FA Cup: Team vs Reading

[Champagneblade]

What would you like to see in this one?

Opportunity to put a strong team out.

A few considerations from me:

1. Stick with the regular resting of Baldock and Stevens. Game time for Freeman and Osborn.

2. Give one of the centre backs a rest. Last time it was Egan, this time O'Connell. Bring Robinson into the team who has been with the players a few weeks now and didn't look out of place against Millwall. Plan to potentially give Retsos a run out in the second half for a taster.

3. Play Luke Freeman over Fleck as has been the general approach so far to cup games.

4. Introduce McGoldrick back into the team to get some match fitness back.

With this in mind, I would like to see:

Henderson

Basham Egan Robinson

Freeman Berge Norwood Freeman Osborn

McGoldrick Sharp

Subs: Verrips, Retsos, Jagielka, Lundstram, Besic, Zivkovic, Clarke

Gives Berge more practice at the role he is being currently assigned, keeps a tidy midfield and builds on na already good understanding amongst the forwards. Chance to introduce Zickovic L's pace as an unknown cameo for Billy too.

 

[OnmiEdson]

I find it very hard to criticise your typically well thought out post champagne or offer any further tinkering
The only thing I would add is that compare to the last round we have moved that bit closer to safety and a good cup run might give us the chance for silverware
And it gives us an opportunity to try out tweaking with the flat 3 a bit and maybe a true or false no 10 as well
As such I might keep the Bash Egan JoC combo at the start
and Billy Oli at the top end
Freeman to start with Goldie coming on as a straight replacement or replacing one of the front two

Hendo

Bash Corky Brick Header

Kieron Pinger Ice Man Lukey Endo

Fat Lad Bucket Hat

Verrips Retso Goldie Lord Osbo Zico Bezzy

 

[William]

I’d look to get all of the new lads game time, but not at the expense of risking our shape or the result. If you don’t play them in this, when do you?

Retsos in for Basham, assuming this is where he’s expected to play long term. I’d also look at Berge in Norwood’s position with Lundstram starting also. McGoldrick and McBurnie up top with Zivkovic on after 60 mins. Not sure about the wing backs, I’d be tempted to say they’ve just had a week off so should be ok to play.

Hendo
Baldock Retsos Egan OConnell Stevens
Lundstram Berge Fleck
McB McG

subs: Sharp, Bash, Zivkovic, Norwood, Osborn, Verrips, Freeman

Of course it’s Brighton next so might all change then anyway.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I’d look to get all of the new lads game time, but not at the expense of risking our shape or the result. If you don’t play them in this, when do you?

Exactly!

The FA Cup and League Cup have become a "run out" for second string players, because there is no competitive "reserves" league anymore. This means the second string aren't getting enough competitive football and find it harder to step up to first team demands when they do get a shot at it. And it means the Cup competitions are devalued because the "big name" players are often rested.

Solution? Bring back a competitive reserve league - like the old "Central League" used to be.

Will it happen? No - doubt it. Because it would cost money and no one would want to fund it. We've got too spoiled now and can stay home and switch on the TV, or computer, and watch some world-class teams competing with each other at the flick of a switch. So who's going to prefer to trail out all weathers to watch Blades reserves?

(I might! - but only if the 1st team weren't playing)!

 

[FMBlade1]

We're safe and have the best chance of a cup run in our history.

Full strength team please, no mucking about

 

[LoughboroBlade]

What would you like to see in this one?

I’d like us to continue to incrementally strengthen with each round, so wouldn’t rest any of the CBs this time out.

Henderson
Basham Egan JOC
K.Freeman Berge Norwood L.Freeman Osborn
Sharp McGoldrick

 

[JimmyMuir94]

I reckon we could quite easily do Reading with this second string side....but reckon it will probably be a lot stronger.

Verrips
Panos Jags Robinson
K. Freeman Lunny Berger Freezy Osborn
Mcgoldrick Zivkovic

Henderson, Moose, Sharp, Bash, Egan, Norwood, Besic

 

[William]

Exactly!

The FA Cup and League Cup have become a "run out" for second string players, because there is no competitive "reserves" league anymore. This means the second string aren't getting enough competitive football and find it harder to step up to first team demands when they do get a shot at it. And it means the Cup competitions are devalued because the "big name" players are often rested.

