FA Cup...Team v Fleetwood

[ElectroClaret]

___________________BPF__________________
Roberts____Al-Dakhil____Taylor____Vitinho
______Brownhill_____Cork_____Cullen_____
__________Foster__________Zaroury________
_________________Obafemi________________

Plus the usual strong bench if things are going south.

[RVclaret]

Cork is suspended so cannot play.

BPF
Vitinho
Al-Dakhil
Beyer
Taylor
Bastien
Brownhill
Obafemi
Twine
Churlinov
Foster

4-2-3-1 with Twine a left sided 8/10 and Obafemi inside right close to Foster, Vitinho high and wide, Churlinov (if fit) wide left.

[jrgbfc]

Strong as possible, don't see any reason to rest players with promotion in the bag. Maybe Cork in for Cullen or Brownhill given the amount of football they've played.

[claretspice]

Yeah strong as possible and if needs be rest on or two for Blackpool. This opportunity to have a tilt at the cup comes around rarely.

There might be one or two who benefit from a breather but I'd hope any changes are purely owing to condition, rather than resting players. Treat it like a league game.

[ElectroClaret]

Cork is suspended so cannot play.

Forgot about Cork's suspension.
Bastien in then.

[HiThere]

Strong as possible, don't see any reason to rest players with promotion in the bag. Maybe Cork in for Cullen or Brownhill given the amount of football they've played.

It won't be as strong as possible because he'll no doubt be loyal to players who have played most/all cup games, such as BPF.

[RVclaret]

It won't be as strong as possible because he'll no doubt be loyal to players who have played most/all cup games, such as BPF.

Yup and players like Al-Dakhil and Twine unlucky not to have started yesterday, for example. Add in there a couple of goals for Obafemi and I expect some changes for this. It’s Fleetwood at home, if it was Man United then fair enough.

[claretspice]

Forgot about Cork's suspension.
Bastien in then.

With that suspension in mind I was a bit surprised that Cullen played 90 yesterday. I'm hoping he starts in the week because at the moment he's playing so well and he knits our play together.

[Lancasterclaret]

I don't think Fleetwood have lost for five? six? and I don't think they have conceded many goals in that run

Got to echo Spice here, we have a chance of an FA Cup Quarter Final and the league is done

Maybe some rotation, but I think Cullen and Brownhill have to play

[Guller Bull]

Anyone any idea how many tickets sold and how many Fleetwood have sold?

Sorry I know it's not team guessing.

[ElectroClaret]

With that suspension in mind I was a bit surprised that Cullen played 90 yesterday. I'm hoping he starts in the week because at the moment he's playing so well and he knits our play together.

Yes, couldn't agree more. The engine room. He's a fit lad, he'll cope.

[jrgbfc]

How is Cork suspended?

[RVclaret]

How is Cork suspended?

Booked in both Ipswich games

[HiThere]

Yup and players like Al-Dakhil and Twine unlucky not to have started yesterday, for example. Add in there a couple of goals for Obafemi and I expect some changes for this. It’s Fleetwood at home, if it was Man United then fair enough.

And the title isn't done yet, so he'll still be thinking of the league.

[CoolClaret]

Lads, it’s Fleetwood

———————-BPF
Vitinho-Ekdal-Beyer-Taylor
——-Brownhill-Bastien
Obafemi——Twine—-Churlinov
——————Foster


Pairing Brownhill with Bastien might get the most out of him (Bastien that is)

Ekdal and Beyer still a new partnership and could well be our main two next season

Well earned rest for Cullen and the other lads deserve a chance

[CrosspoolClarets]

It won't be as strong as possible because he'll no doubt be loyal to players who have played most/all cup games, such as BPF.

Agree, but that isn’t his job, which is to win.

A Dyche-esque cup throwaway would be a real blot on this season’s copybook and it would be a terrible waste. I really hope he focuses on the win and changes few players but in truth the QF is the one this post is really aimed at. For this round, maybe avoid Bastien who I’m not convinced by, the rest of the main squad should be fine.

