Hope the majority of first team players are given a well earned rest. Utilise our squad v Crewe please Mr Struber- Collins Cavare Sibbick Diaby B. Williams Green Dougall Styles Bahre Simoes/Mcgeehan Schmidt
I think they’ll be a few of the regulars in there, I wouldn’t play Dimi if he’s going either I’d go with Williams. I reckon Woodrow and Mowatt will be in the starting 11.
Its a tough call whether to stick or twist with cup. Personally id play some youth and give some of the first team a rest. Especially if we win tonight...
NO pick your best team. They’re bloody athletes for Christ sake. All those that are going to watch em deserve to see a side that can win. Carlisle was a disaster. Rest 1 or 2. At the best. Collins is a good shout cos I prefer him anyway.
While I get your sentiment, I strongly disagree. The cup is a needless distraction. Look at promotion last year - I'm pretty sure the EFL trophy messed up promotion for Sunderland and Pompey. The main focus this season is staying up. not a 3rd round tie against Crewe. All it takes is a couple of silly injuries to our first team players and were screwed. Those going to watch, should go knowing that whoever is playing will be representing us and doing their best to win. They should also know that the league is a priority and not expect a first XI team sheet.
Something along these lines for me. Drop in players that regularly make the bench but not the starting eleven. No point playing anyone we plan to offload.
Think the players would disagree. Was always THE top cup competition in the world. Until the premier league elite treat it as a non discript competition. If they get to the quarter finals then watch the attitude change. They have second team (so to speak) players that would give championship clubs a game. I too understand your sentiment. But having travelled to games where this type of thing happens. It generally ends in embarrassment. As for injuries clubs have been using that as an excuse for probably 20/30 yrs. the first time I can remember us doing it was under Bassett. Tranmere away. What an absolute joke of a performance that was. I will be going by the way. ( health providing. stopped me going to Derby ) . We may disagree but believe me I’ve given the thought same as you at times. But do you honestly believe we would make multiple changes if we’d drawn a top premiership side. Because our players are tired or may pick up knocks. And that leads me to my thoughts.
No I agree we’d probably play a full XI if Liverpool were rocking up. I just think the effort going into making the 4th/5th round is a waste of team resources when the only thing that matters to us this season really is finishing 4th bottom. Anything else just feels like a needless distraction. All opinions tho isn’t it
Even more so with Woodrow missing tonight. He's been cleaning his boots . Get em on nar lad n smash one in ponty end
We got promoted and got the EFL trophy. That excuse doesn't wash to me. If we're going down anyway I d rather have a good cup run.