CCSF2L: Birmingham City 3 West Ham Utd 1 AET (26/01/11)

[matty.h]

So who will be up front, id love to see big fat mac n hines, fat mac has so much to prove, plus he scored in a closed match for qpr in the week?

What you saying?

[one mcavennie]

Don't bother! And just defend for our ****ing lives

not that fat idiot fat mac

[upton o'good]

Does Cole have any chance of being back? If not, it'll be Nouble playing 1 up...

[one mcavennie]

I think we'll have to stick cole in even if unfit

[Swiss Pauli]

I don't think we're going to be able to field one striker who can last 90 minutes (and certainly not 120), so I reckon we'll go 4-5-1 again. I'm also concerned about Boa & Bridge, so I'm hoping that Spector can finish the tie off with a couple of quick goals

[GideaParkHammer]

so I'm hoping that Spector can finish the tie off with a couple of quick goals

As much as this would have been ironic a few months ago, it is now pretty much close to the truth. Who would have thought that Spector would be our most clinical finisher.

We need to defend from Midfield, and try to hit from the break. Birmingham have a fairly weak attack, so if we stop them playing in midfield we will have half a chance. I just don't think our defense can cope with defending deep for 90 mins.

[the pink palermo]

Give Nouble a game , on his own .

4-5-1

[hammersi01]

Mr T aka Demba Ba..simples :raver:

[Hammer110]

If the deal is done as the People are claiming will they throw the new boy (Demba) in at the deep end?

[Romford]

Give Nouble a game , on his own .

4-5-1

I agree

[Rocket]

Cole or Nouble with Hines or Sears, depending on fitness/who is likely to last 90/120 minutes. I am assuming that neither Cole nor Hines will be able to last 90/120, so leaving one on the bench may be a better option. It's a really difficult one.

I don't want us to play only one up front. That will just invite the opposition to come at us. Playing one up with one off, ok, but just one up... no, please, no. (Although God knows who the "one off" will be - Spector?!)

[davids cross]

Nouble.

He did fine at Villa last season when he had to lead the frontline on his own. He played very well that day.

[Up the Junction]

Can't remember the last time I started one of these. I'm going for a shaky 1-1 draw.

[Faubert's Boot]

I can see us going though after Birmingham's drubbing. Then again, we lost 5-0 before the first leg and came out fighting so lets hope birmingham don't do the same!

[mascherano]

------------------------------------Cole----------------------------------------

---------------------Spector--------------------------------------------------

Boa Morte-------------Parker-------------Noble--------------Hines

Bridge----------------Upson--------------Tomkins-------------Reid

--------------------------------------Green---------------------------------

Subs: Boffin, Faubert, Gabbidon, Sears, Nouble, McCarthy, Kovac

Score Draw!!!!!

[bubbles1966]

Same set up as yesterday please with Cole in for Piq, Nouble if Cole isn't fit.

I see us winning the away leg if Cole is fit, drawing if not.

Two of Cole's best performances this season have come against this mob (one from teh bench) - and they have Scott Dann out.

Our major area of vulnerability in the home leg will have Wayne Bridge and LBM patrolling it this time. Shut down for Birmingham.

They'll end up lobbing it up to Zigic.

[Gerblatz]

Agree with throwing Nouble in; he's a presence that will cause them problems. No point in trying to defend this lead, we need to add to it..I would ditch 4-5-1 in favour of 4-4-2, play Hines up with Nouble with Specs and Boa supporting from midfield. Brum still have to chase the game, I expect this to open them up and we'll get our opportunities to put the game beyond them. We are going to need both Noble and Parker to be immense for this match, key to our success. 1-2...Wembley here we come!

[Matt of iron]

I would give the mandate of whoever is up front needs to run there b*llocks off.

If Cole can't do that then throw in Nouble.

[Scaloni Is The Messiah]

Very confident we won't lose this.

[Puff Daddy]

It's not until Wednesday isn't it ? In which case, I'm sure our physio's will work overtime on Cole's dodgy knee in an effort to get him somewhere near match fit, but he probably won't be able to play the full 90 minutes. FWIW, knowing West Ham, I'm sure it will be a nervy evening and I do hope we can finish this off in the 90 minutes as don't think my ticker would stand extra time and the dreaded penalty shoot out, That is all we need right now