Seconds out, Round Four. V Blackpool away Tues, 30th Jan. 7-0'clock.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Blackpool away in the quarters.

Probably Tue 30 Jan. They hosted this last round on Wednesday but their previous FLT midweekers seem to have been Tuesday so I think they delayed it, like us, because of their Sunday FA Cup game.

The games either side are Carlisle away and Barnsley home. Unless we beat Luton, in which case Carlisle will be postponed...

[Mar]

Not the easiest draw, but nothing we should be afraid of. We've got plenty of nous about us to get the right result.

Anyone know why this years QF draw has been separated by North and South? Last years QF had us draw away at Pompey.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Not the easiest draw, but nothing we should be afraid of. We've got plenty of nous about us to get the right result.

Anyone know why this years QF draw has been separated by North and South? Last years QF had us draw away at Pompey.

*Home to Pompey. It’s when we played them twice in four days or summat.

Last year’s four quarterfinals attracted a grand total of 1,114 away fans, so maybe that’s part of the thinking.

[Mar]

Not the easiest draw, but nothing we should be afraid of. We've got plenty of nous about us to get the right result.

Anyone know why this years QF draw has been separated by North and South? Last years QF had us draw away at Pompey.

*Home to Pompey. It’s when we played them twice in four days or summat.

Last year’s four quarterfinals attracted a grand total of 1,114 away fans, so maybe that’s part of the thinking.

Makes sense. The competition really didnt help with two of the southernmost teams playing in it. Portsmouth and Plymouth certainly have quite the travel times all round.

There's clearly a demand for people to watch it, Plymouth having 12'000 on a midweek, but I can't imagine its overly favourable to travel.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Aye, to be fair Plymouth were responsible for easily more than half of those - they took 678 to Bristol Rovers. Pompey brought 304 to ours, Salford took 71 to Cheltenham and Accy took 61 to Lincoln.

Ironically the last one wouldn't be ruled out by a regionalised draw, and I'm fairly sure Cheltenham have also been in the northern half (but aren't this year).

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

So our next opponents could be Blackpool, Bradford or Donny/Wigan (who play next week).

Southern half: Wycombe, AFC Wimbledon, Brighton U21, Posh/Crawley.

Wigan lose. Good.

Posh/Crawley is next Tuesday.

[officer_dibble]

Wigan out is good news. The dream would have been to put them in their place at Wembley but the nightmare was just as likely! I’d say it’s us and posh clear favourites now. See how interested Blackpool are in it, not an easy game either.

[GhostoftheBok]

If you want to win a cup you'll have tough games. Even the Motor Cup isn't a participation trophy. Bring them all on.

We beat Pompey and Plymouth last season to win it. Away at Blackpool isn't an easy fixture and nor is playing Posh at any time, but we've shown we can go toe-to-toe with anyone on our day.

We are pushing at the top of the division, scoring goals and keeping clean sheets.

They should fear us more than we fear them.

[KeyserSoze]

Tie confirmed Tuesday Jan 30th, 7pm ko

[GhostoftheBok]

Tie confirmed Tuesday Jan 30th, 7pm ko

7pm? That'll have the 9-5ers up in arms.

[GhostoftheBok]

Over 2000 tickets for next Tuesday's trip to Blackpool. Should be fun.

[TANGODANCER]

I've just changed/updated the title to keep the E.P.L. games together in One thread. Ozone, toffee apples and hotdogs will soon enough be wafting forth from the Sea-siders.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Posh losing at home to Crawley in their EFL Trophy tie.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Posh losing at home to Crawley in their EFL Trophy tie.

Equalised.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Posh losing at home to Crawley in their EFL Trophy tie.

Equalised.

And now they’re winning.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Posh losing at home to Crawley in their EFL Trophy tie.

Equalised.

And now they’re winning.

Posh win. Hmmm

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Two wins from Wembley, but a thin squad…. How much would you change?

By my reckoning, and without any more eligible new signings, we could make up to eight changes from the first team squad. Namely:

Coleman for Bax
Matheson for JDC
Morley for Sheehan
Thomason* for Maghoma
CMG for Demps
Ogbeta for Ashworth
Jerome for Ade
Bod for Dion.

* not suspended in this comp

Now, that’s not a bad team, especially as we could (or rather, might have to) have some of the rested players on the bench, whence they could spring if necessary.

The huge exception to the rotation is the back three, which is a worry given news of Gethin’s injury (prognosis TBA) and Jack’s bang to the head on Saturday. There’s the possibility of shifting JDC or Ashworth “inside one” to the outside centre-back role, but it’s a far from perfect fit in either case. Besides, I’d be surprised if Matheson and Ogbeta play the full 90.

Also have to remember we visit Barnsley on Saturday.

So what would you do?

[GhostoftheBok]

So what would you do?

Change everyone we can, as we did with Accy.

This is actually a great chance to get lads up to speed.

Coleman, Toal, Santos, Iredale (if not concussed), Matheson, Morley, Thommo, CMG, Ogbeta, Bod and Jerome.

Fresh legs going forward and get at them early. See whether they can rotate and maintain their levels, because we may be able to to an extent on current evidence.

[TANGODANCER]

Gamble on an all change side with a strong bench. A couple of early goals and it will give good minutes options. Should be a lively affair but I'm hoping Carlisle was the confidence injection we needed. All I've ever liked about Blackpool is the Tower Ballroom, Fish and Chips and the fact I once heard a record of Eddie Calvert playing "Cherry Pink Mambo blasting out over the South Pier. The rest you can have, I remember Wembley 1953...

COME ON YOU WHITES, Get in there...

[Mar]

Two wins from Wembley, but a thin squad…. How much would you change?

By my reckoning, and without any more eligible new signings, we could make up to eight changes from the first team squad. Namely:

Coleman for Bax
Matheson for JDC
Morley for Sheehan
Thomason* for Maghoma
CMG for Demps
Ogbeta for Ashworth
Jerome for Ade
Bod for Dion.

* not suspended in this comp

Now, that’s not a bad team, especially as we could (or rather, might have to) have some of the rested players on the bench, whence they could spring if necessary.

The huge exception to the rotation is the back three, which is a worry given news of Gethin’s injury (prognosis TBA) and Jack’s bang to the head on Saturday. There’s the possibility of shifting JDC or Ashworth “inside one” to the outside centre-back role, but it’s a far from perfect fit in either case. Besides, I’d be surprised if Matheson and Ogbeta play the full 90.

Also have to remember we visit Barnsley on Saturday.

So what would you do?

I'd be going as strong as we can. Same as we did in the league match against Carlisle, best folks available play.

We're in the QF a feat rarely achieved by a reigning champion of this competition. Were past the point of taking this competition semi seriously and were at the closing stages where we can get to the final with a couple of wins.

I'd be looking at:

Baxter, JDC, Toal, Santos, Iredale, Ashworth, Thomason, Sheehan, Maghoma, Charles, Adeboyejo.

Not that I'd be unhappy seeing the likes of JDB, Ogbeta, Morley or Dempsey getting starts, but I'd be a little surprised if we'd go with Matheson, Jerome or Coleman.

I know they need game time, but if we can't trust them to get starts in the league on most rotated squads then we can't trust them to get us to the final. They're covering players and are expected to be able to see out games rather than massively impact them.

Charles needs a goal, getting us further in the cup might just be that stimulus he needs to kick that goalscoring into gear.

Blackpool aren't going to be a walk in the park, but we've got a good squad and should be looking to progress rather than looking at using the competition as a means of determining our league suitability.