Loving the annual argument between the balanced, forward thinking, pragmatic advocates of a sensibly weakened FA Cup team and the deluded, Brexit voting, serial fools who think an unlikely Cup run is something to aim for.
I think Robinson's plan is to confuse them with his pre-match press comments:
"I’ve looked at MK Dons and the way they are playing has changed – less intensity and the ball goes out of play more. They have that intensity in play. We are going to be a little bit worse off than them."
I reckon the four unused subs from Saturday will play ie Mitov, Foley, Johnson and Umerah and we will line up as follows;
Mitov Konsa, Johnson, Lennon, Chicksen or Fox Aribo, Foley, JJ, Chicksen or Ajose Umerah, Hanlan
Think KR hinted Ajose would be rested.
Not in so many words mate this what KR actually said;
“Nicky Ajose’s work ethic was phenomenal. He covered 10.5km and came off with a bit to go. It shows the distances the boys are covering – most do 11km.
I reckon the four unused subs from Saturday will play ie Mitov, Foley, Johnson and Umerah and we will line up as follows;
Mitov Konsa, Johnson, Lennon, Chicksen or Fox Aribo, Foley, JJ, Chicksen or Ajose Umerah, Hanlan
Think KR hinted Ajose would be rested.
Not in so many words mate this what KR actually said;
“Nicky Ajose’s work ethic was phenomenal. He covered 10.5km and came off with a bit to go. It shows the distances the boys are covering – most do 11km.
Fair point. Maybe I read too much into it. Doubt he'll start though..
I reckon the four unused subs from Saturday will play ie Mitov, Foley, Johnson and Umerah and we will line up as follows;
Mitov Konsa, Johnson, Lennon, Chicksen or Fox Aribo, Foley, JJ, Chicksen or Ajose Umerah, Hanlan
Think KR hinted Ajose would be rested.
Not in so many words mate this what KR actually said;
“Nicky Ajose’s work ethic was phenomenal. He covered 10.5km and came off with a bit to go. It shows the distances the boys are covering – most do 11km.
Fair point. Maybe I read too much into it. Doubt he'll start though..
I definitely couldn't , 10.5 km in a day is enough for me now .
I'm a bit indifferent to this. Judging by the attendances it's clear that the fans don't really care about this competition. It's a nice change for a manager to announce this early, rather than an hour before kickoff when fans have travelled and paid for tickets to watch a reserve team.
I also think anyone that believes we would have avoided a proper spanking at the hands of Brighton has not been watching us enough this season.
Get us out of the cup asap and then we can have a weekend off when the third round is played and avoid any more injuries or suspensions to our under strength squad.
To be honest I would be happy for us to, literally, decline to enter any of the cups at all.
I'm a bit indifferent to this. Judging by the attendances it's clear that the fans don't really care about this competition. It's a nice change for a manager to announce this early, rather than an hour before kickoff when fans have travelled and paid for tickets to watch a reserve team.
I also think anyone that believes we would have avoided a proper spanking at the hands of Brighton has not been watching us enough this season.
Get us out of the cup asap and then we can have a weekend off when the third round is played and avoid any more injuries or suspensions to our under strength squad.
To be honest I would be happy for us to, literally, decline to enter any of the cups at all.
I'm a bit indifferent to this. Judging by the attendances it's clear that the fans don't really care about this competition. It's a nice change for a manager to announce this early, rather than an hour before kickoff when fans have travelled and paid for tickets to watch a reserve team.
I also think anyone that believes we would have avoided a proper spanking at the hands of Brighton has not been watching us enough this season.
Get us out of the cup asap and then we can have a weekend off when the third round is played and avoid any more injuries or suspensions to our under strength squad.
To be honest I would be happy for us to, literally, decline to enter any of the cups at all.
Basically agree, unless we were playing for a plumb tie.
Also think it is worthwhile entering as it gives opportunities to do exactly what we are doing - giving our other squad players a good competitive match.
