MATCHWATCH : Cardiff City (h) sponsored by Jason Bowen

[boycey]

Sorry but it is meaningless. If the FA up the prize money then it might get some value but until then it's a pointless distraction from the important stuff.

Absolute nonce sense .
You obvs didn’t go to both Bradford games and the arsenal semi .

[sandman]

Sorry but it is meaningless. If the FA up the prize money then it might get some value but until then it's a pointless distraction from the important stuff.

Absolute nonce sense .
You obvs didn’t go to both Bradford games and the arsenal semi .

I did. Still a pointless competition that has robbed us of a senior centre back, potentially for the next two months.

Fck the Cup.

[Stranded]

Last thing we needed was another game in a meaningless cup competition.

Gives the fringe players another 90, so not all bad.

[sandman]

Last thing we needed was another game in a meaningless cup competition.

Gives the fringe players another 90, so not all bad.

Suppose so. Would look to include some under 18's in the replay and rest the older players like Mccleary and Adam.

Could need them for the important league games in the next few months and don't want them getting injured like Miazga has done.

[sandman]

Look I'm not denying the Cup means something to the older generation, who gathered around their Neighbourhood black and white TV to see the final because it was the only match of the year that was televised.

However, there is so much football on now showing top quality competitions like the Champions League that the FA Cup is shown up as the twee competition it is.

[Hound]

The transfer deadline is obvs well before the replay

I expect quite a few of those young lads will be loaned out/ sold - and hopefully Aluko as well

Howe looked decent and could do with proper football at a Div1/2, Osho and Burley likewise. Loader may or may not be here - House looked pretty slow and not likely the answer to me (though harsh to judge on 10 mins). The likes of East should be loaned as well.

[boycey]

Alright sweet cheeks , it won’t be twee if we get Oxford in the next round.

[Royalwaster]

Good points - Walker made some good saves, Meite scoring and making tribute to his dad, and Aluko actually looking OK.
Otherwise we were lucky not to lose.

[Elm Park Kid]

Sorry but it is meaningless. If the FA up the prize money then it might get some value but until then it's a pointless distraction from the important stuff.

Absolute nonce sense .
You obvs didn’t go to both Bradford games and the arsenal semi .

I did. Still a pointless competition that has robbed us of a senior centre back, potentially for the next two months.

Fck the Cup.

The FA cup has obviously diminished in importance since the start of the PL and Champs League.

But - for a Reading fan, if a long FA cup run doesn't excite you then whats the point of even being a football fan? I mean it. Ultimately everyone gets to decide what matters to them and if Reading being in the PL/Champs is the only thing you care about then you might as well call it a day.

[Snowflake Royal]

Absolute nonce sense .
You obvs didn’t go to both Bradford games and the arsenal semi .

I did. Still a pointless competition that has robbed us of a senior centre back, potentially for the next two months.

Fck the Cup.

The FA cup has obviously diminished in importance since the start of the PL and Champs League.

But - for a Reading fan, if a long FA cup run doesn't excite you then whats the point of even being a football fan? I mean it. Ultimately everyone gets to decide what matters to them and if Reading being in the PL/Champs is the only thing you care about then you might as well call it a day.

What excites me more is seeing players good enough for the first team, but not currently playing in it, and Academy players getting game time in lower stakes matches.

You can argue all you want about taking it seriously, but we're not out, we've rarely gone out playing a weakened team when playing a stronger one would have made a big difference. And until it gets into the business end of the competition the chances of us going far are fairly limited and not overly helped by playing a full strength side and risking injuries and fatigue for the all important league.

Finishing above 16th is far more important to the club's short to medium term prospects than a small increased chance of making the 5th round or Q final which will have very little affect beyond the immediate term.

[Zip]

I did. Still a pointless competition that has robbed us of a senior centre back, potentially for the next two months.

Fck the Cup.

The FA cup has obviously diminished in importance since the start of the PL and Champs League.

But - for a Reading fan, if a long FA cup run doesn't excite you then whats the point of even being a football fan? I mean it. Ultimately everyone gets to decide what matters to them and if Reading being in the PL/Champs is the only thing you care about then you might as well call it a day.

What excites me more is seeing players good enough for the first team, but not currently playing in it, and Academy players getting game time in lower stakes matches.

You can argue all you want about taking it seriously, but we're not out, we've rarely gone out playing a weakened team when playing a stronger one would have made a big difference. And until it gets into the business end of the competition the chances of us going far are fairly limited and not overly helped by playing a full strength side and risking injuries and fatigue for the all important league.

Finishing above 16th is far more important to the club's short to medium term prospects than a small increased chance of making the 5th round or Q final which will have very little affect beyond the immediate term.

I’d rather see us make the quarter final than finish 14th instead of say 16th. Once we are safe in the League there is nothing stopping Bowen playing some of the youngsters in League fixtures.

[Snowflake Royal]

The FA cup has obviously diminished in importance since the start of the PL and Champs League.

But - for a Reading fan, if a long FA cup run doesn't excite you then whats the point of even being a football fan? I mean it. Ultimately everyone gets to decide what matters to them and if Reading being in the PL/Champs is the only thing you care about then you might as well call it a day.

What excites me more is seeing players good enough for the first team, but not currently playing in it, and Academy players getting game time in lower stakes matches.

