Interesting one, do we rest players for the Fulham game or play our strongest team ?
Brady was a shoe in for Saturday but now may need to play Mcneil for part of the game.
Perhaps the young full back Koiki may get some game time ?

Momentum is an important thing, as is the fact that I am taking my daughter to her first game, so a strong team please!

Heaton
Lowton Long Gibson Koiki
JBG Cork Westwood Hendrick
Vydra Vokes

We really have no alternatives in the centre/out wide. Unless Dyche decides to go for it with kids (not sure who else from the youth team there is that is in with a chance other than Koiki, what position does Chakwana play as he is seemingly doing well?).

Play the youth team.

Is Brady banned for the Barnsley game (and 1 league game), or the next 2 league games?

Chakwana could be a good shout, seems like he deserves a game from what I've been reading.
Claret Tony and others who watch the youths will obviously put us in the picture.

FactualFrank wrote:Is Brady banned for the Barnsley game (and 1 league game), or the next 2 league games?

Banned I think for next three inc Barnsley.

jedi_master wrote:Banned I think for next three inc Barnsley.

Ah right, I thought somebody said it was a 2 match ban. I would still rest McNeil. We can't afford to lose him for the Fulham match.

Can see us reverting to three at the back to protect our wide men, JBG and McNeil, for whom we have no cover.

Pope
Long Mee Gibson

Lowton Taylor/Koiki?

Hendrick Cork Westwood

Vydra Vokes

Can't imagine Barnsley will be up for this so it will be a kickabout.

Pope
Lowton Long Gibson Koiki
JBG Hendrick Cork (Defour if fit ) McNeil
Vokes Vydra

Keep the momentum going. Give the likes of Long, Gibson, Hendrick and Vydra the full 90. When we got beat by Lincoln a few years ago it completely killed our season and we limped towards the finish line.

Some line-up so that Sean can say afterwards, "Obviously I'm disappointed. I did rest some players but I believed the team I put out was good enough to beat Accrington / Lincoln / Barnsley / Port Vale / Burton / whoever it was / I don't care about cups"

Pope
Lowton Tarks Gibson Taylor
JBG Hendrick Westwood McNeil
Vydra Vokes

jrgbfc wrote:Keep the momentum going. Give the likes of Long, Gibson, Hendrick and Vydra the full 90. When we got beat by Lincoln a few years ago it completely killed our season and we limped towards the finish line.

I agree, but some changes could be sensible. With Brady suspended, if we start McNeil and he takes a knock, he'll miss a very important league game with no natural cover. He's shown in the last 2 matches that he'd be a big losss.

Same team for me. Keep the continuity going. No more chopping & changing for a while. (Injuries
permitting)

Pope
Lowton Long Gibson Koiki
JBG Hendrick Westwood McNeil
Vydra Vokes

jedi_master wrote:Heaton
Lowton Long Gibson Koiki
JBG Cork Westwood Hendrick
Vydra Vokes

I think I'd go with something very similar to this. Although I expect Hart will get a game, as it's the cup. Vydra and Vokes, certainly. Lowton at right back, definitely, as Bardsley went off injured. JBG needs to start as we need some flair out wide and McNeil needs to be saved, with Brady suspended.

Pope is definitely starting as there was some news about him in an interview under embargo (according to Boden on twitter).
Lowton, Gibson, Hendrick, Vokes and Vydra all need a game.

I would keep McNeil in. He is a young lad who will be absolutely full of confidence and belief after the last 2 games. We shouldn't try to over think it, just let the lad play.

Quickenthetempo wrote:Pope is definitely starting as there was some news about him in an interview under embargo (according to Boden on twitter).
Lowton, Gibson, Hendrick, Vokes and Vydra all need a game.

Ah, I thought he was still not 100%, but if he is ready, then yeah I'd play him instead. Ultimately, we need Heaton and Pope as our first and second choice keepers again.

Heaton
Lowton - Long - Gibson - Taylor
Chakwana - Hendrick - Cork - McNeil
Vokes - Vydra

http://www.uptheclarets.com/players/squad-list" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
When you look at the squad list we are quite heavily injury hit for bringing reserves in.

It has Koiki down as being a midfielder not a left back as everyone presumes he his?

jrgbfc wrote:I would keep McNeil in. He is a young lad who will be absolutely full of confidence and belief after the last 2 games. We shouldn't try to over think it, just let the lad play.

