Concentrate on the league

[Rob_the_Ram]

Often said when you've been knocked out but are the cup games ideal when chasing the big prize?

With Coutts gone, Ibe returned to Liverpool, Russell injured, Bryson not fully fit and Ward never far from a lay off, will the extra games be more of a burden for our smallish squad?

At least to date, replays haven't figured but we are at the point now where our competitors won't have the same commitments and 3 games a week is returning anyway.

Thoughts?

[southernram22]

think you should look down our squad list also thorne Eustace and barker are out ? smallish

[Rob_the_Ram]

think you should look down our squad list also thorne Eustace and barker are out ? smallish

When I wrote "smallish squad", I meant squad players currently able to play. Suppose I could have put I clearer and added George and John but thought everyone would get my drift.

My point remains - is having to play more games than our (cup eliminated) fellow League challengers, with the opportunity to pick up injuries and suspensions a good place to be or is there such a thing as possibly better out to "concentrate on the league"?

[Ramondo]

It's a good point Rob, I thought the Chelsea tie was one game too many for us and may have cost us a couple of points, although we'll never know that for sure.

But I think most people know we won't win the cup and I'd rather get promoted anyway. We saw this weekend that Mac used the game to try something different, even if that might have meant we lost. He was prepared to take that risk.

So I guess that if needs be he will rest players for the cup game if he feels they need it.

To be honest, I'm more concerned about the injury list on it's own right now, regardless of an extra cup match!

[KingCharlieGeorge]

I don't go for all this concentrate on the league nonsense. Play each game as it comes and create a winning mentality. Good cup runs usually have the effect of galvanising players and help promotion pushes. I know it's a convenient excuse when you get knocked out to claim we are concentrating on the league, but as a fan I like cup football and expect my team to compete.

[swaledale]

I want to see my team compete in every competition, winning games does create that wining mentality and cup agmes offer the opportunity to mix formations and give game time to so called fringe players.

However, fixture congestion can be an issue especially with a replay and to atke two teams Sheff Utd and Wigan, how much did their cup runs contribute to missing out on promotion?

Once a team is in a semi final or even a quarter final, players can be distracted, raise themselves for the "big" cup game and then put in a sub standard performance in the league.

My preference would be a for a nice home draw against a big prem club, bow out with a good perromance and focus on this seasons goal, which is promotion.

Yes it would be nice to go to wembley for a semi final or final but not if that hampers our chances of getting promoted.

[Toggles]

Let's look to go as far as we can. Fixture congestion is more of a prob pre-xmas, don't think an added game or to is a big prob this time of year and also I like having games in hand towards the business end of the season. Let's you know what you need to do!

Winning breeds confidence. Let's go for it in the cup. Another round like this one, next time out, and we'll be one of the favourites to win it! there are only 6 Prem teams thro, with 4 more who's future is still to be decided. After that us and Boro are the next highest place teams. A good draw tonight and we could be in the QF one game from Wembley!

[SlimyLimey]

It's only 69 years since we won the FA cup. I am one of very few on this site that am old enough to remember it... Derby for the cup!

[Rob_the_Ram]

I don't go for all this concentrate on the league nonsense. Play each game as it comes and create a winning mentality. Good cup runs usually have the effect of galvanising players and help promotion pushes. I know it's a convenient excuse when you get knocked out to claim we are concentrating on the league, but as a fan I like cup football and expect my team to compete.

You've pretty well summed up my thoughts too KCG if we had a full strength squad available.
Nothing better than a cup game that has everything riding on that individual match.

My point was more around our preparedness to play additional games with the number of injuries we have, especially in midfield.

The mmt team would be pressured to play players carrying knocks and there's less recovery time for league games compared to most of our Championship rivals.

I would just feel more comfortable if we had the odd injury rather than approximately half our midf

[Rambo74]

We can do both. Helps the confidence - cup runs. I'd be very happy with a semis at Wembley