I'd like him to rest Nelsen, Hill, Derry, Mackie and Adel. I think the cup could only harm us right now and a we should give a chance to players that aren't playing in the league, players like Diakite and Faurlin,Haim and give DJ a Chance
We have a bit of momentum now and it'd be a shame to lose tamely to WBA. As Harry said, losing can become habit-forming and, at the moment, I guess our confidence is increasingly nicely. Also, our players are starting to gel and one more game together could help to increase their understanding and team work. Despite all that, I tend to agree with you, Pirata: I think some of the older guys could possibly do with a night off, so that they're nice and fresh for the next league match. Plus we don't want any injuries to key players. I trust Harry to make the right decision.
Agree with that, Diakite is off to African Nations though - give Green a run, Anton, Traore (African Nations?), Granero if fit, Cissé in, and give DJ & Bothroyd another opportunity up front.
Yep, that's another factor: give these guys a chance to show Harry (and us, in a couple of cases) what they can do.
I always forget about Diakite going to ACON because he hasn't played even when he was with us. I'd keep Fabio on as he's young and really good lately. Maybe get Traore a left winger role?
I would like to think we should go for it, WBA slumping, we are on a (little) up and a good 4th round draw to come, urrrrr's
Perhaps the Hulsinator could provide some service for Cissé or DJ? Even with a few changes we can still field a resonably strong team at WBA and rest a few players ahead of our visit to West Ham next Sat.
Agree, and said much on the walk back to the car today. Rest who we can, have a look at the returning strikers and target another win. The psychology is there to see, just look at SWP and Fabio today - different players!
I don't buy this "rest" business. Beat WBA and go into the Wham game buzzing. Isn't four days enough rest for professionals. They are not coal mining on the days between matches. Momentum, please!
West Brom will be pondering this much more than us after today. I'd offer Hill and Nelsen the chance of a rest but keep Derry as a blocker so that we don't fall back into bad DM habits of abandoning the defense. The rest are youthful enough to cope but I personally reckon DJ up front with Tarbs just off might inject some energy to our attack. Apart from that, any natural squad rotation for a midweek game IMO (ignoring rights or wrongs of FA cup).
I remember last season, Faurlin got crocked at MK Dons and the impact that had on our run in. Rest the older players, keep the players with knocks away and just play the squad players. Prem survival vs FA Cup also rans, I know what Id prefer
I don't think they're mutually exclusive. West Ham have a cup replay too which they'll presumably be playing all their first team in and I think we should go to West Brom with every intention of winning the game. If Nelsen, Derry or Hill need a rest then fair enough, but I think it would be silly to throw away the chance of a momentum-building cup run.
--------------------Green------------------- Harriman-----Ferdinand--Ben Haim-----Traore ----------------M'Bia-----Faurlin------------- Park---------------Granero------------Mackie ---------------------DJ---------------------
Just watched Sheff Wed completely spanking Hull 3-1 tonight, they won't be a pushover as neither would MK Dons. No easy games in the Cup as many have found to their cost. West Brom should be a chance to try three or four squad players and if we get lucky I'll take that...
Like Cols team above. Plenty of experience in it. Would like to see Faurlin, Granero, DJ and Traore get some minutes on the pitch
