This match is one where the result is as predictable as night will follow day if Palace put out their first team. In that case the element of doubt is not related to which team will win, but the margin of victory. The only qualification you might make is to consider the possibility that they might field a team of squad players backed up by a strong bench.
So Rovers will almost certainly lose and the fact that we went down 2-5 at Chesterfield will not help the confidence.
To assist predictions you can compare the Monday line-up with the winning team they put out at Old Trafford which was Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Lerma, Hughes (Wharton 88), Mitchell (Clyne 88); Kamada (Eze 61), Sarr (Devenny 90+7); Mateta.
Substitutes: Turner, Kporha, Schlupp, Esse, Nketiah.
Incidentally I see that Schlupp who scored for them last time at the KeepEco is still making regular appearances for them.
(Whatever happens, I shall retain the memory of going there in the SOD era and we beat them really convincingly scoring 3 goals in a game in which John Oster was outstanding and Neil Warnock was their manager and he sportingly complied when we chanted “Give us a wave!"). Age has its compensations.
So I’ll await team news before making my usual bad prediction.
FA Cup v Crystal Palace
posted on 10/2/25
No fairy tale I think 0-2 to Palace
posted on 10/2/25
On the subject of playing second string players I saw most of the Spurs-Tamworth game and for most of the 90 minutes there wasn’t much to choose between the teams.
Perhaps it’s time the FA sanctioned clubs for not putting out full-strength sides.
Nevertheless I understand Palace have not followed this pattern in the past, but of course the current manager may have different ideas.
posted on 10/2/25
With Palace's recent defensive record, it seems it may be difficult for us to score. GM is giving much of that to our loanees and "old man" Billy. At the other end of the field, how will "old man" Anderson do dealing with Mateta!
If the game was played against Palace with the form they had in October, I'd give us a chance of an upset, but can only hope for a miracle now.
I hope we can limit them to three, so I'll say Rovers 1 Palace 3. Our goal will come from an individual goal by Molyneux (I had originally thought of an Anderson header).
posted on 10/2/25
I think Palace are too strong to suffer an upset tonight. Rovers 0-4 Palace. However, miracles do happen!
posted on 10/2/25
Rovers 3-1 Palace
Sharp to score ⚽
posted on 10/2/25
About half of the team that started the Man U game are picked plus 2 of the subs. Significantly 3 of the first choice starters are defenders. So it will not be easy, but not as difficult as it might be.
1-4 to them (Sharp)
posted on 10/2/25
Well done Nookie. Rovers played really well I thought and both goals had an element of luck about them. Should be a great boost to the confidence for continuing success in the league.
posted on 11/2/25
I was pleased with the performance. Not scoring from our shot count was a familiar story though.
posted on 11/2/25
I thought 0-2 may be possible if we played really well. 0-4 if we played averagely, so very happy with how we played. I thought Olowu looked good. Some of our shots lacked power - maybe the players snatched at them too much, but Premier League defenders give you less time to get your shot away. If Molyneaux's cut in shot had been on target, I think the keeper would have pushed it round the post, but Mols played very well. The team as a whole played with confidence which bodes well.
posted on 14/2/25
Hahaha love just seen that I put Rovers to win instead of lose 3-1 😅 That will teach me to check things.
It would have been good if I had been correct 😊