Match Thread Newcastle v Bradford Wed 24 Sept 19:45 Carabao cup

Changes are part of football and they were always likely to be made tonight especially in defense where Baldwin was out and both wing backs use up a lot of energy in their roles.
We're coming off the back of a couple of tough league games, have another league game in less than 72 hours and then have another one 5 days later.
If we look at the other 3 league 1 sides playing Premier league tonight Port Vale have made 4 changes, Doncaster have made 9 and Huddersfield have made 7 changes.

 

Maybe Powell behind the two?

 

he can always bring them on. so. not that bothered. lets go boys

 

So we go full strength tonight and get beat at the weekend i can put money that the folk moaning will no doubt say why didnt he rest players.

Btw did we go strength at Blackburn and Stoke ?????

 

So with three top centre backs injured , Baldwin teetering on the same and a back up with no preseason , do you want the best defence tonight or Saturday ? Tonight is a free hit, and NOT a time to be sentimental , nor risk players .

Gordon is playing with a girlie head tie, stop worrying and enjoy it.

 

Tbh i dont think its even that weak not as if its filled with kids is it ..............its a squad game and the most important thing this week is the Blackpool game

 

G.A trusts all the players, so should we

 

Why bother going to Stoke and Blackburn and picking decent sides then?

Just put out the kids in the first round and have done with it.

 

Why .........not as if he knows what hes doing is it

 

With that defence, I fear we are going to ship a few goals tonight!

Nice to see Powell get a start, and good to see Halliday and Humphrys starting too. We might nick a goal or two, but eek, that back 3! (Exception of Pennington of course.)

 

I can't see Pointon being played as a striker so I can't really see that happening

 

Why its a squad game its all about keeping the squad happy............if we do get battered so what ............so long as we show up on Saturday then that will do

 

Yes. This. The miserable negativity is really peeing me off. How many times do people have to be 'surprised' by how much more the manager knows about football than they do? Jesus H. Christ! In GA I trust.

 

Totally disagree. I would much prefer to see a stronger team against Blackpool than tonight

 

The bookies are agreeing with the pessimism on here after the team news, City have gone from 16/1 to 22/1.

If someone wants to be really optimistic you can get a clean sweep of upsets in the cup tonight at 306,000/1. It really does show the gap between the Premier League and league one.

 

Its Kelly over McIntyre actually.

Byrne in for Baldwin

 

Or rotate the squad to rest and save players ? I'm not talking about "kids" playing jeezo.
So far GA has got it spot on

 

Top of the table trying to keep a squad happy but hey they know better .............i actually thing that some are praying for us to get battered to say i told you so.

 

To be honest, Alexander has shown a lot of faith in this squad and been proven right on many occasions. I have no expectations of a win, but was confident of putting in a strong showing.

However, we need to tread carefully with our defence - the back 3 in particular. So I understand these choices. Saturday against Blackpool is more important and with only a 3 day turnaround we do need to be fresh against Blackpool.

Fingers crossed we put on a really good showing to be proud of tonight.

 

Bobby looks about 14