I’ve always loved the FA cup. I find it nostalgic and it reminds me of when I was a young lad, watching the likes of Steve Heighway in the final. Whole saturdays from 11am spent watching the build up and the coaches arriving. It was always a massive event.
Of course it’s been massively devalued now after the years of the big clubs, beginning with United, treating it with total disdain and always playing the second string in the early stages. In fact it’s been so devalued it hardly counts if one of the big boys win it. I still regard it highly though.
The trouble is, now our squad is currently so weakened, I think it’s a competition that is going to prove too much of a distraction. Don’t get me wrong, nothing has changed in the way I view the FA cup, but we already have two massive priorities to cope with, in qualifying for the Champions league or winning the Europa league to qualify through that route. There’s already too much of a dilemma there and I’m asking myself if we can afford too much energy in trying to win this cup too.
I never thought I’d hear myself saying that.
Squad news and John McGinn, Youri Tielemens, Boubacar Kamara and Andres Garcia are all out, as is Matty Cash. Which is a shame, because as much as I’m not keen on him, he has actually done pretty well this season and he is a loss. You may think I’m being harsh in my view of him, but I’ve always regarded him as a player we could improve on. Given our financial situation, I tolerate him. Unai seems to rate him quite highly and it’s his opinion that matters, not mine.
As for Newcastle, Bruno Guimaraes is doubtful, which is good news if you consider that the Toon never win when he doesn’t play and that run extends for about nine games, I think. Quite remarkable, but so typical of quirky things in football, which is just another reason why we all love it. Lewis Miley is out and Joelinton is very doubtful . I’m not seeing anything else and that’s actually not too bad a situation at this time of year.
So given that I almost feel disgusted with myself in asking if we should play a weakened side, what do I think?
Well, my thoughts are somewhat academic because Emery always plays to win, doesn’t he? And quite rightly so.But I do find myself wondering how many players he will rest. Tammy comes in for Ollie, and Bizot replaces Martinez for a start. Mings or Pau or maybe both and rest Konsa?? Who knows? And I expect Alysson to start for this game.
We’re definitely going to see changes and as much as I contemplate resting the whole side, that isn’t going to happen. The fans who turn up would feel robbed for a start (not that that seems to matter too much nowadays).
So I’ll just go with the flow and accept who Emery decides upon.
Of course, similar questions apply to Eddie Howe too. Can he afford to distract his side when they’re still in the CL and have qualifying to worry about? They already seem to be feeling the strain, as it is.
So a lot depends on what sides both clubs put out.
But you can only hazard a guess in the cup anyway. That’s the beauty of it.
I’m going for a 2-1 win, which seems to be my default prediction these days. And probably after extra time too, which we could probably do wihout.
UTV!
I don’t know if this is going to be a cracker or another tedious pile of proverbial. I suspect the latter.
Wow, I hope not. Midweek tried me as it was.
Tbh, sadly I’m not particularly bothered if we win this or not, as much as I’d love to see us lift the cup.
And then of course, this begs another question.
FA cup or Europa league? And I can’t even answer that myself.
Europa League. It’s not even debatable, Badger, as much as I’d love to see Villa win the cup.
Tomorrow will be tedious; we haven’t scored a goal in open play at home for 3 games, and haven’t looked capable of doing so. I think Unai needs to change tactics again, as teams are all defending deep against us now. In my opinion, we need to get Abraham, Mings and Onana in the box, with Bailey and Digne instructed to get crosses in. Bailey will have to cut in from the right. It’s old fashioned but I think that’s the stage we’re at.
I’d be happy with glorious failure with a shootout defeat; I know that’s disgraceful but I just don’t think this squad can cope with a cup run and hold on to a CL place and/or win the Europa. It’s pure pragmatism and I think Unai will have similar thoughts, although he will, no doubt, send the team out to win.
UTV!
Never ever practice losing games, it can become a habit. And especially when your in front of your own fans who have paid good money in showing their support.
Spot on.
There’s no doubt in my mind that I would rather win the FA Cup than the Europa League. It’s a far more important trophy to win simply because of its history. Unfortunately, the reward for winning the FA cup isn’t as valuable, so if we fail to get top 5 then the Europa is financially a must. If you can guarantee a top 5, then it’s the FA cup 100% that I want to see us win. The Europa is a bit like winning the Championship instead of the Premier League. No-one other than the actual winners gives a toss. I only watched the final last year because it was two English teams. I will always watch to watch the FA cup final however.
As for tomorrow, in Unai I trust. I think we can play a decent team even if he rests a few. My team selection would be:-
Bizot, Bogarde, Lindelof, Torres, Digne, Barkley, Hemmings, Buendia, Alysson, Abraham and Bailey. We could have a decent bench to call upon if things aren’t going well.
My guess is Emery will start a stronger team than the one I think.
I do like that line up!!!!!
Hemmings would be annihilated by Newcastle midfielders.
Pains me to agree with you, BFR, but after what I saw the other week the lad’s confidence would be shattered and they don’t even have Bruno.
I suspect Bill might be of the same opinion that the FA Cup is ingrained in us older fans as the prize of all prizes.
