Newcastle and the Quarter Final

[RAY Rock]

Why are Newcastle players tired two weeks ago they were praised for there resilience. We have played 3 games in a week and not spent 700 million in two seasons.

[LC]

We have to play our strongest teams in both games. Niether will be easy. We are on a winning streak so confidence will be high. We have every chance of winning both as we don't need to fear anyone on our current form

This!  Do NOT submit to the temptation to rest some players in favor of theoretically offering a 'better' team for a chosen match.  Fools play, IMHO.

I agree with the sentiment, but we will rotate somewhat. We have to travel up to Newcastle then back to London and then back up to Everton a couple of days later.

Wilson, Reed, BDR, Tete, Ream and Rodak all haven't been in the team so I'd expect them to come in and I don't think those players coming in will weaken us to much to be honest. And in fact Tete is an upgrade on my opinion.

Either way I expect us to put out a strong team and try and win both games

[General]

I've been looking forward to the quarter final game against Everton for a few weeks now and I just took a quick look at the fixtures list. We play Everton a few days after Newcastle.

Newcastle have been in poor form recently and have had a lot of injuries, it would be a good opportunity to pick up three points. But I have to say, I would be very tempted to rest a couple of players for the Everton game which I could argue is a much more important game- especially when you could be playing either Port Vale or Middlesbrough in the Semi-Final.

Given we have just crossed the 20 point mark before the half way of the season I would be very tempted to rest a few players.

What does everyone think?

I'm not sure there's a huge need to rest players in truth.

Marco kept ream out for bassey, castagne came in for Tete. You've got Reed who came on for Palhinha, Traore coming back in, Wilson contributing off the bench.. BDR can score goals too.

Ballo-toure seems to be a solid option for Robinson cover (3 of our back 5 covered). I don't know when Diop is expected back..

I think we've got enough depth in those positions to simply rotate.

The benefit of keeping things as they are at the moment is that if we do well vs an out of form Newcastle then we can rest starters for the Everton game a bit later on.

20 points really isn't much and I think it's far more important to keep the good feeling and run going through the camp for the time being as momentum alone and if we win the enjoyment of that can keep the squad going longer than if we were losing all the time.

Keep going I think.

Everton are in great form too, a win or lose vs them is an unknown entity at the moment.. plus winning a cup is a luck of draw and who turns up on the day as much as all the other things that play into a top end professional game.

[LC]

I've been looking forward to the quarter final game against Everton for a few weeks now and I just took a quick look at the fixtures list. We play Everton a few days after Newcastle.

Newcastle have been in poor form recently and have had a lot of injuries, it would be a good opportunity to pick up three points. But I have to say, I would be very tempted to rest a couple of players for the Everton game which I could argue is a much more important game- especially when you could be playing either Port Vale or Middlesbrough in the Semi-Final.

Given we have just crossed the 20 point mark before the half way of the season I would be very tempted to rest a few players.

What does everyone think?

I'm not sure there's a huge need to rest players in truth.

Marco kept ream out for bassey, castagne came in for Tete. You've got Reed who came on for Palhinha, Traore coming back in, Wilson contributing off the bench.. BDR can score goals too.

Ballo-toure seems to be a solid option for Robinson cover (3 of our back 5 covered). I don't know when Diop is expected back..

I think we've got enough depth in those positions to simply rotate.

The benefit of keeping things as they are at the moment is that if we do well vs an out of form Newcastle then we can rest starters for the Everton game a bit later on.

20 points really isn't much and I think it's far more important to keep the good feeling and run going through the camp for the time being as momentum alone and if we win the enjoyment of that can keep the squad going longer than if we were losing all the time.

Keep going I think.

Everton are in great form too, a win or lose vs them is an unknown entity at the moment.. plus winning a cup is a luck of draw and who turns up on the day as much as all the other things that play into a top end professional game.

Fair comments all round. 20 points at the half way stage of the season puts you on track for 40 points end of the season and we are ahead of schedule which does gives us some flexibility. As you say, we have Reed, Wilson, BDR, Ream and others to come in so we have good options. Personally, I've always believed you put your best team out- presuming everyone is fit.

