Coventry City Carabao Cup away match day thread

[Jerseybean]

Our Carabao Cup clash against Coventry on Wednesday will now be played at Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium following a failed pitch inspection.

Away tickets purchased for the game remain valid although there is the option of a refund. A statement on the OS reads: "The League Cup match was scheduled to take place at the Coventry Building Society Arena but, following a pitch inspection which concluded the surface did not meet the required standard, the fixture will now take place at the home of Sky Bet League One outfit Burton Albion.

Carabao Cup rules stipulate that if the hosting team cannot fulfil the fixture at their home ground, a neutral venue must be found in the first instance before looking at reversing the fixture.

All 366 purchased tickets remain valid for the round one clash with travelling supporters able to be accommodated within the seated area at the new venue."

We will likely have Kasey Palmer facing us and we will probably give game-time to a few who aren’t usual starters in league games. They drew away 1-1 at Sunderland on the opening day and on Sunday they were due to open their home programme against Rotherham, however, their pitch was deemed ‘unplayable and unsafe’.

Last season they beat us home and away, winning both games with late goals (89th and 92nd  minute!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The background to the Carabao Cup

Of course in 2017 we reached the semi-finals, after the 2-1 quarter final home win ‘in by Taylor…..it’s Smith’ against Manchester United

 

We faced Manchester City home and away in the semi, losing 3-5 on aggregate, https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-carabao-cup-run-1103636

The League Cup was introduced in the 1960–61 season specifically as a mid-week floodlit tournament, to replace the Southern Professional Floodlit Cup.Ever since it’s creation drama has been at its heart. Many finals have produced the most unlikely of outcomes, with the supposedly no-hope minnows overcoming the odds-on top-flight giants. The climaxes of the competition have rarely disappointed, almost always providing fascinating fare for the partisan or neutral fan.

No fewer than 18 of the matches have seen an extra-time period, not all of them - in the days of the replayed final - leading to a decisive outcome. Five replays, one of them a second replay between Aston Villa and Everton in 1977, have been needed to settle the contests; a penalty shoot-out has been required five times. What is more dramatic, more nerve-jangling, than that?

The inaugural final in 1961, between Rotherham United and Aston Villa, set the trend. Not least because it had to be delayed, due to fixture congestion, until the start of the 1961/62 season; and not least because Rotherham took a 2-0 lead from the first leg at Millmoor.

Villa had a mountain to climb but second-half goals from Alan O'Neill and Harry Burrows drew them level on aggregate. Villa Park then exploded when Peter McParland scored in the 109th minute to complete the stunning comeback. And it would prove to be an exhilarating taste of what was to come over the years.

It was just what Alan Hardaker, the former EFL Secretary, had envisaged. The League Cup had been born barely 12 months' earlier - on 26th September, 1960 - following a proposal by the pioneering Hardaker as part of the "Pattern For Football" document.

The document suggested enlarging the League from 92 to 100 Clubs, consisting of five divisions of 20 teams each, plus the creation of a new Cup competition to compensate for the ensuing loss of fixtures. The clubs rejected the shake-up but kept the League Cup (now The Carabao Cup).

From humble beginnings, the popularity of the competition soon spread, to the extent that several clubs who initially declined to take part in it soon joined in with the rest. They realised what they were missing. As Hardaker enthused: “If the FA Cup is football’s Ascot, the League Cup Final is its Derby Day”.

For six years, the two-legged final format continued. To Villa and the list of victors, the names of Norwich City, Birmingham City, Leicester City, Chelsea and West Bromwich were added. In 1966/67, the competition switched to a one-off decider at Wembley Stadium - and the first final there did not disappoint.

Queens Park Rangers became the first club from the third tier to win the trophy, recovering from 2-0 down to defeat holders West Bromwich 3-2. QPR were taken apart in the first half, with Clive Clark scoring twice, but goals from Roger Morgan and Rodney Marsh - a magnificent solo effort - restored the parity. Mark Lazarus then snatched the winner in the 81st minute, prompting the inevitable headlines of "Lazarus brings Rangers back from the dead" and "Lazarus resurrects the Rs".