[KlyBfc]

Lads, it’s Fleetwood

———————-BPF
Vitinho-Ekdal-Beyer-Taylor
——-Brownhill-Bastien
Obafemi——Twine—-Churlinov
——————Foster


Pairing Brownhill with Bastien might get the most out of him (Bastien that is)

Ekdal and Beyer still a new partnership and could well be our main two next season

Well earned rest for Cullen and the other lads deserve a chance

This would be mine except I’d play Al Dakhil instead of ekdal for this one.

The squad players need and deserve minutes and this isn’t anything like rotating a team under Dyche.

[RVclaret]

Lads, it’s Fleetwood

———————-BPF
Vitinho-Ekdal-Beyer-Taylor
——-Brownhill-Bastien
Obafemi——Twine—-Churlinov
——————Foster


Pairing Brownhill with Bastien might get the most out of him (Bastien that is)

Ekdal and Beyer still a new partnership and could well be our main two next season

Well earned rest for Cullen and the other lads deserve a chance

Well said, although Al-Dakhil for Ekdal.

[HiThere]

Agree, but that isn’t his job, which is to win.

A Dyche-esque cup throwaway would be a real blot on this season’s copybook and it would be a terrible waste. I really hope he focuses on the win and changes few players but in truth the QF is the one this post is really aimed at. For this round, maybe avoid Bastien who I’m not convinced by, the rest of the main squad should be fine.

Part of his job is to look after player morale. Playing a keeper for instance through the cup run and then dropping him in the latter stages isn't exactly doing that. I'm pretty confident VK will stick with most players on the fringes that he's been playing.

[claretspice]

Lads, it’s Fleetwood

So win the game then make your changes.

[RVclaret]

So win the game then make your changes.

The team we’ve suggested would probably finish top 6 in the Championship, let alone bottom half of League One, it’s not like we are suggesting no hopers to start.

Blackpool on Saturday needs to be 3 points as we push for the title and they don’t play midweek, Wednesday - Saturday turnaround for us and this is after 3 consecutive double game weeks already.

[jedi_master]

BPF
Vitinho Al-Dakhil Beyer Taylor
Bastien Cork
Churlinov(fit?) Obafemi Twine
Foster

[HiThere]

The team we’ve suggested would probably finish top 6 in the Championship, let alone bottom half of League One, it’s not like we are suggesting no hopers to start.

Blackpool on Saturday needs to be 3 points as we push for the title and they don’t play midweek, Wednesday - Saturday turnaround for us and this is after 3 consecutive double game weeks already.

Yup. We are 9 points clear of SU if they win their game in hand. That is not game over.

[AGENT_CLARET]

———————----------BPF

------Roberts----Ekdal----Beyer----Taylor

——------Brownhill------------Bastien

Gudmundsson ——Twine—-Churlinov

—————-------—obafemi

[AGENT_CLARET]

Anyone any idea how many tickets sold and how many Fleetwood have sold?

Sorry I know it's not team guessing.

Just over 1k

[jedi_master]

BPF
Vitinho Al-Dakhil Beyer Taylor
Bastien Cork
Churlinov(fit?) Obafemi Twine
Foster

Hadn’t realised Cork was suspended - I’d play Brownhill in his place.

[jrgbfc]

The games I've seen Bastien play we haven't been able to get a grip of the midfield at all. I'd start with Cullen and Brownhill and then hopefully give them a rest when the game's won.
For all those saying it's only Fleetwood Ipswich gave us much tougher games than plenty of sides in the Championship have done.

[Guller Bull]

Just over 1k

It's a bit surprising they haven't sold more, I thought they would have been all over this game!

[spt_claret]

Cork is suspended so cannot play.

