FA Cup...Team v Fleetwood

[Big Vinny K]

Hope we field our best team.
Fleetwood are actually on a really great run.
They’ve become pretty difficult to beat recently and they beat the top of their league in the last round.
They’ll bring a decent amount of fans too.

We’ve got a great chance of reaching the quarters and if we get a good draw then we could get to Wembley for the semis. That would also be a guaranteed 2 televised games and the prize money for getting through each round is not insignificant either….with the additional gate receipts on top it’s an important competition financially for the club.

Not sure we’ll ever be in a better position to field a strong side in the cup…..but all that said I’m sure VK will do what is best for the club.

[colne-claret]

BPF
Roberts Al Dakhil Taylor Vitinho
Bastien Cullen
Obafemi Twine Zaroury
Foster

[dsr]

Does anyone seriously think that the players are tired and need a rest after yesterday's game? Any training session would be harder than that. They played the second half at walking pace.

[BigJay]

Starting XI: BPF, Vitinho, Al Dakhil, Beyer, Taylor, Bastien, Cork, Cullen, Twine, Zaroury, Obafemi

[Rileybobs]

I would play our strongest team allowing for 2 or 3 ‘rotations’. Our squad is strong, and obviously of a higher quality than Fleetwood’s, but we don’t look coherent when we make too many changes as was evident when we limped over the line after 180 minutes of stalemate against Ipswich.

We’re promoted, and a win against Fleetwood would leave us a favourable draw and/or one top performance from a Wembley semi final, and what a cherry that would be on top of an already unforgettable season.

[Goody1975]

Does anyone seriously think that the players are tired and need a rest after yesterday's game? Any training session would be harder than that. They played the second half at walking pace.

Maybe not but would certainly expect, BPF, Vitinho, Al-Dakhil, Taylor, Twine, Obafemi and Foster to feature in the starting line up.

[Ampth7]

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

[bfcmik]

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

Subs: Casper/Muric, Roberts, JBG, Zaroury, Cullen, Barnes, A.N. Other for experience

[dsr]

Maybe not but would certainly expect, BPF, Vitinho, Al-Dakhil, Taylor, Twine, Obafemi and Foster to feature in the starting line up.

I'd play them at Blackpool if they must be played. Which is more important, winning the league by 20 points, or winning the league by 19 points and getting to Wembley?

[Goody1975]

I'd play them at Blackpool if they must be played. Which is more important, winning the league by 20 points, or winning the league by 19 points and getting to Wembley?

As the draw for the 6th round of the cup hasn't been made it isn't a black & white choice. Yes we need to win the game on Wednesday but to suggest including the players listed above will not see us progress isn't fair on them, some serious quality in those seven players.

[dsr]

As the draw for the 6th round of the cup hasn't been made it isn't a black & white choice. Yes we need to win the game on Wednesday but to suggest including the players listed above will not see us progress isn't fair on them, some serious quality in those seven players.

Obviously I don't know the 6th round draw any more than you know how your choice of team will get on against Fleetwood. I'm not saying your team can't win against Fleetwood, just that picking even better players than them will improve our chances still more.

[bfcmik]

Obviously I don't know the 6th round draw any more than you know how your choice of team will get on against Fleetwood. I'm not saying your team can't win against Fleetwood, just that picking even better players than them will improve our chances still more.

A few months ago, before the Crawley and Fiddlers games would anyone have minded Barnes being left out, personally I think the clamour would have been very loud. Players come into, and out of, form for no apparent reason and, usually, at inconvenient times. Or they may get injured.
So it is far better to have your squad match fit and ready to step in seamlessly when something happens or you need to change tactically due to game circumstances. That means you don't have a starting XI but a squad of good players available.

One of the problems we had in previous years cup cup debacles was that we rotated in so many players who were neither match fit nor similar quality to those they replaced and, I believe, were told to play like it didn't matter by at least one former manager

[Goody1975]

Obviously I don't know the 6th round draw any more than you know how your choice of team will get on against Fleetwood. I'm not saying your team can't win against Fleetwood, just that picking even better players than them will improve our chances still more.

