Will RM play the best XI in the cup?

[mawders]

What's the situation with the loan players? Can they all play in the cup? Wouldn't be surprised to see the likes of Robles, Alcaraz, Stones, Jelavic and Naismith given a run out.

I think so too. Heitinga also if he hasn't been sold

 

[Eggs]

I agree we are terrible at the rotation part but I'd hope RM will sort that out and Im not talking about the whole cup competition just this match after a pretty hectic xmas schedule.

....okeedokee, I'm not precious about it especially if some players are carrying a few knocks. RM certainly made it work last season.

 

[alpha1]

In a word - no.

 

[mythbuster]

Lots of factors to be taken into consideration before then - Injuries, suspensions, knocks/fitness levels and form....

 

[Oviedo37]

Nope, he'll rotate.

 

[royalbalou]

So the FA cup isn't that important to us now we've become boss?
FFS we've struggled against Stevenage with a weaker side and got knocked out by Fulham already.
QPR are not exactly 'minnows', they were in prem last season and probably will be next
Strongest 11 for me, bring subs on if we're strolling..only cup we can win this season

 

[roydo]

Thing is, QPR might do the same. I mean, financially, them coming back up could be argued as being far more important than a cup run.

In fact, not that I know nor care who their 1st team is, but I bet it isnt the line up against us. So both play their U16s. Sorted.

 

[Khalekan]

I think the thing is we don't really have a "best XI" at the moment.

We have a core of about fourteen players, when fit and free from suspension, from which Roberto will pick a very good XI for every match

Say the eleven which started on Saturday plus McCarthy, Mirallas, Baines.

Then we have the rest of the squad to be deployed as and when.

I think the question is "Will Roberto take the F.A. Cup seriously" this year if we continue to battle it out near the top of the table.

A resounding "yes" say I.

He himself has had a taste of winning and I bet he is anxious for more glory....and he "gets" us and the club so he knows what the Cup would mean to us.

And then of course there is the added attraction of winning the Cup this year.....we would go in the Europa League if we missed out in the CL and from next season the EL winner will go in the Qualifying rounds of the CL.

The EL gets serious from next season, lads and a Cup win gives another avenue to the CL.

 

[njligernj]

We've debated cup v. league and rotation v. best 11 to death over the years. The bottom line is there are two schools of thought and neither is a ridiculous position to hold.

I like rotating and giving some youngsters like Stones a game and key backups (like Robles) some experience. However if RM played the first choice 11 I wouldn't slate him for it either. Both fairly reasonable choices. I know depth isn't our strong point but we should be able to do a little rotation and still win a game like this.

 

[Tubey]

I think he'll play 8 or 9 first teamers, with the likes of Stones, Jelavic and possibly Robles getting a run out.

 

[Brennan]

I really want us to win a cup but even i wouldn't play the strongest team, especially if we're in the top 4 at that point.

I'd play Howard, Jagielka, Distin, Barry, McCarthy, Pienaar and maybe Barkley of the best XI.

 

[Furey1878]

Joel
Stones Jags Alcaraz
Coleman--------------Baines
McCarthy Barkley
Osman
Lukaku (New signing)​

Pure conjecture.

I do think Joel, Stones, Alcaraz and Baines are all nailed on though.

 

[Bilko]

are we talking QPR or the tournament,not that it matters I guess.My opinion...he'd want to !!!,since when do Everton think resting players for the FA cup is a good idea ????.we've two trophies to go for (one really though isn't it ?),not won one in nearly 20 years and the plan is to rest a few top players.i'd be livid if we fell because we rested players.

 

[Garrick]

are we talking QPR or the tournament,not that it matters I guess.My opinion...he'd want to !!!,since when do Everton think resting players for the FA cup is a good idea ????.we've two trophies to go for (one really though isn't it ?),not won one in nearly 20 years and the plan is to rest a few top players.i'd be livid if we fell because we rested players.

I was talking QPR, personally. If we were playing another Premier League side I'd say go all out.

As others have mentioned, QPR probably won't take this game super seriously either. Their number one priority is promotion.

 

[4737carlin]

I think we just need to go unchanged into this game, cant upset the team, get the job done, take players off at half time if needed