I'm a bit indifferent to this. Judging by the attendances it's clear that the fans don't really care about this competition. It's a nice change for a manager to announce this early, rather than an hour before kickoff when fans have travelled and paid for tickets to watch a reserve team.
I also think anyone that believes we would have avoided a proper spanking at the hands of Brighton has not been watching us enough this season.
Get us out of the cup asap and then we can have a weekend off when the third round is played and avoid any more injuries or suspensions to our under strength squad.
To be honest I would be happy for us to, literally, decline to enter any of the cups at all.
We'd be away to Rochdale instead, as that's the game scheduled for that weekend
The U23 players who will be involved will be Charles-Cook, Aribo, Umerah, Hanlan and Ahearne- Grant. Jackson will be back as will Foley. There is also a chance that Fox and Lookman will also see some action. I am with Robinson on this one, we have got some important games coming up and we need to manage the players.
Agreed, and I think some of those players are ready for the step up.
Regarding leaving some players at home, giving them Tuesday off allows them to potentially train Wednesday with a day's rest, means they'll (presumably) get a good night's sleep, etc.
My thinking is: Phillips Konsa Johnson Tex Fox Botaka Foley JJ Aribo Ajose Hanlan
I'm a bit indifferent to this. Judging by the attendances it's clear that the fans don't really care about this competition. It's a nice change for a manager to announce this early, rather than an hour before kickoff when fans have travelled and paid for tickets to watch a reserve team.
I also think anyone that believes we would have avoided a proper spanking at the hands of Brighton has not been watching us enough this season.
Get us out of the cup asap and then we can have a weekend off when the third round is played and avoid any more injuries or suspensions to our under strength squad.
To be honest I would be happy for us to, literally, decline to enter any of the cups at all.
We'd be away to Rochdale instead, as that's the game scheduled for that weekend
I thought Rochdale were away to Barrow on the third round date 7th Jan which will be a free weekend if we go out to The Franchise. .
I'm a bit indifferent to this. Judging by the attendances it's clear that the fans don't really care about this competition. It's a nice change for a manager to announce this early, rather than an hour before kickoff when fans have travelled and paid for tickets to watch a reserve team.
I also think anyone that believes we would have avoided a proper spanking at the hands of Brighton has not been watching us enough this season.
Get us out of the cup asap and then we can have a weekend off when the third round is played and avoid any more injuries or suspensions to our under strength squad.
To be honest I would be happy for us to, literally, decline to enter any of the cups at all.
We'd be away to Rochdale instead, as that's the game scheduled for that weekend
I thought Rochdale were away to Barrow on the third round date 7th Jan which will be a free weekend if we go out to The Franchise. .
You're right. I'd assumed that Rochdale would have been out of the cup already!
That's a great chance for both clubs to reach the 4th round
“Freddie [Ulvestad] has got a fatigue issue – so I’m pulling him out. Crofty was excellent on Saturday but he has not even trained today, he won’t travel tomorrow. Josh Magennis is stiff in certain areas and he’s been one of our better players over a period of time. I can’t afford to lose him"
In light of the changes being made I'm expecting a narrow loss - 2-1. The match thread will be from 7 pm and will be my last one until New Years Eve due to work and family commitments.
I wonder if he'll risk Phillips with Rudd out? If he's going the youth team route then perhaps Mitov in goal.
Dont forget Beeney though... Its really a weird situation as one moment Mitov is backup, then Beeney and now as per Saturday it was back to Mitov as the substitute Goalkeeper (unless Robinson wants them both to get matchday experience).
As well it was Maynard-Brewer who played for the U23s yesterday.
Ultimately though I think Phillips will play, the lad wants game time and still reckon that Rudd will go back in goal when he returns from injury (provided that Norwich dont recall him) and reckon that dropping him tonight would piss him off almost like what happened with Josh Wright in the FA Cup all those years ago, just not the same extent.
