FA Cup - In or Out?

[GJP]

I think most of us have seen Norwich get relegated and promoted more than once. And likely will do so for the rest of our lives.

How many of us have seen Norwich win the FA Cup?

 

[morty]

Made this the match thread, no point making another one!

 

[Din]

The thing is for me, we could put out a full strength line-up here, and it still wouldn't be too surprising should we lose 3/4-0 because we're playing one of the best teams in the country. And then, we'll be going into our games against Stoke and Bournemouth that little bit more tired than them, as they will inevitably rest players as they're both playing lower league teams. For me we should rest as many regular starters as possible, and if we go out then we try again next year.

 

[morty]

The thing is for me, we could put out a full strength line-up here, and it still wouldn't be too surprising should we lose 3/4-0 because we're playing one of the best teams in the country. And then, we'll be going into our games against Stoke and Bournemouth that little bit more tired than them, as they will inevitably rest players as they're both playing lower league teams. For me we should rest as many regular starters as possible, and if we go out then we try again next year.

Or maybe look at our recent record against some "top" teams?

Sorry, not being gung ho here, but I would doubt Alex Neil would cower away from a challenge.

Yeah, he'll be sensible, but surrender the game before its even played? Nah.

 

[eatonparkboy]

There is no way we can rest too many players for Saturday. Our squad depth doesn't in any way match up against many other teams in this division.

For instance, who would we put in at CB that wouldn't be in the match day squad the following game? Does Declan Rudd need a rest after bench warming for so long? And if he got injured then Ruddy is an ample replacement.

But I think AN can experiment with tactics. Maybe Brady in a different role. Jarvis playing and two strikers?

I'm sure there will be the bulk of last week's team playing Saturday.

 

[Wiz]

Out for me, sorry, but our league position especially this season must be our priority.

 

[ZLF]

we have a decent size squad all of a similar quality;  I see no reason why we cant field a strong (not strongest) team while protecting some of the more vulnerable positions (mainly CB, unless we make a signing losing Ryan or Seb would be pointless)   If Pinto is announced I would give him some pitch time.

As wes unlikely to start at stoke he could play sat but rest him and redmond (start a further conspiracy theory?) we could see this and try to match both objectives, even if the def does look a little shaky on paper.

Jarvis wisdom get match practice post injury,  Mbokani continues to adapt and Voo, Dorrans & Mulumbu a chance to state their case.

                        Ruddy

Whittaker  Wisdom Martin Olsson

              Dorrans Mulumbu

Howson           VOO           Jarvis

                   Mbokani

 

[morty]

we have a decent size squad all of a similar quality;  I see no reason why we cant field a strong (not strongest) team while protecting some of the more vulnerable positions (mainly CB, unless we make a signing losing Ryan or Seb would be pointless)   If Pinto is announced I would give him some pitch time.

As wes unlikely to start at stoke he could play sat but rest him and redmond (start a further conspiracy theory?) we could see this and try to match both objectives, even if the def does look a little shaky on paper.

Jarvis wisdom get match practice post injury,  Mbokani continues to adapt and Voo, Dorrans & Mulumbu a chance to state their case.

                        Ruddy

Whittaker  Wisdom Martin Olsson

              Dorrans Mulumbu

Howson           VOO           Jarvis

                   Mbokani

Yeah, thats a reasonable balance. With no sign of Grabban or Lafferty!

 

[Number 9]

I'd still be happy if none of the regular first team play, the more options AN has against Stoke and Bournemouth the better.

Don't want any excuses about tired legs or injuries.

 

[ZLF]

can agree with that to a degree but these are pros and we are only talking two games in a week - not two games in two days;  we played that far more frequently last season.

In any event the only genuine regular in my XI is Howson who has a superb engine& a quick turnover of games simply doesnt seem to affect him like it does say Wes or Oneil.  You could throw Andreu in that role as an alternative?  But I wouldnt see the point to be honest

As for Mbokani I think he simply needs more pitch time - swap him after 60 mins to avoid a risk of burn out.

 

[morty]

Tony Andreu will be in the squad tomorrow. Jarvis too early to risk. Pinto just come off winter break, will prob not be involved for a few weeks yet.

Lafferty also in squad.

 

[eatonparkboy]

Well I doubt Toure will be playing tomorrow. He will still be crying because he didn't win his fifth straight African player of the year. And then gave a speech that Cantona would have been proud to have quoted.

Wa Wa or Blah Blah?

 

[Gaffer]

If ever there was a time to give Lafferty some decent game time it is surely now. Nothing at all to lose and he might even surprise people.

 

[GJP]

If you're going to play 3 at the back at least try to make it hard for the opposition.

Looked like we accepted defeat before KO. Only Jerome, Voo, Howson and Olsson showed some urgency. 

Mulumbu was miles off the pace and only Bassong looked like he could defend.

 

[splutcho]

Haven't seen any of the coverage, turned my phone off and spent the day drinking in London. From what I've heard about the result, the line up and the performance, I feel for the fans that went and spent money on it. I hope in future fans don't bother for cup games. Hit them (albeit lightly) where it hurts and they might rethink this policy of wasting everyone's time twice a season.

 

[Number 9]

Concentrating on the League

 

[splutcho]

Concentrating on the League

Biggest load of *bleep* going. Proven to have downturns in form after humiliating cup exits.

 

[Boyerboy]

You may be right Splutcho but I don't regard this as a humiliating cup exit and more importantly, I don't think that Alex Neil and the players will.

we matched a very good City team in every area except sharpness in front of goal where their world class forwards were better than our offerings. We kept going to the end and heads did not drop. We will be fine. 

 

[Number 9]

Not  with a weakened team against a strong Manc team splutcho.

 

[Canaryboy]

I really couldn't care less that we lost this game to be honest. 

Probably because I can just never remember us ever doing well in this competition. I consider the League Cup to be a far more realistic chance of silverware and European competition.