Kicking the bucket .E.F.L Cup 3rd round. Away to Arsenal Wed, 25th Sep. 7-45.

[TANGODANCER]

We kicked the Gunners buckets a few times in the past, but that was then, and this is here and now. Realistically, few will give us a snowball on a hotplate chance of a win here and with Crawley awaiting us three days later, our mountain looks a bit steep. That said, we are the one and only Whites, so let's sally forth and fight the savage foe. Time to air some views, so que sera..

[boltonboris]

25th Tango

[truewhite15]

We've got no chance. If Arsenal score 5 or less, I'll be happy. This isn't our fight. All focus on Crawley.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Nobody cares about the cups, play the tea lady in goal, etc and so on

Seriously tho - will be fascinating to see who gets rested and rotated. Baxter or Southwood? Can the wingbacks go again? Do we seriously have anybody to replace the reinstated midfield triangle? Can Collins and McAtee even oplay together as a pair?

Moreover - only just discovered this is Wed rather than Tue. Which is great for me cos I can settle on the couch, but bad for Evatt cos we're playing at Crawley 2.5 days later (Sat 1230 KO). They'll surely have to stay over darn sarf Friday night, having only got back ooop norf in the small hours of Thursday. Maybe a quick go on the grass Friday morning...

[Prufrock]

And then Northampton (a) on Tuesday. Might as well make a holiday of it...

Given Arsenal seen to have discovered a corners cheat code to add into also being very good, I'm not hopeful at all! But I'll be there. First time watching us at the Emirates since uni (and my utter dismay they weren't serving booze, and all they had left to eat was a *broccoli* pie

Given their efforts yesterday, you'd think 11 changes from them.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

broccoli pie

WTF

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Given their efforts yesterday, you'd think 11 changes from them.

...bringing in no-hopers like Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Ben White, Jorginho...

[HMX]

If I weren't going to Crawley on the Sat, I'd be at this one. That being the case, I'm not arsed about the outcome. Use the squad, pray for no injuries, and hope it isn't a cricket score. We need three points on Saturday.

[Worthy4England]

I think this is going to be an "interesting" selection dilemma. I mean it's a wonderful place to showcase what "Brand Evatt" is all about...

Broccoli pie? Do they still have that with quinoa?

[TonyDomingos]

Against my better judgement, I've blown £20 on a ticket. Fully expecting Arsenal to put out the under-12s and fully expecting a home win.

[TANGODANCER]

25th Tango

Sorted thanks. Mind wandering to images of Arrsene Venga and "fxxxxxx Bolton..

[DJBlu]

Given their efforts yesterday, you'd think 11 changes from them.

...bringing in no-hopers like Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Ben White, Jorginho...

We'll shit em then.

[The_Gun]

Obviously the league should take precedence over a cup that we have no realistic hope of winning. Obviously.

However, I can’t imagine any of our lads would be delighted to be told that they’re being rested at Arsenal to save them for Crawley Town. Beyond the pure pragmatism, this is a huge stage for our players, and one which some of them likely won’t get the chance to grace again.

If we can put in a good showing tomorrow, even in defeat, that’s not likely to do us much harm. Confidence can be a hard thing to regain once lost, and whilst we were better on the weekend, taking an absolute drubbing at the Emirates wouldn’t be ideal psychologically. On the other hand, if our boys feel like they’ve been in a proper match with Sterling, Jorghino et al, then I’m sure they’ll be further buoyed ahead of Crawley.

I’ll be one of the 4,000+ Wanderers in the away end, and I’m looking forward to it immensely.

[BWFC_Insane]

Obviously the league should take precedence over a cup that we have no realistic hope of winning. Obviously.

However, I can’t imagine any of our lads would be delighted to be told that they’re being rested at Arsenal to save them for Crawley Town. Beyond the pure pragmatism, this is a huge stage for our players, and one which some of them likely won’t get the chance to grace again.

If we can put in a good showing tomorrow, even in defeat, that’s not likely to do us much harm. Confidence can be a hard thing to regain once lost, and whilst we were better on the weekend, taking an absolute drubbing at the Emirates wouldn’t be ideal psychologically. On the other hand, if our boys feel like they’ve been in a proper match with Sterling, Jorghino et al, then I’m sure they’ll be further buoyed ahead of Crawley.

I’ll be one of the 4,000+ Wanderers in the away end, and I’m looking forward to it immensely.

Yeah it’s not a game you can really leave players out for . Injury risk sure but harsh not to play people. One who needs a rest is Thommo but also hardest to leave out.

[Mar]

Obviously the league should take precedence over a cup that we have no realistic hope of winning. Obviously.

However, I can’t imagine any of our lads would be delighted to be told that they’re being rested at Arsenal to save them for Crawley Town. Beyond the pure pragmatism, this is a huge stage for our players, and one which some of them likely won’t get the chance to grace again.

If we can put in a good showing tomorrow, even in defeat, that’s not likely to do us much harm. Confidence can be a hard thing to regain once lost, and whilst we were better on the weekend, taking an absolute drubbing at the Emirates wouldn’t be ideal psychologically. On the other hand, if our boys feel like they’ve been in a proper match with Sterling, Jorghino et al, then I’m sure they’ll be further buoyed ahead of Crawley.

I’ll be one of the 4,000+ Wanderers in the away end, and I’m looking forward to it immensely.

Last few games against teams in a higher league:
Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Luton

We've scored first and gone onto lose.


I'm hoping we change that pattern. Conceding first and then scoring might just work out better for us from a mentality perspective rather than going ahead and getting pegged back.

Personally, i'd rather us aim for a really dogged performance tomorrow, keep it as tight as possible and negate them as much as we can.

[Prufrock]

Ah, we're going to lose. I'd take going in front tomorrow!

[irie Cee Bee]

Every player will want to play in this game. I agree with The Gun. If I am fit and a regular, I would be gutted if Evatt told me that I am being rested. Baxter, Santos, Thomasson, Cogley, Charles, Toal, Sheehan will all want to play.

They will all give their best, 100%, and lose. Fatigued for the weekend. Was it worth it? a 2-0 defeat in a creditable performance.. maybe yes, a 7-0 hammering and totally outclassed no. It would take months to recover from that.

[boltonboris]

The issue nowadays in these games is that it's increasingly unlikely to get an upset. A while ago, you'd be pumped up playing against a weakened team and you could take it to them.

Now, you do that and the oppo just literally change half their outfield to keep you at bay and eventually, it's a lot of effort for feck all reward

[TANGODANCER]

Ah, we're going to lose. I'd take going in front tomorrow!

At the extent of the full regalia, Arsenal just daren't lose. You'd hear the repercussions up in A.T's western isles..

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Ah, we're going to lose. I'd take going in front tomorrow!

At the extent of the full regalia, Arsenal just daren't lose. You'd hear the repercussions up in A.T's western isles..

I'm in deepest darkest Cornwall at the moment