Solution? Bring back a competitive reserve league - like the old "Central League" used to be.

Will it happen? No - doubt it. Because it would cost money and no one would want to fund it. We've got too spoiled now and can stay home and switch on the TV, or computer, and watch some world-class teams competing with each other at the flick of a switch. So who's going to prefer to trail out all weathers to watch Blades reserves?

(I might! - but only if the 1st team weren't playing)!

Undoubtedly. If we get the new loan rules that have been touted where clubs can only send a limited number out on loan then there will have to be something brought in to keep all those players busy.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Similar team that beat Millwall will do.

 

[YES Blade]

I’d look to get all of the new lads game time, but not at the expense of risking our shape or the result. If you don’t play them in this, when do you?

Retsos in for Basham, assuming this is where he’s expected to play long term. I’d also look at Berge in Norwood’s position with Lundstram starting also. McGoldrick and McBurnie up top with Zivkovic on after 60 mins. Not sure about the wing backs, I’d be tempted to say they’ve just had a week off so should be ok to play.

Hendo
Baldock Retsos Egan OConnell Stevens
Lundstram Berge Fleck
McB McG

subs: Sharp, Bash, Zivkovic, Norwood, Osborn, Verrips, Freeman

Of course it’s Brighton next so might all change then anyway.

Exactly my thinking, pick a strong team and bench but also give a couple of the new lads a chance to impress.

 

[SwissBlade]

What would you like to see in this one?

Opportunity to put a strong team out.

A few considerations from me:

1. Stick with the regular resting of Baldock and Stevens. Game time for Freeman and Osborn.

2. Give one of the centre backs a rest. Last time it was Egan, this time O'Connell. Bring Robinson into the team who has been with the players a few weeks now and didn't look out of place against Millwall. Plan to potentially give Retsos a run out in the second half for a taster.

3. Play Luke Freeman over Fleck as has been the general approach so far to cup games.

4. Introduce McGoldrick back into the team to get some match fitness back.

With this in mind, I would like to see:

Henderson

Basham Egan Robinson

Freeman Berge Norwood Freeman Osborn

McGoldrick Sharp

Subs: Verrips, Retsos, Jagielka, Lundstram, Besic, Zivkovic, Clarke

Gives Berge more practice at the role he is being currently assigned, keeps a tidy midfield and builds on na already good understanding amongst the forwards. Chance to introduce Zickovic L's pace as an unknown cameo for Billy too.

Not a lot wrong with that side, but I’d probably just tweak slightly

Verrips

Retsos Jags Robinson
Freeman Osborn

Berge
Lunny Freeman

Clarke/ McG Mousset


​

 

[Harry's Game]

I might give Fleck a rest and have a look at Berge on the left side of the three alongside Lunny and Norwood.

 

[Boxer Blade]

I think Rodwell will start, but I agree let's have a real go for it

 

[PokerBlade]

Similar to Millwall. Worth bearing in mind now we've strengthened in January there are more players that both need game time and should be up to the task even if not starting right now. Retsos and Zivkovic should be in line for a game, Robinson and Rodwell could be given a chance to impress. Berge means less pressure on midfield so either him or Lundstram is fine. Any of our strikers are up to the job.

 

[Blade for Sale]

Imagine little old Sheffield United having to strike a balance between the FACup and a European qualification place in the league. I feel like I'm lying wide eyed between Ana Ivanovic and Scarlett Johansen deciding which one deserves the most disappointing 5 seconds of her life.

Meanwhile my old sparring partner is 'enjoying' a tear-filled knee trembler with a toothless crack whore behind a skip.

 

[Speedracer]

Some good suggestions but a couple of things I would be doing is firstly deffo play Verrips in goal, he is our keeper & he should get every opportunity to play in games like this, we don't know if Hendo will be here beyond this season so Long Fingers should play. Might also be time to give Norwood a rest & see how we can play without him. We could put him on the bench if it isn't working.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I really do wonder whether people suggesting that 8 of the reserve options come in for this, or that we’d go for an entire change for the defence, have paid any attention to what Wilder has said and done re: the competition this season. There are some suggestions that are almost a repeat of the Fylde lineup, something we only went with because of the tiredness shown in the Liverpool game. There were similar suggestions from folk ahead of the Millwall game and I remember having to post a similar reminder. We’re not going to be going with a weaker lineup than we went with for that.

