@micra I hope you're right but I'll be surprised if we reach 5,000. Both teams want to be playing each other in the Championship next season and this game is little more than an unwanted distraction. It's probably safe to assume they'll be at least 8 changes for both sides from their previous league game.
It's the FA cup...I doubt either Bloomfield or Moushino see it as an unwelcome distraction. We might get an ailing Man U, Man City or Southampton in the next round. Or a Forest team who see it as a massive distraction from the quest for European football.😁
@Ed_ Actually I love the FA Cup and it's good to see that others do too but over the years I've gradually had to accept I'm in a minority. Possible promotion, avoiding relegation, a crowded fixture list... there's any number of excuses as to why so many teams treat FA Cup game's as little more than an opportunity to make 7 or 8 changes to their normal line ups and use their 'fringe' players.
A real shame that with our league fixtures in January I could not care less about this FA Cup fixture. If anything, it's a major inconvenience at an extremely busy period of the season. I'd be putting out a full second string XI for this one.
I have come round to thinking that Hartridge has been unfairly traduced by us all. Sure, he had an abysmal start to the season but Harvie wasn't much better those first two matches yet he soon came spectacularly good. Hartridge played well out of position in the cup earlier this season against Aston Villa, and again against Bolton a couple of weeks back. He looks strong and fast. He also gives us the option of a very long throw. Given there's a real chance we'll lose both Low and Taylor in the next few days, I wouldn't be adverse to seeing a Hartridge Skura central defensive partnership in action for a couple of matches at least.
I agree, he didn't have a great start, but was also probably nervous playing at a different club for the first time. I think the last couple of games he's played he looks ok
I personally think Hartridge will become a stalwart for us in the near future. Losing either Low and or Taylor should see a place for him. He is quick, (see Aston Villa), strong and possesses a very useful throw in. I think his passing needs to be improved on the evidence of the few appearances he has made, then I believe he can be as good as Low. As somebody noted above, just because he had a bit of a rocky start, doesn't make him a bad player. 🤷♂️
I genuinely think we are built for a cup run this season - the Villa game showed we can have the better of it against PL "reserve" sides, so I just hope we can get past Portsmouth and make some noise. I would not be at all surprised if we were able to get to the QFs, for instance.
I think we'll be playing a mix of starters and reserves like we did against Villa. I am definitely not saying we will win, but I am confident we can, and that we can go toe-to-toe in rounds 4 and 5 too (unless we get one of the very deep squads like an Arsenal or a Chelsea).
Whoa, love the optimism but we could beat Pompey and be drawn away to Liverpool in Round 4. The QF is a distant planet and personally I would prioritise promotion every time.
Portsmouth have some tough games coming up and some huge away journeys. They play Swansea who are 9th then 4th, 5th and 6th with us in the middle of the two away journeys at 680 miles and 530 miles.
They will be desperate not to lose touch with 21st place Hull.
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@micra I hope you're right but I'll be surprised if we reach 5,000. Both teams want to be playing each other in the Championship next season and this game is little more than an unwanted distraction. It's probably safe to assume they'll be at least 8 changes for both sides from their previous league game.
@Doob It is as safe to assume the team that Blooms will put out as it is to assume that everyone else feels as apathetic as you about the FA Cup.
If we get past Portsmouth I could see a serious cup run this year.
It's the FA cup...I doubt either Bloomfield or Moushino see it as an unwelcome distraction. We might get an ailing Man U, Man City or Southampton in the next round. Or a Forest team who see it as a massive distraction from the quest for European football.😁
@Ed_ Actually I love the FA Cup and it's good to see that others do too but over the years I've gradually had to accept I'm in a minority. Possible promotion, avoiding relegation, a crowded fixture list... there's any number of excuses as to why so many teams treat FA Cup game's as little more than an opportunity to make 7 or 8 changes to their normal line ups and use their 'fringe' players.
A real shame that with our league fixtures in January I could not care less about this FA Cup fixture. If anything, it's a major inconvenience at an extremely busy period of the season. I'd be putting out a full second string XI for this one.
Depending on players in and out could well be second string as many will be cup tied if we do lose a few
Imagine the 'not taking it seriously' posts there would be if there was a Hartridge own goal.
I have come round to thinking that Hartridge has been unfairly traduced by us all. Sure, he had an abysmal start to the season but Harvie wasn't much better those first two matches yet he soon came spectacularly good. Hartridge played well out of position in the cup earlier this season against Aston Villa, and again against Bolton a couple of weeks back. He looks strong and fast. He also gives us the option of a very long throw. Given there's a real chance we'll lose both Low and Taylor in the next few days, I wouldn't be adverse to seeing a Hartridge Skura central defensive partnership in action for a couple of matches at least.
I agree, he didn't have a great start, but was also probably nervous playing at a different club for the first time. I think the last couple of games he's played he looks ok
No traducing by me @aloysius (at least I think not) he looked nervy against Wrexham, but I thought he was good against Villa and looks okay to me.
By us all? It’s okay, you can just speak for yourself.
I personally think Hartridge will become a stalwart for us in the near future. Losing either Low and or Taylor should see a place for him. He is quick, (see Aston Villa), strong and possesses a very useful throw in. I think his passing needs to be improved on the evidence of the few appearances he has made, then I believe he can be as good as Low. As somebody noted above, just because he had a bit of a rocky start, doesn't make him a bad player. 🤷♂️
I genuinely think we are built for a cup run this season - the Villa game showed we can have the better of it against PL "reserve" sides, so I just hope we can get past Portsmouth and make some noise. I would not be at all surprised if we were able to get to the QFs, for instance.
I hate to be the one to bring this up, but Portsmouth will be our 4th game in ten days. What sort of team do you think we'll be putting out?
(I accept the point that Portsmouth may not see it as their priority and pick a second string as well)
I think we'll be playing a mix of starters and reserves like we did against Villa. I am definitely not saying we will win, but I am confident we can, and that we can go toe-to-toe in rounds 4 and 5 too (unless we get one of the very deep squads like an Arsenal or a Chelsea).
I think cup runs require a sprinkling of magic dust and we're using all that up in the league this season
Whoa, love the optimism but we could beat Pompey and be drawn away to Liverpool in Round 4. The QF is a distant planet and personally I would prioritise promotion every time.
Portsmouth have some tough games coming up and some huge away journeys. They play Swansea who are 9th then 4th, 5th and 6th with us in the middle of the two away journeys at 680 miles and 530 miles.
They will be desperate not to lose touch with 21st place Hull.
Lets hope we can progress.
Shame that Blackburn away isn't before the cup game though. We've definitely not a handicap having our toughest game 3 days before.