Well then ! how do we approach this game? full strength side, give some players a rest and some fringe players a run out, try a different formation.

Who would you play? you show me your team and I'll show you mine

I,d rest Kioso to save another booking and give Richardson a try, play Josh Hawkses from the off and rest Woods, I,d rest Davies to look after him and play Anderson and start Dinanga to see if he can do anything from the off ( first and last chance for him IMHO) in place of James (rest his legs!)

Agree with your changes but first and last chance for dinanga, that's just bonkers. Do you really believe he's been given enough opportunity, a few minutes here and there ?

Muir was poor on Saturday, running on empty most of the game, must start Saturday.

Rest davies thats it for me including this game thats 5 games to play in october is that to much to ask of a professional footballer.

Make no mistake they will be well up for the game and to pools going forward the FA Cup is our best chance of making some decent money to strengthen the team take no chancers.

Dinanga has to start, its these sort of teams he was banging them in against for his other loan sides wasnt it?

He will work best up top with Muir rather than James so id give Luke a rest.

Davies took a knock at orient so surely wont play an dnot worth risking - if Andersons injury aint bad then stick him in. If not then Laing if still here?


Id probably go with

--------------------Loach
Donaldson Kioso Magnay Anderson Kitching
----------Hawkins Noble Hawkes
---------------Muir Dinanga

Couple of clean sheets in a row so wouldnt disrupt back line too much and Magnay did very well in middle when Davies was out. Hawkins/Muir/Dinanga all excelled when playing opposition of this level whether with last clubs or on loan from us.

If I was Dinanga and I wasn't selected for this game I would pack my bags. I'm assuming he isn't cup tied. He hasn't looked anything special in his cameo appearances but has scored goals for fun against the likes of Kidsgrove , so this is his game. I usually want to play strongest team, but think we can get away with a few changes for this one , and give some key players a rest or half a game.

Loach

Kioso Magnay Anderson

Featherstone

Donaldson Noble Woods Hawkes

Dinanga James

Hopefully go in at half time 2 goals to the good and then take off Noble for Hawkins , Kioso for Richardson and assuming everything going well, around the 60 min mark Woods for Newton. Of course all this does not account for things like injuries, Loach getting sent off for a professional foul in the 1st minute etc, this is Pools after all. It should be a walk in the park ,but I doubt it will be.

Given the next league match is 7 days later i would go for an unchanged line up with earlier subs if anyone is not performing or is carrying a knock.

Wouldn't be arsed either way, should be a comfortable win regardless. Players should only get chances in the first team if they have impressed in reserve games or bust a nut in training. Not just because the opposition is weaker on paper.

I would certainly keep central midfield the same, at least until half time, then assess where you're at in the game. You don't mess about with the engine room of a team imo. I'm sure Noble would want to play anyway, doesn't seem the type who would be thankful for a rest.

I wouldn't mess too much with the team. Getting into the first round is no doubt quite high on the list of the clubs objectives for the season and, with all due respect to Kidsgrove, it's a good chance to get a big win on the board and keep confidence levels high.

Dinanga seemed to do OK when he came on on Saturday, judging by the highlights Horden posted. Good shot from outside the box. I'd start him, Anderson and Hawkes for sure and have a strong bench just in case it doesn't work out.

always play your strongest team whoever you play.

Totally agree, Kidsgrove will be up for this, a chance to get to 1st round and 25 Grand.

How many times have we been turned over by 'Lesser Clubs'

Nearly every week last season.

Think I'd make a few little changes and go with something like

Loach
Kioso
Magnay
Anderson
Donaldson
Kitching(who I'd rest but we have no option there)
Noble
Hawkes
Newton
Muir
Dinanga

Bench of Davies,woods,James,Featherstone, Richardson

As previously mentioned I think we looked more threatening on Sat when the subs came on and created the best chances. The looks like it needs freshening up a bit.

Totally agree.

James will be tired but its a good chance though for him to bag a goal or two. His lack of goals is becoming a concern and I'm sure he feels the same way.