FA Cup Orient v Rovers - FA Cup Second Round

[Rockford's Love Child]

It is a tricky and very important trip to Brisbane Road next for Rovers, as we aim to make it to the Third Round of the FA Cup for the fourth season in succession and generate some much needed revenue for the January transfer window.

Orient have had a good season so far, as would be expected under the experienced Kenny Jackett, and have been in or around the play off places since August. There has been a lot of change in their squad and I am not familiar with several of their players. However, their standout performers appear to have been strikers Harry Smith and Aaron Drinan, both of whom have been prolific this season. The O's are draw specialists and are very difficult to beat, but a draw in this fixture would actually be a very good result.

In terms of our own team selection, I think we will start with a similar side to the one that beat Bradford, with a midfield diamond and Glatzel and Maynard up front.

The bookies have Orient as strong favourites, but I think this will be a tight affair and I think we are well capable of forcing a replay.

There is full commentary on Radio Merseyside, for those that are interested.

 

[aldoes mustache]

well, I am stuck doing a wedding so might have a listen to it if it doesn't crash. yea a fully rested team, no excuses, think we have to try and just win this so we don't have loads of games building up as with you same team 3-1 with Glatzel getting 1 and Maynard getting a couple 500 rovers in attendance

 

[bigmart]

Tough game we will do well to take it to a replay

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

I think we have a fighting chance, as long as we have a full team and play to our strengths. No predictions, but I'm confident of being in the third-round draw.

 

[Boz]

It concerns me that so much weight is put on our need to progress in the FA Cup to generate funds to try and enable us to remedy some of the weaknesses in the squad after a below par squad assembly in the summer. By the law of averages after three successive third rounds, missing out this time might seem likely, though thankfully football doesn't work that way.

It's not the easiest of ties either. The O's have perhaps underperformed a bit in the league compared with expectations, though with a decent attack including Harry Smith was was linked with Rovers, with veteran Darren Pratley pulling the strings in midfield and highly rated keeper Vigouroux, they have the basis of a decent side.

Rovers you'd imagine would line-up similar to how we started v Bradford unless there have been any new injuries or ailments. Think I would count taking this to a replay as a success.

 

[ADD]

No reason why we can't get a result but it won't be easy as others have said! Personally either way I would prefer that it did not to go to replay as we don't want to start having to slot more and more games into midweek.
Think yes we will start with either the exact same side as we played against Bradford or with possibly one change with Spearing instaed of O'Connor to be a bit more defensively minded though that would be hard on O'Connor who did nothing wrong. MM said in his presser that Davies is a doubt so may need some tweaking on the bench also. Going to go for a 2-1 win with Glatzel scoring again and either Morris or Maynard.

 

[ONIGP]

No reason why we can't get a result but it won't be easy as others have said! Personally either way I would prefer that it did not to go to replay as we don't want to start having to slot more and more games into midweek.

Agree it will be tough and Orient, quite rightly, will be favourites. I'd be happy for it to go to a replay; the unbeaten mini-run continues, our chances of prevailing increase and we will be in the hat for the 3rd Round.

 

[Ian]

I think we can get something out of this but we have to keep it tight early on. Do not concede early. If we frustrate them, we now have a bit of firepower to hurt them.

2-1 Rovers win.

 

[ONIGP]

I see Stockport have Ross Fish Fryers on the bench tonight against Rotherham. Made me smile. Should be featured on Catch of the Day.

 

[Boz]

. MM said in his presser that Davies is a doubt so may need some tweaking on the bench also.

Davies has a history of being a bit injury-prone unfortunately. It does mean that if anything happens to Clarke or NKP then we're looking to use a player out of position; Maguire, O'Connor or Foley to fill in. We don't seem to have any young central defender in contention.

 

[Boz]

Spearing in for Foley the only change. Unsure if formation also changing.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

Looks like 5-3-2 with Lee as the third centre-back.

 

[Ian]

Any other commentary on this as im not paying for that iFollow commentary rubbish?

 

[Boz]

Think RLC said Radio Merseyside covering?

 

[ADD]

Not live they aren't having sadly to switch to IFollow!

 

[Boz]

It’s on the bbc football website, I’m listening now.

 

[Ian]

1-0 down

 

[bigmart]

Poor start, not looking good

 

[Boz]

Sounded like a break after Morris lost the ball, commentary suggested could have defended better. After an even start sounds like Orient on top now.