Norwich (H) - FAC 5th Rnd, Wed 2nd Mar 2022 (8:15pm)

[Trumo]

The season continues apace, and the next round of the cup is a midweek showdown against the Canaries. The players will be on somewhat of a high having bagged the first domestic silverware of the season, though quite what physical condition some of them will be in is hard to say. Anyway:

 

Energy. Nous. Grit. Luck. Intelligence. Skill. Heart. Motivation. Urgency. Style. Tempo. Accuracy. Ruthlessness. Drive.

 

I don’t ask for much.

 

The two sides met at a snowbound Anfield in the 3rd round of the Cup in January 1986. The Reds hadn’t won the competition for over a decade, and it’s a trophy that had eluded the great Sir Bob as a manager, just as it had when he was a player. He’d been a winner twice as assistant manager to Shanks, but for the umpteen league titles, 3 European Cups, 1 UEFA Cup and 3 League Cups he’d amass, the nearest he got to lifting the FA Cup was the disappointment of the 1977 final. Kenny is another who’d been thwarted in his efforts to win the country’s premier cup competition. In those days it was a massive deal and very much a showpiece occasion at Wembley. Kenny and the lads would put all of that to rights in 1985/86 by going all the way, and clinching a league and cup double to boot for the first time in the club’s history. Norwich were swept aside by Liverpool’s sheer power and ruthlessness, succumbing 5-0 thanks to goals from the forgotten man of that season Kevin MacDonald (who started the final too), Walsh, McMahon, Whelan and Wark. No dicey “magic of the cup” 3rd round shenanigans here. Just a composed and efficient display to ease into the next round.

 

 

The big draw at movie theatres in January 1986 was another snowbound affair. The 4th film of the Rocky franchise, which Sly both directed and starred in. The franchise draws a bit of criticism at times for its heavy-handedness, not least in this film with its Cold War backdrop, but each brought its own story in such a way that the later films and Creed spin-offs could use those stories and add to them. It’s not bad going when you consider that the original was only ever intended to be a standalone tale.

 

Rocky IV sees Balboa eventually have to go up against an opponent the likes of whom he’s never seen. Apollo Creed had been the cocky showman champion, and Clubber Lang had been the young hungry whippersnapper with ruthless fury. The Soviet Union’s Ivan Drago, played with ice-cold precision by Dolph Lundgren, was just a fearsome machine. Tall, remorseless (“If he dies, he dies” after turning Apollo into a bloody lifeless lump during an exhibition bout) and backed by the ruling Communist regime.

 

A subtle picture it is not, but it’s a hugely entertaining one nonetheless. Much much better than the one that immediately followed it. In light of recent events in Ukraine, I was in two minds about choosing a different fixture and time period in order to select a different film, but on the same note, ruthless Russian (Soviet) ambition can be overcome even if it's punishing to endure.

 

 

In light of the punishing effort put in at Wembley on Sunday, it’s hard to know how Klopp will go into this one. By necessity, he’ll have to do without a few of those who lasted the 120 minutes plus penalties as we are in the midst of a schedule where we play every few days for another 3 weeks or so. Legs need to be kept fresh, and others need the minutes. I’d imagine Big Joe, Ibou, Kostas, Harvey, Curtis, Taki and Div being part of the starting XI. I’m not sure if Kevin or Ali will get the nod in goal, but we might see several youngsters like Morton and Gordon given a run out just like they had been in the previous rounds. Dean Smith has bigger priorities than FA Cup progress to contend with, but this game might see his side in with a better chance than expected simply because we need to rest a number of players. Or, he could put out a similar blend of squad players and youth which means the game might be a disjointed affair for both teams. Whatever happens, as long as our players have the right mentality and focus, there’s enough about us to give us an edge. Go out there and show it.

 

 

[Anubis]

And so to the web-footed, marsh hut, fen dwellers. Now our lads have tasted silverware, let us hope that they hunger for more.

[Creator Supreme]

0-1, we're shucking fite!

 

 

Come on its tradition!

[an tha]

Alisson

 

Milner

Gomez

Konate

Tsimikas

 

Oxlade

Jones

Keita

 

Jota

Minamino

Origi

[Pureblood]

Kelleher false 9

[Jordy Brouwer]

22 minutes ago, an tha said:

Alisson

 

Milner

Gomez

Konate

Tsimikas

 

Oxlade

Jones

Keita

 

Jota

Minamino

Origi

Not a bad shout but no Elliot? 

[lebron]

I'd go

 

--------------------Allison-------------------

Gomez--Matip--Konate---Kostas

---‐-‐-‐-‐-----Henderson‐----------------

-------Ox-----------Jones/Elliott-------

Mane---------Minamino--------Origi

 

Maybe Williams will get a chance at CB, or Bradley at RB with Gomez CB. Hope we rest the players that played all of tonight's game.

 

 

[an tha]

38 minutes ago, Jordy Brouwer said:

Not a bad shout but no Elliot? 

Just thought we are a bit too open Oxlade, Jones and Elliott...so went Keita and Elliott to come on later when game is won or if we need to change it.