One interesting thought is that Everton may well rest players when they play us- they are in a regulation battle for sure so it will be interesting to see what they do- of course we have no control over that

[Grassy Noel]

We have to play our strongest teams in both games. Niether will be easy. We are on a winning streak so confidence will be high. We have every chance of winning both as we don't need to fear anyone on our current form

This!  Do NOT submit to the temptation to rest some players in favor of theoretically offering a 'better' team for a chosen match.  Fools play, IMHO.

I agree with the sentiment, but we will rotate somewhat. We have to travel up to Newcastle then back to London and then back up to Birmingham a couple of days later.

Wilson, Reed, BDR, Tete, Ream and Rodak all haven't been in the team so I'd expect them to come in and I don't think those players coming in will weaken us to much to be honest. And in fact Tete is an upgrade on my opinion.

Either way I expect us to put out a strong team and try and win both games

You got me with the Birmingham trip.Is it an awards evening?

[TC's Sporran]

id say v newcastle play the same side unless willian (or anyone) is a bit fragile. get 3-0 up and then rest players.
if only....

everton meet burnley the same day and it could be a tough bruising battle with dyche facing his old club. if they get a win then i dont think they will class themselves as in a relegation dogfight and might even have european ambitions if they keep winning.  i heard tony bellew jokingly say they could still do the treble joking aside i think everton will take this competition seriously. and it will be a tough game.

[LC]

We have to play our strongest teams in both games. Niether will be easy. We are on a winning streak so confidence will be high. We have every chance of winning both as we don't need to fear anyone on our current form

This!  Do NOT submit to the temptation to rest some players in favor of theoretically offering a 'better' team for a chosen match.  Fools play, IMHO.

I agree with the sentiment, but we will rotate somewhat. We have to travel up to Newcastle then back to London and then back up to Birmingham a couple of days later.

Wilson, Reed, BDR, Tete, Ream and Rodak all haven't been in the team so I'd expect them to come in and I don't think those players coming in will weaken us to much to be honest. And in fact Tete is an upgrade on my opinion.

Either way I expect us to put out a strong team and try and win both games

You got me with the Birmingham trip.Is it an awards evening?

Sorry meant Everton!!

[Hatch007]

Everton away is now a much tougher proposition than it appeared on paper at the time of the draw being made.

I like the comment above about having Willian on the pitch at 90 mins in the event of a draw. We are blessed right now that the likes of Wilson and Tete can come in without downgrading our quality. We have other quality backup, too, but those two standout the most for me. I think our best XI is gleaned from the side that started against WH and Tete/Wilson.

We're definitely playing Newcastle at the right time given their injury crisis and midweek CL commitment so pick our strongest available XI and see how the game transpires. Who knows, we really could be sitting pretty with 20 mins to go and rest some starters for Everton.

Let's enjoy the ride and current wave of huge optimism that none of us could have foreseen 5 matches ago.

[General]

I've been looking forward to the quarter final game against Everton for a few weeks now and I just took a quick look at the fixtures list. We play Everton a few days after Newcastle.

Newcastle have been in poor form recently and have had a lot of injuries, it would be a good opportunity to pick up three points. But I have to say, I would be very tempted to rest a couple of players for the Everton game which I could argue is a much more important game- especially when you could be playing either Port Vale or Middlesbrough in the Semi-Final.

Given we have just crossed the 20 point mark before the half way of the season I would be very tempted to rest a few players.

What does everyone think?

I'm not sure there's a huge need to rest players in truth.

Marco kept ream out for bassey, castagne came in for Tete. You've got Reed who came on for Palhinha, Traore coming back in, Wilson contributing off the bench.. BDR can score goals too.

Ballo-toure seems to be a solid option for Robinson cover (3 of our back 5 covered). I don't know when Diop is expected back..

I think we've got enough depth in those positions to simply rotate.

The benefit of keeping things as they are at the moment is that if we do well vs an out of form Newcastle then we can rest starters for the Everton game a bit later on.

20 points really isn't much and I think it's far more important to keep the good feeling and run going through the camp for the time being as momentum alone and if we win the enjoyment of that can keep the squad going longer than if we were losing all the time.

Keep going I think.

Everton are in great form too, a win or lose vs them is an unknown entity at the moment.. plus winning a cup is a luck of draw and who turns up on the day as much as all the other things that play into a top end professional game.

