This is massively tricky due to three experienced players leaving this week and several of the incomers and returners being cup-tied. For me the priority must be to try and put the Chesterfield nightmare behind us by putting in a solid professional performance even if we lose (which must be the most probable outcome). Brown being suspended is also a big blow and I am not sure Gerrard will be fit. I would go with 4-5-1 and try and give our defence more cover. That would be: Halstead Grimmer Grandison Whitbread Knight-Percival Patterson Cole Black McKnight Whalley Akpro Lets see what Patterson and McKnight are made of - difficult to see how they can do worse than some of the others and at least they can both run. Akpro is best suited to the one-up front role and we need to get Grandison back in his proper position. I don't think Mangan is cup-tied so he might be a useful sub if we are chasing the game. If the worst happens and we get another drubbing I cannot see MM lasting the month because we would go into the crucial Barnsley game completely bereft of form and confidence.
Have already saved the date for the replay after a 0-0 draw. Perm any 11 from ? as to who plays. I don't care.
Well done lads - a deserved victory and a very solid performance. Who writes Mangan's scripts? Who do you fancy in the 4th round? I would say Man Utd away as at least we know it will be 0-0 at halftime.