BPF
Vitinho
Al-Dakhil
Beyer
Taylor
Bastien
Brownhill
Obafemi
Twine
Churlinov
Foster

4-2-3-1 with Twine a left sided 8/10 and Obafemi inside right close to Foster, Vitinho high and wide, Churlinov (if fit) wide left.

Exactly the team I'd field (except I forgot Cork was suspended so had him over Brownhill)

Should still be strong enough to win, gives squad players good time to impress and we have a fantastic bench to quickly change things if it's not going as planned.

[Guller Bull]

No idea how far Benson and Jay are away from a return? Any chance either of them might get a showing from the bench?

[CoolClaret]

This would be mine except I’d play Al Dakhil instead of ekdal for this one.

The squad players need and deserve minutes and this isn’t anything like rotating a team under Dyche.

Well said, although Al-Dakhil for Ekdal.

Yeah wouldn’t begrudge playing Al-Dakhil either

- Regardless, I think we’ve got enough their to get the job done

[RVclaret]

No idea how far Benson and Jay are away from a return? Any chance either of them might get a showing from the bench?

Apparently Benson was on the pitch at FT but was limping? Did anyone else see this?

Would suggest he's had a set back if so...

[jedi_master]

Apparently Benson was on the pitch at FT but was limping? Did anyone else see this?

Would suggest he's had a set back if so...

Benny was on the pitch at the end (as was THB, who was in club attire) dressed in chino’s and a gigantic Moncler green bomber jacket. I draw attention to that purely as it made me think he was perhaps not in training yet and THB was? Could be miles off though.

He wasn’t limping though, just walking and chatting with Anass across the pitch.

[AGENT_CLARET]

It's a bit surprising they haven't sold more, I thought they would have been all over this game!

Fleetwood average home attendance 3.3k

Average away league attendance is 186 that's not a mistake I haven't missed a 0 off the end

Their biggest away following just under 800 in the fa cup against sheff we'd in the last round

[FCBurnley]

Just leave it to VK. He seems ok at this management malarkey !

[Devils_Advocate]

Goals: BFP
Defence: Vitinho, Al-Dakhil, Taylor plus one from Roberts, Ekdal or Beyer
Midfield: Cullen and Brownhill behind Twine
Forwars: Zaroury, Benson and Obafemi

I reckon it might look something like this

___________________BPF__________________
Vitinho____Al-Dakhil____Beyer_________Taylor
___________Cullen_______Brownhill________
_________________Twine__________________
Obafemi__________Foster__________Zaroury

[CoolClaret]

The team we’ve suggested would probably finish top 6 in the Championship, let alone bottom half of League One, it’s not like we are suggesting no hopers to start.

Blackpool on Saturday needs to be 3 points as we push for the title and they don’t play midweek, Wednesday - Saturday turnaround for us and this is after 3 consecutive double game weeks already.

& we owe Blackpool a good hiding after the home draw early in the season

[claretspice]

The team we’ve suggested would probably finish top 6 in the Championship, let alone bottom half of League One, it’s not like we are suggesting no hopers to start.

Blackpool on Saturday needs to be 3 points as we push for the title and they don’t play midweek, Wednesday - Saturday turnaround for us and this is after 3 consecutive double game weeks already.

Noone is suggesting you are proposing no hopers. But the argument "these are good players, it'll be fine" hasn't exactly been borne out in all the years of cup football - even this season we've seen in various cup ties the challenges presented by making wholesale changes.

For me, the cup is important. I don't think there is a choice between winning the league and giving the cup our full focus, because we're so far ahead and such a good team/squad - and the lead means we don't "need" to win at Blackpool (good though it'd be). But if there is such a choice, I'd take a Wembley trip ahead of winning the league. Personally. I've seen Burnley do most things but not seen them in a cup final, and we may eell never have a better chance to give the quarter finals at least our focus.

[Dyched]

Bar the 2 Manchester clubs, I’d fancy our chances against the rest, especially at home.

