I thought I would start a bit of discussion off about tomorrows match as there seems to be little interest in the game. The Robins are currently sitting 4th in the Championship 2 points behind Derby County in 2nd place and having beaten us back in August have gone on to beat 3 premier league clubs Stoke City, Crystal Palace and Manchester United setting up an EFL semi final against Manchester City. However Bristol City's form has taken a dip recently in their last 2 fixtures they have been beaten 2-1 by an impressive Wolves and 5-0 by Aston Villa. According to The Bristol Post Lee Johnson has already suggested that he will rest players for this one and that their starting line up will be something like this: Steele (GK); Vyner, Magnusson, Wright, Kelly; Eliasson, Pack, Bakinson, Hinds; Taylor, Woodrow. I think Silva is in a bit of a dilemma does he rest key players or play a strong side and try and build some confidence and a winning mentality again?
Not sure on a prediction. But I’d pull a ‘Moshiri’ and speak to their chairman about signing Flint or Wright.
Since their manager has said he'll rest players, and we can all understand why given they're involved in the promotion race going into the second half of the season, we really shouldn't see any result other than a Watford win tomorrow. We are a 3rd year Premier League club and they will be the reserves of a Championship side. That doesn't, of course, mean that we will see that. I think we should play a middling lineup, tending towards first choice; in the sense that we have first choice available, anyway. Gray could gain some confidence from scoring in consecutive games, and he's just said he prefers playing two games a week to training, so he should definitely start. Richy should be nowhere near the pitch, or even the stadium, except that it's nice for them all to be professional and support their chums. He should not be in the squad, and I think we all expect him to be rested. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Success on the pitch, given our lack of wingers and injury concerns. Pereyra might play, given Silva's view of him. It might give him a chance to increase his fitness and affect the game more. After that we're not really looking at much different from what 'normal' currently constitutes. We should play Kabasele and Wague together again to give them a further competitive game to grow their understanding as a partnership. It will have to be one of Holebas or Zeegelaar, neither of whom are first choice, and yet both are. And We have no word on Femenia, and unless he's miraculously 100% fit and needs the game for fitness reasons, I wouldn't risk him. So Janmaat it is. Goal is a bit odd, but surely you'd think as a starter and against Bristol City, Karnezis would be able to cope, and it would give Gomes a rest/avoid us having to risk him.
They beat us with their reserves last time round, we need to go into this like its a cup final. get back to winning ways and build some confidence.
There is no interest because we will lose to a team in a lower league than us. Play full strength and we will lose - morale goes down Play the reserves and we will lose - morale goes down At the moment though can we actually agree what is our strongest team? We have so few left in the squad. Again the problem is that we are playing a professional football team. To dissect that: We play like amateurs who happen to be paid a lot of money. Not as a team as such, no leaders, a culture of blame, no team spirit with the spine of a jellyfish Im not sure half the squad could be classified as footballers - Sinclair? The WBs who cant defend for toffee?
Silva's Yeovil match - 0-3 City reserves, Silva sacked next week when Southampton dish out the same. Regarding my confidence in Silva - I've gone full Vince McMahon, and done a face/heel turn
I'm predicting a strong-ish line-up. My guess is Silva will choose not to try an untested goalkeeper and stick with Gomes. He should rest Richarlison but probably won't. Gray will start. He will probably reintroduce Holebas in this game, as well as perhaps provide in-roads for Hughes and Cathcart. My guess is: Gomes; Janmaat, Kabasele, Prodl, Holebas; Doucoure, Cleverley; Carillo, Capoue, Richarlison; Gray Subs: Bachmann, Zeegelaar, Cathcart, Watson, Hughes, Success, Deeney Fairly strong team, no? Too bad we'll still lose this.
We will go 1-0 up but lose 1-2 right at the end. Failing that it'll be a draw and we will lose the least talked about replay in FA Cup history.
I'm looking forward to it. I will still be optimistic after twenty minutes. I hope I am cheery at full time but cannot be sure. Chin up everyone!
Bringing the family to this. My daughter would love to get a Couple of autographs, what time do the team arrive at the ground? Anyone know if any of them bother to stop to do autographs? Thanks in advance for any help and also for any jokes such as 'they've not arrived at the ground for the last few months'
If we play like.... Oh what the hell 2-0 City so we can concentrate on survival day number 1 vs Southampton.
