WBA at home fourth round of the FA Cup match thread

[Jerseybean]

The fourth round of the FA Cup and we are up against WBA. The Baggies will be buoyed on by a bumper following of 3,414 supporters having sold all of their allocation.

Their preview: https://www.wba.co.uk/news/match-preview-bristol-city-v-albion-0

NP pre-match:

 

Sam Bell pre-match:

 

Which five EFL teams have names which include North, South, East or West in their title? Answer at the end of this post.

Their last visit to Ashton Gate, on Boxing Day, was our last defeat, we’ve managed four draws and two wins in all competitions since, as they recoded a 2-0 win with Matthew Phillips scoring in the 10th minute and then Brandon Thomas-Asante making sure of the points in the 75th minute, highlights:

 

In the last round they scored in the 93rd minute against Chesterfield in a six goal thriller to set up a replay:

 

A young mascot used the fourth round replay to pose a question of the owners (see photo.)  On the pitch Corberan’s Baggies continue to march up the table, they were 23rd in the league when he took over. Off it, long-held concerns within the fanbase regarding Albion’s finances and ownership are ongoing, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lai_Guochuan

In December they agreed a £20 million loan with US investment group MSD Holdings, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64111067

They have reached ten FA Cup finals and won the Cup on five occasions. The first win came in 1888, the year the league was founded, followed by wins in 1892, 1931, 1954 and most recently in 1968, the club's last major trophy, here are the1968 Cup final highlights:

 

The photo shows WBA players celebrating their FA Cup win in 1931.

We last met them in the FA Cup seven years ago when they were in the Premier League, drawing 2-2 at their place (they equalised in the 95th minute) in a game which saw Max O’Leary make his senior debut, highlights:

 

They won the replay 1-0:

 

Last Friday they lost 2-1 at Turf Moor, having scored first.

Our selection will be interesting, I’m guessing NP will stick with the same starting line up (minus those who’ve departed this week and Cam Pring who is suspended) as against Blackburn. If Kalas gets any pitch-time it will his first since the victory away over West Brom back in October having struggled with a groin issue. Will Nikita Haikin feature?

They will be boosted by the availability of Brandon Thomas-Asante, who has now served his three-match suspension and will almost certainly come into the side in place of Daryl Dike, who continues to be managed by Corberan and the club's medical staff. Their expected line up: https://www.westbromnews.co.uk/2023/01/26/west-brom-predicted-xi-vs-bristol-city-thomas-asante-returns-rogic-and-livermore-to-start/

Chris Brunt, who had a brief spell with us, playing 12 league and two cup games, was appointed to the role of Loans Manager last year, where he is working alongside first-team, recruitment and academy staff to nurture young players during their spells away from The Hawthorns. 

Let’s hope the City website (see photo) is not proved to be right!

The officials are referee Matthew Donohue. Who started his career as an official at the age of just 14, before he gained promotion to the EFL list of assistants in 2014. After successive promotions through the refereeing ranks, he was promoted to the National List of Referees prior to the 2018/19 season. Donohue refereed 39 matches during his first season on the EFL circuit and continued his impressive rise when he was appointed to the Select Group 2 list of officials in the summer of 2019. His first game in the EFL Championship was in August 2019, when he took charge of the Hull City’s 2-1 victory over Reading.

Assistants Richard Wild and Nigel Lugg. Fourth official Andy Woolmer

Answer:

Southampton

West Bromwich Albion

West Ham United

Northampton Town

Preston North End

[Davefevs]

 

[Red Army 75]

Looking forward to it COYR. 

[Curr Avon]

41 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

 

Grooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooyt!

[miketh2nd]

Will be interesting to see how we line up , I'd be tempted to go 

                   MOL 

tanner vyner Atkinson Dasilva

             Williams Naismith 

Sykes        Scott            Bell

                   Wells 

               

Edited January 27, 2023 by miketh2nd

[pongo88]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

 

Feeling groovy 

[Barrs Court Red]

After Premier League greed killed the FA cup in the 90s I rarely bother with cup games, but I’m looking forward to tomorrow. It’s essentially a free hit, and the ticket prices are more than fair.

