Should we try on Saturday

[BushBlade]

A good point, but I disagree, if half your squad are out with injuries and playing two games a week to 'catch up', then it has nothing to do with not being good enough, but having to field players not fully recovered or reserve team players.

Surely this year our focus has to be on promotion and not a good cup run.

If we get to the later rounds that may happen but not if we get to the third or fourth round. It didn't affect us under Clough and didn't affect us under Bassett. I don't believe Warnock's excuses either but in that case we got to two semi-finals in the same season. That isn't going to happen.
Going out in round one wouldn't help us at all, it just means we have less money to put towards a promotion push.

 

[Kenilworth]

Plenty of instances where promoted sides have also done well in cup competitions.
Even recently in this division in the useless cup you have Brizzle and Dingles winning as they get promoted.
Winning is a habit - nice to see we are gaining that again, at last.
So is losing - so if we want promotion then we shouldn't get into it

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Just getting to the 3rd round would net us around £150k in gate and prize money, more if either the second or third round is televised (£72k for 2nd or £144k for 3rd) and considerably more if we draw a big club like last season.
I don't think we're in a position to turn our nose up at that. A decent 3rd round tie could pay for EEL.

Couldn’t agree more. Still though, I’d be inclined to use the competition to rest some of the first team and give game time to the likes of Wilson, Hussey, Whiteman, Brooks, Chapman, Lavery etc. It’s a squad game and I’d rather take chances with the cup than the league but would expect any team selected to give their all for the club.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I definitely hope Freeman and Coutts are rested. Freeman's played 14 in a row in a demanding position, Coutts has played a lot of games at a higher intensity than he's been used to and he's dropped off a bit in the last two games. I'd say Sharp could do with a rest too, and possibly Duffy. It should be a game for Chapman and Lavery, it's about time they got a proper chance. I'd also like to see us start with a 4-2-3-1, it'd be a good idea to get more match practice playing that system as it's something we'll probably resort to quite often. Also makes our setup less predictable ahead of the Chesterfield game.

Moore

Brown EEL O'Connell Hussey

Basham Whiteman

Scougall Duffy Chapman

Lavery

I think that's about the right balance for the Orient game. Possibly Fleck in for Whiteman.


If any important players are risked in the Grimsby game for the sake of a 5k fine I won't be happy. Could just see a key player getting injured due to us being incredibly cheap. That should be a line up completely made up of youth/back up players without a doubt.

I largely agree with that selection but rest a couple more/ give chances to a couple more youths and try to keep the 352 system.



-------------------------------Ramsdale


-------------------Wilson----Semple-----JOC

Brown---------------------------------------------------------Hussey

----------------------Basham-------Whiteman

---------------------------------Scougall

------------------------Lavery--------Chapman



I’d name a few big players on the bench like Sharp, EEL, Fleck and Duffy in case they’re needed along with maybe Brooks to try to get him a run out. I would hope having JOC, Bash, Lavery, Scougall and Chapman in the side would give us enough to have a decent chance but having those big guns to bring on could turn things if not.

I’m a bit concerned about Reece Brown though. By all accounts he is terrible. Perhaps put Basham there if Fleck was to come on.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I agree, win all your games and keep winning them regardless.
It's surprising how tiring losing football matches is and it's also surprising how "untiring" winning them is.

Footballers do not get sick of playing when they are playing well, the "tired" bullshit only gets used when teams are losing, it's mental tiredness and stress about losing that causes it not physical tiredness.
You cannot just switch it on and off............we certainly can't

I agree with that but there’s always the risk of serious injury and suspension and the issue of getting some match fitness and opportunities to impress to the likes of Chapman and Lavery.

 

[BushBlade]

Couldn’t agree more. Still though, I’d be inclined to use the competition to rest some of the first team and give game time to the likes of Wilson, Hussey, Whiteman, Brooks, Chapman, Lavery etc. It’s a squad game and I’d rather take chances with the cup than the league but would expect any team selected to give their all for the club.

