FA Cup 2021/22

[FGR Stroud]

I know we're entirely forgettable, but we're also home to Blackpool

Fuk'noze how they got missed.
I had them on my original spreadsheet.
So special : > Good Luck HARTLEPOOL

 

[BarraMatt]

The Ipswich game was the best we've played all season. No pressure, a free hit and we played with freedom. None of the laboured, slow in possession football where we were worried about making a mistake that we've conjured over the last three games. Wouldn't surprise me if we picked up a result here, they'd be bottom by a mile if wasn't for Derby and their fans will be looking at this as the easiest win they'll get all season. Scab an early goal and who knows what could happen.

 

[The Terminator]

We've not played for just under a month now, any chance we had of an upset is gone because I can't see us having the fitness and match practice to get a goal and hold out. I'd expect Stoke who are playing today to run out 3/4-0 winners.

Its more likely going to be more useful in us getting match practice back into us again. Not the way I like to see it, but thats the reality of the situation. Port Vale in the same situation IMO.

 

[valefan16]

Tough game. One of the more winnable opponents in the top flight but have to be on it and maybe rely on a bit of luck.

Our last meeting in a cup tie rates as one of the more famous days in our history as the late Matty Carragher lifted the 2001 LDV Vans Trophy in Cardiff after a 2-1 win.

It’s not the glam tie we wanted but a good test, just a lot depends on what state we are in with both injuries and fitness after not playing for 4 weeks.

 

[The Terminator]

Stoke/Staffordshire police have made our game all ticket now, which has annoyed a large section of our fan base who don't want to commit to going now with all these games being called off. Will certainly lower the numbers in the away end, probably now only take around 400 when it could've been closer to 700.

 

[Agombar stool]

A couple of murmerings that City may have a Covid outbreak in their squad and so their first team may be made up of academy players. I'm sure if they do indeed have a problem Pep won't be going all Liverpool and trying to get the game postponed, they surely have more than enough players to be able to put out a competitive squad. I also have a feeling City are going all guns blazing for Europe this season so reckon they would possibly have fielded a much weaker than usual side.

 

[kieran_vale]

Stoke/Staffordshire police have made our game all ticket now, which has annoyed a large section of our fan base who don't want to commit to going now with all these games being called off. Will certainly lower the numbers in the away end, probably now only take around 400 when it could've been closer to 700.

Strange decision by them to be honest. Unless it’s to do with whether will be asking for a covid pass or not. They won’t have more than about 6 or 7000 in the home ends especially with the way they’ve turned on the manager now.

For us I’m assuming the game will be going ahead and if nothing else will make for a good chance get minutes into the legs of the players after a long period of time out. Might well see the return of James Wilson for this one even if just for 20 minutes or so. Unfortunately for him Edmundson will have to wait a week as he is cup tied. In all likelihood we’ll lose this quite comfortably but would rather lose this than Swindon the week after.

 

[valefan16]

A couple of murmerings that City may have a Covid outbreak in their squad and so their first team may be made up of academy players. I'm sure if they do indeed have a problem Pep won't be going all Liverpool and trying to get the game postponed, they surely have more than enough players to be able to put out a competitive squad. I also have a feeling City are going all guns blazing for Europe this season so reckon they would possibly have fielded a much weaker than usual side.

Problem is their change squad isn't too shabby.

 

[Agombar stool]

Problem is their change squad isn't too shabby.

That's a given!! Below is the line-up suggested by the Manchester Evening News

Possible Man City team vs Swindon: Steffen; Egan-Riley, Mbete, Ake, Wilson-Esbrand; Lavia, McAtee, Gundogan, Palmer, Grealish, Kayky.

On paper that is probably too good for us and clearly I only know about Ake, Gundogan, Palmer and Grealish but I'd be reasonably confident we aren't talking 7 or 8 goal defeats (famous last words!)

 

[valefan16]

Strange decision by them to be honest. Unless it’s to do with whether will be asking for a covid pass or not. They won’t have more than about 6 or 7000 in the home ends especially with the way they’ve turned on the manager now.

For us I’m assuming the game will be going ahead and if nothing else will make for a good chance get minutes into the legs of the players after a long period of time out. Might well see the return of James Wilson for this one even if just for 20 minutes or so. Unfortunately for him Edmundson will have to wait a week as he is cup tied. In all likelihood we’ll lose this quite comfortably but would rather lose this than Swindon the week after.

Tough ask for us now, it had banana skin for them on it being at Vale Park and our league position but imagine we will be rusty as anything.

Cant wait to be back at Vale Park though, its seems ages since the last home game against Hartlepool a good 6 weeks ago now!

