by Snowflake Royal »
23 Jan 2020 23:40
Tony Le Mesmer Looking forward to most of the team being rested so we concentrate all our efforts on a memorable 12th place league finish. We are long shots for both promotion and relegation.
We are exactly the type of club that should be giving the cup a proper go. Mid table and improving. Shades of 2009/10. That cup run gave us a launch that led to a play off final and a league title.
But we wont, as would most other championship clubs. Its pathetic and totally self defeating.
How often have we gone out because we played a weakened team? I'd suggest it's actually pretty rare.
Fact is, 20-30 years ago clubs had far smaller squads and there simply wasn't an option. Now squads are much bigger and those not playing need minutes to be fresh.
There's also not a lot between many of our players.
Richards / Obita / Blackett - it's really only about who is fit, in form and in possession.
Rino and Pele - same deal. Puscas and Baldock likewise. Miazga equally would not look out of place in the league first XI. Gunter would be perfectly adequate if Yiadom were currently fit and playing.
And plenty more like McIntyre, Olise, Howe, Loader, McCleary et c aren't exactly way off.
Cardiff aren't exactly unbeatable for our second XI, even if they put out their first, yeah it's more likely we'd win with the league XI, but player management is key and it's not like we don't rest people for mid-week games in the league sometimes.