Squad Rotation for the FA Cup

[BlueLlama]

The last couple of games against West Ham and Stoke have I think shown the problems of such a small squad. Some players (Baines, Pienaar) look tired, others (most recently Jags) are rushed back as we have no depth in cover, and the cover we have is clearly out of DMs favour.
The table is tight. We could easily be in a euro place or in the bottom 3 in a months time. We need to rest players next Saturday as the league is critical. I dread to think of the consequences if we have a low placed finish (players wanting out, even more difficult to attract players, lower budget etc) so lets give the reserves and kids a chance. It's not going to be an easy game - away from home and they will come out fighting, but we have lots of players not getting game time.
How about the following line up?

Mucha
Hibbert, Duffy, Distin, Neville
Coleman, Rodwell, Arteta, Bily
Anichebe, Beckford

Subs: Howard, Jags, Baines, Fellaini, Pienaar, Saha, Gueye

Yes we might pay for lack of experience but these guys should all e able to hold their own against lower league opposition and we can bring on the bigger guns if we need to.
Any thoughts?

 

[Nordecke]

The last couple of games against West Ham and Stoke have I think shown the problems of such a small squad. Some players (Baines, Pienaar) look tired, others (most recently Jags) are rushed back as we have no depth in cover, and the cover we have is clearly out of DMs favour.
The table is tight. We could easily be in a euro place or in the bottom 3 in a months time. We need to rest players next Saturday as the league is critical. I dread to think of the consequences if we have a low placed finish (players wanting out, even more difficult to attract players, lower budget etc) so lets give the reserves and kids a chance. It's not going to be an easy game - away from home and they will come out fighting, but we have lots of players not getting game time.
How about the following line up?

Mucha
Hibbert, Duffy, Distin, Neville
Coleman, Rodwell, Arteta, Bily
Anichebe, Beckford

Subs: Howard, Jags, Baines, Fellaini, Pienaar, Saha, Gueye

Yes we might pay for lack of experience but these guys should all e able to hold their own against lower league opposition and we can bring on the bigger guns if we need to.
Any thoughts?

I agree.. What better time to showcase your skills if you're one of these young guns trying to make a name.

Plus like you said, the rest factor.

 

[ricardobee]

Unfortunately its our last chance of siverware this season, so Mr Moyes won't be blooding any youth in this cup.

 

[Tubey]

Unfortunately its our last chance of siverware this season, so Mr Moyes won't be blooding any youth in this cup.

I honestly think Baines, Distin and Coleman need a rest as they've ran their arses off.

Other than that, you're probably right, and to be honest it's a good chance to get our alleged "stars" to find that thing we all call the oppositions net.

 

[Topblue]

Thats not going to happen, the yak instead of saha and bily(more realisticly rodwell) instead of demigod cahill, win 16-0 and revert to type for following league game.

 

[davek]

Duffy and Gueye should at least be on the bench. Get the tie under control with a couple of goals and ease them in second half. I'm sure he'll be looking to judge the periphery of the squad if he can. He's usually had the luxury of a dead Euro tie to do this in.

 

[kenada_blue]

Unfortunately its our last chance of siverware this season, so Mr Moyes won't be blooding any youth in this cup.

This.

Cant see him risking the chance of a cup-set. He'll use it to try out the team without Cahill.

No young-guns (or even Bilya) will get a sniff.

 

[Tubey]

This.

Cant see him risking the chance of a cup-set. He'll use it to try out the team without Cahill.

No young-guns (or even Bilya) will get a sniff.

Arguably, the starting eleven is the greater risk of an upset!

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

cuptie the snides !!

 

[Lao]

cuptie the snides !!

Haha, this. Pienaar won't play if he's off to Spuds. Anichebe and Vaughan also, if deals are possible. If Heitinga is going it will probably be abroad, so he may get a shop window game.

I'd like to see Gueye and Duffy in, and Beckford should be comfortable against this level of opposition. It could/should be a confidence builder game for Saha or Yakubu if they get a couple on the scoresheet. I'd like to see Beckford and Yak start up front.

 

[Khalekan]

For goodness sake they're fit young men earning a small fortune each month.

If they can't handle the matches they have no business being pro ball players.

We should be playing our best available side in the F.A. Cup and busting a gut to ensure we have a good cup run.

From my experience of watching Everton over the decades, a good cup run always carries over into improved league performances.

It breeds confidence.

The closer we get to Wembley the higher we will climb the table.

 

[teppic]

I long for the days when squad rotation meant playing Alan Harper.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

beckford has played for scunthorpe on loan apparently.



Slay them Jermaine.

 

[BlueLlama]

For goodness sake they're fit young men earning a small fortune each month.

If they can't handle the matches they have no business being pro ball players.

We should be playing our best available side in the F.A. Cup and busting a gut to ensure we have a good cup run.

From my experience of watching Everton over the decades, a good cup run always carries over into improved league performances.

It breeds confidence.

The closer we get to Wembley the higher we will climb the table.

Unfortuantely we are not on a level playing field. Other teams will take advantage of their greater squad depth and rest players, who will therefore be fresher when we play against them. I agree with the sentiments but the reality of the modern game means roatation is necessary.

 

[Tubey]

For goodness sake they're fit young men earning a small fortune each month.

If they can't handle the matches they have no business being pro ball players.

We should be playing our best available side in the F.A. Cup and busting a gut to ensure we have a good cup run.

From my experience of watching Everton over the decades, a good cup run always carries over into improved league performances.

It breeds confidence.

The closer we get to Wembley the higher we will climb the table.

Joe Royle disagrees