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All-Change for Town at Palace
Monday, 21st Aug 2017 14:41

Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that he will field an entirely changed XI in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup second round tie at Crystal Palace, a side which he says will be the youngest team he has named in his 25 years as a manager.

McCarthy says one or two of his senior players picked up minor problems in Saturday’s 2-0 home victory over Brentford, but says they wouldn’t have featured at Selhurst Park in any case.

“Bart took a knock but Bart wouldn’t be playing tomorrow anyway,” he said. “Wardy got a kick on his calf.

“David McGoldrick’s wife is expecting tomorrow, I believe, so he’s with his family, as you’d expect.

“So that leaves me eight fit first-team players, none of whom will be involved. Four defenders, that’s what I’ve got. None of them will be playing because I can’t risk a sending off or an injury.

“So it’ll be all-change, every one of them. I’m not going to apologise for that because I have to do it, but if you are coming tomorrow expect to see the kids and that’s the way it’s going to be.

“And if you are coming, come and support them and give them the support that you give to the first-teamers who would play normally.”

He added: “It’s not sacrificing [the cup] for the league, it’s sacrificing it for the good of players who just keep playing.

“I haven’t got enough, I’ve got so many injuries. Emyr Huws was going to play, he was going to speak to you guys, but he’s gone in for treatment again today. That just tells you how many injuries I’ve got.

“And it’s important, we’ve got a home game on Saturday and if we could win it, it’ll be tough because Fulham are a good side, it would mean a great month and a great start for us. I doubt we’re going to win the Carabao Cup anyway, I just haven’t got the squad to cope with it.”

Regarding Huws, he added: “I’m assuming [it's his achilles] because he just said, ‘Gaffer, I’ve got to go in’, so I’m assuming that’s the case. He went in and I’ve not been in the physio room to check.

"Assumption is the mother of all cock-ups but it’s a pretty easy one to assume.”

Was he willing to give an idea of his team? “Flynn Downes will be playing because he’s spoken to you. Gerks [Dean Gerken] will be playing, he’ll be the captain. Tristan Nydam will be playing and after that you’ll have to find out.”

McCarthy also confirmed that Bersant Celina would make his second start for the Blues, his first having come in the first round victory at Luton.

In addition to Downes, Nydam and Celina, Ben Morris, Pat Webber, Luke Woolfenden, Chris Smith, George Fowler, Ben Folami, Conor McKendry, Michael Crowe, Adam McDonnell, Monty Patterson and Shane McLoughlin are all likely to be in the squad which travels.

If they’re involved, Morris, Webber, Smith, Fowler, Folami, McKendry, sub keeper Crowe, Patterson and McLoughlin will be making their senior Blues debuts. Woolfenden will make his full debut if he starts having featured as a sub at Luton.

Tom Adeyemi is still having treatment on his calf injury, while Tommy Smith (hamstring), Luke Chambers (ankle), Adam Webster (ankle), Teddy Bishop (hernia operation) and Andre Dozzell (cruciate) remain sidelined.


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12th_Man added 14:43 - Aug 21
Bang out of order us fans paying to watch what will likely be a u23 game 😡
-73

Lightningboy added 14:46 - Aug 21
Normally this would pi55 me off but I can't blame him..we are down to the bare bones and can't risk picking up anymore injuries.

Better wrap the rest of the squad up in cotton wool til Saturday.

🤕
55

Kirbmeister added 14:47 - Aug 21
Just let MM get on with it and if you don't like it then don't go to the game.
25

unknown100 added 14:49 - Aug 21
How can anyone disagree with what's he's doing, our squad has had some bad luck injury wise, hope we get knocked out and the kids do themselves proud, focus on the league and continue this great start
23

irish_tractor added 14:50 - Aug 21
Bluntly honest press conference, completely understand the need to play the kids with the risk of losing even more players. Support the kids tomorrow hope for a suprise upset, win on Saturday and come back after the international break with a fuller squad and top of the league
26

essextractorboy93 added 14:52 - Aug 21
Don't blame Mick for doing this, squad is insanely thin at the moment due to the huge amount of injuries. Good chance for those who come in to impress. COYB!
22

londonben added 14:52 - Aug 21
12th_man what do you expect him to do? He has 8 fit first team players who have all played 4 league games in 3 weeks with another on Saturday. I think it's great that the kids are getting a run out against what will likely be a weakened palace team, let's get behind them and see what happens! If we lose, who cares I'd rather we concentrate on the League, if we win it will be a famous one and will be amazing for all the youngsters involved!