 

[kieran_vale]

Tough ask for us now, it had banana skin for them on it being at Vale Park and our league position but imagine we will be rusty as anything.

Cant wait to be back at Vale Park though, its seems ages since the last home game against Hartlepool a good 6 weeks ago now!

Some of it would always depend on how much Brentford chose to prioritise the cup. It's not totally a given they will remain in the PL just yet even if I expect them to ultimately. Can't imagine they will risk the likes of Ivan Toney or starting him at least. Maybe see the likes of Forss play for them which is still pretty good.

Am confident whatever team we name DC will have them well prepared and give them a good challenge. My guess is it will be close for 65 minutes or so and then our lack of playing time will start to show and they will run out winners by a couple of goals. Given the time off it might even be the case we look at rejigging the formation a bit.

 

[denzel ecfc]

That's a given!! Below is the line-up suggested by the Manchester Evening News

Possible Man City team vs Swindon: Steffen; Egan-Riley, Mbete, Ake, Wilson-Esbrand; Lavia, McAtee, Gundogan, Palmer, Grealish, Kayky.

On paper that is probably too good for us and clearly I only know about Ake, Gundogan, Palmer and Grealish but I'd be reasonably confident we aren't talking 7 or 8 goal defeats (famous last words!)

James McAtee has played in Premier League games and is rumoured to be wanted by Southampton.
Steffen has played in their league Cup games when they are resting Ederson

 

[valefan16]

Interesting one Man City when we played them they made changes but that just meant Foden, Stones, Bravo, David Silva, Aguero, Gundogan, Bernado Silva, the only relative unknowns where Harwood Bellis (Doyle came on late on).

That was with them at home so I would expect the actual line up for Swindon to be stronger unless its a real bad outbreak of Covid. In fairness to Pep the respect shown to us (and Cheltenham) was refreshing.

 

[Agombar stool]

James McAtee has played in Premier League games and is rumoured to be wanted by Southampton.
Steffen has played in their league Cup games when they are resting Ederson

I don't pay a lot of attention to much outside of League 2, (or whatever division we are in) so will have to bow down to your superior knowledge? Actually I think I knew about Steffen being their 'cup' keeper but I haven't heard of McAtee - but I am sure he's bloody good.

 

[kieran_vale]

Looking at the fixtures involving L2 teams generally there are two where I like the chances of a shock and that is Mansfield and Barrow. Would also give Orient a reasonable shot against Stoke also and that's not just wishful thinking. They are already demanding O'Neil's head on a spike and they are a nervous wreck at home this season so if Orient can get the first goal just let the home crowd do the rest.

 

[valefan16]

Looking at the fixtures involving L2 teams generally there are two where I like the chances of a shock and that is Mansfield and Barrow. Would also give Orient a reasonable shot against Stoke also and that's not just wishful thinking. They are already demanding O'Neil's head on a spike and they are a nervous wreck at home this season so if Orient can get the first goal just let the home crowd do the rest.

Yeah I think Swindon have the glam tie but certain defeat, my attitude to the City game was dont get done for 10 and if we can score a goal whilst the game is still close score wise I would take that.

Brentford now will have too much I fear for us.

Barrow and Mansfield have a chance although Boro are in form so maybe tough for Mansfield than it would have been.

Would love Orient to do Stoke...

 

[Indian Dan]

Man City have 21 with Covid including 7 first teamers and Pep

I’ve had a tickle at 33/1

 

[Roger Stone]

We gave Man City a decent game 3 years ago albeit Dave was a bit of a leveller. Lost 1-4 in the end but was 1-2 with a minute to go. David Silva was different class even on our pitch.
Their line up was:

Ederson
Danilo
Stones
Otamendi
Zinchenko
Foden
David Silva (Gundogan)
Fernandinho (Laporte)
Mahrez
Jesus
Sane

Walker, Sterling, Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne were unused subs.

 

[Agombar stool]

We gave Man City a decent game 3 years ago albeit Dave was a bit of a leveller. Lost 1-4 in the end but was 1-2 with a minute to go. David Silva was different class even on our pitch.
Their line up was:

Ederson
Danilo
Stones
Otamendi
Zinchenko
Foden
David Silva (Gundogan)
Fernandinho (Laporte)
Mahrez
Jesus
Sane

Walker, Sterling, Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne were unused subs.

Fair play - 1-4 is a great result against that side!

 

[valefan16]

We faced:

Bravo
Cancelo
Harwood-Bellis
Stones
Zinchenko
Angelino
Foden
Gundugan
Bernado Silva
David Silva
Aguero

When we were tired they threw on Mahrez... first world problems!

