Eastleigh 1-1 Bolton

God I can't wait for this match, only six sleeps to go.

What approach should we be taking? I don't go along with the "we've got bigger fish to fry than the FA Cup so let them chill out for a fortnight, that'll crack it" mentality.

I'd probably leave out the players that are a constant injury risk, and draw the line there. Hopefully just get through the tie relatively hasslefree and maybe get a more exciting match out of the next round.

I think we should really go for it in the cup. A good run there might inspire some confidence that will carry over to our league form and instil some fight in the lads that's consistent not just apparent when we're on TV. 

However I suspect the team sheet will be very significant. If as has been mooted Clough, Mavies, Vela and Amos are up for sale they'll be missing to avoid being cup tied for their potential new clubs. While an absentee from the team sheet might not definitely be on his way out I think the absence of any of those four would be a very strong indicator to say they are.

doffcocker wrote:
I'd probably leave out the players that are a constant injury risk, and draw the line there. Hopefully just get through the tie relatively hasslefree and maybe get a more exciting match out of the next round.

You idiot, we're not playing a Doffcocker XI.

If we don't bring our 'A' game we will get stuffed.

As I suspect I am one of the few folk who have seen Eastleigh play (5 times in total) and I know the set up there a bit, I know they will be so v v up for this match, and any complacency on our side will result in a cupset. I also strongly suspect there will be a fair few players not wanting to get cup tied, or the club wanting them not to be cup tied, I have never never bet against Bolton in my life, and don't intend to start now, but think Eastleigh deserve respect, and I am not going to look at the odds in case I am tempted.

it does have cup upset written all over it Manda, i'm surprised it wasn't picked for TV

Norpig wrote:it does have cup upset written all over it Manda, i'm surprised it wasn't picked for TV

I have no grounds for saying this, but the club may not have been in a position to host it. We had a reply v dag and red televised, and I aged 20 years in the week before

I suppose they would have to put in extra facilities and places for all the cameras and equipment to go, so it makes sense if they only have a small ground

BBC's FA Cup Football Focus will be broadcast live from Eastleigh's Ten Acres ground from 12.10 on Saturday. (Dan Walker et al)

As regards the game itself, Manda is right. Eastleigh is one of the clubs that has League ambitions and have spent a few bob on players. They are in the play off places of the Conference with games in hand ahead of Grimsby and Macclesfield and are a decent bet for promotion to L2. Since Burton beat us in the pre-season I am not confident at all that we will win this one - and neither are the BBC apparently.

The only thing he should be doing here is playing the kids, if they lose who cares? If they win we can get excited about them and maybe put a couple into the first team, didn't Clough get his break in the cup this time last year?

If he plays the same tired side who sunk against Huddersfield we'll probably lose and their already broken confidence will sink even further.

bwfc1874 wrote:The only thing he should be doing here is playing the kids, if they lose who cares?

Can someone inform the person behind the 1874 account that he is a bellend.

We want to win this and hope to get Man Utd/City away in the next round to put some money in the bank.

Yep. Against wigan.

Natasha Whittam wrote:

bwfc1874 wrote:The only thing he should be doing here is playing the kids, if they lose who cares?

Can someone inform the person behind the 1874 account that he is a bellend.

We want to win this and hope to get Man Utd/City away in the next round to put some money in the bank.

Personally I'd give the kids more of a chance of winning than the likes of Madine and Pratley, they can't get themselves up for a relegation fight do you really think they'll be arsed about a trip to a semi-pro team?

bwfc1874 wrote:
Personally I'd give the kids more of a chance of winning than the likes of Madine and Pratley, they can't get themselves up for a relegation fight do you really think they'll be arsed about a trip to a semi-pro team?

"You play your strongest team in every game. No exceptions."

** Taken from Gabriella Benson's autobiography.

We don't have a strongest team, just varying shades of shit. If he plays the kids he might learn something that could help us in the league, he looks bereft of ideas at the moment to me.

bloomin Eastleigh just signed our (Bath City's) best player prior to weekends matches. Kaid Mohamed. ex league, Cheltenham and others, he is a v tricky forward, on his day, unstoppable, but v inconsistent hence him being at this level

bwfc1874 wrote:We don't have a strongest team, just varying shades of shit. 

True unfortunately.

Ref watch: Iain Williamson in charge of Eastleigh v Wanderers

Iain Williamson will oversee Wanderers’ Emirates FA Cup third round tie away at Eastleigh this weekend.

Involved professionally within the game since 2002, the experienced official has already taken charge of 19 games across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and Two so far this term.

Brandishing 76 yellow and five red cards during the 2015/16 season to date, he last took the whistle for a Bolton game on the final day of the 2013/14 campaign.

Back in May 2014, the Whites drew 2-2 with Birmingham City at Macron Stadium – a game which remains Williamson’s only Wanderers fixture to date.

Adrian Tranter and Neil Radford will run the line, while Andrew Laver is the fourth official.

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I do get the feeling that Lennon saying "we need to negotiate the tie" lacks enthusiasm. I do hope they aren't going to be overconfident.

wanderlust wrote:I do get the feeling that Lennon saying "we need to negotiate the tie" lacks enthusiasm. I do hope they aren't going to be overconfident.

Given that he's probably been told not to cup-tie certain players like Clough, Mavies and Vela I suspect he's trying to ensure we don't get overconfident lusty. 

I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see several players missing this one, namely the ones who might have a sale value on or after Jan 18th that would be hurt by being cup-tied. It wouldn't stun me to find out Lennon's been ordered not to play them for that very reason and he's going along with it because what choice does he or anyone else at the club really have under the circumstances?