Fa cup pre match thread - Oldham

[Modo]

Play the reserves?

Obviously we should have a mixed team with reserves and first team players.

Possibly have Jones in goal.

Give Ilori, Teixeira, McLaughlin and Ibe a chance. Maybe Rossiter as well.

Wouldn't mind seeing this team:

---------------------------Jones

Kelly-------------Touré-------Ilori---------Cissokho

-------------------Gerrard--------Rossiter

----------------------------Alberto
Ibe-----------------------------------------------Moses
--------------------------Aspas

Our defence should be able to cope with Oldham, not sure about the midfield though, but Lucas, Henderson, Suarez, Sterling and Coutinho deserve a rest. Have at least three of them on the bench.

 

[Whirly]

I would expect Rossiter to be subbed on around 60 minutes rather than starting.

Also think it's probable that Sterling and possibly Lucas slot in, as while we're trying to rest some players, we do have some time before the next match, which is Stoke.

Would love to see at least Ibe and Ilori get a good opportunity though.

 

[Fallon]

Take it seriously because it's the F.A cup, but the team below should be more than enough, while resting/protecting key personnel, and allowing a couple of other to play into some form (Gerrard/Kelly/Aspas);

Jones

Kelly
Toure
Agger
Smith

Gerrard
Lucas
Alberto

Ibe
Aspas
Sterling

Though I'd be gob-smacked if the actual team didn't feature one/both of Moses and Cissokho.

 

[Modo]

Seems fair to give Smith a chance in his natural position.

 

[StevieM]

I wouldn't go too gung-ho with playing the reserves.

Henderson & Suarez carrying little knocks - so definitely worth a rest. Johnston too.

Gerrard, Aspas & Kelly to come in for them - Alberto on after 60 mins for Gerrard.

Cissoko should continue at LB - he's our best option at LB - so let's just play him and hope he gets better with more appearances.

Coutinho drops back into midfield with Gerrard & Lucas.

Forward line of Moses Aspas & Sterling.

 

[gene hughes]

We should play our best team.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

This for me. Mig doesn't need resting, and Sterling's season effectively started in December. Coutinho was out for a while so shouldn't need that much rest at this point. Henderson and Suarez do deserve a break though.

-------------- Mignolet ----------------
Kelly --- Toure --- Agger --- Smith
--------------- Lucas ------------------
------- Gerrard -- Alberto ------------
Sterling ----- Aspas ----- Coutinho

Subs: Jones, Skrtel, Ilori, Cissokho, Rossiter, Ibe/Teixeira, Suarez

 

[DHSC]

I want to win and it's hard to see where the goals are coming from if Suarez or Sturridge doesn't play. Suarez does need a rest though. I guess it really depends on how much Rodgers prioritizes the FA Cup.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I wouldn't play Gerrard for the full game - unless it's 45 minutes in 1st half or 2nd half.

 

[red_maradona]

Ming

Toure
Skrtel
Illori
Smith

Lucas
Henderson
Alberto

Ibe
Aspas
Coutinho

Bring on Rossiter and Sinclair at some point,

Good mixture of youth and core of team. Onus would be on Coutinho.

 

[keniget]

It's a shame Allen is out. This is a game you'd want to ask him to be a leader in the absence of a few others and see how he does.

Suarez, Johnson, Henderson and Coutinho can all have a rest.

I'd play our strongest team from the remaining players.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

--------Mignolet---
Kelly---Toure---Agger---Cissokho
------Lucas----Henderson
Moses----Alberto----Sterling
-------------Ibe

Suarez and Gerrard on the bench

 

[FoxForceFive]

We need to rest our key players, should a midfielder get injured we're fooked so it's not worth jeopardising a top 4 finish for a cup run.

This game isn't yet listed on any TV station anywhere btw.

 

[tony]

We need to rest our key players, should a midfielder get injured we're fooked so it's not worth jeopardising a top 4 finish for a cup run.

This game isn't yet listed on any TV station anywhere btw.

This,we have a great chance to establish ourselves in the cl again, we cannot afford a cup run to get in the way.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

That's ridiculous, a cup run would do us good, and wouldn't get in the way. We should rotate anyway, as we should in the league, but sending out a team to lose is the wrong thing to do. We should be doing our best to win as many games as we can.

 

[jexykrodic]

That's ridiculous, a cup run would do us good, and wouldn't get in the way. We should rotate anyway, as we should in the league, but sending out a team to lose is the wrong thing to do. We should be doing our best to win as many games as we can.

Yep, always.

