Let's talk about the West Ham FA cup game

[selby]

  In normal times this would have been seen by our supporters as a must go game.  An iconic stadium to visit and see if the criticism of it is justified, and playing a Premiership side who may or may not take us lightly, but normally with players like Antonio, Bowen, and other stars  we see thrust on us on a regular basis in TV will be expected to just brush us aside until they come up against the usual finalists from the top six.
  What approach we take to the game is just as big a mystery, will we go for it? or will we send the U18s side? I don't expect for one moment we will, but would anyone put their mortgage on it?
  The romance of the FA Cup has took a battering over the last few years especially when top sides draw a lower division side, West Ham however I would have thought would see this competition if they have a little luck as a realistic chance of doing well  in a national competition for the first time in ages, although the fifth round draw could temper that and bring a little realism to their ambitions.
  Realistically any side they field out of their first team pool of players should have enough to end our interest in the cup for another year, but things don't always turn out that way, and the reward of a next round game v Liverpool or Manchester United is a temptation to our players I would think they would give their right arm for.
  The way we play is intriguing me this season, it looks more functional than expansive, we have reacted to the tactics the other teams employ and firstly play to nullify them. In most games we control and have the majority of possession of the ball, work hard as a unit to get the ball back if we lose it, and in a lot of games we have won, it has been down to moments of exceptional skill by individuals scoring a goal, plus a very organised defence that are physical and talented.
 So can we compete with the big boys? it is certainly a test I am looking forward to and hope we can put on a credible show.
  The emergence of Greaves has taken everyone by surprise, especially our Gainsborough fan club, Can he shine in this company if picked to play? he reminds me of Clayton ex Leeds and Boro now Birmingham City in the way he plays, a proper pain in the butt to players and refs alike.
 Loliko looks to be now finding his talented feet and would want to show his Palace mates what they are missing, would you start him?
 Can Fej show his London mates he is now becoming someone to reckon with?
  Will our defence and London based Keeper take on the step up in class a premiership attack pose and succeed?
  And our midfield? without Whiteman who could have showcased his undoubted ability to a wider audience in a game like this can Richards and Smith show they have the ability to push on to this level to their parent clubs? and will we bring back James our secret can do anything and play anywhere left back?
 And finally, will West Ham really take us seriously and play something like their first team? they were very strong at Stockport so I expect so, just as long as Dawson doesn't score for them.
  So lots to discuss about this game, does it really sit as important as the Wimbledon league fixture  to the future of the club? a good question.
  To me a traditionalist yes it does, its a free hit without a lot of expectation, but would love us to do well, although I acknowledge the Wimbledon game is just as important if not more so in the long run, lets just enjoy the occasion give it a go and see what happens.
  Please have your say, lots to discuss, and any lost souls from West Ham please join in and tell us your take on your club and how you hope to approach this game with us.
 

[adamtherover]

Looking at the current injury list, and the age of the bench last night,  the first 11 practically picks itself.. 
Too much asking for DM to unveil a new striker before Saturday?

[selby]

  We should have hijacked Humphrys when he went to get on the bus home last night Adam

[adamtherover]

Dale did have one or two pretty tasty players...   If only......

[Alan Southstand]

Personally, the Wimbledon game is far more important. With the injuries we’ve got, coupled with Whiteman’s hasty departure, we lack the options to make any quality changes. The way I see it, we could end up with more injured players before Tuesday’s game and that’s the last thing we need!

Hopefully, we get a couple in through the door that will ease the problem, but, if we don’t, I fear for our continued success in league one. I would gladly trade a loss to West Ham for promotion at the end of the season.

[drfc1951]

Where will this game be available to watch please.

[idler]

BBC red button I think.

[RobTheRover]

Yep, BBC Red Button or Channel 601 on older tellies.

[normal rules]

West Ham were quite literally bogged down with the pitch at Stockport. The playing surface will be different league at the Olympic stadium, which should suit both sides.
Really looking forward to sitting back and watching this. It’s a Nothing to lose match from a rovers perspective.
Gutted not be be there, in what will prob be the only chance to see rovers play there, in my lifetime in any case.
I’ll  comfort myself though with the thought that it would have been a very expensive weekend away had circumstances been different.
DM’ S team talk will be the easiest he has ever had perhaps. Go out there, express yourself and the prize awaits in round five.

[DonnyNoel]

Is AJ cup tied after featuring for Trinity in their qualifying defeat at AFC Mansfield? Or do qualifying rounds not count?

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/2020-2021/fa-cup/afc-mansfield/gainsborough-trinity/363679

[adamtherover]

Yep, BBC Red Button or Channel 601 on older tellies.

what if your telly box only goes up to 5?

[selby]

 As far as I know AJ cannot play in the game at West Ham then.

[idler]

Yep, BBC Red Button or Channel 601 on older tellies.

what if your telly box only goes up to 5?

It's no good in Barnsley.

[Janso]

Yep, BBC Red Button or Channel 601 on older tellies.

what if your telly box only goes up to 5?

It's no good in Barnsley.

They think the internet is witchcraft there.

[deebee]

This game features in the Super 6 as well.

[drfchound]

Where will this game be available to watch please.

I think it is on the bbc iPlayer.

[PDX_Rover]

It’s winnable I feel.

[selby]

  Horton is also cup tied

[Alan Southstand]

Apparently, we can have up to 9 subs on Saturday. Are West Ham going to lend us some to make the numbers up?

[drfchound]

I just hope we don’t get hammered.

[Al4475]

I really do have a niggling suspicion we may nick this game.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Just go there, enjoy the experience. Compete with better players and learn from them. No pressure, express yourself and take no silly risks with injuries.

[Campsall rover]

Absolutely nothing to lose.
Go out and give it our best shot and who knows.

The most important thing is we do not pick up any more injuries.

[roversdude]

Park the bus go for penalties lol

If it helps they couldn’t put a forward on the bench for last game

[since-1969]

Absolutely nothing to lose.
Go out and give it our best shot and who knows.

The most important thing is we do not pick up any more injuries.

what a shame that a cup tie of like this will come and go without real notice , we need the money ( but it will be a lot less ) but we don’t need another game in a week . We are short of players and all preparation that goes into any game may be wasted and end up just adding to the stresses of not getting a win or even points which would a great deal more but cost us momentum.  I’m sure we’ll give it our best shot and looking forward to seeing how we pitch ourselves against a PL side .

[normal rules]

A small handful on one of their forums have taken note of rovers recent form, but most seem pre occupied on wether Antonio should play or not.
I so hope they underestimate us.

[NickDRFC]

A small handful on one of their forums have taken note of rovers recent form, but most seem pre occupied on wether Antonio should play or not.
I so hope they underestimate us.

To be fair, this forum is hardly awash with comments about their recent form is it? In this thread there’s not a single comment about it, so why should you expect our form to be the dominant topic there?

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Nothing to lose but we are short on numbers, it will be tough, very tough.  League is far more important now.

[Plumbster]

Let’s be honest, we could get a battering but I wouldn’t be bothered if we did.  If they are able to get behind us on a regular basis there will only be so much our central defenders can do to keep them out.  I suspect we will try and keep it tight for 75 mins and then go for it, but never try and second guess DM!

[since-1969]

No AJ Greaves ... cup tied wtf !!