Fair comments all round. 20 points at the half way stage of the season puts you on track for 40 points end of the season and we are ahead of schedule which does gives us some flexibility. As you say, we have Reed, Wilson, BDR, Ream and others to come in so we have good options. Personally, I've always believed you put your best team out- presuming everyone is fit.

One interesting thought is that Everton may well rest players when they play us- they are in a regulation battle for sure so it will be interesting to see what they do- of course we have no control over that

Everton aren't in a relegation battle, they arguably haven't been at all this season.

Even with ten points deducted they're out of the relegation places and their form is one of the best in the league.

Their form is 3rd over the last 6 games and 4th over the last 10.

They'll be fine.

They had a decent squad and manager last season but needed time to gel and for dyche to steady the ship.

They survived and if anything this point deduction has sharpened them up and given them a focus and determination that has galvanised them perfectly.

It reminded me of Wigan? And Derby? When they both got significant points deductions and went on winning streaks.. Wigan I think I remember in particular.

It says a lot about the quality of football vs what it could be if everyone was deeply motivated by the same cause.. in fact not just football but society and humanity as a whole.

[KentFulham]

Strongest team for both! These are professional athletes and it is the first half of the season.

[filham]

Full concentration now on the Newcastle game. It would be magnificent to carry this run up to Newcastle and stay firmly in the top half of the premier league table and above Chelsea.

[Woolly Mammoth]

What is this talk about resting players.
We are not running a holiday camp.

A lot of them don't even play a full game.

Play our strongest team available at Newcastle and then play our strongest available team at Everton.

Too much dissecting the tiniest detail.
It's desire, hunger and appetite plus mental strength that are the catalysts in winning matches, not fannying around with a file of statistics under your arm.

Prepare and organise for the Newcastle match, win it, assess who is fit and injury free, then prepare and organise for the Everton match, and play our strongest available team.
Win both games and take no prisoners.

[Whitestone]

With a total of eight matches in December squad rotation is a necessity. That doesn't mean that Silva won't be selecting what he sees as his best starting eleven for each individual game. It's not a case of resting players but more about maximising the squad to get the best out of the group. Take a look at Newcastle's current form to see what can happen when you use the same starting eleven in a short space of time over a six game period.

[LC]

I've been looking forward to the quarter final game against Everton for a few weeks now and I just took a quick look at the fixtures list. We play Everton a few days after Newcastle.

Newcastle have been in poor form recently and have had a lot of injuries, it would be a good opportunity to pick up three points. But I have to say, I would be very tempted to rest a couple of players for the Everton game which I could argue is a much more important game- especially when you could be playing either Port Vale or Middlesbrough in the Semi-Final.

Given we have just crossed the 20 point mark before the half way of the season I would be very tempted to rest a few players.

What does everyone think?

I'm not sure there's a huge need to rest players in truth.

Marco kept ream out for bassey, castagne came in for Tete. You've got Reed who came on for Palhinha, Traore coming back in, Wilson contributing off the bench.. BDR can score goals too.

Ballo-toure seems to be a solid option for Robinson cover (3 of our back 5 covered). I don't know when Diop is expected back..

I think we've got enough depth in those positions to simply rotate.

The benefit of keeping things as they are at the moment is that if we do well vs an out of form Newcastle then we can rest starters for the Everton game a bit later on.

20 points really isn't much and I think it's far more important to keep the good feeling and run going through the camp for the time being as momentum alone and if we win the enjoyment of that can keep the squad going longer than if we were losing all the time.

Keep going I think.

Everton are in great form too, a win or lose vs them is an unknown entity at the moment.. plus winning a cup is a luck of draw and who turns up on the day as much as all the other things that play into a top end professional game.

Fair comments all round. 20 points at the half way stage of the season puts you on track for 40 points end of the season and we are ahead of schedule which does gives us some flexibility. As you say, we have Reed, Wilson, BDR, Ream and others to come in so we have good options. Personally, I've always believed you put your best team out- presuming everyone is fit.

One interesting thought is that Everton may well rest players when they play us- they are in a regulation battle for sure so it will be interesting to see what they do- of course we have no control over that

Everton aren't in a relegation battle, they arguably haven't been at all this season.

Even with ten points deducted they're out of the relegation places and their form is one of the best in the league.

Their form is 3rd over the last 6 games and 4th over the last 10.

They'll be fine.