Its a great occasion though and hope for the Swindon fans they do put out a relatively strong side of big names and all enjoy it. Even in losing 4-1 the moment Pope equalised and the ensuing mental was one of the great individual moments I have had following Vale.

 

[The Terminator]

Sad to see Pep has tested positive and won't be there, part of the occasion ruined a bit - Garner won't see him in the opposite dugout and to see coaches of that Calibar in your teams opposing dugout for the smaller clubs has always added to these occasions IMO.

 

[valefan16]

Sad to see Pep has tested positive and won't be there, part of the occasion ruined a bit - Garner won't see him in the opposite dugout and to see coaches of that Calibar in your teams opposing dugout for the smaller clubs has always added to these occasions IMO.

Man City were brilliant with us in fairness, a far cry from what you expect of the "big clubs" these days, they invited our players to their dressing room after as Pep wanted our players to see they are just the same as them in terms of just a group of young lads playing football.

Not sure John Stones was as keen though with the Pope stuff and the shit he had got through the Man City Watsapp... told Pope to **** off when he tried to speak to him and smooth it over.

 

[Super_horns]

Fair play - 1-4 is a great result against that side!

Better than we usually do !

The media will probably make a thing of Grealish playing with the kids at at Swindon in the cup .

 

[kieran_vale]

Looks like given Thomas Franks comments Brentford are going to name their strongest possible side for this one as he doesn't want to disrespect ourselves or the cup. Going to add to what was already a high degree of difficulty.

Looks like the TV cameras were at Vale today, one thing of note James Wilson was interviewed it seems and was in full training gear so I'm now pretty certain he will at least play a part on Saturday.

 

[valefan16]

Looks like given Thomas Franks comments Brentford are going to name their strongest possible side for this one as he doesn't want to disrespect ourselves or the cup. Going to add to what was already a high degree of difficulty.

Looks like the TV cameras were at Vale today, one thing of note James Wilson was interviewed it seems and was in full training gear so I'm now pretty certain he will at least play a part on Saturday.

They’ve got injuries so I imagine it will be strong but still a couple of changes.

Good to see Willo back, he was hitting super form at the time so hopefully he’s ready to go, get him some minutes ahead of Swindon and that would be a major boost.

Saying that it’s been so long so we played I’ve no idea the state of whos recovered and who hasn’t.

 

[kieran_vale]

They’ve got injuries so I imagine it will be strong but still a couple of changes.

Good to see Willo back, he was hitting super form at the time so hopefully he’s ready to go, get him some minutes ahead of Swindon and that would be a major boost.

Saying that it’s been so long so we played I’ve no idea the state of whos recovered and who hasn’t.

I think of the injured ones from the Newport game I expect Worrall, Wilson and Rodney will probably be available to play at least some part. I’m a bit iffy on Amoo with it being a hamstring and you never know with them. Obviously Proctor will be out a while yet.

Politic also was playing at about 75% fitness before our break so expect he will be ok now.

 

[Boz]

That's a given!! Below is the line-up suggested by the Manchester Evening News

Possible Man City team vs Swindon: Steffen; Egan-Riley, Mbete, Ake, Wilson-Esbrand; Lavia, McAtee, Gundogan, Palmer, Grealish, Kayky.

On paper that is probably too good for us and clearly I only know about Ake, Gundogan, Palmer and Grealish but I'd be reasonably confident we aren't talking 7 or 8 goal defeats (famous last words!)

Mbete got sent off in our Pizza Cup game v their kids last season, but McAtee looked very good.
Attack-wise, they'll be a strong line-up, but less sure about defensively, though Steffen is a safe pair of hands in the net. Not heard of the guy who's standing in for Guardiola. Swindon definitely have a chance now, albeit a slim one.

 

[valefan16]

I think of the injured ones from the Newport game I expect Worrall, Wilson and Rodney will probably be available to play at least some part. I’m a bit iffy on Amoo with it being a hamstring and you never know with them. Obviously Proctor will be out a while yet.

Politic also was playing at about 75% fitness before our break so expect he will be ok now.

Not sure how long Procs was likely to be? He had surgery 6 weeks ago now so would hope he’s getting there but obviously can’t rush him as that’s how he ruptured his stomach again.

 

[Conker]

Saturday game against Middlesbrough is selling well 8k + I imagine at Field Mill.

SAG have a hard on so we won’t be allowed to sell everyticket.

 

[valefan16]

Not sure what our sales are like for Brentford but think its limited to 9,999