Isgrove Pelle Mayuka That is what I would go with, keep the important players fresh for the West Ham game. As for score I think 2-1 to Millwall
I'd have to respectfully disagree Davis - Hooiveld - Cork - Long will give an experienced spine to the side. Taider has not played any English football but has many Serie A starts and international appearances to his name Isgrove and Stephens both enjoyed loan spells last season and have featured on the bench. Reed played in the cup last term and the full backs are an injury or suspension away from potentially starting in the premier league. We have to put faith in these players against teams like Millwall or where else do they get that much sort, but rarely given experience from? Don't forget that we're very unlikely to be even playing Millwalls first XI as they'll be making the same number of changes such is the competitions cache in the early rounds
