paxtonwolf
Tony Marchi
It is really unacceptable that it has been 25 years since we last won the FA Cup which we once dominated. It is particularly annoying that we lost 6 FA Cup semi finals during that period. Somehow FA Cup semi finals have become a jinx to us since we last won it. Hope we will overcome the semi final jinx and go all the way to win the FA Cup this season. But first we need to overcome Palace in Round 5. Since this is a a London derby, can see this match being a tough one for us. But we are playing at home and have already beaten Palace twice this season. So, there is no reason whatsover why we cannot beat them to progress to the Quarter Finals.
We should treat this match like a league tie since Palace is a PL team. I think Palace will treat this match seriously as this is their only hope of winning a trophy. So, we should not rest too many players in this match, especially after resting many against Fiorentina on Thursday. So want the likes of Kane, Eriksen and Lamela to start especially since Kane is our only striker. Maybe we can replace Kane if we are winning comfortably in the 2nd half. Will be very annoyed if Lamela doesn't play atleast some part in this match. I think he should start this match since he didn't play against Fiorentina.
I think maybe we can change a bit in our midfield. The return of Mason from injury has given us extra options to choose from. Maybe Dembele and Mason can start inn midfield. We can give due rest to Dier and Alli, both of whom have not been at their best recently. Alli scored the wonder goal against Palace in the league but somehow I feel we should rest him. He has not been at his best since his illness and was vulnerable against Fiorentina. Maybe being rested will help him get back his form.
Too bad we don't have much options in defence due to the injuries of Vertonghen and Lloris. Vorm has been doing well in Cup matches recently. We have to rely on him doing well in this match again. Alderweireld and Wimmer have been gelling together in defence. Wimmer especially has been improving very fast despite not playing much this season. Hope they can help us stop Palace and keep a clean sheet. No doubt Adebayor will be itching to score against us. Will be very annoyed if we don't stop him.
We have been more convincing in the league than the Cups under Pochettino. Hope he will help us transform our league form into the Cup matches as well. We have a great chance to progress to the Quarter Finals for the first time since 2012. Hope we will make use of our home advantage and beat Palace to progress.
Good read, as always. Still cant believe that semi v Chelsea was nearly 4 years ago. Another 'swings and roundabouts' refereeing decision that I am still waiting to come back in our favour, like the Mendes non-goal, and very unlikely too with goal-line technology.
We were still in that SF until that goal was awarded.
Really want us to progress today and have a chance of getting another trip to Wembley to finally kill this jinx