Again, it demonstrated the glorious unpredictability of the Cup. And interest in it grew further in 1968 as the introduction of a new ruling awarded the winners a European place. The decision instantly made the EFL Cup more attractive to those few still abstaining clubs and, from that point on, it firmly stamped itself on to the football calendar.

In 1969, the "small fry" were at it again, when Swindon Town took on Arsenal, the previous year's runners-up. Like two seasons earlier, it pitted a third-division club against one from the first division. With Wembley having staged the "Horse of the Year Show" the previous week and, with heavy rain falling, the pitch swiftly deteriorated into a quagmire.

Swindon took a surprise lead through Roger Smart in the first half and it was not until four minutes from the end that Bobby Gould equalised to force extra time. Cue not the Horse of the Year Show but the "Don Rogers Show". The Swindon winger fired home after a goalmouth scramble and then, memorably, ploughed his way through the mud before rounding Bob Wilson to slot in his second goal.

It assured Rogers and his team-mates, playing in front of a crowd of 98,189, a place in Swindon's hall of fame. The only disappointment for the Wiltshire club was that they were not allowed to compete in Europe the following season due to their lower-league status.

Another epic - certainly the most physically demanding of all the League Cup final epics - took place in 1977, when Aston Villa needed 330 minutes to dispose of Everton. The first match finished 0-0 at Wembley, the first replay 1-1 at Hillsborough, after extra time, and the second replay 3-2 to Villa at Old Trafford, also after an additional period.

In the third-time-lucky attempt in Manchester, it was Brian Little who ended the marathon, concluding a dour if engrossing "triple-header" that, in total, had been watched by more than 200,000 supporters. Bob Latchford struck first for Everton but it was cancelled out by what was described as a "40-yard screamer" from Chris Nicholl. For a centre half, it was some strike.

Little edged Villa into the lead barely one minute later only for Mick Lyons, another rugged defender, to make it 2-2 soon after. It then fell to Little to loom large with the late winner to give Villa their third EFL Cup triumph, adding to their successes in 1975 - 1-0 over Norwich City - and 1961.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool's domestic and European dominance extended into the competition as they won four consecutive finals between 1981 and 1984. But they did it the hard way: defeating West Ham United 2-1 in a replay, Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 after extra-time, Manchester United 2-1 after extra time and Everton 1-0 in a replay.

With further victories - over Bolton Wanderers (2-1 in 1995), Birmingham City (5-4 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw, in 2001), Manchester United (2-0 in 2003) and Cardiff City (3-2 on penalties, after a 2-2 draw, in 2012). 

In 1981, The League Cup had become the first major Cup competition to bear the name of a sponsor - The Milk Cup - following a ground-breaking deal with the National Dairy Council. Over the next three decades, the competition went on to have a number of different sponsored titles - from The Milk Cup to The Littlewoods Challenge Cup, The Rumbelows Cup, The Coca-Cola Cup, The Worthington Cup, The Carling Cup The Capital One Cup and now, The Carabao Cup.

Following the closure of Wembley for refurbishment in 2000, the competition set up camp in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, where the final was staged from 2001 until 2007. However, moving from its spiritual home in North London did nothing to lessen the excitement of the fixtures.

In the first one staged in Cardiff, Liverpool overcame Birmingham 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. It was the first time a spot-kick shoot-out had been needed in a major English domestic final and secured Liverpool a first trophy since they won the same competition by beating Bolton Wanderers 2-1 in 1995.

Extra-time was also required in 2005, when Liverpool revisited the Millennium, but there was no repeat joy for them this time against Chelsea. After the game had finished 1-1, Chelsea won in the additional period, in front of a crowd of 78,000, with goals from Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman.

Since the Final returned to Wembley in 2008, the closeness of the contests has continued, with never more than one goal separating the sides in five years. Tottenham had to go to an extra 30 minutes to see off Chelsea 2-1 in 2008 but, the following year, they succumbed 4-1 on penalties to Manchester United after a 0-0 draw. United retained the Cup next time out, defeating Aston Villa 2-1, before Birmingham stunned Arsenal in 2011 with a 2-1 victory, Obafemi Martins scoring a late winner.

And, yet again, the final of 2012 let no one down. Liverpool met Cardiff City, the Championship club, and the pair produced a rollercoaster of a tussle that ended 1-1 after the regulation 90 minutes and 2-2 after extra time. Liverpool only prevailed, securing the trophy for the eighth time, when Cardiff defender Anthony Gerrard - the cousin of Liverpool's Steve - missed the tenth spot kick.

