Middlesbrough v Aston Villa pre-match thread

[Ads]

The only thing you're ever convinced of is that we'll lose every game.

[rougegorge]

I'm not sure they will be that much more interested either, given they have a two-legged League Cup Semi Final and they would still be targeting the play-offs.

[Bad English]

Only a minor thing but if we do win this it adds a 4th game in January.

Winning this and the all following games in the tournament adds a trophy to our fairly dusty cabinet though.

Does it, well fuck my old boots, who knew.

Well, if you put it like that, who knew that winning the 3rd round tie would add a game to the calendar?

[VillaTim]

The fringe players and kids need to pick up the slack in the FA Cup this season, we have a great chance of qualifying for the champions league so that has to take priority now.

[gpbarr]

2nd string pls.

The likes of Martinez, Konza, McGinn, Watkins, Bailey, Luiz should be on the bench because they need the rest (and an injury to any one of them would seriously impact our chances of staying in the top 4). I would play Kamara, Moreno, Torres, and Ramsey (because they are all coming back from injury / rest and need the minutes) plus the likes of Duran, Carlos, Lenglet, Tim, etc - which should be more than strong enough to beat Boro.  If and only if we are in trouble, bring on the cavalry.     

[Pete3206]

Not convinced we’re particularly interested in the FA cup, so a home win.

Not interested? I hope thats not the case.

[BC Villain]

Take it seriously this time please Unai

[Toronto Villa]

Take it seriously this time please Unai

He took it seriously last time.

[Clampy]

Take it seriously this time please Unai

Taking your posts seriously would be a start.

[VillaTim]

2nd string pls.

The likes of Martinez, Konza, McGinn, Watkins, Bailey, Luiz should be on the bench because they need the rest (and an injury to any one of them would seriously impact our chances of staying in the top 4). I would play Kamara, Moreno, Torres, and Ramsey (because they are all coming back from injury / rest and need the minutes) plus the likes of Duran, Carlos, Lenglet, Tim, etc - which should be more than strong enough to beat Boro.  If and only if we are in trouble, bring on the cavalry.     

Boro wont be playing a full strength side either given what's ahead of them

[ChicagoLion]

We do not have the squad to go deep in both cup competitions and maintain our position in the league.
Something will give either by design or fatigue.



I am sure Emery knows this.

It would be the PL and FACup for me.

[Risso]

We do not have the squad to go deep in both cup competitions and maintain our position in the league.
Something will give either by design or fatigue.

I am sure Emery knows this.

It would be the PL and FACup for me.

Well it's January and the transfer window is open, so let's add a bit to that squad depth.

[paul_e]

Only a minor thing but if we do win this it adds a 4th game in January.

Winning this and the all following games in the tournament adds a trophy to our fairly dusty cabinet though.

Does it, well fuck my old boots, who knew.

Well, if you put it like that, who knew that winning the 3rd round tie would add a game to the calendar?

Well I mentioned it because of thew amount of posts saying after this there are only 2 more games in January so maybe a few people didn't know when the 4th round is to be played.

[VillaTim]

Suspect we will play a 2nd string mix and a very low key/tempo game Saturday tee time and will be a nice one to nod off to in front  of the fire . If it works all  good and well, if not so be it .

[KevinGage]

Only a minor thing but if we do win this it adds a 4th game in January.

I know what people are saying about it being a quieter month but sometimes that extra week off can make a massive difference, especially after such a harsh schedule for the last 5weeks.

I'd be resting Luiz, Konsa, McGinn and Watkins and asking Martinez what he wants to do as well.

Aye, possibly Cash as well, as he had an extended campaign last year with the World Cup. I know he didn't play as soon as he came back, but he was still training and mentally on the clock.