[Albion] FA Cup v Stoke early thoughts

[Papa Lazarou]

I know we're playing West Ham on Tuesday, but our 3rd active competition starts on Saturday 6th with a visit to Stoke.

Given the number of injuries we've sustained, contrasting against Roberto's desire to compete on all fronts, I'm intrigued as to how strong we can be for this.

I don't see any injured players returning for this (Buonanotte and Igor aside).

If we are hoping for some domestic Cup glory, this game is important; plus I'm going, so I want to think we can win!

So, what do you think? How strong should be be?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Hard to muster up any thoughts at all. Stoke is what it is. Which is f***ing dreary

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I know we're playing West Ham on Tuesday, but our 3rd active competition starts on Saturday 6th with a visit to Stoke.

Given the number of injuries we've sustained, contrasting against Roberto's desire to compete on all fronts, I'm intrigued as to how strong we can be for this.

I don't see any injured players returning for this (Buonanotte and Igor aside).

If we are hoping for some domestic Cup glory, this game is important; plus I'm going, so I want to think we can win!

So, what do you think? How strong should be be?

I think we'll be as strong as we can be, given that there is no first team game for two weeks after that one.

Also, the opportunity to blood many of the U21s is impacted by their own last 16 FLT match at the AMEX, a couple of days later.

 

[SpongebobSquarepants]

I imagine Dunk plays now - otherwise he wont play for 3 weeks.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Stoke sit 18th in the Championship, and their win at Birmingham on Boxing Day was there first win in 11

 

[Bodian]

I imagine Dunk plays now - otherwise he wont play for 3 weeks.

I hope he doesn't - he'll be rested by then.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I hope he doesn't - he'll be rested by then.

I would expect Dunk to play. We need a captain's performance

 

[birthofanorange]

I'm loathe to say it, but I'm really not fussed about the FA Cup this year. Hell, we're not going to win it, anyway, and we have enough on our plate as it is. There will always be other years to focus upon it.

 

[Mackenzie]

Can't wait, I'm sure the team will be as strong as possible. RDZ wants to win something, we went close(ish) last year.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I'm loathe to say it, but I'm really not fussed about the FA Cup this year. Hell, we're not going to win it, anyway, and we have enough on our plate as it is. There will always be other years to focus upon it.

I understand your view, but get through this game and we'll have players coming back from injury and perhaps some new faces as well.

I think Roberto will continue to take the FA Cup seriously and play close to our strongest team, whatever that may be.

 

[Mustafa II]

Normally, if we weren't in the Europa League, I'd say go for it - strongest XI all the way.

But we are in Europa League. We might never be in the Europa League again, who knows.

I think it would be a positive thing if we went out in the 3rd round to be honest.

Team full of kids please.

Although I know RDZ. He will want to win. He'll play a surprisingly strong side, even versus Stoke.

 

[A1X]

Play the kids IMHO

 

[birthofanorange]

I understand your view, but get through this game and we'll have players coming back from injury and perhaps some new faces as well.

I think Roberto will continue to take the FA Cup seriously and play close to our strongest team, whatever that may be.

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly, but my personal view is that I really don't care much about it - this year, at least.

 

[Brian Fantana]

Normally, if we weren't in the Europa League, I'd say go for it - strongest XI all the way.

But we are in Europa League. We might never be in the Europa League again, who knows.

I think it would be a positive thing if we went out in the 3rd round to be honest.

Team full of kids please.

Although I know RDZ. He will want to win. He'll play a surprisingly strong side, even versus Stoke.

I’m not sure the relevance of the EL to this, in all honesty, as we don’t play again in that until March. If we’d not won the group, and therefore had another couple of games in Feb to contend with, I could more see your point.

 

[Reddleman]

This season I’m really not fussed. I would rest the following as minimum:

Welbeck, Pedro, Gilmour, Gross, JPVH, Dunk, Lallana, Estupinan.

I think a mixture of U21’s and some experienced pros who need minutes would be good. Would be good to see Moder, Verbruggen and Dahoud get a start and I would start Ferguson as well, he needs a goal.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Fit players for Stoke

Plus u23s

Keepers
Steele
Verbruggen

Defenders
Hinshelwood
Van Hecke
Dunk
Estupinan

Midfield
Gross
Gilmour
Milner
Dahoud
Baleba
Moder
Lallana

Strikers
Pedro
Welbeck
Ferguson

 

[Mustafa II]

I’m not sure the relevance of the EL to this, in all honesty, as we don’t play again in that until March. If we’d not won the group, and therefore had another couple of games in Feb to contend with, I could more see your point.

The fixture congestion issue isn't a short term problem, it's accumulative.

If we make it through to the fourth round, then we will have: Mon 22nd Jan Wolves, Saturday 27th FA Cup, Tuesday 30th Luton.

If we make it through to the fifth round, then we will have: Sat 23th Feb Everton, Wed 28th FA cup, Saturday 2nd March Fulham

It's too much.

Essentially these extra fixtures we could really do without, even if they are a month or so before our Europa League games.

 

[GT49er]

I think we'll be as strong as we can be, given that there is no first team game for two weeks after that one.

Also, the opportunity to blood many of the U21s is impacted by their own last 16 FLT match at the AMEX, a couple of days later.

Good point - it would be really good to progress in that competition too - U21 teams don't usually do very well in it, I think - and I'm not sure if any U21 team has ever won it? Would be good to be the first.
So, a strong first team for the FA Cup please. Maybe McGill to be the Cup goalie for this season?

 

[Papa Lazarou]

This season I’m really not fussed. I would rest the following as minimum:

Welbeck, Pedro, Gilmour, Gross, JPVH, Dunk, Lallana, Estupinan.

I think a mixture of U21’s and some experienced pros who need minutes would be good. Would be good to see Moder, Verbruggen and Dahoud get a start and I would start Ferguson as well, he needs a goal.

If we rest Dunk, JPVH and Estupinan we'd only have Hinshelwood as our available defender

 

[GT49er]

Play the kids IMHO

............................. and blow their chances in the FLT? Not for me, thanks.