Disappointed we are out

[Sammy Chung was King]

I'm disappointed we are out. Before any of you start busting a blood vessel not because i like the current set up because i don't. The reason i am disappointed is because it was giving our younger players opportunities to play.
Now we are out some of these youngsters will either go backwards in their development or will need to be loaned out. And being realistic they won't be loaned out to sides in the league or conference.
Not because some aren't good enough it's because they haven't played enough first team games to convince a manager at those levels that 'this is the player i need'!.

They have built up a bit of confidence and maybe thoughts are going round in some of their heads that they can make it with us. It's also helped with getting more established players some fitness after injury.
I know that Blackpool made a lot of changes but this was still one of the tougher games we've faced in this cup. A positive is that yet again we were not beaten in ninety minutes.
The young lads have had experience of winning and losing a penalty shoot out there's also been one or two good performances from a few over the games.

Our main ambition has always been to get promoted. That has never changed we've wanted to win every game but in the end our luck has run out.
I would have loved us to have got through because i don't think it has hindered our league form at all. It's just helped fringe players be a bit sharper for when they are needed.
Longbottom has come out of this cup well, Beestin also. A few of the young defenders while not quite ready to play for us regularly they did alright.
A shame just for the reason of match sharpness for those not playing regularly. Williams goal puts pressure on Mandeville for his place. Upto now for me he should retain it but he has got him 'breathing down his neck for the starting place!.
A good position for us to be in.

In January i don't see the manager making wholesale changes. I would see a few of the young lads going out on loan. Longbottom i think will be one. If he get's another keeper i see Etheridge going out as he has already said.
If it was me i would let Calder go back and bring in another wide left player. Beestin i think he will retain in the squad. Keegan probably would have gone out on a short term loan under the old rules. I think unless somebody wants him in a permanent deal then he will be retained until the summer.
I'd like to see young Fielding and a few more go out and get experience rather than carry on playing youth games. It's been really good for having a look at players who wouldn't normally get a chance!.

Evina continues to disappoint me. For Charlton he looked one of the better wing backs in the championship. I think the changing of formations has interrupted his progress. He has never on a consistent basis produced that form with us.
Garratt i am maybe being unfair as he hasn't had a consistent run but he hasn't convinced me so far. Anyway it's been good to a fair few this cup. I hope some of the kids don't go backwards now they don't have the opportunities this cup afforded them.