That's valid and IF we get to the 6th round I'd certainly want our 100% first XI to start, however this is probably the first time in our history that we have a bonafide squad where just about all of them can fill in without seriously weakening the team.

This is nothing like the rotation seen under Sean Dyche in the cups.

Whatever the side, it's selected by VK and he certainly knows best.

[Roosterbooster]

Current League Starting XI:
Muric Roberts Beyer Ekdal Maatsen Cullen Brownhill Tella JBG Zaroury Barnes

Ineligible players:
Cork JRod Benson THB

Potential Second XI for cup:
BPF Vitinho Al-Dhakil XXXXX Taylor Bastien XXXXX Churlinov Twine Obafemi Foster
Plus Dervişoğlu and Franchi

I'd expect Ekdal and possibly Cullen and/or Brownhill and/or Zaroury to fill in the other slots, maybe replacing Churlinov/Obafemi/Foster , with a very strong bench if needed

[Goobs]

This is what I would play if it was my choice.

BPF
Vitinho Al-Dakhil Ekdal Taylor
Bastien Brownhill
Obafemi Twine Churlinov
Taylor

[MACCA]

My choice, not what I think it'll be...

BPF
Vitinho Al Dakhil Ekdal Taylor
Bastien Cork
Twine Obafemi Churlinov/Dervisoglu
Foster

[Goody1975]

My choice, not what I think it'll be...

BPF
Vitinho Al Dakhil Ekdal Taylor
Bastien Cork
Twine Obafemi Churlinov/Dervisoglu
Foster

Cork suspended.

[Goody1975]

BPF
Vitinho Al Dakhil Ekdal Taylor
Cullen Brownhill
Obafemi Twine Zaroury
Foster

[willsclarets]

BPF
Vitinho
Al Dakhil
Beyer
Taylor
Bastien
Brownhill (subbed after an hour if job done)
Gudmunsson
Twine
Churlinov
Obefami

[EarbyClaret]

I would go with Goobs' team above and a strong bench

With all due respect to Fleetwood the worst that should happen is that the game is level and VK has to introduce game changers from 60 minutes onwards

The Watford, Luton and Millwall games were as tough as a week gets at this level and with the injuries we seem to be picking up it would be optimal if we could keep certain players out of the firing line

As others have said the depth we have in no way disrespects the opposition or the competition

We should get through. Go strong in the league and then see where we are at when the QFs come around

[BleedingClaret]

BPF
----------
Vitinho
Ekdal
Al Dakhil
Taylor
----------
Cullen
Brownhil
JBG
Zaroury
----------
Obafemi
Foster

[D8BFC]

It’s a squad game so use it in full for weds night. If we have as good a squad as everyone says we should see 7 or 8 changes without affecting anything.

BPF
Vitinho
Al-Dak
Bayer / Ekdal
Taylor
Bastien
Brownhill
Twine
Churlinov
Foster
Obafemi

Re: Benson, he definitely wasn’t limping when he walked past me in the Bob Lord concourse before the game. Looked in very good spirits!

[northernpowerhouse]

BPF
Vitinho Al-Dakhil Beyer Taylor
Brownhill Cullen
Tella Twine Zaroury
Obafemi

Six changes but still a very strong team. I imagine a few or all of Bastien, Churlinov and Foster will start though.

[Devils_Advocate]

BPF
Vitinho Al-Dakhil Beyer Taylor
Brownhill Cullen
Tella Twine Zaroury
Obafemi

Six changes but still a very strong team. I imagine a few or all of Bastien, Churlinov and Foster will start though.

This is team I'd like to see but I reckon Tella might be the one player whi genuinely could do with a rest so I think he'll go Foster up top and Obafemi of the right.

Its hard to say for sure but I think Bastien and Churnilov wont start and will be on the bench.

[Stantheman]

Bpf
Roberts
Al dakhill
Beyer
Taylor
Brownhill
Cullen
Jbg
Tella
Obefami
Zaroury

Promotion is a given now.qf of fa cup is something most fans would love we must go for it.a lower or mid prem team wouldn't relish a trip to the turf against our team.im sure vk would love to test us against a prem team now and see where we are up to.imagine a home tie next in qf against a top prem team full house guaranteed our players would benefit greatly from the experience.

