Exeter. Great, a non-league side looking to shock the world. But, after an intense holiday fixture period, it will be good to be able to rest the players who need it most, without putting the game in too much danger.
Indeed, we get to play the club with Uri Geller and Michael Jackson as board members... I'm sure it'll be fun.
Maybe, just maybe Spector can get a game here! I think our League Cup side will play this one and dominate.
I wouldn't be suprised to see something like the side that beat Arsenal last week facing Exeter, but I'm not sure Spector will get this game in (surely Howard should). Frankly, and this is opening a can of worms, I'm in the camp that wants to see him on loan somewhere by then.
I say the Carling cup squad with first teamers not really getting much time, i.e. Saha, Smith. That way we can get off to a good start in the FA cup and get these critical subs some playing time. But as every year the question might be raised, which comes first, the League, FA cup, or Europe? Interesting to see how things go.
But what happens if you put out your reserves, and then loose. Is everyone gonna lynch Fergie for not taking the FA Cup seriously? Unlikely that even the reserves would loose to Exeter...but you know...IF
Hmm. -------Smith--Saha--- Richardson-DjDJ--Fletcher--Bellion Fortune---Spector-Brown--Pique- ----------Howard------------- Bench: Eagles, Silvestre, Rossi, RVN, Giggs Smith and Saha make it because they don't get enough playing time. Richardson gets to cut his teeth again in a meaningful game. DjDJ gets playing time, Fletcher gets a commanding role in the middle, Bellion gets a little more time, as does Fortune. Spector plays well when given the chance, so gets one here. Brown is there to steady the back-line. Pique looks like a helluva talent, and came here in the first place to get chances to play. The bench is a mixture of youngsters, and tried and true players to put on in case of emergency.