[Davefevs]

11 minutes ago, miketh2nd said:

Will be interesting to see how we line up , I'd be tempted to go 

                   MOL 

tanner vyner Atkinson Dasilva

             Williams Naismith 

Sykes        Scott            Bell

                   Wells 

               

I expect that will be it, but just have a stupid thought that Kalas comes in and Tanner switches to LB.

[ralphindevon]

I’ve gone from thinking ‘no chance’ when the draw was made to ‘we can win this’ when we beat Swansea, now I’m back to no chance with Semenyo gone and injuries.

Anyway cup football can be great and hopefully they’ve got their minds on promotion and nothing else. COYR

[miketh2nd]

17 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I expect that will be it, but just have a stupid thought that Kalas comes in and Tanner switches to LB.

Yeah i did think about Kalas playing maybe he will get 60 minutes ? Then dasilva to come on or Sykes to switch to rb 

[Unan]

Northampton Town

Preston North End

Southampton

West Bromwich Albion

West Ham United

North Ferriby United

Southport FC

West Bromwich Albion

Westfields FC

North Leigh FC

South Shields FC

West Auckland Town FC

Northwood FC

Southall FC

West Didsbury & Chorlton A.F.C.

[Jerseybean]

Programme: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/keen-kane-in-the-robins-online-programme/

25 minutes ago, Marcus Aurelius said:

Northampton Town

Preston North End

Southampton

West Bromwich Albion

West Ham United

North Ferriby United

Southport FC

West Bromwich Albion

Westfields FC

North Leigh FC

South Shields FC

West Auckland Town FC

Northwood FC

Southall FC

West Didsbury & Chorlton A.F.C.

MA well played, although you need to stick to the exam question and avoid repetition thankfully you didn’t ventured into Scotland! 

Programme: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/keen-kane-in-the-robins-online-programme/

[Unan]

Back in Bristol for the weekend and trying to get a couple of tickets...

[steviestevieneville]

36 minutes ago, Marcus Aurelius said:

Northampton Town

Preston North End

Southampton

West Bromwich Albion

West Ham United

North Ferriby United

Southport FC

West Bromwich Albion

Westfields FC

North Leigh FC

South Shields FC

West Auckland Town FC

Northwood FC

Southall FC

West Didsbury & Chorlton A.F.C.

Southend Utd 

[Lanterne Rouge]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

I expect that will be it, but just have a stupid thought that Kalas comes in and Tanner switches to LB.

You don`t think the new keeper might get a start?

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

You don`t think the new keeper might get a start?

Nope. Nige pretty much said not. 

[Rocking Red Cyril]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

I expect that will be it, but just have a stupid thought that Kalas comes in and Tanner switches to LB.

Hope he sticks to 4 3 3 and does not  go fiddling again with formations as Semenyou  gone. Kalas to start ? Surely not the legs for 90 and would need positional changes when he goes off .

Or am I overthinking it 

Edited January 27, 2023 by Rocking Red Cyril
I type shit

[ExiledAjax]

5 minutes ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

Hope he sticks to 4 3 3 and does not  go fiddling again with formations as Semenyou  gone. Kalas to start ? Surely not the legs for 90 and would need positional changes when he goes off .

Or am I overthinking it 

I reckon Bell gets a start in place of Antoine and we stick with the 4231/433 that we've seen in the last few games. Now Bell's not a pure like-for-like swap, but his pace is dangerous and he's shown with his performances and his goal v Swansea and the offside one v Blackburn that he's fully ready for first team football and starts.