The problem with that is if you make wholesale changes then the players aren't used to playing with each other and little things go wrong, things that can cost you. I've lost count of the number of games I've seen where a team is stronger on paper but ineffective and playing like a bunch of strangers because too many changes have been made.
It's getting the balance right.

I'd like to see maybe three changes in the starting line up with perhaps three more subs if we can wrap the game up early.

They haven't played for a week and won't have to play for another week (forget Grimsby) so it shouldn't be a huge ask.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

The problem with that is if you make wholesale changes then the players aren't used to playing with each other and little things go wrong, things that can cost you. I've lost count of the number of games I've seen where a team is stronger on paper but ineffective and playing like a bunch of strangers because too many changes have been made.
It's getting the balance right.

I'd like to see maybe three changes in the starting line up with perhaps three more subs if we can wrap the game up early.

They haven't played for a week and won't have to play for another week (forget Grimsby) so it shouldn't be a huge ask.

Fair comments. I suppose we can make more changes in the stupid game next Wednesday. Perhaps I was getting a little carried away with Semple, Brooks etc.

 

[grafikhaus]

Don't want another non-event like we saw at OT in January.

Ah but you don't see the work Hammond does...

England captain Wayne Rooney, with his only notable contribution of the game nets the winning goal from the penalty spot, after Dean Hammond fouled Memphis deep into stoppage-time,

 

[BushBlade]

Fair comments. I suppose we can make more changes in the stupid game next Wednesday. Perhaps I was getting a little carried away with Semple, Brooks etc.

I wouldn't say that. Brooks is one I'd like to see come on as sub. It sounds like he's done well in the u23s so has probably earned it and we haven't got that many of his type of player so we might end up needing him.

Semple has apparently been injured but may play for the u23s this Saturday, I think, so probably not worth risking him. He needs to be 100% to give him the best chance of stepping up. He's still very young for a centre half anyway so it's not a disaster.

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

Couldn’t agree more. Still though, I’d be inclined to use the competition to rest some of the first team and give game time to the likes of Wilson, Hussey, Whiteman, Brooks, Chapman, Lavery etc. It’s a squad game and I’d rather take chances with the cup than the league but would expect any team selected to give their all for the club.

England U20's play first game against Nigeria on Wednesday in a tournament in South Korea and recall that Chapman and Reed were both called up, so I think there's a good chance they won't be available for Sunday

 

[S5Blade]

England U20's play first game against Nigeria on Wednesday in a tournament in South Korea and recall that Chapman and Reed were both called up, so I think there's a good chance they won't be available for Sunday

They are available Sunday then fly out after the game. Special permission was granted by the FA

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

They are available Sunday then fly out after the game. Special permission was granted by the FA

How generous, I'm going to refer to them henceforth as the sweet FA

 

[Flakey]

Just sticking my neck out again, but how many teams have you seen in the past that have a 3rd round draw with Man U or City et al, lose the previous week because no one wants to get injured or giving 100% in a tackle and risk a red card

 

[Hodgyman]

I think that there is some sense in giving some fringe players game time but with regulars on the bench just in case we are struggling for a win.

I do not agree with going out with the intention of losing in any competition. That has a negative effect on the player's moral, confidence and motivation whoever is picked or rested.

The team selection should be made by trying to win but by sensibly resting some but replacing them with others within the squad who would benefit by having an opportunity to impress. This keeps all players on their toes, not counting giving the paying fans something to enjoy rather than endure.

 

[JJBlade]

There are good comments from both sides here, but I think our cup run seasons in the past have added to our season rather than ruin them

1990 - Quarter Final of FA Cup and promoted
1993 - It didn't mean we got relegated
1998 - We didn't have much else to play for
2003 - Semi Final of both cup competitions. Does anybody seriously believe that because of the cup runs we were unable to play one more game against Wolves ?
2014 - The run to the FA Cup semi final galvanised our season, if there had been a little more time we'd have got in the play offs

2015 - We didn't have much else to play for


Edit - Likewise the misery from the mid 70's to the late 80's wasn't caused by too many cup runs from what I remember

 

[United Aren't Back.]

