team for carling cup

Just thinking ahead a couple of weeks.

who should start the carling cup match against birmingham and how seriously should we take the competition?

i think we should take all competitions seriously as winning becomes a habit.

we have a very strong 2nd team and they should at least get the run out for this game.

Pantilimon
Ned, KoLo, Robbie, Kolarov
Zabba
Johnson, Milner, Hargreaves
Balotelli, Tevez

Topdawg, do you really think we should go in with our 3rd team

Got to give other teams a chance haven't we lee?

We should use the CC to blood some of the youngsters like Assulain, Suarez and Razzak, how else are they going to get any 1st team experience? With a mix of youth and experience, we should still do well.

I'd like to have something like the team i mentioned and have a mix of kids and stars on the bench. 3 stars and 4 kids. if we are winning well, put the kids on. if we are struggling, put the stars on.

Taylor

Zaba
Ned
Kolo
Kolorov

DeJong

Milner
Juan Roman
A Johnson

Balotelli
Tevez

I agree that we have to give the academy players some incentive but we also need to give a game to fringe squad players and players requiring match fitness after injury etc so a mix would be the way to go.

Ok, after our tired players drew against Fulham and taking into account injuries, here is my team for the CC against Brum

Pantilimon
Ned, KoLo, Robbie, Kolarov (nose permitting)
Zabba
Johnson, Hargreaves, Yaya (make him play every damn minute)
Balotelli, Tevez