UP FOR THE CUP. Part III: Tractor Edition

Well here we are again. Monday game. I think we won't play our second stringers but I would like us to as I think we have more than enough to give Ipswich a game. The question is are we to risk Sels? That would mean Hennessey. Interesting.

I would play a midfield of Sangare, Yates and Barry. Jota and Sosa with Taiwo. Moreno and Toffs. Although Silva DeMoreira needs a better performance. Morato with Boly to give Delap a good kicking and leave the big guns on the bench with the return of angry Taiwo.

I think we have enough. We have Citeh to play next week and I wouldn't like to get all injured.

I think we win but it will be closer than you think 2-1.

And of yeah Shady will no doubt be a massive bellend about this post.

Chicago: Back to being Mystic Meg.

First choice 11 for me. Not time to fuck about. We need a strong performance and win.

My guess would be a bit of a blend. We tend to fuck up royally if we get a little blasé about the opposition. They may also field a weakened side of course as they have survival to consider. I would expect to see Sels in goal. Possibly Milenkovic with Morata. Big T up front with either Elanga or Cho to support. Danny at 10 wouldnt surprise me. Would prefer Sosa to Silva as he's a better goal scorer but Nuno disagrees

My Ipswich-supporting uni pal says McKenna is likely to make quite a few changes, but pointed out that there's not a huge difference between their first and second-choice teams. I guess it's not dissimilar to our first season back in the PL.

He said the difference is Hutchinson and Delap, and he can't see Rory's lad starting.

Here’s hoping for Muric.

Having the draw before we play is such bullshit.

The difference it’ll make on Monday if we draw Preston at home, compared to City or Bournemouth away.

suck it Ingo!

Winner winner Chicken dinner.

Anyway, onwards and upwards

And boy do we know how to take penalties.

Chicago: Up authenticator creek.

Interesting game. Very flat first half, good second - introduction of MGW and Anderson key - extra-time you could see some of our players (noticeably Aina and CHO) were running on empty.
Pros - Yates was excellent (as much for the off-the-ball stuff, in telling everyone where to be) in front of the watching England manager (and there aren't any decent options to cover Declan Rice at the moment). As were CHO and MGW.
Cons - Elanga at his frustrating best and worst. His set-piece delivery was awful, but put in a brilliant cross for the goal. It seems if he has time to think, it goes badly, but when he plays on instinct, he's excellent. Also, I realise this is heresy, but I thought we lost a bit of forward momentum when Awoniyi (also shattered) was replaced. Wood was poor and offered nothing. And Sels the hero for his penalty save, but could he have done better with the Ipswich goal?

Extra time, although we dominated, was pretty much a waste of time as neither team had the energy to make anything happen.

I'm amazed that people seriously talk about Yates in terms of England. He'd be in my Forest team, still, but England mostly dominate games and need creative players to unpick packed defences - I'd play Anderson or MGW in the centre of midfield ahead of him.

Wood is a bit like Ronaldo on his United return - his finishing is solving a problem that his all-round game is partially responsible for. You can understand why we were in for Wissa as he, theoretically, at least, would make us a better team.

I agree - most England games you only need one DM (Sir Gareth loved two, but purely to protect Maguire's complete lack of mobility). Indeed, the next two are Latvia and Albania, so you could afford not to play a DM and play two/three creative players in midfield, which will be needed to break down a packed defensive line.
But as back-up for Rice, who else stands out to play DM, to actually break up play and give the ball to better players? Mainoo is out of form, Phillips not playing again...

Rice is miles ahead of Yates in possession though, the drop off would be too muc, so I'd still prefer Anderson to Yates in that role for England. As an alternative - is that what Angel Gomes is?

I think he's a bit more Anderson than Yates. But I'm not really sure.

Aside, he's out of contract in the summer and I hope we are among the clubs who will be trying to sign him.

Big mates with Morgan, although never sure how much difference that makes.