From Pearson's press conference I think Kalas will be bench again.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

During NP's presser I think he mentioned there might be a couple of surprises. Or is that just a teaser for WBA ? Or do I remember right

[pongo88]

3 hours ago, Marcus Aurelius said:

Northampton Town

Preston North End

Southampton

West Bromwich Albion

West Ham United

North Ferriby United

Southport FC

West Bromwich Albion

Westfields FC

North Leigh FC

South Shields FC

West Auckland Town FC

Northwood FC

Southall FC

West Didsbury & Chorlton A.F.C.

If you’re including non EFL clubs, how about West Town Athletic in the Bristol Suburban league 

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

Hope he sticks to 4 3 3 and does not  go fiddling again with formations as Semenyou  gone. Kalas to start ? Surely not the legs for 90 and would need positional changes when he goes off .

Or am I overthinking it 

We will see over a period of games how important Antoine was to the 433, and to City as a team. Lots of little dynamics at play.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

38 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

We will see over a period of games how important Antoine was to the 433, and to City as a team. Lots of little dynamics at play.

Yes as normal have to agree with Dave. How does NP see new combinations working ? How long for a replacement? Can we play 4 3 3 without Semenyou ? Yet it might all carry on the same. What the hell do I know ?

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

Yes as normal have to agree with Dave. How does NP see new combinations working ? How long for a replacement? Can we play 4 3 3 without Semenyou ? Yet it might all carry on the same. What the hell do I know ?

About the same as me!

I can’t make tomorrow, kids got stuff arranged before I could put “fa cup tbc” in the home diary.  Hoping to catch a stream for most of it, in between pick-ups and drop-offs.

[RedinSpain]

[City oz]

12 hours ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

You don`t think the new keeper might get a start?

Nige might put him on for the last ten minutes. After all we most probably will be 2-0 down by then with no chance of getting a result. 

[42nite]

As it's a cup game and not a league match, there's a chance the ref hasn't had the breifing...

I think we'll get a penalty today!

 

[The Gambler]

I read EFL as not including the Prem or non league so only got 3:

west brom

northampton

preston north end

spent some time racking my brains about the other 2…..

[KnowleUtd City]

Fair play to all of the lads getting tickets in Dolman A block today, and selling it out! It's gonna be a proper noisy afternoon down the ground with WBA filling the whole Atyeo.

Fingers crossed we can get the win! COYR

[GrahamC]

With Semenyo gone & Pring & Weimann unavailable the team pretty much picks itself & it is a good opportunity to give Sam Bell a start without the pressure of points at stake.

Bench will be interesting, we can have 9, but only named 7 against Swansea & I reckon we are struggling to have 6, aa well as the new keeper it will have a couple of very different faces on it I expect, probably Knight-Lebel will be one of them.

[1960maaan]

The one thing this game gives us is breathing space. Would be great to get through, but a game we were always going to be 2nd favourites at least it gives us time for us to find a replacement or two and Pring serves suspension in a game that isn't priority.
If it was a League game I might be concerned about lack of players, but it's unlikely we would win the Cup so .......

It's a good chance to give Kalas some minutes and give Bell his first start as a striker. Williams could do with a proper run out and a chance for Taylor-Clarke to have some more involvement . 

My prediction , we get a Pen in added time at 3-1 down .

[MrRedRobin]

Apparently, 4th Round replays.

[exAtyeoMax]

On the NX040 from Victoria just leaving now. Looking forward to the game, if not just for the chicken Katsu curry noodles

shame Cam is suspended. Looking forward post Semenyo ️

COYRs

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, GrahamC said:

With Semenyo gone & Pring & Weimann unavailable the team pretty much picks itself & it is a good opportunity to give Sam Bell a start without the pressure of points at stake.

Bench will be interesting, we can have 9, but only named 7 against Swansea & I reckon we are struggling to have 6, aa well as the new keeper it will have a couple of very different faces on it I expect, probably Knight-Lebel will be one of them.

Could Olly Thomas (Semenyo v2.0) come in?

that’s not him in the picture above!

 

[Jerseybean]

2 hours ago, The Gambler said:

I read EFL as not including the Prem or non league so only got 3:

west brom

northampton

preston north end

spent some time racking my brains about the other 2…..