Despite the proliferation of games in the Champions League and Europa League placing ever greater demands on the clubs' playing resources, the Cup has thrived and the crowds in the current era are at their highest for more than 30 years. Many of England's biggest clubs also use the League Cup as a platform to showpiece their younger players and, once again, the ever-dramatic competition is high on their list of priorities.

With that, Liverpool secured their eighth and most recent title in this competition so far. It would be the turn of the blue half of Manchester to dominate… more on that to come. 

The 2013 League Cup campaign saw two teams take part in the showpiece Final for the first time in their history as Premier League Swansea City took on League Two outfit Bradford City. 

It would not end up being a fairytale story for the fourth-tier side as their Welsh opponents picked up their first major trophy in their century-long history.

A 5-0 victory on the day was secured, with the likes of Nathan Dyer and Jonathan de Guzman netting a brace apiece, with a goal from Michu sandwiched in-between. All was not lost for the Bantams, though, as they would go onto to achieve Wembley success a few months later and secure promotion to League One in the Play-Off Final. 

The following season marked the start of a dominant reign for Manchester City, who would go on to win this competition a further five times between seeing off Sunderland AFC in 2014 and their seventh triumph in 2020. 

After going 1-0 down early on to a Fabio Borini opener, the Citizens had to pull something special out of the bag to set themselves on course for a famous victory, and that is exactly what happened. A stunning Yaya Toure effort from 30 yards out gave Vito Mannone in the Sunderland goal no chance. Goals from Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas wrapped up the win for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. 

The year 2015 saw a London derby take place under the arch as Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea took on Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur in a repeat of the 2008 Final which saw Spurs take home the trophy. 

That would not how it would end up on this occasion, though, as Chelsea got their revenge. Goals from captain John Terry and striker Diego Costa would hand the Blues their fifth League Cup, and first since 2007. 

A new man in the dugout at the Etihad Stadium would make sure his team would shine in this competition, that man being Pep Guardiola and that team being Manchester City. 

The 2016 Final would be his first chance to win domestic silverware in England and, despite a valiant effort from challengers Liverpool, they would go down in the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, with Willy Caballero the hero on the day, saving three of the Reds’ penalties.

The next season’s competition would belong to the red side of Manchester, after a thrilling 3-2 win against Southampton. Zlatan Ibrahimovic stole the show for the Reds on the day, scoring a free-kick and a last-minute winner, handing United their fifth triumph in the competition. 

But the blue mist would descend on Wembley over the next three seasons in the Carabao Cup, with Guardiola’s Manchester City rising to the occasion and seeing off the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively. 

In doing so, they became only the second team - since Liverpool back in the 1980s - to get their hands on the trophy three times in a row. A fourth triumph would follow in April 2021, as City beat Tottenham Hotspur under the arch to equal the Reds' record, with Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero becoming the competition's most successful players in the process.

Supper

If you fancy a fish n chip supper here are the top tips: https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/burton/burton-fish-chip-shop-best-2787398

Pubs

The Beech Inn, Derby Road, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 0DL

Great Northern, Wetmore Road, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1QS

Brewery Tap, National Brewery Centre, Horninglow Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1NG, https://nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk

Devonshire Arms, 86 Station Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1BT, https://placejuice.com/devonshire-arms-8ggo2w0

The Roebuck Inn,101 Station Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1BT, https://www.roe-buck-inn.co.uk

Last Heretic, 94 Station Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1BX8

The nearest pub is probably the ‘The Beech Inn’ which is around a ten minute walk, up the A5121 Derby Road (going in the opposite direction to Burton town centre) on the left.

Great Northern serves Burton Bridge Beers, along with a guest ale. This pub is located on Wetmore Road, which leads off the roundabout near to the stadium entrance, go up and over the railway bridge and the pub is on the left.

If you particularly like your real ale then just under a half a mile away from the stadium is the Burton Town Brewery. Situated in a small industrial unit in Falcon Close (off Hawkins Lane, which itself also runs off the main roundabout by the ground), it opens its doors before matches and has real and craft ales, lagers, cider and wine. There is plenty of on-street parking in the area and fans are welcome to bring in their own food.

