Updated team based on yesterday's team: Foster Masina Cathcart Kabasele Ngakia Etebo Tufan Louza Cucho Fletcher Baah (We'll probably see Sema though on the left and no Baah)
Considering what we were putting out previously (one of the goalscorers, Kaylen Hinds, now on the bench for NLS side Welling), we've got a good chance of some progress in the cup without jeopardising the first team. Looking forward to Tuesday. Also a good opportunity to get a pie and a pint.
Bachmann Ngakia Kabasele Sierralta Masina Gosling Louza Tufan Cucho Fletch Sema Elliot, Rose, WTE, Cleverley, Baah, Dennis, JP. 2-1 (Fletch & Cucho) 'Orns.
These Carabao Cup games are quite useful. Not used to having them, so it's good to use them in a positive way. It's a very handy match to give Tufan his debut. Louza needs to get game time too. Fletcher will be given minutes, and I hope we get to see Pedro. So my team, providing everyone is available, would be:- Bachmann Ngakia, Kabs, Sierralta, Masina Tufan, Louza, Gosling/Etebo Pedro, Fletcher, Cucho
I agree with that lineup if JP & Tufan are fit enough, although I expect Sema will start, either in the front 3 or midfield. He might play Cathcart if Sierralta or Kabs are earmarked for the Toon game (I'd like to think this is the case).
A good line up for a B team. My guess is that Tufan will still not be ready to start, but maybe a sub.
Fletcher, IMO, is just squad no.25, and employed as an "English" player and very, very unlikely to get any Premier division minutes.
I'm actually very excited to see Tufan play for us, but I won't be there on Tuesday as I'm working so it's of no consequence whatsoever.
As they're in a proper league, they had a midweek game last week and have another one next week. I think they changed every player last round so would expect the same. Watford Reserves vs Stoke Reserves it is. Crap player who always scores against us klaxon... Tom Ince now plays for them.
Team news:- Kiko & Pedro won't feature. Etebo not allowed to play as he's on loan from Stoke. No other injury problems though. Team News: Watford v Stoke City - Watford FC
He’s about here now: (47.2466581, -18.7981891) Hopefully the Chileans remembered to pop some holes in his crate.
While I am a bit disappointed we won't see him, I don't suppose we massively objected to Etebo's ineligibility!
Genuinely am disappointed to hear that JP probably won't play, would have been a good game to get back up to speed in since you'd think it might be difficult for him to get into the league team
Xisco confirms rather sensibly that Tufan will play, will be an important player for us I'm sure, and a nice little ploy to drive up the social media coverage!
GK selection will be interesting. If Foster is #1 again then will DB play tomorrow, destroying his ego-saving ‘injured’ narrative? Or will Elliot get a chance? Ngakia and Masina should start full-back. Louza and Tufan as 2 of the midfield 3. Disappointing there’ll be no JP but I’d like to see what Baah has.
Xisco said in the aftermath of the game that Bachmann was dropped. Does seem there was an injury as he had something on his leg, but it begs the question why he was on the bench
100% maybe but I’d expect more from an experienced international, at least 110%. If he can give 110% of the 90.9% I’m sure he’s capable of, that would mean he was delivering 100%, the bare minimum I’d consider acceptable. Not a hard worker though. Hope that helps?
I think he’s given 100% about 32% of the time. He’s given over 80% 36% of the time, less than 50% 27% of the time and 5% of the time he’s given eff all percent squared. Roughly 85% of these stats are only 40% true if that helps and the other 15% are completely made up.
Why do footballers' wear these "training bra" things? Is it to endorse the sponsorship, or do they wear them for protection of sensitive areas?
To measure their fitness and general condition in games and training . Even cricketers have them ! On rugby players you can see where it does up as they bend over in the scrum.