Saints vs Shrewsbury - Match Thread

[karlb79]

34 minutes ago, Master Bates said:

We're getting a bye

ITK?

[davefizzy14]

Cant understand why this is taking so long to decide, wasn't there supposed to be a meeting on it to decide today? Surely we will be given a bye now.

[trousers]

2 minutes ago, davefizzy14 said:

Cant understand why this is taking so long to decide, wasn't there supposed to be a meeting on it to decide today? Surely we will be given a bye now.

I saw it suggested somewhere in social media land that they were waiting to see who we are drawn against in rounds 4 and 5 (as per the draw tonight) to see how much room for manoeuvre there was for shuffling fixtures around (i.e. if we drew a team that's playing in Europe, then there would be less scope for fitting things in)

[Whitey Grandad]

5 minutes ago, davefizzy14 said:

Cant understand why this is taking so long to decide, wasn't there supposed to be a meeting on it to decide today? Surely we will be given a bye now.

It's only 15:25. There's still a lot of the day left yet but if as someone above suggested they are waiting on the result of tonight's draw then I wouldn't expect a decision until tomorrow.

[davefizzy14]

Just now, trousers said:

I saw it suggested somewhere in social media land that they were waiting to see who we are drawn against in rounds 4 and 5 (as per the draw tonight) to see how much room for manoeuvre there was for shuffling fixtures around (i.e. if we drew a team that's playing in Europe, then there would be less scope for fitting things in)

Oh right ok, I didn't see that but thanks for the input trousers. The logic would have been to have make a decision by now as we have got quite a hectic schedule coming up.

[davefizzy14]

1 minute ago, Whitey Grandad said:

It's only 15:25. There's still a lot of the day left yet but if as someone above suggested they are waiting on the result of tonight's draw then I wouldn't expect a decision until tomorrow.

I know but still be nice to hear before tomorrow

[jawillwill]

Given that West Ham/Stockport haven't played yet, are we saying that we could have a 5th round draw this evening of something along the limes of:

Saints or Shrewsbury or West Ham or Stockport V's Team xxx or Team yyy?

[Master Bates]

1 hour ago, karlb79 said:

ITK?

Not overly tbf

[Toadhall Saint]

27 minutes ago, jawillwill said:

Given that West Ham/Stockport haven't played yet, are we saying that we could have a 5th round draw this evening of something along the limes of:

Saints or Shrewsbury or West Ham or Stockport V's Team xxx or Team yyy?

Yep 🥴🥳

[Piran]

37 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Yep 🥴🥳

Nope. Those are the only two 'or' left, so no Team xxx or Team yyy. MLG points for me?

[jawillwill]

2 minutes ago, Piran said:

Nope. Those are the only two 'or' left, so no Team xxx or Team yyy. MLG points for me?

They are making both the 4th and 5th round draw tonight. So all 5th round ties will include xxx vs yyy fixtures.

[Piran]

3 minutes ago, jawillwill said:

They are making both the 4th and 5th round draw tonight. So all 5th round ties will include xxx vs yyy fixtures.

Apologies. Missed the 5th round bit.

Edited 11 January, 2021 by Piran
Can't use a keyboard.

[Piran]

'5th'

[Toadhall Saint]

9 minutes ago, Piran said:

Apologies. Missed the 5th round bit.

Not a prob 👍

[Matthew Le God]

Handing out MLG medals

Edited 11 January, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[Appy]

 

[davefizzy14]

34 minutes ago, Appy said:

 

I suppose this could be an option, hopefully there will be clarity very soon.

[LGTL]

Why are we having to bend over backwards to accommodate this? 

[Badger]

1 hour ago, jawillwill said:

They are making both the 4th and 5th round draw tonight. So all 5th round ties will include xxx vs yyy fixtures.

Why ??? I understand this is a season like no other (since the last one) and things are being done differently but it seems that they wish to reduce the status of the competition by any means possible.

Having the two rounds drawn together detracts from it for me. Great if it shows a path through to R6 and the Quarter Finals, but a disincentive if the 'prize' for winning R4 is an away match at Anfield or the like.

[egg]

47 minutes ago, Appy said:

 

Bringing our game against Leeds forward to this Weds makes sense, giving us next Weds for the Shrewsbury game. Cancelling the Leeds game is just daft. 

[Matthew Le God]

4 minutes ago, egg said:

Bringing our game against Leeds forward to this Weds makes sense

Not really, as it is extremely short notice to prepare for a game. Saints have this week prepared for the Leicester game. Not for one day of training on Tuesday, travel to Leeds, a recovery day on Thursday and only one day of prep for Leicester.

[trousers]

11 minutes ago, Badger said:

Why ???