Just a couple of minutes walk from Burton-upon-Trent Railway Station, on Station Street is the Last Heretic  Offering up to five real ales, four ciders, craft lagers, wine and soft drinks, it welcomes away fans. As you exit Burton-upon-Trent Station turn right, proceed down the hill, go past the Roebuck pub on your right and the Last Heretic is a few doors further down. Although situated in a former shop it has a large beer garden to the rear, which can accommodate large groups. Open from 4pm for mid-week games, it is family friendly and offers food in the form of pork pies and filled rolls.

Website: www.thelastheretic.co.uk

Twitter: @micropubheretic

Lets get behind the boys and kick-start what hopefully will be a successful cup run. COYR. To the traveling Cider Army enjoy the game and keep safe.

 

 

 

 

 

[robin for life]

I will never tire of watching the City Vs Utd highlights. Best night I've ever had down the gate. Had my Dad and Brother with me, and they rarely ever go to football these days and my Dad suffers from ill health. That night was something else. 

[Jerseybean]

23 minutes ago, robin for life said:

I will never tire of watching the City Vs Utd highlights. Best night I've ever had down the gate. Had my Dad and Brother with me, and they rarely ever go to football these days and my Dad suffers from ill health. That night was something else. 

It was certainly ‘something else’ a night that will forever be remembered

[One Team]

I actually hope the Gas or Swindon get through tonight to set up the potential of a second round tie with either of them.

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

“We will likely have Kasey Palmer facing us and we will probably give game-time to a few who aren’t usual starters in league games. They drew away 1-1 at Sunderland on the opening day and on Sunday they were due to open their home programme against Rotherham, however, their pitch was deemed ‘unplayable and unsafe’.”

Pearson said in the post match interview that he won’t be experimenting against Coventry.

[underhanded]

14 minutes ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

Pearson said in the post match interview that he won’t be experimenting against Coventry.

I think there will still be changes (just not wholesale). Expect 3-4 changes to the starting line-up. Think we'll see Klose, Wells and Wilson or Tanner in

Edited August 9, 2022 by underhanded

[And Its Smith]

I would like to see this team

                 Bajic/O’Leary

Wilson. Klose. Atkinson. Dasilva

     Massengo. Naismith. Scott

     Weimann.  Conway.  Sykes

Gives 4 at the back a chance

See if Naismith can be our DM we so need if James isn’t playing 

Gives Conway a chance to impress

Has enough first teamers in the line up to be a worthwhile experiment 

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, underhanded said:

I think there will still be changes (just not wholesale). Expect 3-4 changes to the starting line-up. Think we'll see Klose, Wells and Wilson or Tanner in

We might not be experimenting but Weimann & Scott do both need a break, as they played all summer, Williams can’t play 2 games a week & James is presumably a doubt.

I’d start as follows;

Bentley

Wilson Klose Naismith Towler Pring (if fit)

King HNM Sykes

Wells Conway

I don’t see the point in rotating the keeper, only Naismith started out of that back 5 but I feel he needs another game. Bringing in Klose & Wilson hardly weakens us.

Sykes has played an hour twice but this would be an opportunity to rest Scott & play him in his natural position.

I’d have Kadji & Owers on the bench with Bell, O’Leary (assuming Bajic isn’t fit), Tanner, Martin & either Idehen or Vyner.

[Jerseybean]

 

The EFL have confirmed that Peter Wright is the ref on Wednesday evening. He has been an EFL refere since 2018.

He will be assisted by Stephen Wade and Anthony Da Costa, with Christopher Husband acting as his fourth official.

[Loosey Boy]

I’d hope to see Kalas and Klose given a game/start tomorrow, as alongside Naismith, think that this will be our best back 3 if we are going to continue with the same formation (which I think we will).

Lets give Wilson a start too…..

We are likely to see Williams given a rest and so stick AS in there.

Up top, reckon Wells will start.

As for the others in the team, not overly fussed what Nige does tomorrow

[wendyredredrobin]

Presumably not on Robins TV and not driving all the way to Burton for a Mickey Mouse Cup game, so what is the likelihood of a stream tonight?

If not, I guess we willhave to make do with any scraps we are served in the highlights show.

