Up at Vicarage Road it was a case of two many changes upset the rhythm, but we got out of jail by bringing on a few of the big guns so what side will Russell Martin pick for this game ?

One player will be missing from the first game at Watford and that is Mason Holgate who has departed for Sheffield United, this will leave a dilemma for Russell Martin in the centre of defence, in the first game he paired Taylor Harwood Bellis with Jack Stephens with Holgate at right back and Meghoma on the right.

I would doubt that he would risk both of his first choice central defenders in the replay, so he has a dilemma to make on who slots in at right back, perhaps Jack Stephens will be slotted in on the right with Shea Charles coming into the centre of the back four.

This highlights the fact we are stretched for options at the back with Holgate gone and Bree still injured.

In the centre of midfield, I would expect Joe Rothwell to start along with perhaps Will Smallbone, but if Charles has to play in defence then who else starts in the centre is anyone's guess..

On Saturday it has gone a little unnoticed that Sam Edozie returned to the squad and I would expect a start for him on Tuesday night up front with Sekou Mara in the centre and David Brookes getting in his first start.

As at Vicarage Road I would expect a few of the first teamers on the bench, to come on and save the day if neccessary.

But with a trip to Liverpool up for grabs, do we really want another game in the schedule, especially one that would probably end out unbeaten run if it is still in place, I know people who would prefer this game against Watford to end in a draw and we go out on penalties, essentially keeping our unbeaten intact but avoiding an extra game and a trip to Anfield.

We know this will be used to give the fringe players a chance, we just hope they take it a bit more than they did in the first game, however on a plus side I don't think we will play as badly in this game as we did in the first 70 minutes of the first.

Photo: Action Images

Dellwizard added 08:23 - Feb 6 Isn't Brooks cuptied ?
0

telsmart added 08:23 - Feb 6 David Brooks is Cuptied.
0

mascott514 added 09:55 - Feb 6 Sorry- I disagree-You are playing at home, where fans have paid to support- outside of their season tickets too. By all means make changes- but you try and win. And then you go to Liverpool, and you try and beat them. Beacuse next year, thats exactly what MAY be what we'll be doing- playing Premier league clubs. We seem to be coping very well with the fixtures coming thinking fast- so we go for the win- and try our luck at Anfield. Respect the cup!

8

simianmike added 10:00 - Feb 6 If anyone at the club is thinking, “Rather not get through here because we don’t want to lose our unbeaten run at Liverpool”, then those people don’t deserve to be in football. I’m sure no one is thinking that though. It’s a ridiculous concept. May as well deliberately avoid even getting in the play offs as we don’t want to risk a harder season next year!!
10

IanRC added 10:38 - Feb 6 FA refusal to allow broadcasting of the game is a disgrace but no surprise, an organisation run for the benefit of the 'big' teams rather than the supporters and all teams. Really bad for those of us overseas. Saints decision to charge a fee to listen to the commentary, even to those with an overseas video pass is also poor, apparently it is free to Watford subscribers.
0

Number_58 added 11:09 - Feb 6 Stick the reserves in tonight. Admittedly, I haven't seen the reserves play in a fair while. My team would be: Phil Kite Tim Coak Bill Beaney Forbes Phillipson-Masters Allan Tankard Eamonn Collins George Shipley Buster Crabbe Kevin Dawtry Ian Juryeff Terry Spinner
-2

highfield49 added 12:55 - Feb 6 Nick, I'm not Jack Stephens' greatest fan either but surely this is an ideal opportunity to give him a full game in the centre of defence? Suggesting that he should play at right back, because you don't think he's good enough to play in the middle, is not only disrespectful to the player but also not helpful to Shea Charles because he becomes a whipping boy by default.

0

SanMarco added 13:25 - Feb 6 IanRC - You can listen to the Solent commentary on the BBC website as it is a cup game. I tend to side with the 'respect the cup' view on this one. It is RM's own stupid fault we have a replay. Loyal supporters are paying to get in and to turn down the chance of a match at Liverpool seems an extraordinary way to think. The FA cup needs scrapping if teams like us think like that. As for the defence - we have been very foolish to leave it so stretched but that is what it is. If you don't play players because they might get injured then you have to stop them training too - lots of injuries happen there. Playing a strong team tonight will NOT cost us promotion so go for it...if not then play a very weak side and DON'T bring stronger subs on when we are losing.

2

IanRC added 18:59 - Feb 6 Thanks SanMarco
2

LoisDeem added 19:36 - Feb 6 Intelligent comments on here -as per. Hate to say it, but looks to this fan that our club have disregarded or overlooked us yet again with a further roll of the dice in this competition. We have to hope that the players have learnt more than the management, or that we don't incur too many injuries as the later substitutions bust a gut getting us through. I do hope I've got this wrong.

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Portsmouth Polls