Match Day Thread Will we Brexit the Cup - Saints v Brentford. Weds 16.09 - 7:45 pm

Thread rules:

1. No talking about Brexit
2. No talking about viruses
3. No talking about the Government
4. Lots of talking about VAR
5. Tbc, not sure yet.

Now that's out the way, think we take this one 3-0, Che x2 and someone else with t'other.

Other views, unlike other Threads, are always welcome here



Edit thanks to Don:

THE OFFICIALS

Referee: John Brooks
Assistants: Akil Howson, Daniel Leach
Fourth official: Jacob Miles

https://www.southamptonfc.com/2020/...ampton-fc-vs-brentford-fc-carabao-cup-2020-21

 

I would give big Fraz a a start, plus Jankewtiz......maybe rest Ings and play Obafemi.

 

Good ideas those, Ralph does like to put in a small number of 'not 1st team players yet' in these types of games.

What about that other nipper who just starting training with the 1st team, cant recall his name but he is c. 17yo I think.

 

I would like the opportunity to see a bit more of Smallbone.

 

I would like to see Kgaogelo Chauke at least make the squad for experience.

 

If Boufal is not involved in any way then we can assume that he is on his way out.
This has the potential of being a tricky tie and it is a balance between picking a youthful team with enough experience to win the match. This competition is realistically our best chance of winning anything so it would be disappointing to go out early.
I think Vokins and Smallbone will play and possibly Tella and Obafemi.

 

Brexit would surely mean that BRentford go out...

 

Strong team please. Brentford and then WBA presents a good opportunity to progress in this competition.

 

Games coming thick and fast. Only one pre-season match. I can't see anything other than squad rotation.

Fraser
Valery Salisu Vestergaard Vokins
Smallbone JWP Romeu Djenepo
Long Obafemi

 

Yeah I can see loads of changes due to fixture congestion. Can see this season being one where we don’t care about the cups because of how many added fixtures they will bring

 

I'd really like to see Boufal given a chance in this, but, I guess, he won't be, as it does seem he's on his way (which is such a shame as, on his day, he could be a match-winner, but I guess he doesn't buy into the "Ralph way")
So - yes to Forster and a few other changes - think it might be too early to put Salisu in, so I'm guess Ralph might stick with Jack and Vesty in the middle the defence. Pace up front as well - try to catch Brentford pushing, though, I fear, teams will now be certain we can't break down an organised defence, so I'd think they'll pack midfield and defence and try to catch us on the break

 

Having considered this carefully, looking at things from every angle, bearing everything in mind, balancing things out, I'd like a win.

 

Hey, anymore of that talk and Chilcs will ban you

 

Don't expect many changes for this, apparently, as they need game time.

 

This will be a tough game. Brentford only just missed out on promotion to Premier League and are a good side to watch. Not unlike Saints in so many ways but lacking the quality we have. I'm not expecting too many changes either. It'll either be the 11 that started Saturday or the 11 that finished. Winning is habit forming and a win here can be carried forward to Spurs next Sunday. A different team, you lose that momentum. Rotate later in the season by all means but not now.

 

I disagree. If Ralph wants to rotate, fine by me. These are top professionals who are well drilled in how the boss wants to play. Making some changes may or may not work. Playing the same team, may or may not work.

If I was to be really pedantic, we just lost, so maybe a change should be applied. Wrong type of momentum that. *



* tongue firmly in cheek for that last bit.

 

At this stage of the season and with such a short pre-season, I think the line up will be determined more by fitness levels than how seriously Ralph is taking the cups.

He may think some players need more minutes to get match fit or perhaps some need a break after saturday. Hard to predict really.

 

If we were to get to the 4th round, we'd roughly be looking at (starting yesterday): Saturday, Wednesday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, international break (triple header! Eg for England it's Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday), Saturday.

 

Excellent. What a time to be a football fan (from afar)

 

Having never won it since its inception, I can't see SFC winning this trophy. You can stuff these words down my throat should SFC win it in March!!! And I will be gald to receive my punishment.