Team for Brum

[Harry's Game]

The draw has not been kind to Selles, could have done with confidence builder against a league 1 or 2 side, instead he gets this against a heavily backed side and a manager known for playing strong sides in cup games.

I’d like us to play a strong side but we really can’t afford to with our lack of depth. One to get out of the way and concentrate on Swansea.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Wouldn't be shocked if we play a strong side. We only have three league games, with no midweeks, until a international break!

 

[Harry's Game]

Wouldn't be shocked if we play a strong side. We only have three league games, with no midweeks, until a international break!

I’d like to see a strong side but imagine the stick the manager would get if we lost Cooper or O’Hare or Campbell to an injury in this game?

 

[Bergen Blade]

Completely the wrong approach and a waste of a game imho. Pick the best team and get them working together effectively pending the arrival of reinforcements. What de we possibly gain by “resting” people after one match ffs.

I like the combination of "imho" and "ffs"

I think Selles has many things he would like to put right on the training pitch this week. He may be thinking that a new game (for pretty much the same XI) can be the best form of training and therefore the Brum game can actually be helpful.

If, like many more managers, he feels the midweek cup game will be a mental and physical distraction for the vital Saturday league game, he may opt for a changed team. The OP was about his selection if that is what he goes for.

Wilder is one of the managers who did this. Last season a changed line up beat Wrexham in the first league cup round. At the weekend a rested and fresh first XI were 2-0 up after 15 minutes vs QPR. They later blew it, against ten men even, as QPR equalised at the end.

In the next round he also changed it, with us losing to Barnsley. The first eleven beat Watford a few days later. I reckon Wilder was reasonably happy with his decision.

The advantage of changing the line up is that the coaching can work all week on preparing and drilling the first team for Swansea. They can watch video of Swansea's first game, prepare for their attacking set pieces, prepare our own set pieces, drill the back four, work on our attacking combinations, movement, passing patterns, our weaknesses in transition, all the time with the Swansea game in mind, Monday to Friday. Obviously some will have to go to Brum and be subs.

If we're treating the Brum game like a league fixture the week may look like this:

Monday: Debrief from Bristol City, preparing for Brum
Tuesday: Preparing for Brum. Finding out noone's signing this week.
Wednesday: Travel and Brum game. Travel back.
Thursdag: Rest, debrief after Brum. Starting light preparation for Swansea. Deciding who will replace the injured Campbell and Hamer.
Friday: Light session before 5 hours on the bus to Wales
Saturday: VITAL clash against Swansea

Ok, so a bit ott there, but there is a difference which explains why some managers do make a lot of changes for the cup games.

 

[Harry's Game]

If we're treating the Brum game like a league fixture the week may look like this:

Monday: Debrief from Bristol City, preparing for Brum
Tuesday: Preparing for Brum. Finding out noone's signing this week.
Wednesday: Travel and Brum game. Travel back.
Thursdag: Rest, debrief after Brum. Starting light preparation for Swansea. Deciding who will replace the injured Campbell and Hamer.
Friday: Light session before 5 hours on the bus to Wales
Saturday: VITAL clash against Swansea

Ok, so a bit ott there, but there is a difference which explains why some managers do make a lot of changes for the cup games.

Weerz “Shin pad Thursday”?

 

[Ginger Gnome]

Whoever is planned to play at the back at the weekend should be playing in this one. Soumare rather than Hamer in midfield to see how he fits in and test his fitness, maybe Cannon or One through the middle rather than Campbell and Ukaki might as well start on the right (maybe even keep Brooks in but swap sides to save Barry from a kicking). Basically most of the first team with a little bit of opportunity for others/protecting players. Use either the experienced or inexperienced subs based on how the game is going.

 

[dexter101]

Cooper
Curtis Sasnauskas JLT Burrows
O hare Peck Caceres
Ukaki - - - - Campbell - - - - Barry

I think we use this as a game to get some minutes as well as provide rotation. for a couple.

Barry was very open when he joined his fitness wasn't 100% match fit, so giving him minutes is important. Likewise with Robbo, if he isn't quite match fit, this is a good game to get some minutes in.

Soumare to come on early second half if he hasn't played any games, he needs easing in.

Hamer has always had fitness concerns so probably does need protecting, Curtis seemed to get stuck in during preseason so might add a bit of bite to a bit of a light weight Defence.

I enjoy cup games, but starting so early in the season, this to me is an extension of preseason. Ukaki and Caceres I think both need to get some game time to let them show what they are about.

 

[Frank the tank]

He was asked by someone I was sat with, post match outside the hotel, why he didn't come on. He said not ready yet.

I think Selles has since confirmed that he didn't have any pre season games with Braga.

Yet another fucking signing with no pre season.
Suppose if we do bring in more reinforcements they will be the same
We never learn

 

[loyalblade95]

Birmingham won't put a full strength side out and neither will we.

If Robbo hasn't left for Wrexham, swap Bindon for him.

If Soumare is ready, give him 45 minutes in 1st half, if not Peck will have to play there again, and maybe look to get Soumare some minutes off the bench instead.

