Capital One Cup

[Esablade]

After the disappointing result and tepid start to the second half on Saturday how do we feel Nigel should approach this Cup?
Rest Higdon or give him another game? Play 'the kids"..? Is Wallace fit enough to feature?

I'm guessing they'll be changes but last season we went on a fantastic run, seemingly putting everything into each game, cup or league.
I guess many will just want us out of this, but could we, should we use this to get the lads together and rolling once more?

Thoughts?

 

[Liaminho9]

I could be wrong but didn't we go out of the Capital One Cup first round last season?

 

[2ndtenorblade]

We should try and win every game we play, I would play Higdon, he needs to build his fitness, the rest? I'll abide by Nigel's decision.

 

[2ndtenorblade]

I could be wrong but didn't we go out of the Capital One Cup first round last season?

Lost to Burton.

 

[Esablade]

I could be wrong but didn't we go out of the Capital One Cup first round last season?

Our old pals Burton wasn't it?

 

[Grecian2000]

My thoughts are we need to see some shape and some better fitness. Strongest team, which in my view adds up to:

Howard
Alcock
Collins
MaGahey
Harris
Flynn
Scougall
Doyle
Reid
Murphy
Baxter

Fullbacks getting forward, wingers getting to the line, no aimless punting from just past the halfway line into the box.
Back to last season in effect . . . .

 

[Esablade]

My thoughts are we need to see some shape and some better fitness. Strongest team, which in my view adds up to:

Howard
Alcock
Collins
MaGahey
Harris
Flynn
Scougall
Doyle
Reid
Murphy
Baxter

Fullbacks getting forward, wingers getting to the line, no aimless punting from just past the halfway line into the box.
Back to last season in effect . . . .

Drop Higdon after scoring and being made Captain?

 

[Grecian2000]

Yep.

His basic fitness is way off (I hope) and he needs to be a lot fitter before he'd get a full 90 from me.

As I said elsewhere, his lack of mobility and the "easy" punt forward by the wide players meant we were none existent as an attacking force in the second half on Saturday.

 

[Esablade]

The fitness issue could be a reason to start him, same with Flynn, needs games IMO...I though Bristol took the game to us for that 20 minute period, we panicked and our passing became incredibly sloppy...but yeah..Higdon did look tired 2nd half...

 

[mattbianco1]

Not bothered. Lost interest. We're wank. When's the third kit out?

 

[drinksmat]

We should not view this fixture as a non event. It is a chance for additional teambuilding and fitness improvement if nothing else. Also the first step on the European football 2015/2016 campaign trail.

This fixture last year was the start of our Autumn of discontent.

 

[Lowen]

Get Diego involved.

 

[Gavlar]

After the disappointing result and tepid start to the second half on Saturday how do we feel Nigel should approach this Cup?
Rest Higdon or give him another game? Play 'the kids"..? Is Wallace fit enough to feature?

I'm guessing they'll be changes but last season we went on a fantastic run, seemingly putting everything into each game, cup or league.
I guess many will just want us out of this, but could we, should we use this to get the lads together and rolling once more?

Thoughts?

I think we should play the players who arent fit enough who are likely to start on Sat against Cov. Would be good to mix it up with some youngesters aswell, need to pin down a settled back four asap, this could be great practice for more important games.

 

[ScoobBlade]

My thoughts are we need to see some shape and some better fitness. Strongest team, which in my view adds up to:

Howard
Alcock
Collins
MaGahey
Harris
Flynn
Scougall
Doyle
Reid
Murphy
Baxter

Fullbacks getting forward, wingers getting to the line, no aimless punting from just past the halfway line into the box.
Back to last season in effect . . . .

No recognised striker ?, Murphy and Baxter aren't bad but they ain't strikers. Higdon plays at some point for me, whether it's a start or off the bench. Remember porter will be fresh after missing out on the World Cup squad

 

[Kenilworth]

What worries me is we are playing a League 2 side

This season's record vs Division 4 teams

P W D L F A
3 0 1 2 1 7

Worse if you go back 12 months

P W D L F A
6 1 1 4 2 10

:shitshowerofthefirstordersofarvsdiv4teams:


BTW - Anyone not match fit needs to start so Higdon, Murphy and Flynn (based on performances vs Brizzle) should be first names on the team sheet. Probably add Scougs to that too. He was involved most of the first half then ineffective 2nd - but how much of that was down to Higdon not holding up the ball second half I don't know.
Doyle should be in for Reed (the 17 YO needs a rest)
Collo in for Davies with Alcock at RB
If Harris is carrying then give him a break until Saturday

 

[sheffielder]

I think we need to try and win every game we can to build momentum. Get a strong team out because we don't want to start the season 0-2, even if it is just a cup game.

It's only pre-season
it;s only our first game
it's only the league cup

 

[Kenilworth]

I think we need to try and win every game we can to build momentum. Get a strong team out because we don't want to start the season 0-2, even if it is just a cup game.

It's only pre-season
it;s only our first game
it's only the league cup

Agree - Every game matters - form is not a tap you can turn on or off - losing becomes a habit as much as winning does.
It's the lack of desire shown vs Burton and York pre season that could offer an insight into the mental attitude of the players - was it complacency? Was it the physicality that we couldn't match? - There was certainly a lack of urgency with a very lethargic start.

It's the soft goals conceded so far that worry me already and with a similar pattern to them - muscled out in midfield - possession turnover - skinned at full back and no challenge when the ball comes in. Appears to me that we need to go back to basics already and NOT concede in 90 mins - then build from there - very disappointing this early in a season. NC needs to get his back 4 sorted first and use that as the rock to build on - I don't see why Maguire going makes this so difficult and I believe it needs some experience in there to steady the ship.

