Let's talk about the Huddersfield Town game

[selby]

  The biggest question will be what team strength both sides bother to put out on Tuesday.
  At least unlike other seasons we have players who are good enough for the first team but are not in the starting line up at the moment and I hope will show they want to be starters if selected on Tuesday.
  So speculation about what team we put out I will leave to Grant, or will it be Cliff at the helm as last season?
  Huddersfield after three straight wins in their first three league games surprisingly lost 2-1 to Rotherham today to burst their bubble and will probably want to see some of their fringe players while getting back on track in this game, so I am expecting between the two sides quite a few changes  from todays teams, but for once probably for the right reasons not just to dis respect the competition, and still two decent sides with individual players having a reason to do well.
   For instance all our subs at Port Vale would form a decent nucleus for a decent second division side all of them good players on their day, and others not involved in todays squad if not injured will want to put themselves in the shop window.
  Huddersfield are mostly in the same position as ourselves with a strong squad some of which will be wanting to force themselves forward after the result today and will see this game hopefully as an opportunity.
  What do you think? not the most attractive competition, but one that changed our season somewhat last year when our league form was terrible and we needed a boost and gave us the first indication of better things to come.
  Some supporters are still at odds with the competition but attendances seem at last to be getting bigger and playing u21s  teams from Premiership sides  looks a fixture we have to endure so are you going to the game? do you accept the competition now?
   Lots to talk about this game, in a week when with the Gillingham game next weekend could really set us up as a force to be reckoned with at this level, although I find it hard to remember ever seeing a decent game of football v Gillingham, to me the epitome of anti-football over many years, always dour, invented the tactical foul, and just horrible to watch teams.
  First things first, Huddersfield, and hopefully away to a decent start in the competition and an enjoyable game to watch,
   Please have your say.

[Alan Southstand]

We are not blessed with enough players to change the entire team, but the rules don’t allow it anyway. I can see Lawlor coming back in with Nixon, Senior, Olowu and maybe McGrath being the defence.

Midfield, from what GM has previously intimated, will have the return of Close, probably accompanied by Bailey and S’barra.

Up top probably Yeboah, Hurst and Ironside?

[RoversInSpain]

We know we’re in a good place to make 6 changes to a first team squad ala Everton. So much the same for Udders.

[Chris Black come back]

Shouldn’t have thought it would be a priority for them to play him, but Herbie Kane is at Huddersfield Town now.

[glosterred]

Ands for those that may have forgotten, it’s a 7PM kick off


COYR

[ncRover]

What’s happened to Sbarra? He was meant to be one of our main signings

[selby]

  When he has played he has looked neat and tidy and has done OK without setting the world on fire.
  He will settle into the formation, he has talent and a good engine on him and has a part to play this season when he gets a chance he has to take it which will not be easy with competition in the team for a starting place.
   Its just the way it should be

[philsky]

Is this a match we can watch with a match pass ?

[sedwardsdrfc]

What’s happened to Sbarra? He was meant to be one of our main signings

Not sure he suits what McCann likes in midfield which is a deep passing midfielder and 2 box to box runners. Sbarra from what I’ve seen looks a proper 10.

Whenever he’s come on you can tell he has ability and will have a part to play

[Bessie Red]

We are not blessed with enough players to change the entire team, but the rules don’t allow it anyway. I can see Lawlor coming back in with Nixon, Senior, Olowu and maybe McGrath being the defence.

Midfield, from what GM has previously intimated, will have the return of Close, probably accompanied by Bailey and S’barra.

Up top probably Yeboah, Hurst and Ironside?

I nearly agree with you suggested team but I dont think Bailey will start more likely Broadbent from the start.

[adamtherover]

Maybe go with the everton line up.. it will be strange watching a johnsons game with out half a dozen u18s in the squad..

[Dutch Uncle]

Maybe go with the everton line up.. it will be strange watching a johnsons game with out half a dozen u18s in the squad..

It wouldn't surprise me if Sam Straugham-Brown is at least on the bench

[Alan Southstand]

Bessie, we have to be mindful of the rules of the competition. Plus, I don’t think GM will want to be without his skipper! I agree, he probably could do with putting his feet up for this one, but will GM think the same?

[philsky]

We are not blessed with enough players to change the entire team, but the rules don’t allow it anyway. I can see Lawlor coming back in with Nixon, Senior, Olowu and maybe McGrath being the defence.

Midfield, from what GM has previously intimated, will have the return of Close, probably accompanied by Bailey and S’barra.

Up top probably Yeboah, Hurst and Ironside?

I nearly agree with you suggested team but I dont think Bailey will start more likely Broadbent from the start.

On a separate note; has Bailey still started every match since god was a boy ?

[Donnywolf]

Look forward to seeing Herbie if he plays at some point.

[Alan Southstand]

There’s been another hint put out today by GM, via the FP, that Sam Straughan-Brown could play some part tomorrow night. Most probably, from the bench I would have thought and to cover for Ben Close.

It appears there is quite a bit of interest in Sam, from non league clubs, to take him on loan. Watch this space.

[selby]

  The win at Port Vale was a good three points won, and the clearance off the line by McGrath rightly praised, but the fact is the keeper came for that regulation cross with not a lot of traffic in front of him and completely missed the ball with his punch and allowed the header on goal.
  Not the first time in this or other games he has done that, but seems to get away with the pelters from some supporters that Lawlor and Jones get.
  Probably being from Chelsea gives some lee way, personally not convinced but hopeful.

