----------------------------Bialkowski------------------------- ----Butterfield-------Martin--------Dean--------Harding--- ----Holmes-----Schneiderlin---Ward-Prowse---Dickson--- ---------------------De Ridder------Forte-------------------- Bench including Reeves and Shaw. I know it's last 16, but the Carling Cup counts for $h1t compared with keeping our first teamer's fit if we want to challenge for promotion. Seeing how jaded most were at Reading, I'd rather see the majority rested and fit for selection on Saturday. Thoughts? Lat
Nearly with you but would Josh at CB to help build that partnership and have Guly up front instead of Forte as I just don't rate him at all
Will he play Fonte and rest Martin after Saturday's performance? Just a thought. I'm with you. Winning a cup is not consolation for failing to get promoted (remember 1976 when we lost out as we dreamed of Wembley?). Plenty of time for Cup Finals once we are up and running in the Prem.
Crystal Palace seemed like weaker opposition than they do now. Third in League and creeping up on the rails. Cup is less important than the League, and NA will put out a partially changed side. He remarked after Reading match that he should have rested more players after the tough West Ham game. Lallana won't be risked. Davis and Fonte will be rested and I'm pretty sure that de Ridder will start. After that, I don't feel competant to second guess Nigel. Crystal Palace at home could prove very stiff opposition.
Watched palace today at Ipswich - suspect at the back but their two wingers (Scannel and some other big guy) are really dangerous
I would like De Ridder to have 90 mins on the right if possible. I know we are short of back up strikers, but that is his position. Happy to rest the majority though.
Channon, would you go back and swap 76??? I agree with the sentiment about the carling cup v promotion, but I wouldn't have swapped 76 for anything, not even a date with Kylie.
I would guess that Palace will also field some squad seconds. Your team looks interesting but I don't think that it would be wise to fill the bench with reserves as we need to be able to change things, if all our impact players are on the pitch at.kick-off.
Nigel will try and get the balance right for this game. Chance to give some players a rest and chance for other to get some game time. However, it must be remembered that we have progressed a long way in an important cup (I bet Wenger wished he'd won it last year!) and are up against a form team in the Championship. He will want to win this one.
I think he will play a strong team - no youth players in starting line up for me: Bialkowki Butterfield Hoiveld Martin Harding De Ridder Schneiderlin Chaplow Holmes Lambert Guly
we're moving him to CB as he is more natural there Bart, MArtin & De Ridder are all confirmed to start Bialkowski Butterfield Martin Hooiveld Harding De Ridder Schneiderlin Ward-Prowse Holmes Reeves Lambert SUBS: Davis, Fonte, Cork, Guly, Shaw, Doble, Hoskins
I think I'm right in saying that with the exception of Reeves in the last round, none of the kids have actually started a Carling Cup match yet. So I see no reason why this would suddenly change, especially considering this is our hardest match so far and a QF place is up for grabs. (If they're not going to start at home to Torquay or away to Swindon, why would they start away to Palace?) As SF4L says, Adkins has confirmed that Bart, Martin and De Ridder will all start. Assuming that our injury list reads Jaidi, Holmes, Lallana and Barnard (I may be wrong), then I would say: Bart Butterfield Martin Hooiveld Harding Guly Schneiderlin Chaplow Dickson De Ridder Forte The only player that I'm not comfortable with there is Chaplow. This would be his third game in eight days, which is far from ideal. However I don't see him starting against Boro, so there's nothing to rest him for. Assuming the kids don't start, the only alternative is Cork (Hammond is obviously suspended now), but I do think Cork will play against Boro so a rest for him would be useful.
Fair point, and I probably put this badly. After the Final Lawrie was asked if winning the Cup made up for failing to get promoted, and he answered yes without hesitation. Asked if winning it again would make up for not being promoted next season there was an immediate no. You are quite right. Winning the Cup was great, and I take your point. We do have to say though that the prizes of gaining promotion to the top tier and winning a Cup have changed in value over the years.
I'm fairly confident about winning on Tuesday with any side, the pressure will be off if we put out a weekend side and we will be able to play a free-flowing game. I can't see Harlee dean or ward-prowse starting tbh though, far too early and inexperienced.
