For the trip to Southend

With the squad we have fit and available what would you try different for a tough trip to Southend. Potts and Cavare are ready for a rest to get their form back so I would like to try 352 see if it can work.

Davies

Pinnock Jackson Lyndsay

J Williams Moncur Fryers Mowatt B Williams

Moore Woodrow.

I know we tried this formation.against Villa and it didn't work but we are not playing in that league this year so may be it will now.

The wing backs could change with Cavare Pinnilos Hedges Potts Brown all potentially could give it a go.

What would you try differently? I thought at times at Sunderland we were superb to watch and for a dubious penalty and lack of concentration straight after we were by far the better team so definitely no need to panic

 

Davies

J Williams Pinnock Lindsay Fryers

McGeehan

Potts Mowatt

Moncur

Moore Woodrow

That would do me, a slight variation in formation (diamond shape) as we haven't got any fit, in form wide men, but still strong enough to win the game.

 

To be fair we only gave it a go for the 1st half hour at villa park against one of the best sides in the division who reached the play off final then we decided to switch at half-time mcgheen instead of fryers in the middle and can't see why not to give it a go. Could even have cavare as a wing back I think he is decent at going forward.

 

I thought I was high. Then I read this.

 

I blame football manager, we can all take Chesterfield to European glory with a few clicks of a mouse, etc.

 

I’d try 4 4 2 with Potts on the wing

 

I'd play the kids and give them more game time, they may be needed as we have this tough run of games to the transfer window.

 

Stick to 442, perhaps give Potts a rest because he's looked knackered these last two games. Give J Williams a go at RB. Strongly against fielding a weakened team or testing out new formations. I'd go with:

Davies
Williams Pinnock Lindsay Fryers
Thiam Mowatt McGeehan Moncur
Moore Woodrow

 

We owe it to the fans who are paying out for a long round trip to play a competitive side , you do not want a 400 mile round trip to watch a youth team & most of the fans will have already made their arrangements . Also, there are financial reasons to try & progress, we need to put a strong side .

 

And if Moore, Mowatt or Pinnock got a serious injury putting them out for the season for a token cup?

Kids all day every day. the FA cup 2nd round has the appeal of the ZDS

 

How is it a token cup? You shouldn't keep players out the team because of fear of injury. We also have the check-a-trade match on Tuesday, so if we want to give fringe players an opportunity that would be a much better option as it is mid-week and a less meaningful competition. We played a strong team in the previous round so I will be shocked if we play "the kids" on Saturday.

 

This is a proper Cup-Tie as opposed to the Haribo or Chuppa Chup Trophies. There is a potential Money-Spinner for the winners so irrespective of what lies ahead we should be taking this game seriously. I'm sorry but for me its go "full-strength " for this one!

 

The FA Cup is not a "token cup". Often it gives fans summat else to look forward to beyond the league.

Plus if we beat Southend we might land a lucrative tie to boost the coffers.

We should play a full strength side. Whatever that is.

 

Its a token cup and has been so for a decade + with the big teams resting their better players. Every year more teams rest players in it, down to championship and league 1. Its not as token as the other mickey mouse cups, but its certainly just another game now unless you get to play man u reserves or equivalent.

Forgot about the other super token cup. Maybe some kids with cavare then for southend.

 

Disagree, the cup is becoming even more important for some of the premiership teams, as it offers one of the better opportunities to win a trophy for clubs like Man U, Everton, Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal etc. Only last year Wigan reached the quarters after beating a City team with Aguero, D Silva, B Silva, Stones, Laporte, Sane and Fernandinho in it. Try telling them it's a token cup.

 

Our opinions differ, I think the fans get a raw deal & a 400 mile trip deserves a competitive side, yes make a couple of changes but at least try to win .I enjoyed the match against Notts County & the main reason was we put a strong side out resulting in a strong performance. Same again for me

 

Is there a Nando's in Southend? That's where Lloyd will be if so.

 

But to back up my point bigger teams don't put out full strength teams, LaPorte, B Silva, Gundogan, Danilo, Bravo and Delph were squad players last season.

It's a token cup. One for nostalgists hanging on to past greatness. Some of you may disagree, but its a pale imitation of what it was, and give me a choice between risking our better players getting injured in a game we'll likely lose anyway, or keeping them fit for the league, I choose the latter 10 times out of 10.

 

The fans can choose not to travel 400 miles for a token cup. if the priority is the league which it is, this tinpot cup gets watered down even more and is best used for a bit of a practice for the youngsters. be a benefit to ease fixture congestion and hope some of our rivals go further into the competition where they may get an injury or two.