[EasyforDennis]

  The win at Port Vale was a good three points won, and the clearance off the line by McGrath rightly praised, but the fact is the keeper came for that regulation cross with not a lot of traffic in front of him and completely missed the ball with his punch and allowed the header on goal.
  Not the first time in this or other games he has done that, but seems to get away with the pelters from some supporters that Lawlor and Jones get.
  Probably being from Chelsea gives some lee way, personally not convinced but hopeful.

Totally agree Selby. I am surprised nobody has mentioned it before. I think if Lawlor has a decent game tomorrow then he could well start on Saturday.

[RoversInSpain]

I too share concerns over TSL. However it’s early days, I hope he can improve in what is now a proper coaching set up. I don’t think Louis has substantially improved enough on his weaknesses, over quits a long time, though tbf to him, probably down to our poor coaching set up an over the last 3 years or so.
At the minute I see Lawlor and TSL as similar standard, certainly not in the same class as TLT.

[Alan Southstand]

I think I’ve voiced my concern on other threads, but his only saving grace is its early days, yet. We can’t be too critical at this stage, but I agree with other posters, he’s not a TLT - yet!

[Nudga]

  The win at Port Vale was a good three points won, and the clearance off the line by McGrath rightly praised, but the fact is the keeper came for that regulation cross with not a lot of traffic in front of him and completely missed the ball with his punch and allowed the header on goal.
  Not the first time in this or other games he has done that, but seems to get away with the pelters from some supporters that Lawlor and Jones get.
  Probably being from Chelsea gives some lee way, personally not convinced but hopeful.

I mentioned it first time I saw him and got slated

[selby]

  The posters on  the  Huddersfield forum are not looking at this game  as important, especially as they look to already have a long injury list, so might be well below full strength despite having to field so many starters from the Rotherham game at the weekend.
   Both teams however have started the season reasonably well and should want to keep things going. That is how I see this game for us anyway keep standards and enthusiasm high by winning games and build the supporter base as these games seem to attract youngsters more than older supporters.
  When the draw was first published my first inclination was we had been drawn in a hard group we would do well to qualify from, so this home game and the one against the u21s side are important to pick up some points, whoever plays let's just go for it.

[steve@dcfd]

Shouldn’t have thought it would be a priority for them to play him, but Herbie Kane is at Huddersfield Town now.

He wasn’t in the squad against Rotherham so he may be injured or he could play this evening

[ncRover]

We are not blessed with enough players to change the entire team, but the rules don’t allow it anyway. I can see Lawlor coming back in with Nixon, Senior, Olowu and maybe McGrath being the defence.

Midfield, from what GM has previously intimated, will have the return of Close, probably accompanied by Bailey and S’barra.

Up top probably Yeboah, Hurst and Ironside?

I nearly agree with you suggested team but I dont think Bailey will start more likely Broadbent from the start.

On a separate note; has Bailey still started every match since god was a boy ?

Bailey can get rested now with the squad we have.
He hasn’t been at what is his best IMO so keep him fresh for the big game Saturday.

[ForsolongaRover]

I too share concerns over TSL. However it’s early days, I hope he can improve in what is now a proper coaching set up. I don’t think Louis has substantially improved enough on his weaknesses, over quits a long time, though tbf to him, probably down to our poor coaching set up an over the last 3 years or so.
At the minute I see Lawlor and TSL as similar standard, certainly not in the same class as TLT.

TSL is so much younger than Lawlor and significantly younger than Jones. You can blame a GK for every goal he concedes, but we must take account of the quality of the effort he makes to save them. Despite his age he seems at least imposing if not more so, quicker and decisive.

The weakness in dealing with crosses is general (set-piece coaching shortcomings??), but he displays more inclination to leave his line to take them, an attribute that the other two don’t always display.

Even if his ability were precisely the same as the other two, he would still be my choice because already I think he has improved from how he began. Comparably he is at least as athletic if not more so, than IL and especially LJ and surely has more potential to improve than either of them.

Lawlor’s history is evidence of never quite being the dependable first choice, but as back-up at this level he seems acceptable.

[selby]

  The main thing about the competition is how seriously the management of sides take it.
  And in our case the difference in class of player some teams in the competition can put out even with quite a few rested, which was evident when a few years ago both Barnsley and Rotherham were in a different class to us talent wise and gave us a good hiding.
  That position I feel is where we have improved our squad greatly and are now no longer the push over we were, and can now make some changes without losing so much class of player.
 and can give teams a much harder time of it.
  That makes the games so much more attractive, is a competition we can do well in while trying different combinations and if reaching the final stages the club benefits financially.
  I hope we just play attacking football and go for a win and enjoy what is a free hit which can benifit the club.
 

[Filo]

Just realised it’s 7pm ko, do they not want people that work to attend, it’ll be Sky for me tonight then

[McCammon egg n chips]

Lots of talk about having to play a strongish line up. We can of course still make plenty of changes. Here's the actual rules:

Each club is required to field a team that includes at least four "Qualifying Players" in the ten outfield players named in the starting eleven. A "Qualifying Player" is defined as one who meets one of the following criteria:

- Started the immediately preceding first team fixture
- Starts the immediately following first team fixture
- Is among the top ten players with the most starting appearances for the club in the same season
- Has made 40 or more starting appearances in first-team fixtures or international equivalents
- Is on a standard loan from a Premier League club or any EFL club operating a Category One Academy

The 40 or more starting appearances in first-team fixtures gives us a fair bit of freedom.

[graingrover]

He gives me the impression of being self confident and is good in most aspects , distribution and athleticism being natural talents .His timing on crosses can be coached and he seems to not be shy to speak his mind to co defenders .

[RobTheRover]

I like Teddy. He's the best we have, no question.