I think the main point here is that while we acknowledge that the CC is not one of our priorities this season, the team we had out last night should have been storng enough to beat Rochdale at HOME. I dont mind crashing out of the cup, but i do mind the manner in which we were beaten last night. It highlights to all of us how bad our squad is. Obviously, i thought NW was naive to say what he did to the press. Send out a team to loose - thats fine, but dont tell the world. Idiot.
Swords The CC was never a priority. Maybe in a few years when we have established ourselves in the Prem. Utd, Pool, Arsenal etc etc have all consistently played second strings in this cup for years and everybody knows why. We have such a small squad, quality wise, we cannot afford to loose players to injuries or suspensions in cup games. However what annoys me is that the team we did send out should have been well strong enough to win at HOME. Also i am beginning to feel that NW is untouchable on this site. I love him as much as anybody else but he was really stupid and naive to say what he said last night. That was my point. He was entitled and prob right to play a second string, but you don't see Ferguson and Wenger going out in front of the media saying "i'm glad we are out of this cup". NW has also been acting like a child in a sweet shop over our signings. For me he is just highlighting his inexperience at this level and making himself look silly. I better not criticise him too much here though as i will only be slated for it.
The difference is that the big clubs use the games for their squad/youth players who would walk into most PL teams, last nights team was Taarabt, Bothroyd and possibly Connolly aside, squad players who wouldn't walk into any PL side. That's why they lost...
Are you insane Sooperhoop? Are you totally insane? Are you out of your fu*king mind? We were at home to ROCHDALE for Christ's sake!! Not exactly a powerhouse of English football! P.S. Very good reply there NUTS. Couldn't agree more.
I hope we don't end up seeing the Warnock everybody loved to hate before he joined QPR. Last year he was all cheery and smiles - almost a changed man - but then we were winning every week and sitting pretty at the top of the league. I fear he may turn back to his old ways if things start going pear-shaped.
You obviously don't realise how poor our squad players are in a hastily cobbled together team, they outplayed us in the first half and Rochdale are no mugs either, other results last night show that lower league teams taking the competition seriously will often beat so-called superior opposition that aren't that interested. Try cutting out the gratuitous insults and enter reasoned debate!
On a tangent here, but will NW look at the fixture list and maybe weaken the side for some of the big games - Ie man u and arsenal away where we would be expecting to get wins in the games that follow.
I think the real disappointment is that the non-first team players didn't grasp the opportunity to shine and show their worth. Didn't sound like anybody particularly came out of it with any great kudos. And if our fringe players can't be bothered, because they don't get into the first team, then we have a bunch of fringe players not prepared to pull their socks up and show their mettle - Rochdale or no Rochdale!!! Even if we lost - they could at least have showed some grit and balls - they are collecting a wage packet aren't they?????
Did you hear Kenny Dalglish being interviewed before Liverpool's CC game at Exeter? Have to say he made NW's comments sound rather tacky. Lots of respect for the competition which I agree with. He's also picked quite a strong side, with Suarez up front!!
Not agreeing with the strategy, as I stated, it was on a tangent based on NW attitude on CC and importance of some gmes
THAT's the point I was making. Our second string if they cared at all should be able to put Rochdale to the sword.
