FA Cup - In or Out?

[Number 9]

I'm thinking we need shot of the cup for this season, just focus everything onto getting 40 points asap.

The game against ManC gives us the perfect out game, play the weakened team, battle away for a marginal loss.

No one will be overly distraught at losing to ManC & the first team will have rested their legs ready for a 6 pointer against Bournemouth.

 

[Gaffer]

I agree. This obsession with 'a good cup run' is pointless. Losing in the third round is better than losing in the semis. It should be seen as an opportunity to give game time to players who haven't featured much recently like Ruddy, Whitaker, Mulumbu and Lafferty. 

 

[eatonparkboy]

I imagine ManC will be putting out a different side to yesterdays.

 

[Number 9]

So what team do you play, Alex?

Ruddy?

 

[Gaffer]

How about this?

Ruddy

Toffolo, Wisdom, Bassong/Bennett (45 minutes each),Whittaker

Jarvis, Dorrans, Mulumbu, VOO

Lafferty, Grabban

with Lafferty the out and out striker.

 

[dj161]

wouldn't be surprised to see Jerome play as he hasnt started the last couple of games, just to sharpen him up a little, I'd also expect to see Russ Martin in the center of defence

I'd go with

Ruddy

Whittaker Martin Bennett Olsson

Jarvis Mulumbu Dorrans Vadis

Lafferty Jerome

though I wouldn't be surprised if we played one up top and put an extra man in midfield

 

[morty]

Its on a Saturday, its not like its an extra game midweek, so I see no reason to put out a weakened team.

But I'm biased as I have tickets lol.

 

[Number 9]

The obvious flaw in your plan, gentlemen, if you play Laffers he will do something silly like score a goal or two & we will end up winning the game.

 

[morty]

The obvious flaw in your plan, gentlemen, if you play Laffers he will do something silly like score a goal or two & we will end up winning the game.

I am not so sure we will see him in a City shirt again, to be honest.

 

[eatonparkboy]

Would this be a shop window? A Black Saturday for knock down footballers?

 

[Number 9]

I am not so sure we will see him in a City shirt again, to be honest.

any substance to the rumour about Leeds?

 

[morty]

any substance to the rumour about Leeds?

Rumours on twitter he was at the Leeds game yesterday, but could be rubbish.

 

[Number 9]

Would this be a shop window? A Black Saturday for knock down footballers?

maybe a team full of players to be sold, theres plenty of them, 

 

[morty]

Disagree on the tack most are taking here, winning games is a good habit to get into. Man City may put their reserves out, but I don't think we should.

 

[Bill and ben]

I'd love to see the evidence on whether or not an early exit does mean better results in the later season. 

For me the answer is we give it our best. Sure use the opportunity to try a few things but aim to win must be the watchword.

is a Wembley appearance beyond this team? I don't think so, but it will be if they surrender and then surrendering might become a habit.

 

[Gaffer]

Its on a Saturday, its not like its an extra game midweek, so I see no reason to put out a weakened team.

But I'm biased as I have tickets lol.

It's followed by a midweek game so in reality not many players will feature in all 3 games (Saturday 9, Wednesday 13, Saturday 16) so which game should we choose for resting the players?

 

[Gaffer]

I'd love to see the evidence on whether or not an early exit does mean better results in the later season. 

Birmingham springs to mind. And of course Wigan.

 

[splutcho]

For a number of years, us losing in the cup kick started hideous runs for us. Look up our results before and after being knocked out to Leicester in 2012, Aston Villa in the League cup in the same year, Shrewsbury in 2014 started a run of 2 wins in 11 games in the bloody Championship. Winning breeds confidence. "Concentrating on the league" is a myth. You may point to Birmingham and Wigan, but I'll bet I can show you ten times more teams that went down despite fans and managers bleating they needed to "focus on the league".

 

[Number 9]

You say that, but if Wes is wrapped up warm in the stands, he ain't gonna jump into the photographers pit and get all broken up.

 

[splutcho]

He could fall down the stairs at home, break his neck and never play again. You can't pick teams based on the fact somebody "might" get injured.