Minsk

I think JWP will be okay to start. Armstrong was rested on Wednesday; didn't come off the bench. He should be fine for Sunday. Jankewitz has played the most minutes of those mentioned over the past week and a bit. Other than that.........

Looking forward to this. Should have plenty of options for who starts. Assuming all bar the long term inured are fit (please be fit JWP) and given those who have been away for internationals, especially those who played a lot or travelled far over the past couple of days, I think I would go with: ----------------Forster---------------- KWP ---Bednarek-----Vestergard-----Bertrand ----------JWP -------Diallo------------ Walcott--------------------Armstrong ---------Ings---------Redmondinho---- Subs: McCarthy, Ramsay, Stephens, Salisu, Jankewitz, Djenepo, Minamino, McAdams, Tella Would have put McAdams up front with Ings if he hadn't played most of the match last night. Just feel a fresher, more agile, Redders will offer a bit more to open up a solid Burnley defence. If JWP not fit to start put Armstrong in CM, drop Redmond to AM and Che goes up front. Theo, Stuey and Redders can swap their positions as and when to give Burnley other problems. If all is going well, bring on Che and Moussa for Ings and Theo on the hour mark (or Tella for Ings Che starts). 2-0 Saints.

Sorry, it is the same one. When I read it 15 minutes ago it said both semi-finals. The barstewards must have updated it!!!

This one says both........ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/56566256

They have both been in the training pics posted this week, so looking good.

All they need to do (in regard to the VAR farce) is make the rule state that an attacker is only offside if there entire FOOT is ahead of the defender's FOOT. i.e. There is clear daylight between the two. Not because of fingertips, shirt sleeves, armpits, arse, big toe or because the attacker takes a bigger size boot than the defender; or that the attacker is pointing to where he wants the ball; or that the attacker is leaning forward as he is sprinting on to the ball. I could go on but I'm sure you get my drift.

1. JWP 2. Armstrong 3. KWP

Just for comparison, thus far this season, Che has scored as many goals in the Prem as the following strikers: Tammy Abraham Richarlison Firmino Jesus Cavanni McGoldrick Forwards/Strikers he has scored more than include: Chris Wood Werner Benteke Giroud Martial Iheanacho Mitrovic The only players to have scored more than Che who do not play for the big 6 or Leicester (who are having an excellent season) are: Bamford (Leeds main striker) Calvert-Lewin (Everton's main striker) Watkins (Villa's main striker) Wilson (Newcastle's main striker) Ings (Saints main striker) Maupay (Brighton's main striker) Antonio (West Ham's main striker) Zaha (Palace's main player) Soucek Ward-Prowse

Now, now, Sue stop with these sensible posts. You will only upset the handwringers, pessimists, trolls and sexists on here.

He is 191cm - 6ft 2.26inches I would say that is tall enough for a CB How can someone be too big to be FB? (Except, obviously, if you mean too obese). It's good that Salisu got more time on the pitch and more experience last night. A couple of months back many were saying he was the next Forren, as in he would never play for us and be moved on. I think in the few appearances he has made he has demonstrated his speed and strength, as well as willingness to play out of defence with the ball at his feet. He is also good in the air. Unsurprisingly, he isn't yet got used to the speed of the Premier League (compared to Spain) and has shown himself to be a bit rash with some challenges. All in all, he has good attributes, but is far from the finished product - exactly as most right thinking people thought would be the case when we signed him.

Definitely Player of the Season for me.

------------------------Forster---------------------------- KWP--------Bednarek---------Vestergard-------Bertrand ---------------JWP------------Diallo--------------------- -----Armstrong----------------------Minamino---------- --------------Ings------------Adams-------------------- Subs: McCarthy, Ramsey, Stephens, Salisu, Jankevich, Djnepo, Redmond, Tella, N'Lundulu 2-0 Saints

If you want people to read all of your posts don't open them factually incorrect statements. As I stated, we were not 'comfortably beaten' by those 4 teams. Moreover, if you practised what you preach and read my post you would have seen that I admitted we lost 2 of those matches through our ineptness - Leeds because we were shit in the 2nd half; Newcastle due to severe defensive cock-ups. We have also certainly lost many other games due to defensive frailties. We may well do so tonight. It certainly doesn't help when our our only RB, who is instrumental to how we play overall not just defensively, has been out injured for so many matches. So no, I don't think we only lose due to bad luck or lousy refereeing - but those two things have certainly played a big part recently; not least in the Villa and Wolves matches.

I do realise you are just an anti-Saints wum, but I'll bite anyway: The only one of those who 'beat us comfortably' was Leeds, and that was only due a very poor 2nd half. We more than matched them in the first 45, and would have 1-0 up but for yet another shit bit of refereeing) Villa - should have been a draw at least and would have been if not for dodgy ref/var decisions (penalty claim; Ings arm-band being offside) Wolves - again, a draw would have been a fair result - which it would have been had both handballs, or either, been given (again, dodgy ref) Newcastle - we battered them for most of the game and only lost due to a howler by McCarthy and a very unfortunate OG by Bednarek

Nice. I like them. Only problem is that the sleeves are too long. I think next season's kits should be in this style: Might help with offside decisions going our way....

I agree that we need Romeu and KWP most (in that order) but listening to Ralph it sounded like KWP was the least likely to start. I think it could be a back 4 of: Stephens - Bednarek - Vestergard - Bertrand with KWP on the bench (along with Ramsey)

Am I right in thinking that bans for premier league red cards don't apply in the FA Cup? If so Alex could play next Thursday.

So, if the only reason he was given a red is because no attempt to win the ball was made the obvious answer in the future is just to go right the player. Take him out completely. That way it can only be a yellow. How fecking stupid is that!!

If a choice of JWP or Diallo at RB then JWP every time. I thought Diallo looked completely lost when moved to LB the other night and was even (at least partially) at fault for their third goal.

I loved watching Budgie's warm up routines. And he always liked to have a chat with those behind the goal, even during the match. One of the great memories of the Dell Days.

It was posted earlier. And I'm sure they are interested in signing him - just as they would be interested in signing Kane, Son, Rashford, Mane, etc. etc, etc. I am sure every English club would be interested in signing Ings, for the right money. To save me the bother of typing it again, read Vectis' post above and then have a listen to the link attached. It doesn't matter who is interested. Unless a substantial offer is made - one we would be stupid to turn down - he isn't going anywhere.

As I said a couple of days ago.

We really do have some bedwetters on this forum don't we? Something I was reminded of reading the match thread on Tuesday. Why don't people want to believe what Ralph has told us? When has he ever lied? Salisu joined with a long term muscle problem. We took our time to ease him up to speed. There wasn't any rush as Vestergard was having a blinding start to the season, and we had Stephens on the bench. Salisu got up to full fitness. Jannik got injured. Ralph chose Jack to start alongside Bednarek. Clean sheets in first 2 games together. Salisu had been on the bench. Salisu then picked up an injury in training. He is now out injured. As it happens we haven't needed him yet. No big deal. Have some patience. Change the sheets. Get some Tenna pants!

The 3 players shown on the official poster promoting the match are: JWP, Bertrand and N'Lundulu. On the official site Ralph says that it will be a strong side with a few youngsters. With that in mind I'm going for a starting line up of: Forster, Valery, Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand, Diallo, Chauke, JWP, Ferry, Long, N'Lundulu (or JWP at RB with Valery in front of him) Subs: McCarthy, KWP, Vokins, Tchapchet, Ramsey, Watts, Armstrong, Walcott, Adams

All this. Saved me typing it. Cheers Shroppie.