You can argue all you want about taking it seriously, but we're not out, we've rarely gone out playing a weakened team when playing a stronger one would have made a big difference. And until it gets into the business end of the competition the chances of us going far are fairly limited and not overly helped by playing a full strength side and risking injuries and fatigue for the all important league.

Finishing above 16th is far more important to the club's short to medium term prospects than a small increased chance of making the 5th round or Q final which will have very little affect beyond the immediate term.

I’d rather see us make the quarter final than finish 14th instead of say 16th. Once we are safe in the League there is nothing stopping Bowen playing some of the youngsters in League fixtures.

What about go out in the 4th round anyway and finish 18th?

[Zip]

What excites me more is seeing players good enough for the first team, but not currently playing in it, and Academy players getting game time in lower stakes matches.

You can argue all you want about taking it seriously, but we're not out, we've rarely gone out playing a weakened team when playing a stronger one would have made a big difference. And until it gets into the business end of the competition the chances of us going far are fairly limited and not overly helped by playing a full strength side and risking injuries and fatigue for the all important league.

Finishing above 16th is far more important to the club's short to medium term prospects than a small increased chance of making the 5th round or Q final which will have very little affect beyond the immediate term.

I’d rather see us make the quarter final than finish 14th instead of say 16th. Once we are safe in the League there is nothing stopping Bowen playing some of the youngsters in League fixtures.

What about go out in the 4th round anyway and finish 18th?

Wouldn’t be happy with either. I’d like to see a more balanced approach. Fine to play a reserve team but let’s have some of our first choice players on the bench to bring on if needed. We can still rest one of Ejaria/Swift with only one of them on the bench. Ditto one of Baldock/Puscas on the bench. It’s not as if either have played that much recently.
One of Blackett/Obita on the bench etc as we have three decent left backs.

[bcubed]

Just coming back - an odd game with an odd atmosphere. Home fans really didn’t seem that bothered about the game, very gentle

Cardiff are a hideous team. Diving, cheating, little kicks, backing in - all sorts. Whole game plan to get corners and free kicks which they got loads of - and tbh pretty embarrassing they barely threatened considering we lost our 2 cbs and half their team seemed about 6ft 4

Aluko was pretty bright actually- played well first half. We did seem to shut up shop as soon as Miazga went off and were pleased to get the draw in the end

Do think Bowen should have had Swift and co on the bench tbh

Agree
Which is why I was so surprised not a single Cardiff player was booked

[bcubed]

So another game to come which sort of defeats the object. Had we played a stronger team I suspect we would be in round five.
I understand the game time given to peripheral players but is it too much to expect first team players on the bench?

Said exactly this at the game.

And Bowen was asked about it afterwards. He said he deliberately avoided anyone in the squad who might play a part on Tuesday. Makes sense I guess but surely 1 or 2 might have helped us nick it and avoid yet another fixture.

[royalp-we]

I agree completely with Bowen’s no-risk approach. He truly believes we have a chance of the playoffs.

Although I won’t be too happy if he starts Burley and Osho in the replay now we are without Miazga and McIntyre - he surely has to bring in either one of Moore or Morrison for experience?

[Sutekh]

I agree completely with Bowen’s no-risk approach. He truly believes we have a chance of the playoffs.

Although I won’t be too happy if he starts Burley and Osho in the replay now we are without Miazga and McIntyre - he surely has to bring in either one of Moore or Morrison for experience?

McIntyre will be back for the replay.

Bowen is right to give the club every chance of making the play offs. Yes it probably will be a fruitless exercise but at least he’s giving it the best shot.

Just need a Joao replacement on loan before 11pm on Friday to maximise the opportunity. Wonder also if he’ll try for an experienced specialist central defender as cover.

[Mr Optimist]

I agree completely with Bowen’s no-risk approach. He truly believes we have a chance of the playoffs.

Although I won’t be too happy if he starts Burley and Osho in the replay now we are without Miazga and McIntyre - he surely has to bring in either one of Moore or Morrison for experience?

I hear what you are saying but I think he should be playing Burley and Osho to get more first team experience if Cardiff are going to play a strong side again in the replay. All good experience that they won’t get in the first team in the Champ, and could make the difference if they need to be thrown in when it counts in the league before the end of the season if injuries and suspensions bite.

[Nameless]

Just coming back - an odd game with an odd atmosphere. Home fans really didn’t seem that bothered about the game, very gentle

Cardiff are a hideous team. Diving, cheating, little kicks, backing in - all sorts. Whole game plan to get corners and free kicks which they got loads of - and tbh pretty embarrassing they barely threatened considering we lost our 2 cbs and half their team seemed about 6ft 4

Aluko was pretty bright actually- played well first half. We did seem to shut up shop as soon as Miazga went off and were pleased to get the draw in the end

Do think Bowen should have had Swift and co on the bench tbh

Agree
Which is why I was so surprised not a single Cardiff player was booked

Surprised ?
Astounded !!
Their 13 spent much of the game clattering into players and their 6 put in a few crunchers too. McIntyre’s first booking was milder than the cynical late tackles on Adam.

[Zip]

I agree completely with Bowen’s no-risk approach. He truly believes we have a chance of the playoffs.

Although I won’t be too happy if he starts Burley and Osho in the replay now we are without Miazga and McIntyre - he surely has to bring in either one of Moore or Morrison for experience?

McIntyre will be available for the replay. He misses the Bristol City game.