[taio]

Noone is suggesting you are proposing no hopers. But the argument "these are good players, it'll be fine" hasn't exactly been borne out in all the years of cup football - even this season we've seen in various cup ties the challenges presented by making wholesale changes.

For me, the cup is important. I don't think there is a choice between winning the league and giving the cup our full focus, because we're so far ahead and such a good team/squad - and the lead means we don't "need" to win at Blackpool (good though it'd be). But if there is such a choice, I'd take a Wembley trip ahead of winning the league. Personally. I've seen Burnley do most things but not seen them in a cup final, and we may eell never have a better chance to give the quarter finals at least our focus.

Fully agree and I hope we go full strength or near full strength, but I guess VK will make some tweaks, such as BPF starting. Huge opportunity.

[Hurstwood_Claret]

Strong as possible, no reason not to

Muric


robberts
Ekdal
Beyer
Taylor

Brownhill
Cullen

Twine

Zaroury
Obafemi (Barnes cant play 3 games in a week)
Tella


Subs
BPF
Al- Dakhil
Bastien
Churnlinov (If Fit)
Vitinho
Foster
Barnes

[Boss Hogg]

As strong as possible for me. The cup is important. I’d love a trip to Wembley.

[tiger76]

The league is in the bag so let's give the cup a right go, beat Fleetwood then get a favourable draw in the quarters who knows how far we could advance.

The only ones certain not to be involved are the injured players and Cork with his suspension.

Cullen has to play, and I'd be tempted to give Obafemi the nod up top, he's scored a couple now in his sub appearances, and if he's considered match fit then it would allow Barnes a night off after his recent heavy schedule.

Really whoever we select should see off Fleetwood, however they are on a good run under Scott Brown, and Ipswich proved tricky opponents.

We're unlikely to be presented with such a golden opportunity for an extended cup run for many years so we do need to take this tie seriously.

[claretspice]

Fully agree and I hope we go full strength or near full strength, but I guess VK will make some tweaks, such as BPF starting. Huge opportunity.

As I say - if the odd player needs a breather cos he's not going to be at his best, that's one thing. And I can just about see the point about keepers. But I hope VK doesn't make changes with an eye on Blackpool beyond what he might make for a league game.

[taio]

As I say - if the odd player needs a breather cos he's not going to be at his best, that's one thing. And I can just about see the point about keepers. But I hope VK doesn't make changes with an eye on Blackpool beyond what he might make for a league game.

Yes, so do I because we have a great opportunity to get to Wembley with a bit of fortune added in.

[jrgbfc]

The team we’ve suggested would probably finish top 6 in the Championship, let alone bottom half of League One, it’s not like we are suggesting no hopers to start.

Blackpool on Saturday needs to be 3 points as we push for the title and they don’t play midweek, Wednesday - Saturday turnaround for us and this is after 3 consecutive double game weeks already.

Dropping points at Blackpool wouldn't be the end of the world the position we're in. Slip up against Fleetwood and who knows when we'll have a better chance of getting to a semi final?

[RVclaret]

Dropping points at Blackpool wouldn't be the end of the world the position we're in. Slip up against Fleetwood and who knows when we'll have a better chance of getting to a semi final?

Point being we can still field an incredibly strong team in this game regardless.

A front four of Foster, Twine, Churlinov and Obafemi cost £20m!

[scouseclaret]

It won't be as strong as possible because he'll no doubt be loyal to players who have played most/all cup games, such as BPF.

I’ve been wondering about this. I think you’re right for this one, but what if we were to reach the semis and promotion is actually already in the bag. What then? Surely it makes sense then to play our best team?

[HiThere]

I’ve been wondering about this. I think you’re right for this one, but what if we were to reach the semis and promotion is actually already in the bag. What then? Surely it makes sense then to play our best team?

You can do but you run the risk of ******* off players who got us there, which can affect the dressing room.

[scouseclaret]

There’ll be quite a few ****** off fans if we sacrifice a chance of winning the Cup on the altar of sentimentality…