I included the Prem hence the other 2

[Wrongagain]

U22 ticket available due to illness - for Dolman E34

PM to request!

[ExiledAjax]

I presume Andy Holt and Accrington are going to make a bit more than £2.99 from a televised sell out v Leeds?

Edited January 28, 2023 by ExiledAjax

[McNasty Filth]

Could someone please post some decent links for a live stream please? Can't make it today due to work. Presuming hesgoal is still down or has it appeared on a different web address? Thanks in advance

Edited January 28, 2023 by jaydee=inspiration

[Spike]

Did I read that Pring is out? Is he injured as I wasn't aware of this, I think that's the biggest blow we could have had as he's been the driving force behind all of our attacks down that side for a while now. So no Semenyo, No Conway, No Weimann, No Pring... That's a lot of out chances created for before kick off against a team who are massively in form, doesn't fill me with confidence today. 

[Robin101]

5 minutes ago, Spike said:

Did I read that Pring is out? Is he injured as I wasn't aware of this, I think that's the biggest blow we could have had as he's been the driving force behind all of our attacks down that side for a while now. So no Semenyo, No Conway, No Weimann, No Pring... That's a lot of out chances created for before kick off against a team who are massively in form, doesn't fill me with confidence today. 

Suspended, not injured apparently.

[Wanderingred]

Our main chance of winning is if West Brom decide that they would rather concentrate on promotion and don’t take today seriously. I’ve a feeling that we’ll be really up for it today, but that won’t be enough if they also bring their A game.

[bexhill reds]

8 minutes ago, Robin101 said:

Suspended, not injured apparently.

2yellows against Swansea, suspended

[marcofisher]

Sorry if mentioned before - Is there any TV coverage today for any of us not local? 

[Davefevs]

Looks like Olly Thomas and Marlee Francois in “squad” not necessarily in match day 18/20

[exAtyeoMax]

10 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Looks like Olly Thomas and Marlee Francois in “squad” not necessarily in match day 18/20

On the bench

https://twitter.com/bristolcity/status/1619334617743478786?s=46&t=sJ4dnEJVELRRkWQB-4AYQQ

[italian dave]

[Malago]

Cornick starts for Luton.

12 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Looks like Olly Thomas and Marlee Francois in “squad” not necessarily in match day 18/20

Really like the look of Olly Thomas 

[RedM]

Bench is unknowns or rusty players, except for Williams

 

 

[Midred]

Nigel looks happy, should we be worried or hopeful? 

[petehinton]

Olly Thomas to get minutes I beg. He is the most exciting attacking prospect coming through IMO. 

[View from the Dolman]

Joe Duncan from the academy acting as third keeper for the warmup.

[Robin101]

Strangely confident for some reason. 

[Sturny]

It's great to see a player sold and the replacement is someone already homegrown from the club ready for the step up. 

Reminds me of the model Preston had a few years ago, they feared selling no one and just replaced within or free transfers and still made progression. 

[Kodjias Wrist]

5 minutes ago, RedM said:

Bench is unknowns or rusty players, except for Williams

Never a better time to get that rid of that rust than in the cup. A win today also gets us 300k and potentially a big tie in the next round.

[Port Said Red]

Just now, petehinton said:

Olly Thomas to get minutes I beg. He is the most exciting attacking prospect coming through IMO. 

I like him although I had Francois ahead of him before injury. I suppose they see Palmer-Houlden as a more Chris Martin style player. Looks like he wants to replace Semenyo's pace from the bench.

[Kodjias Wrist]

1 minute ago, petehinton said:

Olly Thomas to get minutes I beg. He is the most exciting attacking prospect coming through IMO. 

Is he really how many times have you watched him? Not doubting you its just I dont watch the youth games or bath etc.

[!james]

1 minute ago, petehinton said:

Olly Thomas to get minutes I beg. He is the most exciting attacking prospect coming through IMO. 