---------------------Davies
Seriki-Sasauskas-Bindon-McCallum
-------O'Hare---Soumare---Caceres
Ukaki---------------Cannon--------------Oné

It's a young defence, but hopefully the experienced Davies can help organise them when needed, plus Seriki and McCallum have probably got 100+ games between them.

Gives Sasnauskas a chance to try and nail down a spot, even if it's just 4th choice CB.

 

[Pintor75]

If we've concerns about Coopers knee I wouldn't risk him, I'd go
Davies
Seriki , Bindon, Sasnauskas, McCallum
Brooks, Soumare, Peck,
Ukaki, Cannon, Barry,

Depends whether the owners value a cup run though I guess

 

[Railway Blade]

Hamer has always had fitness concerns so probably does need protecting, Curtis seemed to get stuck in during preseason so might add a bit of bite to a bit of a light weight Defence.

For the very same reason I would not play Campbell in this game. He has recurring back issues and I think therefore also need protecting/easing into the season.

 

[dexter101]

Yet another fucking signing with no pre season.
Suppose if we do bring in more reinforcements they will be the same
We never learn

I think Soumare situation is more down to red tape than anything else.

Anyone else we buy (as long as they aren't crocked or Isak from Newcastle...) should have had some form of pre season, in the same way Moore and Anel did when we sold them.

 

[MiserableBlader]

Ukaki sparked my interest during pre-season, I hope he gets a chance this week

Surprising isn't it.
One of the few attacking players who is played in his correct position and he is one that impresses.
(regardless of opposition eg Nice !!!!)
I wonder why?
That being said.
Our AI experts have him on the web site (when I looked) as a DEFENDER - presumably as a wing back where he would be a disaster - unless we spent the ninety attacking some none league outfit.
(He does not pick up, he is too small to be in our box defending the far post.)

 

[Stretch]

I am probably in a minority, but I would put out most of the same team and only rest a few. There is less pressure on this match and I would hope they would want to make amends for that 2nd half on Saturday


------------------------Davies--------------------------
Seriki--------Bindon--------JLT--------McCallum
----------------Peck----------Hamer-----------------
------------------------O'Hare--------------------------
---------Brooks--------------------Barrie------------
-----------------------Cannon-------------------------

Subs:
Cooper
Burrows
Polendakov
Sasnauskas
Soumare
Caceras
Ukaki
One
Campbell

 

[MiserableBlader]

Not sure we have much to gain from playing a first XI. If we're resting players for Swansea, it may be something like:

Davies
Polendakov Sasnauskas RND McCallum
Caceres Soumare Marsh
Ukaki - - - - Cannon - - - - One​

You like Selles no doubt, learned NOTHING on Saturday and are doomed to destroy the season.
You CANNOT play two number 10's in a midfield 3 and not be destroyed whenever the other team attack.
We CANNOT play 4 3 3 with our current players.
I said weeks before the start
'are you willing to lose by three to Bristol and 5 or 6 at Brum' on here so search for it.
WHO will want to sign for a team already looking doomed, with (another) imbecile manager and rogue asset stripping owners looking to fire sale more players?
DESPERATE players that's who.
Not good ones.

People saying this does not matter.
IT IS A TOP COMPETITION FFS
We are PROFESSIONALS, competitors not Sunday morning pissheads out for a pint away from the wife and kids

 

[dexter101]

You like Selles no doubt, learned NOTHING on Saturday and are doomed to destroy the season.
You CANNOT play two number 10's in a midfield 3 and not be destroyed whenever the other team attack.
We CANNOT play 4 3 3 with our current players.
I said weeks before the start
'are you willing to lose by three to Bristol and 5 or 6 at Brum' on here so search for it.
WHO will want to sign for a team already looking doomed, with (another) imbecile manager and rogue asset stripping owners looking to fire sale more players?
DESPERATE players that's who.
Not good ones.

People saying this does not matter.
IT IS A TOP COMPETITION FFS
We are PROFESSIONALS, competitors not Sunday morning pissheads out for a pint away from the wife and kids

Do you ever have a good day?

I don't disagree with some of your points but you lost me at "doomed"



As it stands, we don't have any other match fit CMs. so its a question on whether we adapt to fit who is there or we stick with who we have and the structure and see if we can see progress. We played the same team roughly in preseason and won, first half on Saturday we created enough chances to win the game.

At this point, I want to see a style of play and a structure which gives us something to build on. I think there is the makings of that, just need a few additions/for players to be match fit.

 

[Willmark]

Not sure we have much to gain from playing a first XI. If we're resting players for Swansea, it may be something like:

Davies
Polendakov Sasnauskas RND McCallum
Caceres Soumare Marsh
Ukaki - - - - Cannon - - - - One​

Will need more than that in midfield...
Peck and hamer should play (alongside Soumare)
Seriki also...and maybe JLT for RND as I can't see him starting after Saturday.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

If a dog shits on the pavement, you have to rub their nose in it…Play the same team.

You can’t bollock the team on the pitch…Then let them hang for a week. Give em a chance to put things right.

 

[Black Cloud]

We should play a strong side and go for the win….another heavy defeat and the shoes will off…if RND plays then I may join the protest….
Have they used AI on the current squad; if so then [RND] would have been nowhere near the squad let alone the team