Who would you pick if Okuonghae is fit, him or Jackson alongside Bates. Me I would stick with Jackson who did nothing wrong v Cheltenham and he has more pace.

Jackson best player on pitch against Cheltenham so no way would he not play. Can't say I've been disappointed with bates when he's played recently and think Magnus is clumsy and was poor against Crawley and Barnet so would rather bates played.

Be interesting to see what happens in midfield, will kudus start and will Magnay come back in?

Magnay can't be left out. Kudus didn't do much against Cheltenham except score did he? Mind, that puts him in a select group so far this season so he may well play...

I'd play Magnay and Bates in midfield with Gray in behind the striker. Magnus and Jackson at the back.

They are a passing team, two tacklers who can both use the ball will help us get in the game our central midfield was non existent again times on Saturday especially near the end when we were under the cosh.

Harrison is back, Ronnie will put him straight back in the team at the expense of Bates I would imagine.

Magnay MUST play.

My team would be

Carson

Duckworth
Jackson
Magnus
Jones

Oates
Magnay
Woods
Kudus

Fenwick
Bingham

.....................Carson......................
Duckworth.....Jackson....Magnus....Jones
..............Magnay.....Bates..............
......................Gray.........................
.................Bingham.......Oates..........
.....................Paynter.........................


Fenwick for Paynter if he's not fit.

I like the look of that team like.

Swap Magnus for Harrison I think.

Carson

Harrison...Jackson...Magnus

Ducksworth..........Magnay..........Woods..........Carroll

Gray

Bingham......Oates/Paynter (if fit)


532 /352

we have been over ran in midfield every game I have seen this season - we need bodies in there!

Wingers as we have are not working ( Oates been really poor last couple of games / Kudos despite goal was terrible) and yet Duckworth and Carroll love to bomb forward.

Carson

Harrison...Jackson...Magnus

Ducksworth..........Magnay..........Woods..........Carroll

Gray

Bingham......Oates/Paynter (if fit)


532 /352

we have been over ran in midfield every game I have seen this season - we need bodies in there!

Wingers as we have are not working ( Oates been really poor last couple of games / Kudos despite goal was terrible) and yet Duckworth and Carroll love to bomb forward.

Harrison's been poor for me leaving him out might just give him the gentle kick up the backside he needs.

Harrison has been terrible mostly in the second half of games. The last thing we need is a guy with no pace and no midfield protecting him.

Bates is nailed on to play. He was one of the few players Ronnie Moore was willing to praise after the defeat down at Wimbledon and he had a decent game against Cheltenham (again, one of only a few who did).

Adam Jackson was in the Fail a couple of days ago singing his praises: “He knows how to play the game and he really talked me through it. It was good to have him there. It can be hard [starting a new partnership] but he made it so easy for me."

Anyone who watches games can see that when Bates plays he does try to keep the back four organised - without making a big song and dance about it. No fist pumps! The biggest problem with the feller is you kind of know it's only a matter of a few games before he picks up another injury.

I would still prefer Bates in midfield in front of the back four, which might happen if Magnus is fit and signs for another month. He'll not make way for Harrison though.

Play Bates because magnus is due to return home, plus Bates was decent last week. harrison on bench, drop carroll and play Jones, dropoates for Smith.

I wouldn't drop Oates like, think he's a good player to have out wide.

Salford Rugby Ground holds 12,000. With all the hype around their cup run they could probably half fill that if they moved the game there.

But we'd have to forfeit the gate money and it does seem a bit far for a home game!

No chance of the game being moved like, it's only health and safety reasons it can be moved innit?

Pretty sure we're in the wrong thread here! But I'm also pretty sure you aren't allowed to change venue in the FA Cup anymore, it's against the rules of the competition. It can't be moved.

It against the rules as smaller clubs might benefit.

only those of us that have played at a high level would know that Chip

Glad you were paying attention. I wasn't when I posted!

Didn't know about the rule change either. You mean no plastic Poolies (in disguise) need suggest moving the game to the Stadium of Light when we draw Man U at home in the next round?

Carson;

Duckworth, Jackson, Okuonghae, Carroll;

Kudus, Magnay, Gray; Banton;

Fenwick, Bingham



But even if he is injured, Ronnie will go with:

Carson;

Paynter, Paynter, Harrison, Paynter;

Paynter, Featherstone, Paynter, Paynter;

Paynter, Paynter.

If ronnie does drop the lad from boro it really does sum up piss poor team selection and tactics.

He looks like he needs a map to find the piss pot, some of the decisions have been strange, he will be confusing himself more than Orient I betcha!

It's difficult. I guess promises will have been made to certain clubs that if their guy is fit he plays, if not he goes back, so to some extent a Managers hands maybe tied. It's a balancing act and unfortunately you can't always pick the XI you'd like to.

If he leaves out Jackson I'm going all Breeslaw.

For his professional debut he read the game exceptionally well, he also has that half yard of pace that can get you out of trouble. He actually reminded me of Christian Burgess.

I would play Magnus, purely because Bates I think could help the team more in midfield we aren't breaking up play and dominating possession against anyone we need lads in there who can do that. Him and Magnay could do that and get the ball to lad from Palace who looked a talented footballer but playing in a 4-4-2 with Featherstone he's not going to get the ball often enough, or in areas where he can hurt teams, or in much space. Magnay and Bates both use the ball well they are footballers. We need a strong midfield. I haven't been Bates biggest fan but he's played well the last couple of games and at least he talks, it could be the first ever time I have talked about him with without mentioning that I have seen a picture of him with a full bonk on.... Oh shit.

Magnus must have been best defender ever against Dagenham for all those who are saying he comes straight back in.

He was awful against both Crawley and Barnet once up against someone who's a handful so wouldn't like to think Orient have one of these. Harrison has been shit fair enough but Magnus not much better. Leave it as bates and Jackson as least they resembled a defensive partnership. Jones maybe in for carroll.

Like thought of having midfield 3, but 2 holding midfielder at home will soon become boring, as very little going forward. If we were to do this id have that gray further forward but have woods in 'holding' role wkth Magnay, because he does like to put a challenge in and is better in a creative sense.

TV humiliation avoided due to waterlogged pitch?

[quote="Brian Honour's Left Foot"]TV humiliation avoided due to waterlogged pitch?[/quote

You do realise it is 49 hours away don`t you?

I do - thank you Mr Butt

just checking you weren`t in eastern europe and got the time zones mixed up

All the bad weather is forecast for the West side looking at the forecast. Just showers and bit of wind for us between now and Sunday.

By the way I thought our TV humiliation was happening on the BBC at Salford!? We're having one on Sunday as well? Bloody hell.

just checking you weren`t in eastern europe and got the time zones mixed up [/quote]

[quote="chunky1988"]Magnus must have been best defender ever against Dagenham for all those who are saying he comes straight back in.

Magnus looked good at Dagenham - on the basis of what else we've seen this season and, let's be fair, against a far from impressive Daggers team.