Match Day Thread Sunderland v Lincoln City - Wednesday 17th February - KO 18:00

-----------------------Burge----------------------
Power--McLaughlin--Wright--McFaz
---------Neil---Leadbitter---O'Nien--------
Diamond------------O'Brien------------Jones

Whilst it would be nice to win, Saturdays game is far more important so we have to make a couple of changes. Its unfortunate that Sanderson, Winchester and Vokins are cup tied as it limits our options somewhat.

Ideal game for Dan Neil to show what he can do in a 3 and for Diamond and Jones to stake a claim for Gooch's position in the first XI

McGeady and Wyke on the bench wrapped in cotton wool unless required.

 

As it will broadcast on Sky at least that saves a tenner.

 

So you've gone for a Burton as well.

 

Yeah - just read the Echo, Younger is back in training this week. Flanagan is injured too. He could play Talyor or Almond instead.
I'm going for Power at right back and move McLaughlin inside with Wright. That lets Neil play in midfield.

 

Just making the final gets the club around a million pound. For that reason i think both clubs will take this match very seriously

 

Great thread RTB, and we had a game to match your efforts last time out , its a pity really that this game has come just when it has tbh, as I would have liked to see the same side put a run of games together. As this is impossible, I would rest our key players, including Bailet Wright, and make use of the squad as much as is possible, then hopefully revert to last Saturdays team and bench for the Burton game which is by far the most important. I think Lincoln will do something similar, so our bigger squad should under these odd circumstances prevail . OaU

 

Rogers and Poole are not playing for them mate

Do you expect Michael Appleton to make many changes for the tie?
"There’ll be a few changes, as there have been in the previous rounds. Some will be enforced, others will be by choice.

"January signings Regan Poole and Morgan Rogers, who both started against Accrington on Sunday, are both cup-tied.

 

I could be wrong but I don't think LJ has ever played the same side in consecutive games.
Being one game away from Wembley will surely influence the team selection and I'm sure LJ will want to win a trophy - even this tin pot trophy. I'd like him to rest our key players but if we start strong and get 3-0 up after half an hour it might be worth it.

 

Its a lot of money, but Lincoln have a promotion chance and I think they will be wary of going flat out in a game which is so hard to call. Your thread on Lincoln and Liam Bridcutt amused me, funny how things turn out.

 

This is the worry for me, will Johnson want the tin pot trophy on his cv at the detriment of the league. Didnt Ross fail to manage the tin pot trophy in his first season?

 

Hopefully no injuries to key players. A win would obviously breed confidence in the team but I'm not bothered if we lose. The league is more important and I honestly see this competition as an un necessary distraction. My main fear is that if we win foot may be taken off pedal in league matches with one eye on a tin pot! (of course may be totally unfounded!!)

 

My heart always rules my head and it’s telling me we won’t get beat again this season

 

Decent team that. Should be more than capable.

 

Having been to two Wembley finals in one season and lost both, to win two now would be amazing.
Although I couldn't take the play offs.
Cup win and automatic promotion along with the mags relegated would probably see me uncontrollably spunking arl owa.

 

Think I'm of the same opinion as everyone else. Great if we get through but think the league should be our priority. So with that in mind, I would have Wyke, Wright and McGeady either totally rested or on the bench and bring some of the kids in to give them experience rather than playing the likes of O'Nien out of postion at centre half.

I would go with

-----------------------Burge----------------------
Power--McLaughlin--Younger--McFaz
---------Neil---Leadbitter---O'Nien--------
Diamond------------O'Brien------------Jones

Subs :- Patterson, Wright, Curry, Gooch, Scowen, Wyke, Taylor

 

Win this game and I reckon the trophy is ours.

I'm going for a 2-1 win in this one. Would like to see Power stay in midfield and mcglauhlin stay rb and play one of the young lads alongside Wright. I think this will help us long term rather than chopping and changing.

 

I want to see us win at Wembley full stop. Selfish I know but if (when) we go up this season we may not get another chance for a few seasons.

 

Which do you want more, tinpot cup or promotion.

Of course both is best, but going hell-for-leather for one may affect the chances of achieving the other?

 

It's only a couple more games, it shouldn't be hugely taxing on the squad at this point. Also is there not a chance that if we won it the players would get a decent boost? You'd think it'd make them feel good and giving them experience of getting over the winning line could be useful for the promotion push psychologically.

 

Okay, but what if Wyke or Mcgeady or any other key players get injured?

Donald, in my humble opinion got all excited about taking a team to Wembley (Ross not so much ), we lost and had players carrying knocks into the play-offs as well as being physically and mentally tired.

Frankly I would rather lose tomorrow and win the next league game.. if that were ever offered.