What happened to the magic of the cup? I'm guessing that there is so much pressure to perform in the league that most clubs don't want to risk injuries. On that basis I would give as many fringe players s game as possible. Including Johnson, put him in the shop window,
I still think Robinson is a smug prick but you can't knock his effort for trying to communicate
I'm going tonight god knows why. Yes it's good his told us that he is resting loads of players but if we're not going to take the competition seriously then what was the point playing the first team players in the home match. I don't Mind losing later as long as we give it a go and really attack them but if we go and play like we did against Swindon where we do sod all for the game then I'm gonna have the right hump.
I'm going tonight god knows why. Yes it's good his told us that he is resting loads of players but if we're not going to take the competition seriously then what was the point playing the first team players in the home match. I don't Mind losing later as long as we give it a go and really attack them but if we go and play like we did against Swindon where we do sod all for the game then I'm gonna have the right hump.
Because we may have got a top team and been on TV. No point now with just a good hiding at Brighton.
The U23 players who will be involved will be Charles-Cook, Aribo, Umerah, Hanlan and Ahearne- Grant. Jackson will be back as will Foley. There is also a chance that Fox and Lookman will also see some action. I am with Robinson on this one, we have got some important games coming up and we need to manage the players.
Agreed, and I think some of those players are ready for the step up.
Regarding leaving some players at home, giving them Tuesday off allows them to potentially train Wednesday with a day's rest, means they'll (presumably) get a good night's sleep, etc.
My thinking is: Phillips Konsa Johnson Tex Fox Botaka Foley JJ Aribo Ajose Hanlan
Comments
This maybe Lennons big chance to impress.
Pearce
Bauer
Solly
Rudd
Holmes
Kashi
Ulvestad
Crofts
Magennis
Ajose
Ba played for u23s today so unlikely to start tomorrow.
So something like
Umerah Novak Hanlan
...............Aribo
.....Jacko Charles-Cook
Chicksen Tex Konsa Foley
..............Phillips.
I suspect he may want a more mobile RB so Konsa to rb and Lennon or (please not) Johnson in.
Bench something like:
Beeney, Fox, Lennon, Ba, Botaka, Lookman, KAG.
Would certainly have Foley on the bench if he wasn't starting. Expect Rojo in there somewhere even if I don't want it..
I forget who is out on loan... is one of Muldoon/Lapslie around?
Mitov
Konsa, Johnson, Lennon, Chicksen or Fox
Aribo, Foley, JJ, Chicksen or Ajose
Umerah, Hanlan
Get a fooking grip, soft lads.
I'm impartial myself.
"I’ve looked at MK Dons and the way they are playing has changed – less intensity and the ball goes out of play more. They have that intensity in play. We are going to be a little bit worse off than them."
“Nicky Ajose’s work ethic was phenomenal. He covered 10.5km and came off with a bit to go. It shows the distances the boys are covering – most do 11km.
I also think anyone that believes we would have avoided a proper spanking at the hands of Brighton has not been watching us enough this season.
Get us out of the cup asap and then we can have a weekend off when the third round is played and avoid any more injuries or suspensions to our under strength squad.
To be honest I would be happy for us to, literally, decline to enter any of the cups at all.
Also think it is worthwhile entering as it gives opportunities to do exactly what we are doing - giving our other squad players a good competitive match.
Regarding leaving some players at home, giving them Tuesday off allows them to potentially train Wednesday with a day's rest, means they'll (presumably) get a good night's sleep, etc.
My thinking is:
Phillips
Konsa Johnson Tex Fox
Botaka Foley JJ Aribo
Ajose Hanlan
Bench: Mitov, Lennon, Chicksen, RCC, Lookman, Umerah, KAG
That's a great chance for both clubs to reach the 4th round
I don't think I wanted to know that, Karl
As well it was Maynard-Brewer who played for the U23s yesterday.
Ultimately though I think Phillips will play, the lad wants game time and still reckon that Rudd will go back in goal when he returns from injury (provided that Norwich dont recall him) and reckon that dropping him tonight would piss him off almost like what happened with Josh Wright in the FA Cup all those years ago, just not the same extent.
I still think Robinson is a smug prick but you can't knock his effort for trying to communicate
We never win with Roger Dim.