Morning all, As I'm up watching a RWC game (which has turned out not to be overly exciting) I thought I would start a thread about our upcoming league cup tie. So who do you guys think/want to start against Preston in the week, with CP's 11 changes for the last round do you think something similar will occur? I think we will go with..... Sullivan Francis, Cort, Mambo, Evina Green, Pritchard, Bover, Jackson (C) Benno, Euell Subs, Hamer, Hughes, Doc, Hollands, Alonso, Smith, Wagstaff The team is dependent on fitness/ recovery from illness of a couple of players but it should be a good chance to see a couple of players we haven't seen a lot of so far!
I think Jackson is likely to be rested with Hughes and Pritchard in the middle and Bover on the left.
I'd like to see both Popo and Smith given some time during the game. Euell is suffering slightly from what we doctors call Anno Domini so let's have a look at them, eh?
Sullivan Francis Cort MAMBO Evina Green Pritchard Alonso Bover Smith Benson If alonso not fit then move bover inside and put out harriott on wing
Evina and Alonso aren't fit. Maybe on the bench at best. CP has hinted that Mambo, Francis and Benson are going out on loan. Even if not a done deal by Tuesday they could be busy negotiating. Plus not sure if Benson is fit. He won't want to risk aggravating his injury and scuppering a deal. Even if Green could play he has had a virus, which is strength-sapping and he would be better off resting until Saturday. The club don't give a monkey's for this competition. When they picked an all-reserve side against Reading they surely expected to lose. What is called "taking a dive" in boxing but, as in all the best boxing movies, the gallant underdog pulled off a shock. I think the team will be: Sullivan Warren Docherty Cort Cousins? Davisson Pritchard Hughes Bover Smith Euell (or Popo) Not sure if he will want to risk Euell, given our shortage of strikers. The only chance that team has of winning is if Preston also play an all-reserve team. On a related topic I am amazed to read in so many threads that this or that player "needs a rest". Unless they are carrying a knock, at this stage of the season what they all need is match practice at playing together as a team (especially as we have a brand new team). If they need a rest after five or six matches, how are we going to get through 50-odd by season's end? Now if you wrote instead "needs a kick up the ass" then that might be true in one or two cases.
I think we should play the same team as yesterday. Give Preston a beating and keep the momentum going. The players should be able to play twice a week for a few more months.
Considering Evina isnt fit: (If Green is fit) Sullivan Francis-Cort-Mambo-Hughes Green-Pritchard-Bover-Harriott Euell-Smith (If Green isn't fit) Sullivan Francis-Cort-Mambo-Hughes Bover-Pritchard-Davisson-Harriott Euell-Smith
I'd play the reserves. We have a big squad, and want them all to feel involved, someone like Pritchard knows his best chance of starting in the first team is a stand out performance against Preston. It's a shame Alonso isn't available, as a calm head in midfield would be a useful asset.
Suli Francis - Cort - Mambo - Wiggins Waggy(Don't think Green is ready) - Pritchard - Hughes(would rather Alonso if fit) - Evina(JJ if he isn't ready) Euell Smith (Benson still not fit apparently) Lot's of brackets!
I think I would play a mixture of first teamers and the squad that played against Reading and did so well, with the emphasis on the second squad. A lot depends on whether Green is fit as to whether he can play and the sam goes for Alonso. Certainly Sullivan in Goal and Mambo and Cort in the centre of defence; Evina if fit on the left; Solly, who is in such good form for us, on the right; A midfield of Green, Alonso, Bover and Harriot with Euell and Hayes up front to try and restore some confidence to Hayes. A bench of Hamer, Docherty, Hughes,Wagstaff, Benson, Pritchard and Popo (we are allowed 7 for the cup I think?)
Sullivan Francis Cort Mambo Evina Green if fit .. if not then Hughes, and move Pritchard to wing, Alonso Pritchard Bover Benson if fit ... if not then Smith Euell The "reserves" looked hungry against Reading so give them all another go I also have a suggestion for the new kit to be worn in cup games please log in to view this image