 

[StevieM]

This for me. Mig doesn't need resting, and Sterling's season effectively started in December. Coutinho was out for a while so shouldn't need that much rest at this point. Henderson and Suarez do deserve a break though.

-------------- Mignolet ----------------
Kelly --- Toure --- Agger --- Smith
--------------- Lucas ------------------
------- Gerrard -- Alberto ------------
Sterling ----- Aspas ----- Coutinho

Subs: Jones, Skrtel, Ilori, Cissokho, Rossiter, Ibe/Teixeira, Suarez

Why the fuck would you play Smith at LB over Cissoko? There is absolutely no sensible argent for doing that.

... And why drop Skrtle?

 

[mark1975]

That's ridiculous, a cup run would do us good, and wouldn't get in the way. We should rotate anyway, as we should in the league, but sending out a team to lose is the wrong thing to do. We should be doing our best to win as many games as we can.

There seems to be this worryingly shortsighted trend of dismissing the domestic cups, in favour of hoping it gets us that extra yard towards CL qualification. I know which looks better in the history books, and we should have a squad capable of competing in two competitions, given the money we've spent.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

Why the fuck would you play Smith at LB over Cissoko? There is absolutely no sensible argent for doing that.

Not that I'm really for it, but of course there's a sensible argument for it. Cissokho is unlikely to ever be our long term solution, Smith could be. That should be enough to see him get a few games for us this season.

Having said that, I don't think we'll see Smith again for a few weeks/months though. He has a bit of work to do.

 

[mark1975]

-------------Mignolet------------------
Kelly----Toure---Agger--Cissokho
---------Lucas--Rossiter-----------
---------------Gerrard----------------
---Alberto-----Aspas----Sterling-

 

[OLD_Lewy]

id like alberto to start, also this is the first game ive got a ticket for for a while so im fully expecting an embarrassing defeat

 

[tony]

There seems to be this worryingly shortsighted trend of dismissing the domestic cups, in favour of hoping it gets us that extra yard towards CL qualification. I know which looks better in the history books, and we should have a squad capable of competing in two competitions, given the money we've spent.

But this year CL is not out of the question and that would make it much easier to attract better players in the summer ( as we found in the last transfer window ) as well as providing extra funds. Who knows Suarez may even stay, for this year I would prefer not to compromise our chances.

 

[FoxForceFive]

But this year CL is not out of the question and that would make it much easier to attract better players in the summer ( as we found in the last transfer window ) as well as providing extra funds. Who knows Suarez may even stay, for this year I would prefer not to compromise our chances.

Yep. Ideal world scenario we make loads of changes like Arsenal do & get to the semi finals, by which point we're comfortable enough in the league to play the big guns, as well as having some squad players pushing the first teamers & high on confidence.

 

[mark1975]

I think it's pretty criminal, given the amount of money we've spent, that we can't do two competitions comfortably. I used to have a go at Rafa for it when he moaned about not having depth, while spunking money on shite fringe players, I don't see why Rodgers should get away with it, while Everton (for example) just get on with it.

 

[refugee]

Not that I'm really for it, but of course there's a sensible argument for it. Cissokho is unlikely to ever be our long term solution, Smith could be. That should be enough to see him get a few games for us this season.

Having said that, I don't think we'll see Smith again for a few weeks/months though. He has a bit of work to do.

There's also the argument of trying to rebuild Smiths confidence (if Rodgers thinks Smith is worth it in the long term)

 

[FoxForceFive]

Why not use Arsenal as the example?

Their youngsters have improved year on year thanks to their cup runs.

 

[mark1975]

Why not use Arsenal as the example?

Their youngsters have improved year on year thanks to their cup runs.

I know, but they tend to that alot more in the League Cup, and they have the benefit of a well embedded blueprint throughout the club, we're just getting started really. I'm not against playing some youngsters, I'm just astounded at people's attitudes to potential silverware, maybe I'm just an oldie! 😉

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

Why not use Arsenal as the example?

Their youngsters have improved year on year thanks to their cup runs.

Because Arsenal exist not to win trophies, and to celebrate finishing fourth.

We exist to win trophies.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I'm usually the same, but I had pinned my hopes on possibly fighting for top 4 if we were lucky, & losing Suarez.

However now we look like bettering top 4 if we're lucky with injuries, & if we get top 4 could well keep Suarez, so I think the league must take priority this season above all else.

Our squad is paper thin every where except the CB's, I'd prefer not to risk the key players.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

Players can get injured in training and by not playing. I think we can finish in the top four, at least, whether we progress in the cup or not.