[alexukhc]

1 hour ago, And Its Smith said:

I would like to see this team

                 Bajic/O’Leary

Wilson. Klose. Atkinson. Dasilva

     Massengo. Naismith. Scott

     Weimann.  Conway.  Sykes

Gives 4 at the back a chance

See if Naismith can be our DM we so need if James isn’t playing 

Gives Conway a chance to impress

Has enough first teamers in the line up to be a worthwhile experiment 

Is Bajic fit? If so he has to play

[Sir Geoff]

NP said he wanted the team last Saturday to win a game together. I therefore can't see too many changes Wilson for Sykes, if the latter isn't fit and maybe Klose for Vyner. Won't be too much other change to the team imo.

[Davefevs]

3 hours ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

Pearson said in the post match interview that he won’t be experimenting against Coventry.

He also said that he needs to sit down and give it some proper thought too.  But I think we will go pretty strong.

1 hour ago, wendyredredrobin said:

Presumably not on Robins TV and not driving all the way to Burton for a Mickey Mouse Cup game, so what is the likelihood of a stream tonight?

If not, I guess we willhave to make do with any scraps we are served in the highlights show.

Nope.  The best you’ll get is goals going in on Sky Sports News.  Assume there’ll be radio comms though.

[sugarwray]

Are there any 92 club members who know whether this match counts as you having been to Coventry City’s ground, Burton’s, both or neither?

[Jerseybean]

2 hours ago, wendyredredrobin said:

Presumably not on Robins TV and not driving all the way to Burton for a Mickey Mouse Cup game, so what is the likelihood of a stream tonight?

If not, I guess we willhave to make do with any scraps we are served in the highlights show.

Yep. Highlights from the first round ties are being shown on ITV4, at 10.30pm on Wednesday (August 10). The programme will also be available in full, on a catch-up basis on ITV Hub during the period of 30 days following its first transmission.

[BigTone]

3 hours ago, And Its Smith said:

I would like to see this team

                 Bajic/O’Leary

Wilson. Klose. Atkinson. Dasilva

     Massengo. Naismith. Scott

     Weimann.  Conway.  Sykes

Gives 4 at the back a chance

See if Naismith can be our DM we so need if James isn’t playing 

Gives Conway a chance to impress

Has enough first teamers in the line up to be a worthwhile experiment 

Surely having 2 goalkeepers is cheating just a tad

[And Its Smith]

12 minutes ago, BigTone said:

Surely having 2 goalkeepers is cheating just a tad

Only way we will keep a clean sheet though 

[GrahamC]

2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

He also said that he needs to sit down and give it some proper thought too.  But I think we will go pretty strong.

 

It is obvious that there will be no repeat of the 11 changes he made v FGR last year, but we already had a point on the board then & although he wouldn’t have admitted it, the cup was bottom of our priorities.

As he has already said Williams’ workload will need to be managed so I cannot see him featuring, likewise James has to be a doubt.

Otherwise we do need to be careful with the 2 who played virtually all summer (Weimann & Scott) & the turnaround to Wigan & then Luton is very short, but in theory everyone else is under consideration & presumably Pring must be much closer to availability?

Think we can also assume the absence today of Towler, Kadji & Bell means they could all be involved in the 18 tomorrow.

 

Edited August 9, 2022 by GrahamC

[phantom]

[Bazooka Joe]

1 hour ago, And Its Smith said:

Only way we will keep a clean sheet though 

The way things are going we'd still concede with two keepers.

[Tim Bartlett]

Does anyone have a spare ticket for tomorrow?

[Jerseybean]

Away guide with thanks to Jack Phillips: 

 

Tickets:

The club has received an initial allocation of 1,000 tickets for the cup tie. The pricing is as follows:

• Adults: £15
• Senior 65+: £10
• Under 22: £10
• NUS/Forces: £10
• Under 18: £5
• Under 13: £1

All supporters are located in the seated area of the away end in the Main Stand.

Parking:

• Pirelli Stadium:
• DE13 0AR
• £5
• Space for 400 cars

• Pirelli Tyres Car Park:
• DE13 0BH
• £3, which is donated the charity
• Five minute walk to the stadium
• Away fans encouraged to park here

Train:

Trains come into Burton station via Birmingham station. The Pirelli Stadium is around a mile away from the train station.

