Genuinely difficult team selection for Rodgers tomorrow as we visit Burton Albion looking for a place in the quarter finals of the League Cup.
When Rodgers came in, and at the start of the season, there was a keen emphasis on doing well in the cups, what with an ignominious exit at the hands of Newport County in last season's FA Cup and a missed opportunity against Man City's reserve reserve side in last season's League Cup. However, there are an awful lot of factors to take into consideration now:
- Our start in the Premier League gives us something truly tangible to aim for.
- Given that start, fans are likely less focused themselves on the cups this year.
- Our reserves won very easily at Championship Luton in the last round.
- Those reserves will be champing at the bit to get a game.
- Undoubted good feeling around the club following our mauling of the saints on Friday.
- Burton have built themselves a reputation as a strong cup team in recent years and will be less likely to throw their reserves out like Luton did.
- The draw was excellent for us and has really opened up should we get through.
- Coincidental and useful gaps between league games means there's not such a fast turnaround.
- Determination to win something to honour the memory of Vichai.
So, how do we approach this? We could hypothetically put out a (mostly) reserve team of:
Ward
Justin, Morgan, Soyuncu, Fuchs
Choudhury, Praet
Gray, Barnes, Abrighton
Perez
And give a lot of key players a rest. Or we could go full-strength, or mix things up and go somewhere in between.
My suspicion is that Rodgers will mainly give the reserves and bench-warmers a run, but it's a difficult call.
How certain for Burton?
posted on 28/10/19
I’d like to see a similar blend of 1st and second team as we saw in the last round. Definitely rest Vardy and I would rest Maddison and Pereira. Justin is a player I want to see more of and Perez could play as a 9 or 10.
Otherwise I’d happily see any player come in or not. Will Nacho get any game time. Remember him?!
posted on 28/10/19
I'd like to see us put out a strong side to play Burton Albion.
Keep a good spine and play the players who probably had their best game yet vs Southampton.
Barnes, Perez and especially Chilwell. All 3 must have gained immense confidence from the match. Keep their momentum going.
Probably go for :
Schmeichel
Justin
Soyuncu
Evans
Chilwell
Tielemans
Praet
N'didi
Barnes
Vardy
Perez
Subs : Maddison, Pereira, Morgan, Choudhury, Albrighton, Ward, Fuchs.
Try and have the game put to bed by 65-70 mins, then take off Vardy. Introduce Morgan and Albrighton a little later in an ideal world.
Be good to give James Justin 90 mins and Praet.
All "iffs & buts" i know because we may pick up injuries or be behind late on? You never know.
posted on 28/10/19
On Iheanacho - It seems that a good friend of his died this week in a car accident. I don't know what sort of mindset he'll be in to be in the squad.
posted on 28/10/19
I reckon he'll want to get a look at Perez up top on his own. Evans will likely be rested and he'll give some of the guys who haven't started much a game, like Morgan and Albrighton.
posted on 28/10/19
Ward
Justin Morgan Soyuncu Fuchs
Choudhury
Gray Tielemans Praet Albrighton
Perez
Subs: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Chilwell, Ndidi, Evans, Vardy, Barnes
That should be good enough to get through, let's wrap Evans and Vardy in cotton wool. We can use the strong bench if there are any issues.
posted on 29/10/19
There are no trophies for finishing 3rd thru 6th....
I for one do not want a Newport debacle or Spurs ' We were in the CL final and have finished in the top four blah blah blah! '
Show me a trophy Brendon!
posted on 29/10/19
Could sure go for some more European nights though, Florida.
posted on 29/10/19
comment by Florida Fox (U2500)
posted 4 hours, 35 minutes ago
There are no trophies for finishing 3rd thru 6th....
I for one do not want a Newport debacle or Spurs ' We were in the CL final and have finished in the top four blah blah blah! '
Show me a trophy Brendon!
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A one off trophy is great but when you reach top four it gives you the chance of attracting better players, obtaining more money and therefore being able to build a team capable of a sustained period of challenging for trophies.
Finishing third would do more for you than winning the league cup.