Clear Indication Weaker Side V Blackburn (bUt we can still beat them)

[Vish]

trouble is, blackburn might not be trying either............................how would the game go then, four penalties in the last minute?

Progressing in cups and avoiding relegation is all Blackburn have to play for...

[Sotonsuperhoop]

IMHO if we are still top of the league going into the Blackburn game Warnock may change his mind. Personally I would not risk players in the FA Cup, the league must come first. Still even with a weakened Rangers team I think we will win the game as Blackburn will be fielding their 2nd 11 and our second string is better.

[UB5 Ranger]

No brainer really, chances are we wont win the cup but have a real possibility of getting promoted, i'm with NW all the way on this and if we did manage a result @ Blackburn then that is a bonus

[reidy5557]

Can understand the sentiment that the league is the most important thing. Promotion above all else. But as a fan, I still think its important that we put a decent side out and try and get a prem scalp.
People are acting like we are going to put out a youth/reserve side. Although NW will rest a few, i'm sure he won't put out a too weakened side.
Getting stuffed by a big score isn't good for morale. No matter who plays.
But what do i know!? lol

Anyways, i'll be at Huddersfield that weekend watching my other team, the mighty Dover Athletic.

[acricketer]

Give them a bye into the next round. Why risk injuring some of the squad players we may need later in the season? Can we put out a youth team?

I know, I know. Let's just turn up in body and fulfill the obligation

[W6hoops]

I would agree with the bloke

[The Merry Ploughboy]

Fark the cup and concentrate on the league
IN NEIL WE TRUST

[MYU]

I'd be disappointed if he fielded a strong side for this one. Why risk your best players for a game that's insignificant? We're not going to win this cup, and for the 1st time in years, we have a great chance of getting back to the Prem.

I know which I'd rather concentrate on.

Exactly, Neil doing the right thing here if true.

[Olly]

Absolutely hope we go out straight away, and I'll tell you why. Or ask Neil what happened in 2002/3, check it out. They were flying in the league, favourites to go up. Then they got involved up to the SF's of the league cup, just losing to Liverpool in extra time.

FA cup all the way to the SF, lost 1-0 to Arsenal. They were playing attacking football then against everybody, Prem or not, like Burnley a couple of seasons ago. Neil was lapping up the tv courage, I'd say he had a big ego then which got the better of him. He and Sheff utd were the lower league upstarts and he loved it.

I said it to myself then, these cup runs will cost you dearly, and unfortunately I was proved right. Clubs get giddy from beating higher teams and it still happens today. Look what happened to Leeds after they beat Man U last season, went on a big losing run, only just got promoted on the last day.

His team were so good, that if they had gone up then, they could have survived a couple of seasons, cemented their place, and we would never have got him. Has anyone who's got his book any confirmation on what he thought about that period?

So no thanks, once you go past that 3rd round, you're in trouble, the expectation level rises and it's harder to be seen to lose. Yes, the cup games are on saturdays, but that's not the problem. It's the replays, tiredness and injuries that take an unforgiving toll.

And if we get promoted, and he's still here, survival will be the only priority, that's a certainty.

[Mr Hoops]

So probable team will be:

Cerny, Orr, Hall, Mahon, Borrowdale, Buzsaky, Cook, Ephraim, Andrade, Mr Norway, Agyemang

About a year ago that might have been close to our actual first team!!!

[Bigdave]

Im just glad we got a tough(ish) draw, doing the same against a lower league team at home may not have been so palatable.

Great point

[QPR1976]

Can't see Blackburn fielding too weak a team, might depend on their previous and next few games.
Stoke, West Brom, Sunderland & Liverpool inb the 4 games before us, but Chelsea away the week after.

Also, NW may rest a few players, but I doubt he'll field a Reserve side.
In fact it could be an interesting selection.

But it may be an opportuntiy for Rowly, Cook, Buzz, Mahon to get some competative minutes under their belt.
Or Clarke, Agyemang to show what they can do.
Cerny not guaranteed (although likely) as Kenny played v Port Vale.
Orr good chance to play RB.
Hall an opportunity to get injured again !
A chance for our Norwegian to stake a claim ?

Besides, it might be an opportunity for Faurlin or others to show what they can do against a Prem side......

Anyway, I'm not sure ANY NW side ever gives less than 100% or if they do, they won't be considered again, for a while at least.

[Olly]

what exactly were the team orders given against port f***ing vale? Tactical misdirection maybe

[kron-1664]

I know it sounds bad and i try every year to stop thinking it but i hate the FA and Carling cups. Especially that weekend when the 'minnows' get their 'day out'.