This will all come down to what team Brucey plays. Play a similar team to the one we put at Man City in The Capital Cup (Akpom and Hayden aside) and it's going to be a tough old afternoon. I'd like to see us go for this one, it's a free hit away from the league, let's put a strong team out and give 'em a game! We saw at Bury we have good back up in place. If Arsenal are charging their normal prices I want to see a decent team put out that gives us half a chance. It's a one off, let's make it our day, it's not beyond us with the right team on the park
Our reserves did ok at the Etihad apart from a few lapses in concentration so who knows. Akpom and Hayden can't play so probably Hudd and Meyler in midfield which might go ok. Diomande and maybe Aluko up top?
Despite the result, the second half against Man City was some of the best football we've played this season.
Have to disagree, we were largely spectators and contributed very little to the game until we went two down with about 15 mins to go, and opened up a bit. Until that point it was all about organisation, discipline and sitting behind the ball. Chances of winning that game against what was a largely full strength Man City was absolute zero from start to finish. For the £65 I'll end up paying no doubt to get into The Emirates, I'd like us to to make no more than 3-4 changes from our 'normal line up'. I guess it won't happen though unfortunately. I can guarantee Arsenal won't make too many changes
Everyone sees it differently, but apart from a miscommunication between Aluko and Akpom, we would have gone in 0-0 at half time, and only grew into the game after that.
Man City were in total control for just about the whole match, the goal threat from ourselves was just about non-existent. That's not particularly a criticism given the Man City team v the one we put out, just an observation from sitting in the stands. Some of our squad got a good run out, but did we really go into this game to give it a right good go, team selection suggests not. Again that's not a criticism, promotion is the priority. However against Arsenal I'd like us to find some 'middle ground' and not make eleven changes again.
A middle ground is likely a mixed up team that doesn't normally play together, probably just taking a few risks for nothing. The league games are piling up more and that has to be addressed now.
If they can't get it together in the week prior to the match on the training ground then something is very wrong. We have half a dozen players with bags of experience who can't get into the starting eleven at present bar injuries and suspensions. For certain the team that played at Bury does not play together week in and week out?
What games do you reckon will be picked for TV ? Chelsea v Man City Shrewsbury v Man Utd Our game ..?
Chelski v Man City on Saturday 20th Shrewsbury v Man Utd on Sunday 21st Friday 19th will be us or Watford, although there will be another one live on Sunday so either or, but we will be one of the live games! IMO!
Shrewsbury away was my first choice and then either Blackburn or Reading. TWS @ home would be a Full House for sure. However......................... Time to put the Gooooooo-Ners in there place.!!! Many of them on social media already have Arsenal in the qtr finals.