What's he like? Off the wing or middle?

I know Francois was highly rated before his injury but he seems more of a wide forward. 

[1891 B.C. Sweden]

Come On You Reds!!!

[Nogbad the Bad]

With the Upper Lansdown closed and just over 5k seats available elsewhere it's looking like about 16k today.

Barring a mass walk up.

[petehinton]

4 minutes ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

Is he really how many times have you watched him? Not doubting you its just I dont watch the youth games or bath etc.

 

4 minutes ago, !james said:

What's he like? Off the wing or middle?

I know Francois was highly rated before his injury but he seems more of a wide forward. 

A few times for the youngies, and a mate of mine is Bath captain so played with him recently. It’s a boring comparison, but he’s an Antoine type. Pace & power as a wide player, far more that mould than say a Janneh was. 
 

I’d say it’s no coincidence he’s been brought back after we lost Semenyo as I think Fevs already mentioned

[cidercity1987]

4 minutes ago, Nogbad the Bad said:

With the Upper Lansdown closed and just over 5k seats available elsewhere it's looking like about 16k today.

Barring a mass walk up.

That would be a brilliant crowd, can't see it though 

[ProfitInMyPocket]

Not too fussed on the result today, as long as we don't pick up any injuries and stay competitive I'll be pleased.

Best of luck to Bell who makes his first start! He's been patient and looked good off the bench, it's his opportunity now.

Couple of academy cameos and maybe a little bit of time for Kalas would be nice too.

 

[Davefevs]

7 minutes ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

Is he really how many times have you watched him? Not doubting you its just I dont watch the youth games or bath etc.

As Pete says he’s very much like Antoine in his game time, all power, and just 17.  Saw him 4-5 times las5 season.  Can only assume he’s had injuries first half of the season.

[RedM]

10 minutes ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

Never a better time to get that rid of that rust than in the cup. A win today also gets us 300k and potentially a big tie in the next round.

Yes indeed, but the majority of the bench haven't played a competitive game together. It's a big ask but the stuff that creates the fairytales that is the FA Cup. I just hope we are more up for it than the Lincoln cup match, as you say the rewards are potentially big.

[View from the Dolman]

12 minutes ago, View from the Dolman said:

Joe Duncan from the academy acting as third keeper for the warmup.

To follow up on my own post, Harvey Wiles-Richards is watching on from behind the home dugout. 

[Kodjias Wrist]

Just now, RedM said:

Yes indeed, but the majority of the bench haven't played a competitive game together. It's a big ask but the stuff that creates the fairytales that is the FA Cup. I just home we are more up for it than the Lincoln cup match. 

Whilst a very poor result and performance, for me it won't beat the awful way we approached Shrewsbury over two ties, knowing full well that we could get Liverpool if we won the second leg.

[Malago]

15 minutes ago, !james said:

What's he like? Off the wing or middle?

I know Francois was highly rated before his injury but he seems more of a wide forward. 

Similar to Semenyo in physique, left footer, played wide the times I’ve seen him.

[old_eastender]

9 hours ago, RedinSpain said:

Presume there will be a stream somewhere...

[One Team]

1 minute ago, old_eastender said:

Presume there will be a stream somewhere...

Hope so! Do post them here people please! 

[RedM]

5 minutes ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

Whilst a very poor result and performance, for me it won't beat the awful way we approached Shrewsbury over two ties, knowing full well that we could get Liverpool if we won the second leg.

Oh yes. That was unforgivable, you are right.

It seems the chance to play one of the big teams is just about once in a generation, with the exception of the 2 Manchester games.

Let's face it we won't be having a league match against such sides anytime soon,  so to dismiss cup matches is like I said unforgivable.

We aren't going to win the cup but a shot at a Premiership club would be rewarding so I hope we do this today. Heart says yes but head says no.

[roddy-d]

1 minute ago, old_eastender said:

Presume there will be a stream somewhere...

Yea where??