Pre-Match Birmingham (A) EFL Cup R2 - 25 Aug - 20:00

[stevendamico]

Hakon
Hickey Collins Schuster Henry
Sangare Yarmo Dams
Dango Furo Anthony


I expect a strong bench with DaSilva,Milambo and Carvalho on it if they are fit.

No way it's furo over wilson.

 

[allanfinnie]

Not many people mentioning Milambo,
is he injured or not match fit.
I think he’s going to be the real deal

 

[CTBee]

Not many people mentioning Milambo,
is he injured or not match fit.
I think he’s going to be the real deal

Still recovering from the ACL injury he had last season.

 

[PGH_Bee]

Must take them seriously - by all accounts a solid Championship team, could certainly be a threat if we start too many second choice players. Would like to see Sangare in to keep the growth into the side going.

 

[Windmill Rd Bee]

I do understand a lot of the perspectives on this thread about the dangers of making too many changes, but IMO if you’re going to make the big leap forward in terms of squad depth that we have this summer, with that privilege comes the responsibility of actually giving 20-22 players semi-regular game time. That obviously involves risks of slipping up, but so does keeping a very skinny squad where it’s easy to keep everyone happy, as we sadly discovered at the back end of last season.

 

[TorbayBee]

Sangare aside that is probably the team - maybe Wilson for Furo too

I cannot see Furo starting. Wilson’s experience will be vital.

 

[Windmill Rd Bee]

Collins and Schuster it is then!

 

[londondude]

Collins and Schuster it is then!

Let's Ethan play and then we can drop him off at Coventry on the way back

 

[Bigbee]

If you put out a completley different team , it doesnt work .It's been the downfall of many EPL teams against lower oppo . Mix and match .

 

[Ghost]

If you put out a completley different team , it doesnt work .It's been the downfall of many EPL teams against lower oppo . Mix and match .

5 or 6 strategic changes probably.

Nailed on to start would probably be Valdimarsson, Hickey, Dams, Yarmo, Wilson, Rico

 

[Bee(h)Iver]

Has their stadium got a safety certificate yet?

Never mind the stadium, what about Small Heath?

 

[Ghost]

Never mind the stadium, what about Small Heath?

Don't think the Peaky's run it these days

 

[TW1Bee]

Has their stadium got a safety certificate yet?

Not sure the whole of Birmingham has.

 

[NickThe(Half)Greek]

Valdimarsson
Hickey Schuster Pinnock Henry
Damsgaard Yarmiluok Carvalho
Anthony Wilson KLP

I like this team. Now knowing Ethan is on his way, Collins in for him.

 

[super J]

I recall it was 6 or 7 changes at Bournemouth at the same stage last season so I'd be surprised if it was the 11 changes some are suggesting.

Valdimarsson

Hickey
Ajer
Schuster
Henry

Janelt
Yarmoliuk
Damsgaard

Ouattara
Wilson
Anthony

 

[Wooburn Bee]

I recall it was 6 or 7 changes at Bournemouth at the same stage last season so I'd be surprised if it was the 11 changes some are suggesting.

Valdimarsson

Hickey
Ajer
Schuster
Henry

Janelt
Yarmoliuk
Damsgaard

Ouattara
Wilson
Anthony

Might not be far off this but no way will we start Ajer, Collins far more likely.

 

[Frothybaby]

I recall it was 6 or 7 changes at Bournemouth at the same stage last season so I'd be surprised if it was the 11 changes some are suggesting.

Valdimarsson

Hickey
Ajer
Schuster
Henry

Janelt
Yarmoliuk
Damsgaard

Ouattara
Wilson
Anthony

I thi know this us nearly there. But Carvalho or Furo could be instead of Wilson or Dango.

 

[BFC1997]

I don’t feel like Wilson is a 90 minute player.

At his age if we want to keep him sharp for the PL do we want him playing these kinds of matches?

I’d go with this:

 

[ruislip bee]

I don’t feel like Wilson is a 90 minute player.

At his age if we want to keep him sharp for the PL do we want him playing these kinds of matches?

I’d go with this:

View attachment 68451

To answer your question - yes to keep him sharp!