Had Brady not got suspended, maybe. Not now.

It would be a concern if Taylor was to play again - we could end up burning him out but don't have many options....maybe Koiki should play.
I would play McNeil - he's enjoying himself and he needs to improve his match fitness.
I would play Wood - 2 goals in 2 games could turn into 3 in 3. Confidence is crucial for him!
Hopefully Defour is fit and can play centrally with Hendrick as Cork and Westwood need a break.

Wouldn’t be playing JBG. Needs to build his match fitness.

Injuries permitting:

Hart
Lowton Long Gibson Koiki
McNeil Hendrick Defour Ward
Vydra Vokes

JBG and Westwood for Defour and Ward otherwise

Or we could sign someone before Saturday!!!!

Roosterbooster wrote:Injuries permitting:

Hart
Lowton Long Gibson Koiki
McNeil Hendrick Defour Ward
Vydra Vokes

JBG and Westwood for Defour and Ward otherwise

Or we could sign someone before Saturday!!!!

Out of interest, why would you switch McNeil to the right? That seems bonkers, after his last 2 games.

Pope
Lowton long Gibson ward
Jbg Hendrick Defour McNeil
Vokes vydra

You can't risk the first team for this one, however difficult it might be to accept.

I get the momentum bit (so I wouldn't be too disappointed if we didn't) but imagine if Barnsley came here with the Lincoln mentality?

Dyche has implied that Pope will play as will defour if fit. Bardsley is injured and Brady suspended.

Pope
Lowton Long Gibson Taylor
Lennon if fit, Defour if fit Hendrick,
Vydra Vokes Agyei

Pope
Lowton Long Gibson Ward(if fit enough)/Taylor
JBG Cork Westwood Hendrick
Vydra
Vokes

Get some game time into the back-ups or those returning from injury. Not enough spare midfielders to allow Cork/Westwood/JBG a rest. Should easily, if they perform to their standard and show sufficient energy and application, be good enough to see off a League 1 side, no matter how in form they are right now.

Sleeping Cat wrote:Heaton
Lowton - Long - Gibson - Taylor
Chakwana - Hendrick - Cork - McNeil
Vokes - Vydra

Following the article.. updated team

Pope
Lowton - Long - Gibson - Ward
Chakwana - Hendrick - Defour- McNeil
Vokes - Vydra

Sleeping Cat wrote:Following the article.. updated team

Pope
Lowton - Long - Gibson - Ward
Chakwana - Hendrick - Defour- McNeil
Vokes - Vydra

I like it, not sure about McNeil having a full game though.
I know he's a young lad but can we afford to risk an injury.

Would like to see Oliver younger given a game decent centreback

pope
lowton long gibson mee ward
defour hart hendrick
vokes vydra

Longsidelenny wrote:Would like to see Oliver younger given a game decent centreback

Not when we have two senior pros needing game time. Unfortunately they must be the priority to start and maybe a mix of youth and 1st team era on the bench to cover either way.

I like seeing the youngsters get a chance but Barnsley won't be easy game and too many youngsters could end up with us taking a bit of a beating which wouldn't do anyone any good.

quoonbeatz wrote:pope
lowton long gibson mee ward
defour hart hendrick
vokes vydra

As if you haven't got Heaton at CB to organise the defence #amatuer

Pope
Lowton
Long
Gibson
Ward
Hendrick
Defour
Cork
McNeil
Vydra
Vokes

60 for Cork and McNeil to swap with Westwood and JBG.

Aclaret wrote:Chakwana could be a good shout, seems like he deserves a game from what I've been reading.
Claret Tony and others who watch the youths will obviously put us in the picture.

Chakwana is two years beyond the youths now but I wouldn’t expect him to be involved

RVclaret wrote:Pope
Lowton
Long
Gibson
Ward
Hendrick
Defour
Cork
McNeil
Vydra
Vokes

Can’t see it being much different to that.

As it's a cup game that we aren't that interested in, and given the "wingers" issue, might we not try Vydra wide on the left, with Wood behind Vokes?
(I'd definitely play Wood as another goal now would really set him up).

