v Middlesbrough (a) - 11/1/2025, FA Cup R3

[KentExile]

25 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Presume Garrett & O'Riordan haven't already played in the FA Cup this season?

You presume correctly, same applies to Markanday

Garrett

O'Riordan

Markanday

 

Batty is cup tied though

Edited January 6 by KentExile

[sharpysharps86]

Rest as many players as possible for this one. Would like to see Toth, McFadzean, JRC, Buckley and Leonard all come in as a minimum.

It'd be absolutely typical Rovers to go and win this game and lose the game in hand against Portsmouth 😂.

 

[davulsukur]

Gotta make some changes and give some players (where possible) a rest and some other some needed game time. 

Toth should start just so we can see if he's actually half decent or not. 

Give Danny Batth a rest also. 

[RevidgeBlue]

The sports scientists will be aware of exactly who is struggling a bit fitness or fatigue wise and who isnt too bad.

Sod wholesale changes, we need to win this, get into the next round and regain some momentum. This game is equally important as any League game, if not more so. If we lose this game we're out of the Cup. Conversely there's still 63 points still to play for in the League. Getting in the play offs or not isn't going to hinge on whether or not we rest players at Boro.

[wilsdenrover]

10 hours ago, bluebruce said:

We should also consider, whether we play Beck or ACD depends partly on whether their parent clubs give us permission. I'd imagine getting permission for Baker won't be a problem, but Liverpool and Brighton may still have thoughts of recalling their lads.

Doesn’t apply to season long loans (iv):

[TheRovers1994]

11 changes needed, need to rest the key players especially with Pompey on the following Wednesday 

[philipl]

Toth, JRC, Buckley, Leonard and McFadzean are must starts in this one. Sadly the game comes at a time when the squad depth is tested by injuries so other players ordinarily we'd want to see given a run out are either already filling first team slots or in the treatment room.

[BlackburnEnd75]

Rotate the boards for this one.

                Toth

Jrc.      Hyam.   Fadz.   Beck (45 mins)

             Baker.   Buckley

Weimann.                      Hedges

                    Cantwell

                   Leonard.

Subs: Pears, Batth, brittain (45 mins) garrett, tronstad, dolan, ACD, Gueye, an academy player.. 

If duru was fit I'd start him.

Cantwell doesn't deserve a match off. He needs a rocket up his arse and to prove himself. 

I think that side would be competitive, it rests those who need a break (bar Hyam) and gives all the fringe players a chance.

[roverandout]

Fa cup is just an unwanted distraction.  We've no chance of going on a good cup run anyway.  Rather concentrate on the league 

[MarkBRFC]

Pretty sure people said the same the last two years to be fair.

[DeeCee]

JE will be putting his boots on for the next round if we beat Boro.

We need reinforcements very soon.

[simongarnerisgod]

3 hours ago, roverandout said:

Fa cup is just an unwanted distraction.  We've no chance of going on a good cup run anyway.  Rather concentrate on the league 

not a distraction to me,but the fact we hav`nt got the player numbers for a potential deep run to the 5th round means we have to rest a few players,no doubt middlesboro will be doing the same

[onlyonejackwalker]

If recent league results had gone well I would definately be tempted to make wholesale changes.

But without a win in five, the feel good factor from a good performance here would give the squad a timely lift. 

A lot of regular starters need a confidence boost, especially those upfront.

It's pro football and we have a proud history in this competition. Let's pick a strong team and go and win the game. 

[Bob Belcher]

9 hours ago, roverandout said:

Fa cup is just an unwanted distraction.  We've no chance of going on a good cup run anyway.  Rather concentrate on the league 

I have never understood that mindset tbh. We should want Rovers to be competitive in every single  thing they are a part of. Now, will I lose sleep if we lose to Boro? No.

However, I still would love for us to advance and worry about the league afterwards.

[roverandout]

8 hours ago, Bob Belcher said:

I have never understood that mindset tbh. We should want Rovers to be competitive in every single  thing they are a part of. Now, will I lose sleep if we lose to Boro? No.

However, I still would love for us to advance and worry about the league afterwards.

Me too but it's unlikely with such a small squad.  I've always found fa cup weekends dull. Don't know why

[RevidgeBlue]

4 minutes ago, roverandout said:

Me too but it's unlikely with such a small squad.  I've always found fa cup weekends dull. Don't know why

I find it odd that the FA Cup doesn't float your boat yet if it was a meaningless England friendly you'd probably be riveted!

[roverandout]

18 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

I find it odd that the FA Cup doesn't float your boat yet if it was a meaningless England friendly you'd probably be riveted!

I'm not Interested I'm friendlies either. If it's competitive England games then yes. I suppose if rovers were away to an arsenal city or Liverpool it might be different 

[RevidgeBlue]

21 minutes ago, roverandout said:

I'm not Interested I'm friendlies either. If it's competitive England games then yes. I suppose if rovers were away to an arsenal city or Liverpool it might be different 

Fair enough. I think I'd have slightly less interest in ties like those as the chance of progressing is that much less. 

The only thing that matters with Cup comps is getting through to the next round. If you can field a slightly weakened side and still get through, so much the better but you have to get the balance right.

[Old Codger]

Give some of the fringe players and kids a chance to shine. Boro will be looking to avenge our recent win at their place, and we don't have the resources for any kind of additional campaign outside the league. If a scratch team produces the goods then maybe that will be a way of strengthening the overall squad for the league challenge. If we never blood them, we will be forever in the dark about their potential.

[roversfan99]

Again symptomatic of Venkys that people dont seem us as having the resources to participate properly in more than 1 competition.

2 hours ago, roverandout said:

I'm not Interested I'm friendlies either. If it's competitive England games then yes. I suppose if rovers were away to an arsenal city or Liverpool it might be different 

What excites you more. FA cup or nations league?

[joey_big_nose]

21 hours ago, roverandout said:

Fa cup is just an unwanted distraction.  We've no chance of going on a good cup run anyway.  Rather concentrate on the league 

A good run and it's an extra game a month, not a lot in the grand scheme of things. The morale boost of a run outweighs a relatively small number of extra minutes.

I'd rest anyone genuinely fatigued or carrying injuries, but beyond that wouldn't be too worried.

[islander200]

Toth should start 

Batth and Tronstad should be rested 

Apart from that play the strongest 11 we can 

[MarkBRFC]

Pears, Hyam and Tronstad have started every game this season, so ideally you take them 3 out.

Could do with Batth being rested too but there isn't many options about.

 

Edited January 7 by MarkBRFC

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Just now, MarkBRFC said:

Pears, Hyam and Tronstad have started every game this season, so ideally you take them 3 out.

Put do with Batth being rested too but there isn't many options about.

 

Not giving Travis a break is probably what led to his current injury.

[roverandout]

33 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Again symptomatic of Venkys that people dont seem us as having the resources to participate properly in more than 1 competition.

What excites you more. FA cup or nations league?

Nations league