Back to back non-league fixtures coming up. While I certainly want the lads to get past Shaktar and in order to do that a win next week at home is a necessity, this one for me is a priority. I want to see the team get to Wembley, and what more can you ask for than the draw so far? While Roy doesn't have too many options he will need to make a few decisions. Since Okaka is cup tied for Europa I really hope he starts. What about Smalling, Greening, Riise, and Kelly? I'm sure Notts will play with a lot more fight than Burnley did. 2-1 (no replay please) and a step up closer to living the Wembley dream!!
Their loss yesterday was their first in 5 or 6 games and it was against the top team in the division. I'm with you, SCJ. I want to see Cap'n Danny lead the boys out at Wembley, and we don't ever try to lose a match, so ... . With Stockdale out on loan, here's what I'd like to see this weekend: Schwarzer; Baird, Hughes, Smalling, Shorey [I don't think he's cup tied]; Riise, Murphy, Etuhu, Smalling; Zamora, Okaka. We win 2-0, and I hope Okaka is among the goals.
After snooping around it reads as though Roy is placing an emphasis on this competition. The captain doesn't want to be rested either. Hard not to be feeling optimistic.
I will probably miss this one since I will be out of town but I hope I don't get to see Okaka put on blinder of a performance so I can read the many posts praising his goal prowess when I return. Don's lineup is probably pretty close to what I would expect to see but I think you might see Elm and Okaka up top and Zamora given a rest before the Shaktar match.
No Zamora, Duff or Davies as I hope they're rested for Shaktar. COYW, the next round is calling. Some match facts: Notts County have won none of their last seven meetings with Fulham in London. Fulham have won both of the two FA Cup meetings with Notts County by a 1-0 scoreline but both were away wins for the Whites. Roy Hodgson's men have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last eight matches at Craven Cottage in all competitions. In fact, the Whites have lost only one of their last 14 matches on home soil. The Magpies have scored in all but one of their last 14 away matches since August (all comps). Defeat at Bournemouth in their last match ended a run of six straight away wins for County in all competitions. http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11022010/ ... ounty.html
Plus Notts County just got sold for 1 GBP and have announced plans to live within their means (i.e., they're going to sell players). Sven is out.
Other than not being relegated, this cup is the number one priority for me this season. The team is good enough and Roy deserves it. I hope Roy to starts the best XI he can. COYW!
I'm looking forward to this one. With the Mardi Gras celebrations starting around noon on Saturday I should be passed out in time to wake up for Sunday's match.
I hope Roy tests everybody during this match so we can go for a big win against Shaktar. Really we should beat a team like Notts County with a few players rested anyway.
other 5th round fixtures; Chelsea v Cardiff (wish this was in Wales) Southampton v Portsmouth (one of the best rivalries in English football renews) Derby v Birmingham (Derby with a shout at home) Reading v West Brom (at least one CCC in the quarterfinals) Man City v Stoke (at least one Prem team knocked out) Bolton v Tottenham (make that 2. Sorry Jens hope Spuds get taken out) Crystal Palace v Aston Villa (can Palace keep the miracle run going? doubt it, but fingers crossed). The draw is on Sunday for the quarterfinals. IF the 4 biggest clubs make it thru (Scum, Citeh, Spuds, and Villa) who wants to bet that those clubs will be "drawn" so they can meet in the semis?? :shock: If the Whites get past Notts, I fully expect an away match v one of those 4 (unless the magic of the FA Cup results in all kinds of upsets).
and to add to my southern neighbor's list of other fixtures, espn has a brief preview for all matches here: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/st ... nd&cc=5901
http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/new ... nd&cc=5901 and at the bottom of this story, it indicates Gera and Konch are fit...feelin' better and better about the next two matches!
And for my trifecta: Lawro's predictions for the FA weekend (surprise, he actually picks Fulham to win [2-1 though, b/c Fulham must be incapable of a clean sheet] so this could be a sign of an impending apocalypse): http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8511545.stm
this has fallen off the "left column menu" so I thought I'd bump it up. I'll be able to catch the first half via Gentleman Jim. See youse in the chatroom until half time. COYW
What little I know about Notts County makes me glad I am not a supporter, because I think they are guaranteed to cause heart failure. The whole Sven/ Sol Campbell business? Huge amounts of debt? Sven saying he is leaving them to allow them to avoid administration? No thanks!
lineups -- the only change for us is Stoor for Kelly on the bench Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Shorey, Duff, Etuhu, Murphy, Davies, Zamora, Elm. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Okaka, Nevland, Riise, Stoor, Smalling, Greening. Notts County: Schmeichel, Hunt, Edwards, Thompson, Davies, Ravenhill, Bishop, Clapham, Westcarr, Jackson, Hughes. Subs: Hoult, Lee, Hamshaw, Hawley, Fairclough, Rodgers, Akinbiyi. COYW