[dsr]

Why the anxiety to weaken the team specifically for Wednesday's game? Is it because people want to be knocked out of the Cup so we can concentrate on the league? Is it because the exertions of Saturday are so extreme that the players need a full week's rest? Is it because Fleetwood (4 consecutive wins and 55th in the league) are so immeasurably worse a side than Blackpool (1 win in 4 months, 44th in the league) that Fleetwood are dead easy to beat even with reserves?

It#s a genuine question, not a dig. As far as I'm concerned the Fleetwood game is more important than the Blackpool game and we should pick the first team, and save the weakened team (if we really do have to change it) for Blackpool, but obviously many other people think different. I'd just like to know why.

[Clive 1960]

Strongest team possible as we near Wembley so let's go for it.

[RVclaret]

Why the anxiety to weaken the team specifically for Wednesday's game? Is it because people want to be knocked out of the Cup so we can concentrate on the league? Is it because the exertions of Saturday are so extreme that the players need a full week's rest? Is it because Fleetwood (4 consecutive wins and 55th in the league) are so immeasurably worse a side than Blackpool (1 win in 4 months, 44th in the league) that Fleetwood are dead easy to beat even with reserves?

It#s a genuine question, not a dig. As far as I'm concerned the Fleetwood game is more important than the Blackpool game and we should pick the first team, and save the weakened team (if we really do have to change it) for Blackpool, but obviously many other people think different. I'd just like to know why.

- No one wants us to be knocked out, that’s just daft
- The suggested changes still leaves a very strong team, it’s harsh to call players like Al-Dakhil, Twine and Vitinho (all played well at Millwall) ‘reserves’
- Fleetwood haven’t won 4 in a row
- VK said after most cup ties so far that you need your squad for a cup run
- Keeping the squad ‘match fit’ and morale high can only serve us well for upcoming games
- With respect to Fleetwood, I see playing them at home as an easier game than playing Blackpool away (drew with them earlier in the season)

[burnley007]

Definitely put the strongest team out. DEFINITELY. If players need a rest, rest them on Saturday.

I think VK would love a cup run, why the hell wouldn't he? We are all but promoted already. Let's go for it!!

[Bordeauxclaret]

Fleetwood look to be on a good run.
Won 5 of the last 6 games whilst drawing away at 2nd place Plymouth.

Looking forward to it.

[kentonclaret]

- No one wants us to be knocked out, that’s just daft
- The suggested changes still leaves a very strong team, it’s harsh to call players like Al-Dakhil, Twine and Vitinho (all played well at Millwall) ‘reserves’
- Fleetwood haven’t won 4 in a row
- VK said after most cup ties so far that you need your squad for a cup run
- Keeping the squad ‘match fit’ and morale high can only serve us well for upcoming games
- With respect to Fleetwood, I see playing them at home as an easier game than playing Blackpool away (drew with them earlier in the season)

As you correctly point out Fleetwood haven’t won 4 in a row, they had to settle for a 0-0 draw away at 2nd placed Plymouth who boast a home record of P16 W14 D1 L1 so the performance was not too shabby.

[Dodobdobodobo]

Bpf
Vitinho
Al dakhill
Beyer
Taylor
Bastien
Cullen
Foster
Churlinov
Obefami
Zaroury

[Bosscat]

Scotty Twine (said on BFC website) he scored a hat-trick against them last time out and a brace the time before ... Come on Scotty Twine

[fatboy47]

Play as few of the first choice team as possible. No risks. And if we go out we can focus on getting the main job done.

We're not up yet.

[dibraidio]

BPF
Roberts Al Dakhil Taylor Vitinho
Bastien Cullen
Obafemi Twine Zaroury
Foster

I would play Bastien because he needs games but I'd have Brownhill ready to come on at half time if he's not up to speed. I've not been impressed with him so far. At first I was thinking Churlinov in place of Zaroury if he's fit but we just seem to lack a creative edge when we make too many changes and Bastien, Twine, Churlinov and even Foster are all slightly short of where the others are. JBG, Barnes and Tella on the bench just in case they're needed second half.