To provide maximum fixture planning  flexibility in the current unprecedented circumstances? (Just a wild hunch... )

[egg]

29 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Not really, as it is extremely short notice to prepare for a game. Saints have this week prepared for the Leicester game. Not for one day of training on Tuesday, travel to Leeds, a recovery day on Thursday and only one day of prep for Leicester.

We're prepared for a match, it's hardly like a boxer having to make the weight.

Spurs V Fulham was brought forward to this Weds.

It's all about opinions, but I'd rather we played Leeds this week and Shrews next week than have fixture congestion.. 

[Baird of the land]

Can't believe they are considering cancelling our league game to shoehorn in an FA Cup match when other teams were forced to play underage teams.

[Suhari]

1 hour ago, LGTL said:

Why are we having to bend over backwards to accommodate this? 

Salisu needs a game?

😁

Edited 11 January, 2021 by Suhari

[trousers]

53 minutes ago, egg said:

We're prepared for a match, it's hardly like a boxer having to make the weight.

 

Given how meticulous Ralph's pre-match planning appears to be, I'm not convinced he'd agree with you that planning for a match is largely a generic exercise....

[Matthew Le God]

59 minutes ago, egg said:

We're prepared for a match, it's hardly like a boxer having to make the weight.

This is 2021, not 1981.

One day's notice is not enough time to properly prepare, plus it would mess up preparations for Saturday.

[Cartman]

2 hours ago, Appy said:

 

Oh fück off! NO! No way should we accept this.

[egg]

Just now, trousers said:

Given how meticulous Ralph's pre-match planning appears to be, I'm not convinced he'd agree with you that planning for a match is largely a generic exercise....

I get that but we're likely to face a cancellation next week and fixture congestion, when there's a window for both us and Leeds this week. The PL today switched Spurs and Fulham to this Weds which was perfectly sensible and the uber meticulous Jose is probably grateful to avoid the congestion of not playing. Sure its short notice, but it's short notice for both teams but it hasn't happened anyway so it's an academic point. Over the course of the season, with more and more covid cancellations, clubs will have to take matches at short notice.

[Matthew Le God]

Shrewsbury announced two more positive results today. Imagine if the cancelling the Leeds game and then Shrewsbury's outbreak grows for a 3rd time and we end up with no Leeds game or FA Cup game. The FA should have followed through on what they said about using 14 available players including youth players if shot of senior players and Shrewsbury forfeiting due to not doing that.

Edited 11 January, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[egg]

4 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

This is 2021, not 1981.

One day's notice is not enough time to properly prepare, plus it would mess up preparations for Saturday.

You are aware that Spurs v Fulham was today put in the diary for this Weds (2021) and both play at the weekend? It's not ideal, but tell me that playing Leeds this Weds is worse than the prospect of next Weds Leeds game being cancelled, and the Shrewsbury fixture being cancelled too. 

[Matthew Le God]

5 minutes ago, egg said:

You are aware that Spurs v Fulham was today put in the diary for this Weds (2021) and both play at the weekend? It's not ideal, but tell me that playing Leeds this Weds is worse than the prospect of next Weds Leeds game being cancelled, and the Shrewsbury fixture being cancelled too. 

So what? I am aware of that and don't think that is a good idea either, for the same reason!

[Fabrice29]

9 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Shrewsbury announced two more positive results today. Imagine if the cancelling the Leeds game and then Shrewsbury's outbreak grows for a 3rd time and we end up with no Leeds game or FA Cup game. The FA should have followed through on what they said about using 14 available players including youth players if shot of senior players and Shrewsbury forfeiting due to not doing that.

Suspect (and could well be proved wrong tomorrow) that The FA will not be announcing anything until the weekend at least. If Shrewsbury can get a fit squad and some negative tests in by the weekend then the tie will be on, if not I suspect we'll get a bye and the Leeds game will stand. We're not dealing with fans here so announcements can be left late and I imagine all clubs will be kept in the loop and will know the score.

[Matthew Le God]

@egg Plus Saints is even shorter timing!

Spurs found out on Monday to Wednesday, so have Tuesday to prepare.

That is longer than Saints finding out after training on Tuesday you have a game the next day. So won't have done tactic work for Leeds before the game.

[trousers]

11 minutes ago, egg said:

You are aware that Spurs v Fulham was today put in the diary for this Weds (2021) and both play at the weekend?

Given Spurs are in Europe, I'm guessing they have fewer 'free' slots than we do between now and the end of the season, ergo it's more of a case of 'now or never' with them? Given a choice, I reckon Ralph would rather reschedule Leeds for a weekday sometime in, say, March or April, than sometime this week with little more than 24 hours notice. 

