I'm sure Steve is planning for Thursday!

[Bear DCFC]

Great selection dilemma though.

[DCFC95]

I'd go Hendrick, purely for the fact that Hendrick's game relies so heavily on confidence, and dropping him might dent it.

[SlimyLimey]

What a difference a year makes. We have a great squad now & whoever is chosen doesn't weaken the side. Also look at the options on the bench. Last year we would have had a hard time finding bodies to sit there.
I really can't see us losing to Brighton, especially with Steve in charge. His motivational skills alone are superb, whereas Nigel didn't have any.

[swaledale]

What a difference a year makes. We have a great squad now & whoever is chosen doesn't weaken the side. Also look at the options on the bench. Last year we would have had a hard time finding bodies to sit there.
I really can't see us losing to Brighton, especially with Steve in charge. His motivational skills alone are superb, whereas Nigel didn't have any.

FAMOUS LAST WORDS!!! Its two cup games, anything can happen.

[ellafella]

We should play our game and not change anything for them..
Would take a draw there and do em at home.

After Leeds I think the team picks itself.
Bamford was poor and we lacked creativity..

Grant
Wisdom
Bucko
The horse
Forsyth
Thorne
Bryson
Hughes (for me ahead of Hendrick)
Russell
Ward
Martin

Agree that is the strongest XI & agree that the Hendrick/Hughes issue is the only one to be resolved. With Hughes we get more ball control / possession and he and Bryso work better together, but with Hendrick we get more forward thrust and aggression in and around the box. Hendrick has been on fire and has banged in some goals so the Irishman gets my vote. Hughes might feature in the home leg.

[roger_ramjet]

Sure Steve is planning? Whatever makes you suspect that? I wouldn't think he's given the game a moment's thought.

I would agree Hughes over Hendrick by a whisker but still think it's a shame didn't try the two DCM'S in Thorne and Estate together at Leeds...

[HOODIE]

Okay can't sleep because I keeping thinking about how we should play the first leg so may as well write it down!

The thing is Brighton were in the play-offs last year and that gives their players a huge advantage, they know it's over 180 minutes and the game will not be decided on Thursday.

I get the feeling that Brighton will be happy with a slender 1-0 lead to take to the Ipro. I would even hazard a guess that they wouldn't be disappointed with 0-0 on Thursday.

Whatever happens they know the pressure on our young team to perform in front of an expectant full house on Sunday will be immense.

I think the home tie for us will be the most difficult, so how does Steve and the coaching staff deal with this? If the game is still tight in the second leg then Brighton can park the bus and simply look to hit us on the break, with a defensive record like theirs they will fancy defending a single goal lead, the pressure will be all on us.

That situation could become unbearable as the minu