 

[BFC1997]

To answer your question - yes to keep him sharp!

At 34 is “keeping sharp” playing in 3 games a week and doing 90 minutes in a cup game?

He’ll probably play but you must get my point

 

[Windmill Rd Bee]

To answer your question - yes to keep him sharp!

Yeah I agree. He also looks in great shape, looked very sharp in pre-season. And if the worst happens and Thiago gets injured, we don’t want him coming from a standing start. 34 isn’t that old. (This is absolutely NOTHING to do with the fact I turn 34 in a couple of weeks)

 

[ruislip bee]

At 34 is “keeping sharp” playing in 3 games a week and doing 90 minutes in a cup game?

He’ll probably play but you must get my point

Yes but he's not has he? He played what 10 minutes most on Saturday. Will probably do the same next. Getting a good 60 minutes or so in tonight can only be a good thing for his general fitness and sharpness. There is nothing like playing!

 

[Windmill Rd Bee]

At 34 is “keeping sharp” playing in 3 games a week and doing 90 minutes in a cup game?

He’ll probably play but you must get my point

That 10 mins against Spurs will have made literally zero impact on him. The difference between that and, say, 45 mins physiologically is huge. He’s an elite athlete, he’s fine.

 

[Gee Bee]

Yeah I agree. He also looks in great shape, looked very sharp in pre-season. And if the worst happens and Thiago gets injured, we don’t want him coming from a standing start. 34 isn’t that old. (This is absolutely NOTHING to do with the fact I turn 34 in a couple of weeks)

Pretty much same age as Kane, 34 is not that old to start 1 game in a week. We have additional day too as not playing until Sunday

 

[Windmill Rd Bee]

Pretty much same age as Kane, 34 is not that old to start 1 game in a week. We have additional day too as not playing until Sunday

Also it’s not like we have a midweek game every week. If we stay in the cup we’re probably looking at around five before Christmas.

 

[RAF_Patto]

I don’t feel like Wilson is a 90 minute player.

At his age if we want to keep him sharp for the PL do we want him playing these kinds of matches?

I’d go with this:

View attachment 68451

I don't think Wilson came here to play third in line behind Furo.

Wilson has plenty of experience & even played 105 minutes against Burton Albion in last year's FA Cup. I doubt we're worried about his fitness levels for this.

 

[TorbayBee]

How many first team minutes has Furo actually played? Apart from Macc last season it was all bits and pieces. We can go far in this cup, Birmingham will be up for it and are a strong Championship team, the Brum fans will be up for it. It screams a need for experience. Furos time will come.

 

[kaebess]

I recall it was 6 or 7 changes at Bournemouth at the same stage last season so I'd be surprised if it was the 11 changes some are suggesting.

Valdimarsson

Hickey
Ajer
Schuster
Henry

Janelt
Yarmoliuk
Damsgaard

Ouattara
Wilson
Anthony

Only swap I would make to above is Collins for Ajer

 

[hanworthbee]

Must take them seriously - by all accounts a solid Championship team, could certainly be a threat if we start too many second choice players. Would like to see Sangare in to keep the growth into the side going.

I don’t see sangare playing and I’d rather him not tbh

 

[BFC1997]

I don't think Wilson came here to play third in line behind Furo.

I just don’t think it’s as straightforward as that.

To me, Wilson much more likely to come off the bench in the PL, but he is not a 90 minute player. Partly it is age but also partly it is profile, I don’t see CW as leading a line as a solo No. 9.

Happy to be proven wrong and for him to start and bang a hattrick.

 

[rodders]

Is this match on TV?

 

[hobbsy]

Is this match on TV?

Yes, all League Cup matches are, it's on Sky Sports +

 

[middlesexbee]

Does anyone know the away pub for this one?

 

[Delbee]

Is this match on TV?

Sky 404

 

[BmthBee]

Hakon
Hickey Collins Schuster Henry
Damsgaard Janelt Yahor
Schade Wilson Anthony

 

[nick logan]

A

Does anyone know the away pub for this one?

Anywhere in centre , not much near ground

 

[Bigbee]

I just don’t think it’s as straightforward as that.

