Another thought about tomorrow night's game...

[Craig_H]

Like many, i expect to see a reserve side tomorrow night, mixture of kids and fringe players, and ordinarily that's what i'd pick too...

However, with recent games not having gone the way we'd have liked, i just wonder if there might be a case for playing a strong side tomorrow, given that we've gone 3 games without a win and we need a confidence booster and win.

Four games without a win would be unpleasant to say the least and might have a detrimental affect on confidence going into the Wigan game on Saturday. A win would raise spirits, put us back on the right track and get rid of the negative vibes.

Is there a case for putting out a strong side tomorrow, on the basis of this?

[Guest]

We'll probably see the likes of Momo, Yossi, Leiva, Crouch, Voronin, Aurelio, Finnan, Hobbs, Carra / Sami ... Therefore still a strong team.

[Craig_H]

I'd be surprised if Carra plays. Maybe Momo too, given Alonso's out for a while.

It's a tricky balancing act. I do NOT want to go 4 games without a win and be dumped out of the league cup at the 1st hurdle. It'll do nothing for confidence.

[homer1]

I'd be surprised if Carra plays. Maybe Momo too, given Alonso's out for a while.

It's a tricky balancing act. I do NOT want to go 4 games without a win and be dumped out of the league cup at the 1st hurdle. It'll do nothing for confidence.

As you say, I'd doubt of Carra plays - may see a CB partnership of Hobbs & Arboloa. I would guess Momo will play as he hasn't been of late so could probably do with a game. Interesting to see who plays up top - Crouch & Voronin?

With our squad full of experienced players, curious to see how many of the youth set up get a look in

[Morph]

Right my guess

Itandje
Finnan Hobbs Carra Insua
Benayoun Sissoko Leiva Leto
Torres Crouch

Torres Crouch Benayoun, Sissoko, didn't play(much if at all) at the weekend
Leto Leiva Insua Hobbs both need games
We need a look at Itandje
Carra will lead the team

[Nic83]

I expect to see goals and lots of them and will put my money where my mouth is.

[Nic83]

I think the side will be:

Itanje
Insua
Riise
Hyypia/Carra
Hobbs
Momo
Aurelio
Leto
Lucas
Crouch
Benayoun

Or something like that.

[Morph]

also depends on the team reading put out, coppell normally chooses fringe players in cup games, and he might see a cup like this especially against Liverpool, a waste of resources considering their poor start so far.

[Gordy Boy]

Itandje
Finnan
Hyypia (Capt)
Hobbs
Aurelio
Sissoko
Leiva
Benayoun
Riise
Crouch
Voronin

Or maybe something completely different.

[Nic83]

I'd be surprised if Carra plays. Maybe Momo too, given Alonso's out for a while.

It's a tricky balancing act. I do NOT want to go 4 games without a win and be dumped out of the league cup at the 1st hurdle. It'll do nothing for confidence.

I think one of Hyypia or Carra will play. Remember Agger is out so he may not want to play Sami as he may get "tired"! So Carra for me unless as someone mentioned, he moves arbeloa in to the centre.

We can't go and play 2 youngsters in the centre of defense or we could have another Arsenal on our hands.

[Morph]

I think the side will be:


Hyypia/Hyypia

I'd defo go Hyypia, out of those two

[Craig_H]

also depends on the team reading put out, coppell normally chooses fringe players in cup games, and he might see a cup like this especially against Liverpool, a waste of resources considering their poor start so far.

Yeah but rafa wont get to see the Reading teamsheet til he's submitted his own.

[Nic83]

Itandje
Finnan
Hyypia (Capt)
Hobbs
Aurelio
Sissoko
Leiva
Benayoun
Riise
Crouch
Voronin

Or maybe something completely different.

Pretty much the same as me although i expect to see leto rather than Voronin.

[bazza76]

Id give, Levia, Leto, Insua, Itanje, & Hobbs and maybe even El Zahar a game all at some point if I could.

[Nic83]

I'd defo go Hyypia, out of those two

Edited while you were posting!