FA Cup Semi Final - who do you fancy?

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

@davek

United and West Ham have now got midweek games as well, so there's no discernible disadvantage.

Ok it's a derby, and ideally we'd like to go and rip them a new one, but our priorities are now different, we've got a Cup SF, so we need to pick a side that reflects that, and if that means they win their cup final, not even arsed if it means we get the right result in the game that really matters.

 

[davek]

Agreed. West Ham have a real chance to beat MU at their home. Once Man Utd get to Wembley I think their long history in this cup and in this kind of arena will kick in. Get West Ham there and we look like the team with history for that kind of occasion (I know the Hammers are a bit of a bogey team for us in this competition). If we get past the semi's, we have a huge psychological advantage over either of those teams that we meet in the final (though Wigan shows us that you cannot be complacent). Watford are a really tough team to play against in the league, but I don't think they'll be that hard at Wembley in a final. Give us the Hammers in the semis. Besides which, beating them would be so sweet! Shut their fans right up.

If we got West Ham on an equal footing (ie, equal days to prepare for the game) we'll beat them by two clear goals. They are literally a one man band.

Take Lukaku out of Everton and Payet out of West Ham and we'd beat them 9 times out of 10. They need a player more on the pitch to beat us...as they've proven in the last few games....and even then they got lucky.

 

[davek]

@davek

United and West Ham have now got midweek games as well, so there's no discernible disadvantage.

Ok it's a derby, and ideally we'd like to go and rip them a new one, but our priorities are now different, we've got a Cup SF, so we need to pick a side that reflects that, and if that means they win their cup final, not even arsed if it means we get the right result in the game that really matters.

...are you SURE about that?

 

[PITA]

Hard semi then

p
Isn't that an oxymoron?

 

[Goat]

Erm, it makes a massive difference if:

a) you'd preferably like to be able to compete in a derby.
b ) you have to prepare mentally for two games in three days
c) you have an emotional local derby fixture in your legs going into the final stages of a game at a punishing pitch like Wembley.

In short: of course it's not preferable and makes it harder.

a) who cares
b) see above
c) and again

 

[davek]

a) who cares
b) see above
c) and again

a) I care
b )I care a lot
c) I care a helluva lot.

 

[Goat]

a) I care
b )I care a lot
c) I care a helluva lot.

Nar, derbies only matter when we have nothing else to care about.

This 1 is possibly the most meaningless Derby ever.

Play the under 8s.

 

[davek]

Nar, derbies only matter when we have nothing else to care about.

This 1 is possibly the most meaningless Derby ever.

Play the under 8s.

I agree. But FFS, what was to stop these corrupt scumbags at the FA or whoever to rearrange that derby the wednesday before or the wednesday after...or some date when those cultists aren't playing?

 

[Goat]

I agree. But FFS, what was to stop these corrupt scumbags at the FA or whoever to rearrange that derby the wednesday before or the wednesday after...or some date when those cultists aren't playing?

Suppose they have to factor in the Europa.

 

[FisherEFC]

For the Derby providing everyone is there or there abouts fit:

Robles

Coleman Stones Mori Oviedo

Besic Cleverly

Delulofeu Barkley Mirallas

Niasse


Replace Ross for Mccarthy around 60 mins with cleverly pushing forward and bring Rom on for the last 15-20 mins to try grab a goal. More than enough quality in that selection whilst ensuring most of our key players are either rested or only playing 60/70 mins bar Coleman, Clev and Mori.

Obviously Martinez will manage it differently but that would be my choice.

 

[blue61]

They will still injure a crucial player, it's what they do

They'll have ninjas mingling in the crowd, looking for players in the stand, the dirty vermin.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

...are you SURE about that?

Ermmm yeah.

United are playing Palace on the Weds and West Ham are playing Watford.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Ermmm yeah.

United are playing Palace on the Weds and West Ham are playing Watford.

Oh great everybody can just play under 16s and nobody will have an excuse for tiredness in the semi final.

Derby games matter, I was raging when they beat us 4-0, in saying that our second team is a lot stronger now.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Oh great everybody can just play under 16s and nobody will have an excuse for tiredness in the semi final.

Derby games matter, I was raging when they beat us 4-0, in saying that our second team is a lot stronger now.

Given the context of where this game is now scheduled, it simply doesn't matter in reality mate.

We've got sod all to play for in the league and we won't be able to risk our key men at the pit in a 100 mph derby, 3 days before the game that really matters.

It is what it is.

 

[Goat]

Oh great everybody can just play under 16s and nobody will have an excuse for tiredness in the semi final.

Derby games matter, I was raging when they beat us 4-0, in saying that our second team is a lot stronger now.

They beat us cos Gaz Baz took out Lukaku, imagine that happening 3 days before the Semi.

I would send Rom to belgland for 6 weeks myself and tell him to not leave his house.