To me, Wilson much more likely to come off the bench in the PL, but he is not a 90 minute player. Partly it is age but also partly it is profile, I don’t see CW as leading a line as a solo No. 9.

Happy to be proven wrong and for him to start and bang a hattrick.

If he's ready Furo needs to start getting some serious minutes . I havent really seen much of him , so I dont know if he's good enough to be a main 9 tonight with Callum coming on later . Thiago on the bench as back up its all going Pete Tong

 

[middlesexbee]

A

Anywhere in centre , not much near ground

Just read up that the Cricketers Arms by the ground may be home and away.

 

[EalingBrum Bee]

A

Anywhere in centre , not much near ground

City Centre: The Wellington, The Shakespeare(s) - the closest one is just outside New St Stn (opp. 200 Degrees coffee), The Colmore (about 100 m from The Wellington), The Old Contemptibles and Society (food court - Indian, Pizza, Burgers etc and good selection of beer, some at reasonable prices) both are near Snow Hill Stn.

 

[KD]

I remember a drive to St Andrews in 2010 for a round of 16 League Cup game. We were L1 vs Premiership. Went one up and then Kevin Phillips broke our hearts. Lost on pens. How much has changed in that time, would never have believed it if you told me then how 2026 would be

 

[PGH_Bee]

I know we want to rotate a lot, which I am in favor of, but just as a reminder... this is a fairly strong championship team, not a league 2 side. I would hesitate to make too many outfield changes from the weekend

 

[Greybeard]

Does anyone know the away pub for this one?

Nice pubs and bars in the bullring. From there it's a thirty minute walk through what looks like a war zone to st Andrews.

I believe this rat infested hellhole is called Digbeth. Don't know if there are any pubs there but you'd have to pay me handsomely and provide an armed escort to set foot in them. That's if you could find your way in having to step over the druggies, zombies and nuclear mutants that inhabit this wasteland.

 

[stevendamico]

I know we want to rotate a lot, which I am in favor of, but just as a reminder... this is a fairly strong championship team, not a league 2 side. I would hesitate to make too many outfield changes from the weekend

I think the subs we used Saturday + Henry are obvious starters, as is Vald. That's seven. Add in Collins/Ajer, Janelt/Sangare , and Schade/Outtarra, and you're at 10 and just need another CB (Schuster if we think he's ready).

Would be very surprised if we didn't see an X11 like that. Would obviously love to be proven wrong and see Josh start.

 

[hobbsy]

I remember a drive to St Andrews in 2010 for a round of 16 League Cup game. We were L1 vs Premiership. Went one up and then Kevin Phillips broke our hearts. Lost on pens. How much has changed in that time, would never have believed it if you told me then how 2026 would be

Yeah, but that Sam Wood goal, cor!

 

[nick logan]

Nice pubs and bars in the bullring. From there it's a thirty minute walk through what looks like a war zone to st Andrews.

I believe this rat infested hellhole is called Digbeth. Don't know if there are any pubs there but you'd have to pay me handsomely and provide an armed escort to set foot in them. That's if you could find your way in having to step over the druggies, zombies and nuclear mutants that inhabit this wasteland.

Or get an uber

 

[nick logan]

If you have time Broad st is great

 

[Argus]

Rico , Hickey, Schuster, Yehor, Dams, Anthony, Wilson to start at least?

Hope Dams and Yarmo play a blinder to make things more difficult for Keith

 

[LP_Brentford]

Rather we didn’t take too many chances with our team selection tonight, we need a good cup run

 

[LP_Brentford]

I remember a drive to St Andrews in 2010 for a round of 16 League Cup game. We were L1 vs Premiership. Went one up and then Kevin Phillips broke our hearts. Lost on pens. How much has changed in that time, would never have believed it if you told me then how 2026 would be

Very true, who would have thought

 

[Oldboy TW8 0AW]

I remember a drive to St Andrews in 2010 for a round of 16 League Cup game. We were L1 vs Premiership. Went one up and then Kevin Phillips broke our hearts. Lost on pens. How much has changed in that time, would never have believed it if you told me then how 2026 would be

How far Brentford football club has travelled through the league since being Division 2 champions in 2009!
COYB's bring back a win from St.Andrews.
️