Team for Blackburn

hulloutpost

hulloutpost

Vital Champions League
It is laudable that DC sees every game as a winnable opportunity but personally I would be happy if he prioritised a very significant league game at Exeter rather than a League Cup tie at Blackburn. I just don't see the big bucks in this competition and would actually rather we took the Checkatrade and FA Cup games more seriously.

With that in mind I would be pleased if DC looked to utilise the whole squad. Full games for Slocombe, Wilson, Toffolo, Shackell, Luque, Rhead, Green - could Crookes play RB to give Eardley a break? Potentially a 60/30 mins. split CM for O'Connor/Bossie, Chapman/Pett with Anderson/Andrade RW in a 4-4-2.

Give Freck and Akinde a chance to recharge batteries, McCartan some more recovery time and Wharton is not available. At least we know there won't be extra time so makes it a bit easier to manage minutes on the pitch.
 
Exeter will have the similar thoughts, being away at Fulham tomorrow.

It keeps the squad happy giving as many as possible a game, and sharpens their match fitness if they are likely to be on the bench on Saturday. No doubt suitable regard will be had for the Exeter game.

Might be worth pairing Rhead and Akinde for part of the game to see how teams defend against them.
 
Virtually the last thing Danny said in his post match interview was involving the whole squad this week so tomorrow night, you would think will see substantial changes from Saturday. Rhead and Green to start at least, Slocombe in goal etc McCarten if he is fit, Chapman, pity Wharton cannot get a run out, we will still be competitive I am certain.
 
I'd certainly rest Eardley. Too precious to us to pick up knocks in 'secondary' fixtures. We have the luxury of a really good squad - let's use it.
 
With Wharton being ineligible and probably a rest for Bostwick I can also see this being a back 4 rather than a wing back match. Crooks and Wilson alongside Toffolo and Shackell.

Slocombe in goal if allowed under the loan deal

Luque and Chapman as two midfielders

Green and Rhead up front

The last two slots are a bit of a mystery at the moment. McCarten probably dependant upon fitness otherwise Pett then either Anderson or Andrade
 
Most likely a back 3 with Anderson and Toffolo as wing backs, similar to Port Vale game. It's a winnable game even with changes.
As supporters let's not get all Billy Big Bollcks and think we shouldn't try to progress because of lack of monetary reward. That is so Premier League thinking and is the sort of thinking that is killing the game.
 
3-5-2 wing backs.
Slocombe
Wilson, Shackell, Crookes.
Anderson (RWB) Toffollo (LWB)
Chapman, Bostwick, Pett.
Rhead, Green.

Rested but maybe on the bench. Smith, Eardley, Akinde, McCartan, Andrade, Frecklington, O’Connor.

Wharton unavailable.

Luque to have some involvement from the bench.
 
toffolo has played every minute. and is bombing up and down that flank all match. has he earned a break?
do we have anyone else that can play there?
if not, he is in the same high risk/no cover category as eardley.
 
Slocombe
Wilson, Shackell, Crookes.
Anderson (RWB) Toffollo (LWB)
Chapman, Frecklington, Pett
Rhead, Green.

I'd give Eardley and Bostwick a break. We do need to find an alternative to Toffolo in the long term.
 
Many on here putting Crookes as a third centre back. I thought he was more of a RB/LB but fair enough. It would be nice for him to get some game time either way
 
Think Crookes was brought in as deputy left back(?) but a tough fixture to debut in for us. BUT he does have to play at some point.
I agree that defending Trophy is way more lucrative (quite bizarre that but true). And another decent FA Cup run in the winter would be welcome and also lucrative.

Danny clearly said THIS season the Lge is the priority whereas last season promotion was not a fully realistic target (although we did remarkably well for first season back).

Anyway, whoever starts will do us proud and any positive outcome will be brilliant.
 
I think we do have to take into account monetary reward as we are maxed out financially and we are still in L2. If we get into L1 we would have to quadruple our budget to be competitive financially with most teams there although should we achieve that goal hopefully the Cowley factor would mitigate the jump to a degree. If we accept that promotion is the number one goal this season then we shouldn't be risking injury to certain players for low financial rewards whereas if we are to progress as a club then the risks are arguably more worthwhile in the other cups as success would potentially bring in significantly more cash to invest in infrastructure and the team. Also there are gains to be had for the other players getting a match and spreading the work load as outlined by DC.
 
hulloutpost said:
I think we do have to take into account monetary reward as we are maxed out financially and we are still in L2. If we get into L1 we would have to quadruple our budget to be competitive financially with most teams there although should we achieve that goal hopefully the Cowley factor would mitigate the jump to a degree. If we accept that promotion is the number one goal this season then we shouldn't be risking injury to certain players for low financial rewards whereas if we are to progress as a club then the risks are arguably more worthwhile in the other cups as success would potentially bring in significantly more cash to invest in infrastructure and the team. Also there are gains to be had for the other players getting a match and spreading the work load as outlined by DC.
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We do have to take into account monetary reward. Would putting a strong side out which could keep a clean sheet and win on penalties be worth it, should we draw Man Utd away in the next round?
 
Croozey said:
Slocombe
Wilson, Shackell, Crookes.
Anderson (RWB) Toffollo (LWB)
Chapman, Frecklington, Pett
Rhead, Green.

I'd give Eardley and Bostwick a break. We do need to find an alternative to Toffolo in the long term.
Click to expand...

Are you saying to find we need an alternative for Toffolo because he can't be expected to play all games or because you don't think he's good enough?
 
Any news on when Sam is likely to be back in contention?

Would hope to see a full squad run-out with the bench and non match day players from Saturday all starting, so Crookes, Luque, Green, Rheady, Chapman, Wilson, Slocombe all starting. McCartan an hour if fit? Eardley definitely, Bozzie possibly, given the night off as at Vale. I'd like to see Shackell rested too, but the unavailability of Wharton may mean he has to play.

Agree Toffolo has earned a night off too, but the only LB/LWB option? Harry A can play RWB but I'm not sure Bruno can do left! But Harry T has done a pretty good job so far and another player who seems to getting more on method match by match.
 
sincilite said:
Are you saying to find we need an alternative for Toffolo because he can't be expected to play all games or because you don't think he's good enough?
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I think he's a good player, but just worried about lack of cover until Sam H is fit again.
 
Chimpimp said:
We do have to take into account monetary reward. Would putting a strong side out which could keep a clean sheet and win on penalties be worth it, should we draw Man Utd away in the next round?
Click to expand...
It is always a consideration but on this occasion it is a tough away game, midweek, one of 9(?) games in 28 days and a significant long distance away match in the league on Saturday to come. So on balance I am happy that DC has heavily suggested we are going full use of the squad.
 
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