Sleeping Cat wrote:Following the article.. updated team

Pope
Lowton - Long - Gibson - Ward
Chakwana - Hendrick - Defour- McNeil
Vokes - Vydra

Looks about right....apart from Chakwana on the right of midfield. That would be strange given he's a centre forward and nowhere near the first team right now.

Aclaret wrote:I like it, not sure about McNeil having a full game though.
I know he's a young lad but can we afford to risk an injury.

If McNeil is likely to get an injury through overwork, having played two and a half games over two weekends, then play him and get the injury now while there's time to get a replacement. If he can't manage without a full week between games, then we need cover.

nil_desperandum wrote:As it's a cup game that we aren't that interested in ...

You speak for yourself. Why would anyone look at the first half of this season and decide it was so good that our only ambition is to have more of it? Remember Wembley in 2009 - is that a feeling you never want to feel again? Let's try and win the Cup. And if it turns out in so doing that we have knackered ourselves by the excessive labour of playing 23 matches in 5 months - or one a week - then perhaps we weren't good enough to stop up anyway.

"Looks about right....apart from Chakwana on the right of midfield. That would be strange given he's a centre forward and nowhere near the first team right now."

Read a report where he played out wide, but my knowledge of him is limited. I thought he was a striker, but so is Vydra and he's played out wide. Andre Gray has played as a winger before. Just be good to see him rewarded, maybe an option from the bench more suitable. I just wouldn't want JBG starting on sat given his recent niggling injuries. I'd play McNeil but an injury to him & we are down to one winger again.

I’d definitely give McNeil another shot to keep his momentum going.

Other than that, defence pretty much picks itself now that Ward will be involved. Defour, Hendrick, Vokes and Vydra have to play so just question marks over the right side.

Perhaps Koiki can replace Ward after 65 or 70 and Agyei could also be a shout from the bench if we think he’s worth persisting with.

Pope
Lowton Long Gibson Ward
Westwood Defour Hendrick
Vydra
Vokes Wood

Fulham is a massive chance to win 3 pts and with Brady out I dont feel we should risk our only two available wingers. Not keen on the below team but needs must and it should still be good enough to win the game.

Pope
Lowton Long Gibson Ward
Hendrick Defour Cork Taylor
Vokes Vydra

RVclaret wrote:Pope
Lowton
Long
Gibson
Ward
Hendrick
Defour
Cork
McNeil
Vydra
Vokes

60 for Cork and McNeil to swap with Westwood and JBG.

I'd be tempted to leave Cork out for Westwood simply on the basis Cork looks the most in need of a break, but given our lack of cover out wide and the importance of the next couple of games, you'd be tempted to play just about anyone out wide in order to give McNeil and JBG a weekend off.

Saturday will be 3 games in 6 days for McNeil, which seems a hell of a stretch for a kid so young and unused to the intensity of top level football - however comfortable he may look.

I'd stick Defour on the right wing for this one, we've used him there before and he can cross a ball.

Bench: Hart (if he isn't playing), Anyone from the youth team, Bertie Bee, Sean Dyche

I'm not sure if Dunne is available, but we are in a window and if he is at the club (fit and available to play) he starts.

If not it is Bertie Bees time to shine.

Dwight has been fantastic and if he is given the nod I'm sure he will jump at the chance to play, as will any of our players, but the Fulham match has to take precedence. It is another massive fixture and we need those 3 points.

Resting players so they can recover fully from the last match (Dwight was tiring towards the end) and give it 100% against Fulham has to be the priority. We can't take our eyes off the main prize and risk players against the rough housing Barnsley knee kickers. At the moment we have two wingers and we need to wrap them in cotton wool until Brady is back or we get someone in.

Fulham are a fairly pacey team and we can't afford to face them without both our wingers fresh and available. It's not the team I would like to put out, but it's the smart play. We can't afford to take risks, because thing are starting to turn around for us and we have a lot of important points to play for in the coming league matches. Points we can win.

In golfing terms we take the safe lay-up instead of risking the hazard.

Our limited options for this match are a clear indication of the areas we need to address in this window, even if we have to cover them with loans. We have a long way to go and a couple of unfortunate knocks could seriously affect our ability to keep moving up the table.

The Fulham game is MASSIVE, the Watford game is HUGE, a long cup run would be welcome - but it is not essential. And the transfer window we are currently in is vitally important.

claretspice wrote:Saturday will be 3 games in 6 days for McNeil ...

3 in 7 days.