In the days before the ‘prostitution’ of football through the Mammon of EPL money via TV deals, to have your team in the FA Cup Final meant a whole Saturday watching TV coverage of the two teams contesting the Final – a rare treat indeed!
Now it’s all the same – apart possibly from the CL, which is why it remains the ‘Holy Graille’ for players, fans and the coffers of ambitious clubs.
I digress – for me the FA cup still holds something indescribable, a magic no other competition can achieve – so, yes, I would love to see us winning it – pragmatic no, nostalgic yes.
The financial reality and therefore the future success of the club has to be qualification for the CL so top 5 or win the Europa league have to be priorities.
But I would still love to see us win the old Vase again,
UTMV
Agree.
Hope we can win this, I’d like to stay in the FA Cup – as I would most competitions as long as we have the depth.
Newcastle are without Bruno Guimares for about 8 weeks – they are truly done and dusted if that’s true, they’ll be lucky to beat Qarabag!
Have a great weekend all.
Just to clarify, of course, if top 5 is guaranteed (which it isn’t), then it’s the FA Cup for me, too. Bottom line is the Champions League is 100% priority.
In which case BFR, wouldn’t you then say Europa League is the target? And, yes, top 5 is not guaranteed.
Top 5 + FA Cup
OR
Europa League (top 5 or not becomes irrelevant).
Either way. You get a pot and CL qualification.
I’d take Europa on its own, trophy and Europa League.
Just read a report from an X account with over 700K followers which has posted an exclusive and stated that Morgan Rogers will leave if we fail to achieve Champions League football next season.
I think a very accurate guess unfortunately. Albeit, a guess, likely all it is.
My gran could’ve given that ‘exclusive’; needless to say, she’s no longer with us.
True, they know nothing – but the statement they made will no doubt turn out to be true, so it is something to think about.
Holte I pretty much agree with your team.
Newcastle are a dirty team who like to leave the foot in. As much as it pains me to say, don’t play our best 11. We cannot afford any injuries. If Newcastle stuff us and we can avoid our key players being on the field so be it.
A top 5 league position is way more important. The monies from Champions League will help towards us getting a stable footing against SCR issue, whilst hopefully increasing the quality of the team. Then Europa League is next in importance, more finance than the FA Cup and a back door route to Champions League.
I hope Emery reflects at the end of the season on the teams he puts out in cup competitions. Against Spurs I was very surprised to see a virtual full strength squad and then Kamara gets a season ending injury. The 3rd round prize money in this competition was £121,000 and the 4th round is £127,000. So basically Kamara’s injury was worth less than 1 week of his wages. Yet for our season this could be the best part of a £100m impact.
If Emery wants to play the U21s – go for it.
Sorry I can’t get behind the last part. I don’t want to see us get smashed by fellow Premier League opposition.
We did nothing on Wednesday, so can’t say we have used up much energy, and this replaces a Premier League game. I’d rather see us go strong and if Newcastle play dirty like they probably will, Emery can hook off players who he thinks are at risk.
Really did not want Onana to play today. I really hope he is not injured today.
Agree with Sid.
Is it good enough?
Bizot; Bogarde, Lindelof, Torres, Digne; Onana, Luiz; Bailey, Barkley, Rogers; Abraham.
subs: Martinez, Konsa, Mings, Buendia, Watkins, Garcia, Sancho, Maatsen, Kone.
The barcodes starting XI looks stronger than ours. I think Howe sees this game as more important than Emery.
It’s thee only realistic route into Europe next season.
No Alysson? Garcia fit for the bench!
Probably just Unai talking up Alysson. I find it annoying personally.
As for Garcia, you’d rather play a player out of his position than one who’s job it is?
Tells me what he thinks of him.
KEVIN!!!!!
Get in!
No VAR!!!
Brilliantly made.
Even better, Shearer is noticeably sick haha
Without doubt Hitch, we grew up with the FA cup and that means everything to me, all that European and top league clubs think about is money, fans in these days cannot afford prices like commercial, seats, and TV. Give me the FA cup every day. We’ve seen the glory days want you to see it.
Piss off Shearer, comment objectively like you get paid too and not just as a bloody Newcastle fan!
Digne, you dickhead, that could have been red.
No need.
Bizot red, Why are we so, so stupid?
Unbelievable.
Let’s see what we learnt from Brentford
I am stunned.
Bailey off. No surprise there as he’s been worse than useless again and won’t be missedWe looked so comfortable too.
Let’s see if Newcastle are as shite as when we play ten men. I’m guessing no way.
What a hairy hat, a sending off Bizot,
Alan Shearer is enjoying the moment not stopping talking about the offside, and now Bizot. It’s going to be a hard second half that’s for sure.
At least we have a decent replacement goalie!!!
If that was a handball, it was a penalty all day long.
And then they score anyway.
And then you get Shearer calling it Karma.
What an utter wanker he is. I’m shocked at how he can be so openly biased to Newcastle.
I wouldn’t mind but we were comfortable and they’ve been crap.
Let’s be fair we all knew it would only be time before they score, I for one said to myself we’re going to lose this .my worrynow is players with yellow cards being sent off,
I’m honestly not bothered about this now. We’ve given it away through our own absolute stupidity.
That was worse than Martinez’ mess up.
All over now.
Really couldn’t care less.