[Trojan1892]

Alisson

Bradley Konate Gomez Tsimikas 

Elliott Milner Ox

Gordon Origi Minamino 

[aRdja]

Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas; Milner, Jones, Keita; Ox, Minamino, Origi

[alles ist gut]

Quote

Bradley probably plays in the Under-19s game (at 2p.m.); Morton probably won't be fit (after coming off early against Arsenal Friday night) and if he is, Genk is the priority; Gordon hasn't played for a fortnight and couldn't have played (Sunday).

That's all I've been able to glean, other than "the outfielders that played 120 minutes won't be starting", which is hardly particle physics.

[rubble-rouser]

Go as heavy as practically possible. 
 

Allison, Gomez, Konate, Matip, Tsimikas, Hendo, Keita, Ellliot, Mané, Origi, Jota.

[sir roger]

If Kevin is any kind of an Irishman he'll be drunk until Friday so it will have to be Alisson or Adrian.

[AngryOfTuebrook]

Yesterday was gruelling for those who played the full 120, but we've got quality throughout this squad. Alisson, Gomez, Tsimikas, Jones and Ox are all completely fresh. Bobby and/or Thiago might be available. The rest of the starting XI can consist of players who played part of the final.

 

Norwich are where they are in the League for a reason: they're shit. They gave us their best shot the other week and they failed. The Reds should be full of confidence, but I trust this squad not to be arrogant or complacent. Domestic trophies are fun. Let's win another.

 

Just get these beat, Reds.

[El Rojo]

12 minutes ago, AngryOfTuebrook said:

Yesterday was gruelling for those who played the full 120, but we've got quality throughout this squad. Alisson, Gomez, Tsimikas, Jones and Ox are all completely fresh. Bobby and/or Thiago might be available. The rest of the starting XI can consist of players who played part of the final.

 

Norwich are where they are in the League for a reason: they're shit. They gave us their best shot the other week and they failed. The Refs should be full of confidence, but I trust this squad not to be arrogant or complacent. Domestic trophies are fun. Let's win another.

 

Just get these beat, Reds.

Gomez badly needs to play games so he'll surely start. 

 

Hope you're right on Thiago. Origi should get more time too. Konate, Jota and Elliott all came on very late in the game too so should feature. 

[Harry Squatter]

Not sure what type of team they will put out given they are fighting to stay in the Premier League and will want to avoid injuries.

[dockers_strike]

2 minutes ago, Harry Squatter said:

Not sure what type of team they will put out given they are fighting to stay in the Premier League and will want to avoid injuries.

Ive no doubts. Total second string which should be good enough against Norwich. The 'first choice' 11 have just had an energy sapping 120 minutes with Mo and Sadio playing all those AFCON games. No wonder those 2 in particular arent at their best. Premier League is the priority.

[AngryOfTuebrook]

3 minutes ago, dockers_strike said:

Ive no doubts. Total second string which should be good enough against Norwich. The 'first choice' 11 have just had an energy sapping 120 minutes with Mo and Sadio playing all those AFCON games. No wonder those 2 in particular arent at their best. Premier League is the priority.

He's speculating on the Norwich selection; whether they go shit or shitter.

[gkmacca]

Ox is weird. For someone who seems so PR savvy when he does LFCTV stuff, he's strangely unaware of how morose he looks these days (or maybe that's the message he wants to send out). He seemed like he'd rather be anywhere rather than up with the others getting a medal yesterday. Even when he's on the pitch he's got a cob on. It's hardly good for team spirit if he keeps that up.

 

He can't blame anyone but himself. He doesn't do enough to impress when the chances come. I feel sorry for him because of the injuries, and was hugely impressed when he had that great run in the side prior to the first big injury, but he needs to get his frame of mind right now and push on.

[Razoray]

Allison

Gomez Matip Konate Tsimikas 

Ox Milner Jones

Minamino Origi Jota

 

Subs: Kelleher Elliot Henderson Keita Mané Firmino? 

 

Rest: Trent Robbo Virgil Fabinho Salah Diaz Thiago

[aws]

I expect the FA Cup is Kelleher's tournament but apart from him we'll rest everybody who played most of yesterday's game. I'd be amazed if Norwich don't also field a mostly second string side. 

[No2]

I've a feeling we may see Adrian on Wednesday. 

 

Adrian

 

Milner

Gomez

Konate

Tsimikas 

 

Elliot

Ox

Jones

 

Gordon 

Origi

Minamino 

 

Keep Sadio, Jota and Henderson in reserve if we need them.

 

[gkmacca]

8 minutes ago, No2 said:

I've a feeling we may see Adrian on Wednesday. 

 

 

I get mornings feeling like that.

[AngryOfTuebrook]

51 minutes ago, No2 said:

I've a feeling we may see Adrian on Wednesday. 

 

42 minutes ago, gkmacca said:

I get mornings feeling like that.

Take it to the Depression thread.

[dockers_strike]

56 minutes ago, No2 said:

I've a feeling we may see Adrian on Wednesday. 

 

Adrian

 

Milner

Gomez

Konate

Tsimikas 

 

Elliot

Ox

Jones

 

Gordon 

Origi

Minamino 

 

Keep Sadio, Jota and Henderson in reserve if we need them.

 

It's a clever shout out about Adrian possibly playing! Have to wait and see if you're bob on.