Question is in the title, but do we play the kids and concentrate on the league or go full strength or somewhere in between? I 'd go Forster Alderweireld Gardos Yoshida Targett Reed Schneiderlin Elia (If eligible) Ward-Prowse Tadic Long / Gallagher (If fit)
Forster; McCarthy, Fonte, Yoshida, Targett; Ward-Prowse, Wanyama, Schneiderlin; Long, Pellè, Tadić. Only change is Yoshida to RB and Alderweireld at CB - depends how Ron looks at it.
Ipswich are in very good form. If we play the kids we will be beaten. So we won't Elia is not eligible but other than that your team is probably close. McCarthy might get a run out at right back. The main fear is a lack of goals without Pelle (and now Mane). Really highlights how much we need another striker (and Jay back...)
Forster Mccarthy Fonte Gardos Targett Reed Jwp Schneiderlin Long pelle tadic Or something of that ilk
I want to see McCathy at RB to see if he is good enough as we need to know if he is good enough to step up. Target at LB to continue his development Gardos at CB to give him more game time Reed to give Big Vic a break (bench start) Apart from that I would like to see the first team around them as I think the only gamble is at RB, the rest have proven themselves
One thing must be paramount... We can not afford to pick up any injuries. After this game, we lose Mane and Yoshida for the cup of nations, so don't need any more out. I would rest players who really need resting or players the management think the following 7 day rest won't he enough. I'd play McCarthy at RB and probably try Yoshida and Gardos to see how they look together, with Targett at LB. I'd also consider giving Pelle a rest too. I would be surprised if Ipswich play their full strength side and don't rest one or two also. For them, promotion is everything, as it was for us at this stage of the Championshio season when we went up. A good cup run gives them nothing, unless they were fortunate enough to win it.
Very difficult. As much as we need to rest players, going out of the cup so soon would be horrible. Another bad patch of form in the league and the season would be over. It's a little bit strange that Prem teams play two days before FA Cup weekend but lower league teams get a rest. Are the FA purposely trying to create a bigger chance of upsets?! The conspiracy is out...
I think we've just proven that another little bad spell won't mean the season is over. It'd make it tough, but not over.
I'd find a place for Harri Reed in the starting line up. In fact, his name would be 2nd on the team sheet, after Alderwereild, and playing just in front of him.
Forster (or Kelv...what the hell) McCarthy Yoshida Gardos Targett Isgrove Reed Morgan(c) WP Long Pelle
Strong team. Morgan in for Vic (rest him), McCarthy should get a chance at right back. Forster, McCarthy, Fonte, Alderweireld, Targett, JWP, Morgan, Reed, Tadic, Pelle, Long 4-4-2.
