This game would be an ideal time for Thomas Christiansen to rest and look after some of his troops and save them for the game on Friday night against the Blunts. Personally, I would bring in Whoopswald just to give him a game; I doubt he will pull up any trees. Keep Ayling in and make him Captain. I would continue to rest Pontus Jansson but bring in Shaughnessy to partner Pennington to see how they can get on together with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson to see what he can do. Vieira and Phillips should be swapped for Klich and Anita both of whom have had little game time recently. Let’s have a look at Pawel Cibiki and Grot and also give Roofe and Hernandez a game.
On the bench would be Lonergan, Sacko, Jansson, Cooper, Lasogga, Saiz and Alioski.
This is a very much a weakened team but an opportunity for some to demonstrate their capability and try to put themselves in the Head Coache’s mind. Win or lose it really does not matter very much. A draw and extra time would not do us any favours at all.
I really don’t know what to make of Sako. He was rubbish at the back end of last season and the start of this one has shown nothing at all and maintained his contribution to the effort at the same level if he has not got any worse! Being enthusiastic is simply not enough. By all accounts, he came on for the last 20 minutes against Bristol City and did precisely what he did in all the other games, apart from one cup game coming on and scoring, absolutely nothing. Yet this was the first player we signed in the close season (which I had a moan about) and also one who keeps making the match squad in the Championship. Why for Gods sake?
Keep the Faith. WAL