 

[Russ]

We will lose. Get to the bookies.

 

[More Bladier than thou]

Agree - Every game matters - form is not a tap you can turn on or off - losing becomes a habit as much as winning does.
It's the lack of desire shown vs Burton and York pre season that could offer an insight into the mental attitude of the players - was it complacency? Was it the physicality that we couldn't match? - There was certainly a lack of urgency with a very lethargic start.

It's the soft goals conceded so far that worry me already and with a similar pattern to them - muscled out in midfield - possession turnover - skinned at full back and no challenge when the ball comes in. Appears to me that we need to go back to basics already and NOT concede in 90 mins - then build from there - very disappointing this early in a season. NC needs to get his back 4 sorted first and use that as the rock to build on - I don't see why Maguire going makes this so difficult and I believe it needs some experience in there to steady the ship.

defence was shaky but they need a few games to bed in. with morgs on the defence case iam sure we will be fine soon enough. UTB

 

[Korean Blade]

I'd play the kids, give Higdon more game time and play McGahey with either Collins or Butler. Personally don't care about this cup and would view it as giving a chance to some of the guys who had a shit pre season a second chance.

 

[wizadry]

I'd play the kids, give Higdon more game time and play McGahey with either Collins or Butler. Personally don't care about this cup and would view it as giving a chance to some of the guys who had a shit pre season a second chance.

The problem with this is,it would end up being half of the side who started against brizzle,because that statement Clough came out with about the people who played well in pre season got a start against brizzle was baffling at best,as half the side who played on Saturday had a shite pre season to say the least.

 

[JOEYDEE]

Not bothered. Lost interest. We're wank. When's the third kit out?

Er, isn't the final played at wembley ?Don't we have a chance of Prem opposition in the third round ?Lets get past Mansfield,we should do ..our second 11 is nearly as strong as our 1st eleven,and have another dream to keep us going !!!

 

[Fiery Blade]

Whats all this 'Not Bothered about this Cup' rubbish - good job we didn't have that attitude in the FA Cup run last season - Saved our season last season and we would be playing in Div Four this year.

Unfortunately we do have so many pathetic so called supporters who know jack sh!t about football yet come on here spouting b*llocks about team selection, tactics and players.

I have a tad more trust in Mr Clough than most of the half baked idiots we have spouting their rubbish on here !

 

[LoughboroBlade]

The top priority should be to get a stable understanding between the two in the middle of defence, and the three in the middle of midfield, as quickly as possible. The sooner that happens, the sooner we'll appear more confident in both areas. I'm happy for us to mix and match people in the wide areas, and up front, but we need to sort the spine of the team out asap. It might be that Saturday's XI is Clough's preferred lineup, but I'd be surprised if it were. Regardless, that's the first time we've had either area line up as it did. I'd hoped we'd have sorted this out in preseason - the XI picked itself last season, and we need to know our strongest lineup quickly.

 

[SwissBlade]

My team

Willis
Davies
McGahey
Alcock
Harris

JCR
Reed
Doyle
Murphy
Baxter

Higdon

I'd give jcr and Higdon an hour plus see how the back four get on

Scoogs is first choice but knackered himself out on sat so gets a rest.

Flynn also gets a rest, but coming on after 60 mins.

Higdon, needs match time but replace him after 60 to keep him in shape for the weekend. Replacing him with McNulty.

 

[stannyblade]

My team

Willis
Davies
McGahey
Alcock
Harris

JCR
Reed
Doyle
Murphy
Baxter

Higdon

I'd give jcr and Higdon an hour plus see how the back four get on

Scoogs is first choice but knackered himself out on sat so gets a rest.

Flynn also gets a rest, but coming on after 60 mins.

Higdon, needs match time but replace him after 60 to keep him in shape for the weekend. Replacing him with McNulty.

Agree with that except I would play either Butler or Collins instead of Davies and put Alcock back at rightback

 

[Bladesway]

Im amazed at our level that beggars can be choosers. The cup run last year was brilliant for the club. Get your best XI out and play to win. Every game, every time. JPT, Capital One, FA Cup, League. They all matter whether its for player fitness, squad improvement or getting game time for younger players.

Unless they are going to start giving the fans money back for not putting your strongest team out of course.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Agree with Loughboro, essential that we start with the same defence if that's who he wants to go with and stick with Basham and Reed for the same reason. Higdon needs game time so I would think JCR and Baxter for Flynn and Scoogs.

 

[SwissBlade]

Agree with that except I would play either Butler or Collins instead of Davies and put Alcock back at rightback

The question I have is whether Clough sees Alcock and McGahey as his Centre half duo. By the sounds of it, he decided that these are his best performing pairing from the last few weeks, Alcock (according to the star interview) is happy alongside McGahey. So that was my reasoning, if they’re the current first choice (Since Harry left), then stick with them. I though Davies didn’t do anything wrong at RB, he was solid and steady enough, yes the ideal scenario would be to stick a Brayford/ Harris/ Freeman style fullback in there, but I think it’s more important to develop the Centre Half pairing

 

[stannyblade]

The question I have is whether Clough sees Alcock and McGahey as his Centre half duo. By the sounds of it, he decided that these are his best performing pairing from the last few weeks, Alcock (according to the star interview) is happy alongside McGahey. So that was my reasoning, if they’re the current first choice (Since Harry left), then stick with them. I though Davies didn’t do anything wrong at RB, he was solid and steady enough, yes the ideal scenario would be to stick a Brayford/ Harris/ Freeman style fullback in there, but I think it’s more important to develop the Centre Half pairing

Just think McGahey needs an experienced centre half at the side of him and not a rightback that can play there