 

[Ricky]

Christ this is one interesting 'Team vs' thread.

So many possibilities.


Henderson
Retsos Egan O'Connell
Baldock Berge Norwood L.Freeman Osborn
Mousset McGoldrick

Subs: Verrips, Robinson, Basham, Besic, Fleck, Zivkovic, Sharp
(Jags, K.Freeman, Rodwell, Stevens, Lunny, McB and Clarke all left out there!)


The only one I'd not be too happy starting there is Baldock but I feel him over K.Freeman gives us the required strength to ensure we progress.

McGoldrick and Mousset because not only has it been our best pairing but they need the playing time more than McBurnie and Sharp. Good chance to rest McBurnie who's got through a lot of work recently.

90 minutes will be good for Berge.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

There will be minor tweaks - could be down to pulls or strains in the previous league game.

If we lose, it won't be down to team selection - virtually full strength team - some of our fans simply don't listen to what CW has to say.

CW

 

[BladeTillIDie]

Verrips

Retsos Jagielka Robinson

K.Freeman Rodwell Besic Osborn

L.Freeman

McGoldrick Zivkovic

 

[LoughboroBlade]

The only one I'd not be too happy starting there is Baldock but I feel him over K.Freeman gives us the required strength to ensure we progress.

If Berge starts it’s actually preferable to play Baldock and continue to build that understanding between the two. Harsh on Kieron Freeman, who was decent at Millwall, but it would make sense.

 

[CoatesyBlade]

Verrips

Retsos Jagielka (Capt) Robinson

K Freeman Besic Berge L Freeman Osborn

McGoldrick Zivkovic

Subs:
Henderson
Basham
Baldock
Rodwell
Lundstrum
Sharp
McBurnie

That's almost a 2nd XI ... Not bad is it!!

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Verrips

Retsos Jagielka Robinson

K.Freeman Rodwell Besic Osborn

L.Freeman

McGoldrick Zivkovic

It’s a hat-trick of fantasy.

Completely new combination of centre-backs, when Wilder’s stated he’s wanting to keep the team strong.

A right-footer starting in the left-centre-mid role, something Wilder hasn’t ever done.

A formation we’ve not started with all season, with Wilder not even prepared to revert to it against non-league Fylde.

This is the current leader in the least-likely team selection. You can get better odds on us being relegated, or catching 3rd place, than this happening at Reading.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Verrips

Retsos Jagielka (Capt) Robinson

K Freeman Besic Berge L Freeman Osborn

McGoldrick Zivkovic

Subs:
Henderson
Basham
Baldock
Rodwell
Lundstrum
Sharp
McBurnie

That's almost a 2nd XI ... Not bad is it!! ⚔

Not likely either.

 

[Ricky]

Why the hell would we pick a team that risks getting us knocked out?

If we win we're just one step from Wembley.

And it's only Norwich at home 4 days later.

 

[McGrath]

Strongest team, no messing around.

We've only got one game between now and Reading. Bizarrely Reading have 5, including Leeds, Pigs, Barnsley and West Brom. They'll be tired, we'll be fresh, so let's hit them with a bit of 'shock and awe'.

 

[YES Blade]

I'd struggling to get my head round some of these team suggestions, what it the point in making 9, 10 or 11 changes when we've got a great chance to win the cup. Playing in Europe would be nice, but imagine winning the FA Cup! It's about time we had some decent silverware in the trophy cabinet.

 

[BushBlade]

There will be minor tweaks - could be down to pulls or strains in the previous league game.

If we lose, it won't be down to team selection - virtually full strength team - some of our fans simply don't listen to what CW has to say.

CW

It’s not even necessary to listen to what he says, just look at what he does. I think some people still believe Warnock is in charge.

 

[sufcboy95]

3/4 changes. I’d rest the full backs, fleck and Mcburnie

 

[Ricky]

Ideally we smash them early on and bring Norwood and Baldock off after 60 minutes.

Beyond those two there's nothing to worry about in terms of resting/freshness with the team I've put.