So it rolls around again. The time for us to take this lightly and get knocked out by lower league opposition... But strangely I have a sense of optimism about this competition this season - maybe it's our promising start to the season, or maybe it's that we finally have some strength in depth that will allow us to rotate without necessarily putting out a 'weaker' team. Silva has already commented that is likely that more first choice players will play than might be expected. On that basis, I'm expecting something like... Gomes Femenia Kabasele Prodl Holebas Doucoure Chalobah Hughes Capoue Cleverley Deeney If he swaps it around a bit more than expected, I could see Watson playing and maybe Sinclair. Plus you can make a case for him picking any of our 3 strikers at the moment...
Article on the Wobby suggests he wants to keep the winning side together as much as possible but will make changes based on fitness if required.
Also just had a look at the side Silva used in the FA Cup against Fulham in January. A full strength team, albeit it was a weekend fixture and Hull did lose, but Silva fields a team to win these sorts of matches.
If we are lucky enough to get through you'd better set your alarms early to watch the draw for the next round! http://m.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk...sday-morning/story-30490043-detail/story.html
Rest the players that are likely to go away on international duty (Prodl, Chalobah), we don't have cover for (Holebas) or are too important to get clobbered by some Championship reserve player (Doucoure, Richarlison, Amrabat ), everyone else can play. See if there's any value in Gray playing wide right in Silva's formation. Brizzle City have a televised Friday night game at home to Villa so guessing that they might make quite a few changes too. Gomes Femenia Kabasele Britos Djedje Capoue Watson Gray Hughes Success Deeney
Think our strength in depth is much better and gives guys on the bench like hughes and capoue decent 90 minutes game time. Plus getting Troy out is useful, even if he does decide to leave. Can see 3-4 changes. SLB - like that but maybe a few too many changes?
That draw news is absolutely ridiculous! Anyway my team for tomorrow (assuming resting a few of players) would probably be: Pantillimon, Femenia/Maps, Kabasele, Britos, Mason, Watson Capoue Amrabat Hughes Success Okaka/Deeney Bench: Gomes, Mariappa, Prodl, Doucoure, Gray, Okaka/Deeney, Richarlison. Does anyone know if Cathcart is injured?
Beaten by (rubbish this season) Birmingham with two poor draws to follow (Brentford and Millwall) City are certainly not looking the force I expected them to be after their opening day win and Silva can change who he likes we will still beat them.
I expect not many changes. Probably Hughes and Capoue, maybe Pants. Mason to get 30 minutes if we're looking comfortable, and Deeney to get 20.
Bachman Djedje Kabasele Mapps Mason Capoue Watson Hughes Okaka Deeney Success Give our starters a rest & remove the risk of injury to any of them, yet still a strong side (man, we've got a good squad these days). I reckon Silva won't do this, but i would. If Pants is offski, might as well give Bachman a game. However I'd play Pants if he's staying.
Seems like a ridiculous time for the draw. At least less people will watch them completely balls it up again Id play a completely different 11 to the bournemouth match Bachman Djedje, Cathcart (or mapps), Kabasele, Mason Watson, Capoue Success, Hughes, Sinclair Deeney
Wonder what ticket sales are like? Looks like you can pretty much sit anywhere in the Rookery at the moment.
Probably Dja Djedje's last chance to impress and get in the 25 man squad Sent from my G3311 using Tapatalk
This Carabao Cup can piss off, draw for the next round is being held at 4.25AM as the draw is taking place in Beijing...
Spot on on all counts as usual Steve, apart from the amrabat bit natch. Though I wouldnt mind if okaka started over deeney and we swapped the keeper either. Like you I would definitely start Gray. A goal would do him the world of good.
3 points against Brighton more important to me. I think this team would have more than enough about it to get a result tomorrow. Bachmann Djedje, Kabasele, Mapps, Mason Capoue Watson Success Hughes Zarate (if fit)/Sinclair/Pereira Deeney Bench: Pants Eleftheriou, Rowan, Cleverly, Zarate/Sinclair/Pereira, Okaka,
Sinclair has had his chance in my opinion and needs new pastures. Perhaps one more chance to impress or show glimmers of talent if we are 2+ more up with 10 minutes left.
I doubt that Karate is fit but other than Pants for Bachmann that would be my team and sentiments too.
Yeah I only put Zarate in because they said last week he is back in full training and it is now up to Silva to give him minutes. Thought this would be the perfect game for him to do that, hopefully he will be on the bench. I would have gone with Pants but it seems like we want rid. So my thinking was, what's the point in playing a player you want rid of and could get injured if you do play him. However your probably right on both counts. I would like to see Pereira given a start if not Zarate. Did you see his goal in the u23's last week against Leeds?
On their forum and they all seem to think they will play a weakened side and keep their better players for Friday against Villa. I have no idea of any of the names they mention in their first team (no offence meant) and certainly none from their fringes.
If no one else can be bothered with this cup. Id rather win it and come 14th than forget the cups and come 8th. Shut that lot up the road up once and for all.
Points taken re Pants and Zarate.It would be excellent if he could make his comeback but possibly a week or two too soon? No I haven't seen the goal but again a good opportunity for Pereira to have some minutes,if only we could play 27 players! Of the Bristol players I recognise Flint,who I believe Villa are interested in and Tomlin is there too I think?
Cup tied I think as he played for Poor Old* in the previous round. *My Grandfather supported Fulham and always referred to the as 'Poor old Fulham'.
Yeah you could be right, maybe too soon for him. Haha yeah I know, would be a good run out for our youngsters. Pereira's goal is the second goal. https://mobile.twitter.com/WatfordFC/status/897525826840690689/video/1
Three points more important than winning the first trophy in the entire 136-year history of our club? Huh?
3 points are probably more important than reaching the next round of a competition that we stand very little chance of actually winning....is the point some are making I think. Not that it wouldn't be great to win it.
But if we have no chance in winning this cup, we certainly have no chance in winning the FA Cup. We aren't winning the league. Is there anything we can win?