They had a decent squad and manager last season but needed time to gel and for dyche to steady the ship.

They survived and if anything this point deduction has sharpened them up and given them a focus and determination that has galvanised them perfectly.

It reminded me of Wigan? And Derby? When they both got significant points deductions and went on winning streaks.. Wigan I think I remember in particular.

It says a lot about the quality of football vs what it could be if everyone was deeply motivated by the same cause.. in fact not just football but society and humanity as a whole.

Presuming the points deduction isn't overturned, I think they are certainly in a relegation battle. It's going to be a long season, they'll likely get an injury or two at some point and i doubt they'll maintain their current form. Aside from Doucouré they have struggled to find goals and that's a problem (much like it's been for us). I think they will be in the bottom 5 this season. Having said that, I think they'll stay up. 

[LC]

What is this talk about resting players.
We are not running a holiday camp.

A lot of them don't even play a full game.

Play our strongest team available at Newcastle and then play our strongest available team at Everton.

Too much dissecting the tiniest detail.
It's desire, hunger and appetite plus mental strength that are the catalysts in winning matches, not fannying around with a file of statistics under your arm.

Prepare and organise for the Newcastle match, win it, assess who is fit and injury free, then prepare and organise for the Everton match, and play our strongest available team.
Win both games and take no prisoners.

Well yes, but that's pretty much the same as having to rest players. Put it this way, we won't put the exact same team out against Newcastle and Everton. I'd expect to see some rotation, especially when you have players like Wilson and Reed, who haven't started recently, but have done well when they have come on. Having said that, I would expect to see the core of our team start unless they have picked up a knock.

I would also start Leno in both games.

To be fair, I don't think we are saying different things

[Woolly Mammoth]

What is this talk about resting players.
We are not running a holiday camp.

A lot of them don't even play a full game.

Play our strongest team available at Newcastle and then play our strongest available team at Everton.

Too much dissecting the tiniest detail.
It's desire, hunger and appetite plus mental strength that are the catalysts in winning matches, not fannying around with a file of statistics under your arm.

Prepare and organise for the Newcastle match, win it, assess who is fit and injury free, then prepare and organise for the Everton match, and play our strongest available team.
Win both games and take no prisoners.

Well yes, but that's pretty much the same as having to rest players. Put it this way, we won't put the exact same team out against Newcastle and Everton. I'd expect to see some rotation, especially when you have players like Wilson and Reed, who haven't started recently, but have done well when they have come on. Having said that, I would expect to see the core of our team start unless they have picked up a knock.

I would also start Leno in both games.

To be fair, I don't think we are saying different things

I agree with you, we are just using different adjectives to explain our point of view, but with the same result.
I also concur with you regarding Leno staying in goal, there is no room for sentiment.
I would rather disappoint one player by not playing him than ten players if i did play him, and i say that with due respect to Rodak.

[TC's Sporran]

silva is a great believer in selecting players on how they have been performing during training.  he said this about why he started tc against wolves.  so anyone who is feeling a bit tired due to the recent glut of games (after the relatively long lay offs due to the international breaks)  and eases up in training may find themselves on the bench,. this could explain why some players get motm one game and are benched the next. or have relatively poor games yet dont get dropped.   and maybe why he was reluctant to make his substitutions until too late  bringing on players who arent giving their all at training .

so for silva its not about picking the same team regardless. its all about training.

whereas i remember(and i keep repeating this)  dalglish said going purely by training shearer wouldnt get in the side. yet his was the first name on the sheet. gullit obviously put training attitude first.

[btffc]

Fear we will be without Willian for at least a couple games. Marco said his sub was 50/50 precautionary/for the injury so there is definitely something there and risking turning a minor tweak into an injury where he could be out months would be a very bad idea.

Question becomes would you keep Iwobi on the right where his partnership with Pereira is flourishing and put BDR on the left or move Iwobi to the left and start Wilson on the right who has looked great the past few games?

[Marcel_Gecov]

No rest until the Rotherham game and even then we would start whichever of Tete/ Castagne isnt playing, Ballo-Toure, Lukic, Muniz/ Vini, probably Traore, Harris, Rodak, Ream, etc. Seem to have built up some decent squad depth.

[Grassy Noel]

Much as I love Castagne I am sure that Tete is the man to keep Gordon in check with his one on one defending.