Edited 11 January, 2021 by trousers

[Totton Saint]

The beast from the East could throw everything into morre  confusion if grounds get snowed up and result in even more fixture confusion. Would Leeds have time to make travel arrangements for the game to be played this Wednesday

[Totton Saint]

Just now, Totton Saint said:

The beast from the East could throw everything into more  confusion if grounds get snowed up and result in even more fixture confusion. Would Leeds have time to make travel arrangements for the game to be played this Wednesday

 

[Matthew Le God]

13 hours ago, Totton Saint said:

The beast from the East could throw everything into morre  confusion if grounds get snowed up and result in even more fixture confusion. Would Leeds have time to make travel arrangements for the game to be played this Wednesday

Snow gets games postponed due to being unsafe for fans outside the stadium. But there are no fans going to games so snow doesn't matter.

Saints and other Premier League teams have under soil heating. Snow is not an issue to make a pitch unplayable at St Mary's.

Edited 12 January, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[The Cat]

Snow isn't much a problem for our home games because it's so rare here. 

Maybe I'm not keeping up, but how come Villa had to play a bunch of kids at the weekend but Shrewsbury are given more time to play the game?

[Harry_SFC]

1 hour ago, The Cat said:

Snow isn't much a problem for our home games because it's so rare here. 

Maybe I'm not keeping up, but how come Villa had to play a bunch of kids at the weekend but Shrewsbury are given more time to play the game?

Do Shrewsbury have a competitive reserve or youth team? 

[JRM]

1 hour ago, The Cat said:

Snow isn't much a problem for our home games because it's so rare here. 

Maybe I'm not keeping up, but how come Villa had to play a bunch of kids at the weekend but Shrewsbury are given more time to play the game?

Apparently Shrewsbury don't have an u23 team so wasn't considered an option. FA seem determined to give them a chance to play the tie as they think integrity of the competition damaged if games forfeited. 

I'm starting to understand why Ralph would agree to these changes. 

We play strongest XI v Leicester then a changed side midweek covid riddled Shrewsbury. Hopefully enough to get through then we play strongest XI again v Arsenal in 4th round.  

By the time we play Leeds later in the season could fit in when fixture list isn't as intense as the run of games we're about to go into. 

[Matthew Le God]

42 minutes ago, JRM said:

FA seem determined to give them a chance to play the tie as they think integrity of the competition damaged if games forfeited. 

That does not hold up as numerous games earlier in the competition were forfeited. So precedent has already been set. For example...

 

[RedWillie]

Shrewsbury have now cancelled their league game this Saturday ...

 

 

[CB Fry]

44 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

That does not hold up as numerous games earlier in the competition were forfeited. So precedent has already been set. For example...

 

Some noddy tie between some binmen and the Dog and Duck in the preliminary rounds is not really setting a precedent.

[skintsaint]

5 hours ago, CB Fry said:

Some noddy tie between some binmen and the Dog and Duck in the preliminary rounds is not really setting a precedent.

You missed the bit where it said 'under the FA rules'....so assume that same rule would apply to us.

[CB Fry]

2 hours ago, skintsaint said:

You missed the bit where it said 'under the FA rules'....so assume that same rule would apply to us.

You missed the bit where elite clubs (where professional footballers play) are different to amateur clubs (where postmen play).

And missed the bit where the rules for the qualifying competition are different to the competition proper, as defined specifically in the FA Rules.

The FA rules are specific about forfeit for the qualifying competition but are ambiguous for the competition proper, leaving it at the discretion of the FA and Professional Game Board on a case-by-case basis.

Who knows, a forfeiture might well be agreed but it won't be because of a "precedent" set at AFC bloody Sudbury.

Edited 12 January, 2021 by CB Fry

[The Cat]

Ok, that makes sense. Seems the revised fixture list might work out for us. 

Can't say I agree with the rules being different in the qualifying round. For many, of not all teams at Step 3 and below the FA Cup games are their biggest of the season. They should be given as much chance to play them as possible, a couple of wins could gain them a lot of well needed money and exposure and in some cases be vital to the club continuing. 

It was great seeing Sholing have a decent cup run and getting to play Torquay this season. Seems a bit patronising to Non-League teams to call them AFC "bloody" Sudbury or whatever.

[skintsaint]

2 hours ago, CB Fry said:

You missed the bit where elite clubs (where professional footballers play) are different to amateur clubs (where postmen play).

And missed the bit where the rules for the qualifying competition are different to the competition proper, as defined specifically in the FA Rules.

The FA rules are specific about forfeit for the qualifying competition but are ambiguous for the competition proper, leaving it at the discretion of the FA and Professional Game Board on a case-by-case basis.

Who knows, a forfeiture might well be agreed but it won't be because of a "precedent" set at AFC bloody Sudbury.

ok

Edited 12 January, 2021 by skintsaint

[saintadjg]

better option play both same day .U23s for cup game 1st team for Leeds.no cancellation no congestion. 

[Give it to Ron]

More chaos as Brentford have just called off next 2 games. Due to play Leicester in cup