Team for Orient

But did either Cardiff or Millwall also get promoted that year? Answer No. Don't like to lose football matches but personally don't want postponed matches in such a massive season for us either.

 

He did mention that all 7 players on the bench will get a game (excluding Amos now) and hinted at the likes of Dawson, McKenna and Stewart so can't see there being many of the players that started against Blackpool playing and I don't think there should be the likes of Quinny looked shattered!

 

I honestly didnt think the likes of McKenna, and even Oli and Dawson would play for us again. Hope Daws gets a run out though.

It sounds like SB doesnt rate Stewart, so is he likely to play? If he does it will only to prove himself\shop window jobbie.

 

Bruce will give everyone their fair chance, but I'm pretty sure Stewart will go on loan again hopefully to a team in a lower league.

 

I hadnt realised Stewart has only played for us in 3 matches this season 1 league and 2 cup. Even if he scores a hatrick and sets up another 2 tomorrow I don't see him staying. A crying shame. The lad has talent but his head isnt in it for some reason.

 

Nobody will buy him off us, sure he will be sent out on loan though.

 

Stewart's future all comes down to his confidence and attitude, if he had a great game working really hard against Orient maybe Bruce would say "Look, that's what you can do if you apply yourself." And maybe he'll work his magic on another 'lost cause' like he did with Simpson.

 

I would think that Rosie will get the right full back / wing back role. Quinn i doubt we shall see.

Yes agreed. The team i posted a few days back and with Steve Bruce saying that ALL 7 subs @ Blackpool (now 6 after Amos went back to MU) will start. Add in Dawson - Mckenna - Stewart thats a very strong team. Should be more than good enough for Orient.

Not a problem having a Cup run as long as its just the squad players who get these games. Cardiff and Millwall suffered by not having a big enough squad. We do thankfully.

More or less what Steve Bruce said post game Blackpool.

Stewart IMO has this game as a make or break game here. If he goes into a hissy fit and spits his dummy out then he will be history. On the other hand he should rip Orient to pieces with his pace and talent. Its upto Stewart now.
For sure with the right attititude going forward Stewart can play a massive role in our promotion push as an impact sub.

 

Yes.

I agree, why bother entering it when we're trying to get promoted. As we're in it a quick exit is the best way to remedy it.

The problem isn't just the extra games the Cup run would bring, it's the fact it causes league games to be rearranged. You can play reserves in the Cup all you want, but if we end up with 8 or 9 league games in a month as a result of rearrangements we're going to have a problem compared to sides playing 6 or 7.

 

But by that logic we should never enter the FA Cup (or any other cup). We will always be trying to get promoted, or avoid relegation if we achieve it. We will not go into a season thinking "our aim this season is mid-table mediocrity". By your logic that is the only time we should be in the cup?

 

Last season was crazy. March was a packed month anyway but to add 2 extra fixtures was beyond belief. Now we have a squad that can cope with a Cup run.

As to the solution just move the games postponed back 4 days to the tuesday night. The players who will start the games will still be fresh regardless.

 

When is the draw for the next round?

 

We had this discussion recently. If we can realistically view winning the Cup as a reasonable ambition, ie we don't need to have a lot of luck in the draws to do it, if we need the money, or if we're expected to be mid-table we should go for cup runs.

In the 5 seasons before this one, if I'd had control of the PR I'd have wanted Cup runs in 3 of them (the 2 PL seasons the exceptions).

 

Don't forget that in 2008, three of the four FA Cup semi-finalists were Championship sides - West Brom, Barnsley, and Cardiff City