Matchwatch : francise fc (h) sponsored by concrete cows

[Sutekh]

Apparently the league cup will be shown up for the joke competition that it has become with franchise putting out a largely u-21 line up. To be fair to them it got them through their trip to Newport in the last round but it does really show what the competition has become with days of clubs putting out more or their less first elevens long being left in the last century.

Reading will also field a "weaker" side although Moore is expected to debut and Weiser may also start depending on his fitness levels. Blackett was not signed in time to play. I believe Joey serves his 1 game ban, following his dismissal Saturday, not that he would have played anyway ( please advise if this is wrong )

If Reading get through i think the draw for round 3 is tomorrow on sky at around 10pm / after their game.

[CountryRoyal]

Hope we can follow up our storming first round performance and get a second goal from open play.

That would be swell.

[Crowbar6753]

I really think the league cup or EFL whatever its now named has run its course. Time to scrap it all together, its become a joke, there are far to many cup competitions it the British leagues. Lets just have the FA Cup and be done with it. The only ever Cup i wouldn't mind seeing is a British Cup, and get the Jocks and the Irish involved, but i guess the logistics and cost would make this a non starter.

[BonBoh]

Interesting line up today. Particularly Gravenberch, Cooper, Moore, Watson and Obita.
One can only assume Gravenberch will be playing the defensive midfielder role in a 4-3-3 formation, unless we are playing some sort of sweeper system.

[BonBoh]

Here's the team, btw...

Reading: Jaakkola, Watson, Obita, Cooper, Moore, Gravenberch, Kelly, Quinn (c), Harriott, Rakels, Mendes.

Subs: Bond, Gunter, Evans, Williams, Beerens, Kermorgant.

[genome]

Gravenberch DM?

[sloughroyal123]

It is filled with shirters today...

[strap]

Gravenberch DM?

Or 3-5-2?? Rakels and Mendes up front?

Only guessing.

If 4-3-3, bizarre we play a DM at CH in league games when Cooper is on bench, yet a CH at DM when we seemingly have any number of midfielders waiting for a chance.

It's either a "Don't Know What You're doing" moment, or Japp Stam is an absolute genius moment. I can't work this out at all. But then that's hardly an earth shattering admission is it?!

[RustyRoyal]

Gravenberch DM?

Or 3-5-2?? Rakels and Mendes up front?

Only guessing.

If 4-3-3, bizarre we play a DM at CH in league games when Cooper is on bench, yet a CH at DM when we seemingly have any number of midfielders waiting for a chance.

It's either a "Don't Know What You're doing" moment, or Japp Stam is an absolute genius moment. I can't work this out at all. But then that's hardly an earth shattering admission is it?!

Think Gravenberch is more of a DM who can play at CB like VDB.

Also, only six subs?

[CountryRoyal]

Happy with that team. Go on, show what you can do.

[Sutekh]

Also, only six subs?

Yes, why only 6 subs?

[Ian Royal]

Odd that we've got Gravenberch, Moore, Cooper, Obita and Watson... I'd have thought Weiser would have been given a kick in midfield rather than presumably Gravenberch.

I'd be interested to see a back three and wing backs, but I can't see us doing it. Then again, with McShane, Cooper, Moore, Gravenberch and Blackett it is certainly possible now...

..........................Al-Habsi
.............Moore, McShane, Blackett
Gunter.................VDB.....................Obita
...................Williams, Swift
................Kermorgant, Rakels

That might not be too bad. Although obviously it ditches all of our new shiny wingers.

[seahawk10]

Come on urz!!!

Yip Yap...

[Sutekh]

Rakelss going off by the look of things, stretcher coming down the south stand touchline

Scoreboard clock is on the top of the screen tonight

Beerens coming on

Not a lot else happening....

[ForzaRoyals]

Is anyone else having issues with RFC player? The volume is really low, barely audible.

[Sutekh]

For the record it is now 210 minutes played against franchise fc and we're still waiting to score our first goal

[Sutekh]

Jaakkola booked for diving under a franchise player

They lead 1-0 from the spot

[CountryRoyal]

LOL I guess that's why Stam doesn't pick Cooper

[tidus_mi2]

Dominate and then a Cooper oxf*rd up, which is becoming standard for him leads to a penalty.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Cooper does a Cooper. Shocker.