I think we will actually go on a run in the cup, which will cost us our league position dearly. happened to the mackems a few years ago, and it does seem to go that way sometimes, the team that actually doesnt really want to get through (because of league position) ends up going to the later stages.
I believe we will get a 0-0 draw and bring them back to St James' Park for an exciting thriller of a game which we win with Obertan getting 2 and Gouffran getting a hat trick.
We will sell them both. Paul Dummett will be the star of the show. We are expecting big things from him.
More so now that McClaren has come out and said in his pre-match press conference that several players have 'niggles' due to wear and tear over the Xmas period. So, reserves/ kids it is. The regulars will make a miraculous recovery by Tuesday. Cup exit once again.
Its the same every year. Do they think we are fcuking stupid? FFS. They keep shovelling the bullshyte on the conveyor belt of bolllocks year after year. I know that we know that they know that we know that they know that we know that they know Fcuk all.!!! Work that fcuker out if u can boys n girls!!
McClaren with the most oxymoronic comment of the year "we will field the strongest team possible... Without taking a huge risk"
I don't have a problem with fielding weakened teams when it is genuine. However this just smells badly of our usual PL at all costs approach. The Xmas period in this country is archaic and undoubtedly has a negative impact on teams fitness levels. A winter break is just common sense. That aside though I think we just don't give a **** about the cups.
I don't have a problem with the fixture pile up myself. But, you need a big squad to cope. Something which we will never have.
I'm with you. I'm not entirely sure how you can even measure the impact of not having a winter break, because ultimately, 2 weeks off means they then have a pile up later in the season before the Internationals. It seems a bit like a myth, perpetrated by the media as an excuse which of course managers and players are happy to use to explain inept performances. Wayne Rooney would be knackered after a 20 minute jog, so watching him crawl around a couple of December fixtures and using that as an excuse for being **** for England sounds a bit of a joke.
Totally agree. How on earth are the cash strapped PL clubs going to fit in their money making friendly games in the States and in the Far East over the Christmas/New Year period if we don't have a winter break!!
That's just handing a further advantage to the larger clubs they don't need already surely? Honestly our scheduling is bordering on moronic. I'm not suggesting we dispense with playing games over the xmas period as people love it. However if we can't fit in a 2 week break in January there is something wrong. The argument that it has no impact is crazy. You only have to look at our laboured national team come the summer. I'm not sure what the logic is with the FA and PL (there usually isn't any). The accumulation of injuries is unhealthy and entirely avoidable.
The way our 'Strongest Team' has been ripping their way through the Premier League this season, Steve has to be taking a huge gamble fielding a weakened XI. Shame really, as I could just see Mitro eventually hitting that Barn Door he's been aiming for....
Scheduling is moronic, but we shouldn't be looking to destroy the fans enjoyment still further. Look at the first couple of months. Everyone's had a Summer off, feet up, bit of training, bit of travel. You then get literally a couple of games (4 I think), then BAM - International Break. Couple more games, BAM - International Break. Then the fcking Winter hits and it's 5 games in 4 days. They need to work on the Intl schedule far better for a start before we start pssing about with Winter to give the big teams an even bigger advantage. I wonder if the whole thing needs to just get back to football on a Saturday, Weds and Thur for Europe. With the volume of options online and on TV, you have to imagine that's how it will have to go. Thing about football is it feels like everything they (Sky/UEFA) have done over the years has made it worse. Champions League my @rse, bring back the Cup Winners Cup.
Bring back Saturday football. **** the CL. The old European Cup, UEFA Cup and Cup Winners Cup. Champuins qualify for the EC, 2nd, 3rd, 4th for the UEFA, Cup Winners Cup for FA Cup winners.
I don't think its the International Break that's the problem. As much as some people may believe it is (not you), football doesn't revolve around England and the PL. Clubs have 25+ players in squads costing extortionate amounts of money, and if they don't have enough decent players to cope , it just shows how sh**** the club is run. It probably doesn't help that historically England has two Cup Competitions, one of which still has replays. The League Cup SF over two games - why?
