Is the FA Cup now our season?

wizard_wes

wizard_wes

Well-known member
Big win that yesterday. 10 clear of Hull who won't pick up more points than we do, 14 clear of Posh and I'd say the same about them and then with Barnsley and Derby gone and your likes of Bristol City, Cardiff and PNE 😉 down there, I'd say we have moved another step closer to safety.

So should that mean a full strength team on Saturday (none of this play Nuttall nonsense) and make this the competition that defines our season. It's about time we had a little adventure in this competition.
 
Still a long way to go and more points to get, if we do end up safe it would actually be nice to have a few games free of pressure for once.

So we can celebrate the season and not worry about anything.

We haven't had that in a while so not all bad at all.

Plus yes the cup is the chance to get a big side.
 
Valid thought. I'd be resting certain players purely to look after them. They're not machines. Marv, Hubby, Kenny, Keshi, Gaz. These have put a massive prolonged shift in. The main problem at Hartlepool will be midfield I think? But Wintle could play, and Connolly. Keogh for Marv. No obvious replacements for Keshi and Gaz. Maybe ...

... Grimmy
...Sterling Keogh Gretarsson
Gabriel Wintle Connolly James?
... Bowler Yates Lavery
 
TANGERINETOWERPOWER said:
Need to play a decent team in this and get the win and in the 4th round draw...I really dont want to get knocked out again by a tinpot outfit.
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I know it’s frustrating when we lose a game we feel we shouldn’t, but by the same token, I don’t see us playing a youth team or anything. We’re still going to have plenty of ‘real’ first team players starting and that should be more than enough to beat Hartlepool.
 
Not interested one bit that's why I'm not going saving myself for Barnsley(if it had been at home I'd have added to the coffers).
It's always been about survival for me,
we've just played 3 games in 6 days the players need a rest use the back up and those coming back from injury/Covid.
 
Survival in the Championship is the number 1 priority.
Give the squad players a run out, they are all good and well capable of dismissing Hartlepool
 
We need to win this game. Players have a week off and then another week after. Hull had a couple weeks off and it didn't do them any favours. PLUS, get a chance of money spinning draw and some money back in the club's coffers during the transfer window would be nice!
With us now having some time off compared to other teams during later season that gives us chance to use these for a nice little cup run.

I'd expect something like

Grimshaw
Gabriel, Keogh, Marv, James
Dougall Connelly
CJ, Dale?, Mitchell
Yates
 
there are players that need a bit of a break, but we can still put out a very strong team whilst giving some players a bit of a rest.

keshi, Madine, husband, kenny i think all need a bit of a break, Marv possibly as well

might be the ideal time to give Jerry and lavery a go up top together. Bowler should be able to play, connoly comes in in midfield, maybe give Antwi a run out as well. wouldnt mind seeing young Apter given some game time to see what he can do.
 
Absolutely non of the first team should play in the FA Cup imo. Staying in the Championship is paramount.

What's the point of having a decent cup run with the first team players and then be relegated because the players are knackered/injured (because of the cup run)
 
Not sure if any of the loan players will be allowed to play - including Dale of course, and I don't know if Gabriel is suspended? We still need 17 points for safety and that's the priority, and we don't know if any of the squad will test positive this week (CF - Middlesbrough). As mentioned, some or all of the bench from yesterday might start, they're certainly good enough. So,
Moore
Connolly, Gretarsson, Husband, Garbutt,
Mitchell, Dougall, Casey, Hamilton,
Yates, Lavery
 
Because of the games we've played our fixture list will be a lot kinder than a few other teams in the New Year.
There are certain players that definitely need a rest, Ekpiteta, Dougall, Madine and Anderson spring to mind. I'd go with something like
Moore
Gabriel Keogh Gretarrsson James
Connolly Antwi
Dale Lavery Yates Hamilton
We are in a very good position to stay up, it would take a 2nd half of the season disaster to go down, we can have a bit of a go in the cup but I wouldn't risk starting our first choice centre midfield players.
 
It depends on who's fit really. If nobody else returns before next weekend and the loan players can't play (bar Dale as he won't won't be going back and Crewe are probably out anyway) then...

Moore
Gabriel Casey Gretarsson Husband
Hamilton Connolly Antwi Dale
Yates Lavery

That should be good enough to get a result.
 
Team aside it looks like unless you're going (which I'm not) it's the usual choice of IPTV or TTV after I take a cyber trip abroad.

Shame as it'll deprive the club's of a few quid.

Edit, can't see it on TTV via any country. ESPN and the usual suspects showing it via international broadcast.
 
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straightatthewall said:
We really can’t afford to play people who need a rest, when there’s also players who need a game.

We have enough in squad to beat Hartlepool with others playing and that’s the right call. If we move forward AND keep picking up points in the league, then throw more at it.
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They get a whole weeks rest!
 
Meliora said:
Not sure if any of the loan players will be allowed to play - including Dale of course, and I don't know if Gabriel is suspended? We still need 17 points for safety and that's the priority, and we don't know if any of the squad will test positive this week (CF - Middlesbrough). As mentioned, some or all of the bench from yesterday might start, they're certainly good enough. So,
Moore
Connolly, Gretarsson, Husband, Garbutt,
Mitchell, Dougall, Casey, Hamilton,
Yates, Lavery
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17 points for safety? 13 tops and possibly more like 10.
 