I for one would be happy to lose, although it may be difficult against a very poor Leyton Orient.

If CW puts out a second eleven that would suit me, because if a good cup run means we have congestion with fixtures next year, it may cost us a couple of crucial points.

For me promotion is of paramount importance.

Unbelievable that anyone can be quite happy to.lose to a team at the base of league 2 at home in the FA cup.

 

[boo radley]

I for one would be happy to lose, although it may be difficult against a very poor Leyton Orient.

If CW puts out a second eleven that would suit me, because if a good cup run means we have congestion with fixtures next year, it may cost us a couple of crucial points.

For me promotion is of paramount importance.

Do you have Dandruff?

 

[Roygbiv]

I suppose in an ideal world we'd get Arsenal away in the 4th round (after beating Wednesday in the 3rd round) and lose 1-0.

That said I love an FA Cup run.

 

[Lane Ender]

I largely agree with that selection but rest a couple more/ give chances to a couple more youths and try to keep the 352 system.



-------------------------------Ramsdale


-------------------Wilson----Semple-----JOC

Brown---------------------------------------------------------Hussey

----------------------Basham-------Whiteman

---------------------------------Scougall

------------------------Lavery--------Chapman



I’d name a few big players on the bench like Sharp, EEL, Fleck and Duffy in case they’re needed along with maybe Brooks to try to get him a run out. I would hope having JOC, Bash, Lavery, Scougall and Chapman in the side would give us enough to have a decent chance but having those big guns to bring on could turn things if not.

I’m a bit concerned about Reece Brown though. By all accounts he is terrible. Perhaps put Basham there if Fleck was to come on.

That's ok not sure about Brown and I'd keep General Wright in don't put three young uns in together.
Chapman and Lavery looks interesting and I'd like to see this keeper
But for fucks sake let's have a win against these mugs

 

[SB_90]

i always want a run in fa cup, because of the history & the cash, hope we keep 4/5 from MK Dons, & we can put the academy lads in dead rubber v grimsby midweek, good fact last time a league side beat us in 1st rd was nearly 93 yrs ago, in 1923 v blackpool & last time we lost at home to a league side at home was 5 years before world war 1 started

 

[Deleted member 875]

If we need to make a couple of changes and rest players, give a couple of youngsters a chance, or give a couple of the fringe players/players coming back from injury a run out then lets do it, just as long as we pick a team who are more than capable of, and go on and win the match.

The FA Cup could be tailor made for our needs this season. Get through the first two rounds comfortably winning and then potentially showing that the old Sheffield United are back by knocking a couple of noses out of joint in the 3rd round onwards will be tailor made for our needs.

 

[Silent Blade]

i always want a run in fa cup, because of the history & the cash, hope we keep 4/5 from MK Dons, & we can put the academy lads in dead rubber v grimsby midweek, good fact last time a league side beat us in 1st rd was nearly 93 yrs ago, in 1923 v blackpool & last time we lost at home to a league side at home was 5 years before world war 1 started

We lost to Brighton in 1922. All first and second division clubs played in the 1st round of the FA Cup until 1925-26 season

We reached the semi finals in 1923 losing to Bolton (see photo below)

 

[chipsncake]

I am led to believe that it's Scougall and Chapman up front today, make of that what you will.

 

[Kenilworth]

I am led to believe that it's Scougall and Chapman up front today, make of that what you will.

Erm 6?

 

[Antonb]

It was a walk in the park. They were the worst side I have seen for some time.But we harried them and dominated them in every position. Lavery came on at half time but to be frank was a bit of a disappointment. Had a easy shot to take in front of goal, and didn't shoot. Let's hope he can get better.

 

[Gimli]

This result begs the question 'did we actually try?'

 

[Ricky]

They really were hopeless, they have big problems. Hopefully they appoint an experienced English lower league manager and sort themselves out.