Southampton (N) - Sat 25th April, 17:15 | FAC | Pre-Match Thread

[Nails]

I originally thought we'd only make a few changes for his, but seeing how tired some of the players were on Wednesday makes me think we'll rotate a bit more. Maybe something like this?

Trafford
Nunes
Khusanov
Ake
Ait-Nouri
Gonzalez
Bernardo
Reijnders
Foden
Savinho
Marmoush

Don't much like that forward line.

 

[r.soleofsalford]

View attachment 190222

Or we could just hand it to Southampton.

 

[come-on-barney]

I originally thought we'd only make a few changes for his, but seeing how tired some of the players were on Wednesday makes me think we'll rotate a bit more. Maybe something like this?

Trafford
Nunes
Khusanov
Ake
Ait-Nouri
Gonzalez
Bernardo
Reijnders
Foden
Savinho
Marmoush

At least that will give us a free Saturday on the 16th May :)

 

[Ric]

Don't much like that forward line.

Me neither!

 

[waspish]

Pep will go as strong as he can because he knows the league isn’t guaranteed and winning two trophies is a very good season

 

[manimanc]

Pep will go as strong as he can because he knows the league isn’t guaranteed and winning two trophies is a very good season

I'd take winning both cups right now.
The league was out of sight for most of the season but if we bag that it'd be the cherry on top of an already decent cake.

 

[borassic]

I originally thought we'd only make a few changes for his, but seeing how tired some of the players were on Wednesday makes me think we'll rotate a bit more. Maybe something like this?

Trafford
Nunes
Khusanov
Ake
Ait-Nouri
Gonzalez
Bernardo
Reijnders
Foden
Savinho
Marmoush

too many changes and I fear we look disjointed and get beat. I’d only change 3-4 personally and try get subs in early

 

[Groke]

If we win, who do you want in the Final?

Leeds could be a bit grim, they'll be there for the weekend in huge numbers.

Remember Bournemouth

That was early 40 years ago - city did similar in Blackpool around the same time. There's no doubt that they'd be giddy like with all these clubs that don't go to Wembley that often and there will probably be some mither (see forest and villa) - but there won't be full scale agro. Like with all clubs, different crowd nowadays.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

8 changes. Premium league priority.
Pep let Nouri and Semenyo sub early to rest last game. Nunes depends.
Trafford
Nunes Stones Ake Nouri
Foden Nico.G Reijnders
Savinho Marmoush Semenyo

He didn’t rest either player. They were tactical changes. And there’s no way he’d play a reserve team with so much at stake and week off to come.

Everything in your post is wrong.

 

[Bluekiwi]

I think some people are underestimating the threat that Southampton will pose - they are on a good run of results and could give us a really hard game. Strongest possible lineup with players, who despite fatigue are up for playing at Wembley AGAIN.

 

[69FACUPfinal]

too many changes and I fear we look disjointed and get beat. I’d only change 3-4 personally and try get subs in early

Agree. And we also have 9 days off until Everton so plenty of rest and recovery time.

Whatever the outcome will be - and I was called out at the draw time for saying I didn't want Saints ( 1976 and all that, plus tough opposition) I just want whoever plays at Wembley for our lads to give it their all for the supporters who have trekked and forked out for a Wembley trip, and actually turn up. Do not want a repeat of the 2024 no show v Trafford scum.

 

[Ric]

too many changes and I fear we look disjointed and get beat. I’d only change 3-4 personally and try get subs in early

Yeah, it's not the team I would pick personally but just what I think Pep might do. Guess it's a fine line in terms of freshening up the side whilst not disrupting our rhythm too much.

 

[69FACUPfinal]

I think some people are underestimating the threat that Southampton will pose - they are on a good run of results and could give us a really hard game. Strongest possible lineup with players, who despite fatigue are up for playing at Wembley AGAIN.

I said this at the time of the draw, that basically I didn't want Saints for those reasons, plus history from 50 years ago when they won ( and we won the League Cup 50 years ago) and I was gaslighted and laughed at. I can take it but some folks are very blue blinkered.

They will be a threat all right and will get whatever officiating help is required.

 

[Ric]

I think some people are underestimating the threat that Southampton will pose - they are on a good run of results and could give us a really hard game.

Southampton are a good side, but they have a huge game on Tuesday night which could give them a real chance of automatic promotion. Difficult to say which game they will prioritise.

 

[bg1968]

The gap between the top Championship sides and the top two in the Premier league is huge , quite sure Pep will want to protect players like Bernardo and Rodri , i put a team on here with ten changes and every repleacment player a full international , probably excessive but Pep has history for tinkering for sem-finals.
But realising his previous tinkering has been when we were involved in the Champs league latter stages ,and we have 9 days until Everton away , so would now go with the strongest possible team , but i am greedy , i want my 30th trip to Wembley :)

 

[Roachy]

Yeah, it's not the team I would pick personally but just what I think Pep might do. Guess it's a fine line in terms of freshening up the side whilst not disrupting our rhythm too much.

If Ake does start let's hope he repeats the LC final showing last month, really good that day.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

I think some people are underestimating the threat that Southampton will pose - they are on a good run of results and could give us a really hard game. Strongest possible lineup with players, who despite fatigue are up for playing at Wembley AGAIN.

They drew at home to Bristol City last Tuesday, which followed at last minute winner at Swansea the Saturday before.
When they played Arsenal they had 8 shots, whilst they conceded 23 shots. Yes, they’re doing ok but they’re not anything to be scared about.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I think some people are underestimating the threat that Southampton will pose - they are on a good run of results and could give us a really hard game. Strongest possible lineup with players, who despite fatigue are up for playing at Wembley AGAIN.

Have felt that since they beat Arsenal. They are a very good side with a very good young manager and a fair few City graduates. They will play football and attack us. We will need to be really on it.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

Southampton are a good side, but they have a huge game on Tuesday night which could give them a real chance of automatic promotion. Difficult to say which game they will prioritise.

If they believe they’ve still got a chance of automatic promotion, then they’ll prioritise that. However, if Ipswich win at West Brom tomorrow (1230] then, realistically, that means they’re out of it. Although, I suppose, finishing 3rd is better than finishing 6th, so who knows what they’ll do…

 

[Semper aggressus]

As strong as possible, why wouldn’t we?

A chance of another FA Cup, especially after the last two shitshows in the final, against a decent side that will probably be PL next season anyway.

Got to pick the strongest available XI. Haaland up front, Rodri if fit.