Wizaard said:
17 points for safety? 13 tops and possibly more like 10.
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13 might do it, but we've both witnessed other teams doing strange things towards the end of the season and us being relegated as a result. I'm looking for a belt and braces 50 points. Also, Crewe are out but they want to cash in and probably don't want Dale cup tied for whoever does buy him if we don't agree the price.
 
I'd absolutely love a good FA cup run but let's not forget we also have plenty else to play for - safety, finishing above the hapless Nobbers and then Blackbuuuurn, an outside shot at a play off position. Bring it on 🏝️ 👍
 
seasidelytham said:
No way should Grimshaw be risked…especially whilst Maxwell is no where near a return. Happy for Moore to get a game and keep him involved.
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Think you have to play Grimshaw. He has only played about 10 games of first team football….. great saves yesterday but he has plenty to work on. Commanding a box against lower league teams who will play direct n set pieces will be valuable practice.
 
Wizaard said:
17 points for safety? 13 tops and possibly more like 10.
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Really…I was around when we went down thinking we had enough points and ended up in Div 3 where we struggled to get out…stupid post…
Thought you were better than that Wiz.
 
I’m confident that 48 points will be enough this season,

No need to compare it to the relegation of 1978.
Just like folk were twitchy playing Oxford with a 3-0 lead.
Mentioning Bradford memories.
 
Pelada said:
John Jules should not be anywhere bear the team ever again! I'm not sure why he is still here tbh.
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Yes I know but he is. So give him a run out. If he can’t hack it against Hartlepool then it tells you something about him.
 
bleach51 said:
Really…I was around when we went down thinking we had enough points and ended up in Div 3 where we struggled to get out…stupid post…
Thought you were better than that Wiz.
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I don't disagree with you historically, but the form of the teams at the bottom, points deductions and recent Championship tables points to mid 40s being enough. We'll have plenty more than that.
 
At the end of the day they are professional footballers who train every day so there is concern over their fitness levels, especially as they have a full weeks rest
gjr69 said:
Because of the games we've played our fixture list will be a lot kinder than a few other teams in the New Year.
There are certain players that definitely need a rest, Ekpiteta, Dougall, Madine and Anderson spring to mind. I'd go with something like
Moore
Gabriel Keogh Gretarrsson James
Connolly Antwi
Dale Lavery Yates Hamilton
We are in a very good position to stay up, it would take a 2nd half of the season disaster to go down, we can have a bit of a go in the cup but I wouldn't risk starting our first choice centre midfield players.
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I don’t really go along with this players needing a rest, after all they are professional athletes who train almost everyday, get the best medical treatment, proper diets etc and if they can’t play a couple of games a week then that is a sad indictment.
They will have had a full weeks rest before they go to Hartlepool so all available players should be up for it, and as such play the strongest team. Imagine drawing a massive club in the next round; every single player would want to be involved.
If fitness was an issue then why don’t they rest players between Saturday and a mid week game?
Because they want to win and they are fit enough.
 
Eternaloptimist said:
At the end of the day they are professional footballers who train every day so there is concern over their fitness levels, especially as they have a full weeks rest

I don’t really go along with this players needing a rest, after all they are professional athletes who train almost everyday, get the best medical treatment, proper diets etc and if they can’t play a couple of games a week then that is a sad indictment.
They will have had a full weeks rest before they go to Hartlepool so all available players should be up for it, and as such play the strongest team. Imagine drawing a massive club in the next round; every single player would want to be involved.
If fitness was an issue then why don’t they rest players between Saturday and a mid week game?
Because they want to win and they are fit enough.
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I agree, but the problem we have is a massive shortage of fit central midfield players. Do we want to expose Dougall(don't know if Wintle is available) to the risk of getting injured? So some changes have to be made.
Maybe we go with 9 of our first choice players and limit the changes to central midfield.
 
Mix of players that need minutes and first teamers:

Grimmy
Sterling
Grettarson
Casey
James (if fit)
CJ
Dougall
Antwi
Mitchell
Lavery
Yates

Moore, Husband, Marv, Apter, Bowler, Madine, TJJ
 
Normally I’d say play the strongest team, but when there’s fringe players like Moore and CJ who could easily be 1st teamers, and a couple of youth players needing a chance to impress, it will be nice to see a mixture of regulars and other squad players. The 3 games in a week will be the deciding factor.
 
We don't have any midweek games the whole of January and so, for me, we have to go full strength and forget this idea about 'giving players a chance'.
 
TANGERINETOWERPOWER said:
Need to play a decent team in this and get the win and in the 4th round draw...I really dont want to get knocked out again by a tinpot outfit.
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I'd hardly call us tin pot we average 5200 despite being 15th in league 2 and regularly take 1000 to away games, if the boot was on the other foot and we were coming to your place we would of taken between 2000 and 3000. So I presume you have sold out your 1600 tickets or does no one care in Blackpool about the fa cup?
 
We care deeply about the FA Cup, but the logistics of getting from Blackpool to Hartlepool for a 12:30 kick off are not pleasant. I'm sure you would bring lots of fans if the game was at Blackpool ,but there again, and I don't wish to condescend, there's a lot more going on in Blackpool than in Hartlepool, even in January.
 
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