Pubs:

• The Great Northern:
• DE14 1QS
• Six minute walk to the stadium
• Have been myself and would recommend

• The Beech Inn:
• DE13 0DL
• 10 minute walk to the stadium

Food:

There's a McDonald's and a Costa near the Pirelli Tyres car park, which is around a 10 minute walk to the Pirelli

[Gazred]

18 minutes ago, Tafkarmlf said:

Press Conference was a bit feisty. 

Nige visibly pissed off throughout and not happy. 

No Williams

Tanner has to play his way back (least that's what I thought could here) 

No Defenders in Midfield nor elsewhere

No signings imminent. 

Possible departures 

Not happy with defence so far

Lots of rawr shouty stuff. 

Yelp! 

Certainly a prickly one from Nige.

Not impressed by the ground change or much else right now!

Wish they'd give the journos a mic though, can barely hear the questions. Judging by the responses there were a lot of stupid questions a la SOD.

Edited August 9, 2022 by Gazred

[GrahamC]

4 minutes ago, Gazred said:

Certainly a prickly one from Nige.

Not impressed by the ground change or much else right now!

Wish they'd give the journos a mic though, can barely hear the questions. Judging by the responses there were a lot of stupid questions a la SOD.

Truly awful.

I appreciate Nige is a spiky so & so but what the **** was the first bloke on about?

Twice said “this is an obvious question” & what did he really think he’d say in reply to a question about what he expected from Coventry? 

The sound was awful but thought it was Pring he was referring to re working his way back into the side.

James out for 2/3 weeks as well..
 

Edited August 9, 2022 by GrahamC

[Roe]

Nige seems happy  

I love it tbh. Imagine the players haven't had an easy time the last few days

[robin for life]

Awful interview, the first part. Was like they let some idiot off the street come in and ask questions. 

[Rocking Red Cyril]

12 hours ago, underhanded said:

I think there will still be changes (just not wholesale). Expect 3-4 changes to the starting line-up. Think we'll see Klose, Wells and Wilson or Tanner in

Yes think we see the players on the subs bench , past two games, start .interesting to see if any under 23 starters 

[Rocking Red Cyril]

4 hours ago, Jerseybean said:

Away guide with thanks to Jack Phillips: 

 

Tickets:

The club has received an initial allocation of 1,000 tickets for the cup tie. The pricing is as follows:

• Adults: £15
• Senior 65+: £10
• Under 22: £10
• NUS/Forces: £10
• Under 18: £5
• Under 13: £1

All supporters are located in the seated area of the away end in the Main Stand.

Parking:

• Pirelli Stadium:
• DE13 0AR
• £5
• Space for 400 cars

• Pirelli Tyres Car Park:
• DE13 0BH
• £3, which is donated the charity
• Five minute walk to the stadium
• Away fans encouraged to park here

Train:

Trains come into Burton station via Birmingham station. The Pirelli Stadium is around a mile away from the train station.

Pubs:

• The Great Northern:
• DE14 1QS
• Six minute walk to the stadium
• Have been myself and would recommend

• The Beech Inn:
• DE13 0DL
• 10 minute walk to the stadium

Food:

There's a McDonald's and a Costa near the Pirelli Tyres car park, which is around a 10 minute walk to the Pirelli

Did train up other season, dreadful 0-0, but nice walk from station to ground . Some alright good pubs well friendly and good ales, mind think train station to ground 30/40 minute walk with out pub stops factored in 

[Rocking Red Cyril]

11 hours ago, GrahamC said:

We might not be experimenting but Weimann & Scott do both need a break, as they played all summer, Williams can’t play 2 games a week & James is presumably a doubt.

I’d start as follows;

Bentley

Wilson Klose Naismith Towler Pring (if fit)

King HNM Sykes

Wells Conway

I don’t see the point in rotating the keeper, only Naismith started out of that back 5 but I feel he needs another game. Bringing in Klose & Wilson hardly weakens us.

Sykes has played an hour twice but this would be an opportunity to rest Scott & play him in his natural position.

I’d have Kadji & Owers on the bench with Bell, O’Leary (assuming Bajic isn’t fit), Tanner, Martin & either Idehen or Vyner.

That's not bad