Players need 4 days to fully recover from a game. It's not a question of who'll be tired on Wednesday it's more about who'll be tired for Blackpool. Particularly if it goes to extra time and pens. I'd be taking Zaroury off as soon as possible if we can get a commanding lead.

We've definitely got strength in depth with our centre backs, I wouldn't expect that side to concede many but there are question marks about would they score the goals to put the tie to bed.

[maidenover]

Play as few of the first choice team as possible. No risks. And if we go out we can focus on getting the main job done.

We're not up yet.

I agree totally. Millions beckon in the Premier League and I wouldn’t do anything that could impact that.
Besides, though I agree to date that bringing in such as Chulinov, Bastien, Twine and other non regulars has impacted fluency, it’s something we need to fix for this season if we are claiming to have a deep squad. Won’t happen if these players never get a chance

[jrgbfc]

Hopefully Kompany doesn't have the same attitude as some of you lot.

[claretandy]

Ekdal will be rested according to VK, Beyer has only just come back and came off, so i'd expect him to start.

[Ampth7]

I think VK will go with a mixture of regular starters alongside several fringe players and those coming back from injuries.
Deep squad, use it.

[claretonthecoast1882]

BPF
Vitinho Al Dakhil Ekdal Taylor
Brownhill Cullen
Churlinov Twine Zaroury
Obafemi

[Guller Bull]

This is what I would play if it was my choice.

BPF
Vitinho Al-Dakhil Ekdal Taylor
Bastien Brownhill
Obafemi Twine Churlinov
Taylor

Taylor is good but not that good!!!

[Goobs]

Taylor is good but not that good!!!

don't know why but I keep calling Foster, Lyle Taylor

[Oppycat]

Same team as Blades, but Taylor for Maatsen, Foster for Barnes and Twine for JBG

[HiThere]

It'll no doubt be mixed. There will be no 'second 11' and it won't be our strongest side. I'm quite sure he'll take this opportunity to rest players who need it and give players minutes who need to start hitting form.

[RVclaret]

It'll no doubt be mixed. There will be no 'second 11' and it won't be our strongest side. I'm quite sure he'll take this opportunity to rest players who need it and give players minutes who need to start hitting form.

Interestingly VK said yesterday that fringe players don’t exist in his squad

[CrosspoolClarets]

Reading comments to play a weak team as we are not up yet has me totally bemused.

We probably need 6 points from 12 games which is about half of what the Lashers have been getting all season. We are up. We don’t need any major regrets to dampen this season. A Wembley semi would just about put a cherry on the top. Our squad is plenty big enough to secure the league easily.

3 or 4 non mandatory changes for me, Foster, Vitinho, Twine and Cork all to start. Taylor will due to injury so doesn't count. I suspect VK will also rest Muric and Ekdal.

[evensteadiereddie]

I would imagine VK will start with a strong side, go for the early kill and then use as many subs as he can.
His starting line up will be interesting.

[RVclaret]

Reading comments to play a weak team as we are not up yet has me totally bemused.

We probably need 6 points from 12 games which is about half of what the Lashers have been getting all season. We are up. We don’t need any major regrets to dampen this season. A Wembley semi would just about put a cherry on the top. Our squad is plenty big enough to secure the league easily.

3 or 4 non mandatory changes for me, Foster, Vitinho, Twine and Cork all to start. Taylor will due to injury so doesn't count. I suspect VK will also rest Muric and Ekdal.

Cork will do well to start given he’s suspended

[claretonthecoast1882]

Reading comments to play a weak team as we are not up yet has me totally bemused.

We probably need 6 points from 12 games which is about half of what the Lashers have been getting all season. We are up. We don’t need any major regrets to dampen this season. A Wembley semi would just about put a cherry on the top. Our squad is plenty big enough to secure the league easily.

3 or 4 non mandatory changes for me, Foster, Vitinho, Twine and Cork all to start. Taylor will due to injury so doesn't count. I suspect VK will also rest Muric and Ekdal.

Has anybody asked to play a "weak team"

Which players in the squad are you classing as weak

[HiThere]

Interestingly VK said yesterday that fringe players don’t exist in his squad

Good man management. A player isn't going to want his manager to tell him he sees him as a bench option.