United v Reading [FACUP]

Reading are playing good football, it won't be easy. I'll go with a 2-1 win.
 
I think SAF will play a fairly strong side and this will be because if we draw it means another game I think just before the Liverpool game.

I want to see Saha and Larsson upfront, should be an interesting strike force them two, but I feel SAF will play Ole and Larsson upfront.

3-1 United.
 
Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, insists that he is not showing the FA Cup disrespect by picking reserves for Saturday’s televised fifth-round tie away to Manchester United tomorrow.

The former United winger has made it clear that he will make up to eight changes from the team who beat Aston Villa 2-0 in the Barclays Premiership last weekend. Coppell’s argument is that the club’s first campaign in the top flight is of such importance that he decided before a ball was kicked that he would use fringe men for cup matches, regardless of the opposition.

Reading are safe from relegation, but Coppell insisted that he would stand by his policy, even if they went all the way to the final at Wembley. “I will make seven or eight changes and I make no apologies for saying once again that we play a cup final every week in the Premiership,” he said. “It doesn’t matter to me who the opposition are — if anything, I will learn more against this sort of opposition. I want to know whether the [fringe] players can cope with the level and perform at the level.

“It is not any disrespect to the competition or the opposition. I am being selfish — I am just looking at it from my point of view. I care about the integrity of the competition very much, but from June I knew this was what I was going to do.

“I would do exactly the same before the semi-final and the final — although I think I would wake up [from the dream] some time before then.”

Reading’s second string are among the best in England, sitting on top of the Barclays Premiership Reserve League South, ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal, and thrashed Tottenham Hotspur reserves 4-0 on Tuesday evening.

Coppell has a number of international players available to replace Premiership regulars, including Seol Ki Hyeon, of South Korea, Bobby Convey, of the United States, Brynjar Gunnarsson, of Iceland, Ulises De La Cruz, of Ecuador, John Oster, of Wales, and Sam Sodje, of Nigeria.

Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle, the strikers who contributed almost 40 goals between them last season, are back in contention for places after injury and Coppell will start with only one rookie in the shape of Adam Federici, the goalkeeper, who will be playing his third match for the club.

4 -1
 
Hyeon and Convey are quality players, as are Kitson and Doyle who might be playing. Nonetheless, with Reading it's not so much about individuals, but rather the spirit and organization of the team as a whole. I wouldn't underestimate them at all even if they choose to rest some of their first choice players.


Btw, there's rumours that Alan Smith will be involved in the game. Would be good news for him.
 
He's gonna play his reserves. Wouldn't mind seeing Alan Smith come on as a sub in the second half but i'd like to see Saha and Larsson start this one. Or Dong may get a shout finally as well.
 
Rahul said:
He's gonna play his reserves. Wouldn't mind seeing Alan Smith come on as a sub in the second half but i'd like to see Saha and Larsson start this one. Or Dong may get a shout finally as well.
Click to expand...
Nope. He played last night in the reserves game against bolton
 
Rahul said:
Dong may get a shout finally as well.
Click to expand...

the next time he plays is a pre-season friendly againts oxford united...
 
if Coppell rest players, I think Fergie can do the same tomorrow. This team would be ok.
Kuszczak; Brown, Rio, Vidic, Heinze; Park, Fletch, Carrick, Ronaldo; Larsson Saha; Subs; Heaton, Evra, Giggs, Solskjaer, Richardson.

Rest to Neville, Scholes, Rooney(suspended), VDS...
Evra and Giggs on the bench if we need them.

1-0 or 2-0 United.
 
At his press conference SAF suggested that he'll rest 3 players as well as Rooney and VDS so I expect (hope) to see Heinze, Brown and Fletcher in as well as Saha and Tomasz Kuszczak. I wonder who Fletchinho will fill in for?
United win of any kind accepted but expected. A beautiful exhibition of football would be nice.
 
I really do wish Alan Smith plays today, if the rumours of him taking part are true then that is great.
 
Rest Scholes, Neville and Giggs. Rooney is out suspended so thats 4.

Other than that, full strength. We have a great chance to win it this season.
 
T2000 said:
Im going with 4-1 but it aint going to be easy for us.

Could VDsar make a return? anyone know if utd have said when he'll return?
Click to expand...
Edwin said he was targeting the Lille game for his return.
 
Red Dreams said:
we should play a team close to our first choice...whatever Coppel does...the Treble should not be gambled with...
Click to expand...

The Treble? :lol:
 
Official Lineup:

GK: Kuszczak

RB: Brown
CB: Silvestre
CB: Vidic
LB: Heinze

RM: Park
CM: Fletcher
CM: Carrick
LM: Ronaldo

CF: Solskjaer
CF: Saha

Subs: Heaton, O'Shea, Evra, Scholes, Larsson
 
from MUTV:

Kuscak
Brown Silv Vidic Heinze
Ronaldo Carrick Fletcher Park
Ole Saha

Scholes O'Shea Evra Larsson on bench
 
StanleyCupboard said:
Why do you always call him Henzie?

Just curious
Click to expand...

At some point in time i got it in my head thats how his name was spelt, hard habit to break :nervous:
 
Reading make 7 changes. Doyle not in the squad.
 
charleysurf said:
from MUTV:

Kuscak
Brown Silv Vidic Heinze
Ronaldo Carrick Fletcher Park
Ole Saha

Scholes O'Shea Evra Larsson on bench
Click to expand...

good team, should beat Reading reserves confortably
 
Reading lineup anyone?

Good team for us. I'm happy to see Scholes, Giggs, Rio, Neville rested for tuesday.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.