Loving the feel good atmosphere that's back in the club...let's keep it going and who knows what could happen. COYB!
28

nhabo added 14:55 - Aug 21
Have to also support the opportunity to give these youngsters experience. This is our best crop of youngsters for over a decade - several have played for their countries at youth level and even the full national teams in the case of Celina and Patterson. Shame Dozzell won't be there.
15

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:56 - Aug 21
Actually, I don't think Mick has got much choice here. I disagree normally pretty strongly with playing a very under-strength team. For example, the team we put out against Man U a couple or three seasons ago was almost an insult to the fans who travelled. But in the current circumstances, I'm giving Mick the benefit of the doubt. Can't imagine Palace will be playing their first eleven either, so this will be a good test for our boys; and if we get a draw, we'll have done very well. Those of you who can should get along and support the ITFC of the future. Make them proud of the club and keen to stay.
19

ITFC_Cotton added 14:57 - Aug 21
I don't think we really have a choice however I really hope this isn't a catalyst for poor form like previous loses in the cup have been.
3

ipswich4life added 14:57 - Aug 21
Agree with lightningboy tho i feel sorry for fans who already got tickets
-1

yungblue added 14:58 - Aug 21
Don't have any problems with this. Not really anything else he can do with the current squad. Don't think Bersant Celina is in MM's good books after listening to the interview, probably won't see to much action from him this year I suspect.

Although we have had a fantastic start to the season, does anyone else still see signs of the same old MM in his ways. Whilst we are winning and doing so well it is all ok, but god helps if it goes south, because in my opinion it looks a similar MM approach.
5

Gogs added 14:58 - Aug 21
Absolutely the right thing to do. The squad is decimated with injuries and illnesses. Can't afford anyone else missing out. I can't believe anyone realistically thought that any other decision would have been made, perhaps with the exception of 1 or 2 First team players in the side. Let's hope they rise to the occasion. Doubtless Palace will have a young team out too.
10

StochesStotasBlewe added 14:59 - Aug 21
No choice but to play the kids. Haven,t agreed with Micks cup attitude in the past, but 100% behind him this time.
10

shortmarine1969 added 14:59 - Aug 21
I am firmly a MM outer ,but in this case 12th_man, the guy has no other option with our current "fit" players..this is a sensible move that needs no apology from Mick who along with the players deserve full credit this season so far if by either design or default they have done well.
13

Palestine added 15:00 - Aug 21
Tough one. Probably is the right decision...
I was going to travel over to watch it, but don't fancy it as much if we are unlikely to give them a game...
Might go to QPR instead. Was already struggling to work out how I could excuse myself from work at 3.30-4pm as it was..!
3

StokeHigh97 added 15:04 - Aug 21
Absolutely understandable: we certainly get risk more senior players getting injured: we're not going to win the cup anyway: Fulham Saturday is 100% more important: as long as we don't get hammered tomoz & 2/3 youngest come out with really good performances no problem: any fan who has issue with a weakened side needs a reality check: regardless of the result if we win Saturday No one will be bothered:
7

marcusevans added 15:16 - Aug 21
Hugely sensible in my opinion as we do not have a full strength side available anyway.

Anyone that has already bought tickets will be disappointed which is understandable but did we expect to see a decent team at Palace in the first place?

MM is getting real here, and we need to get real too.
9

Pip50 added 15:18 - Aug 21
Where is the problem we will be playing Palace's U23s anyway.
8

LegendofthePhoenix added 15:22 - Aug 21
12th an, what a sad, sad specimen you are. Are you in you dingy bedsit hunched over your grubby keyboard with your skanky yellow and green boxers cloying to your nether regions, just waiting to be first to post any negative comments straight after Mick's press conference? It must be tough on you now that were 8 points ahead after only 4 games.
3

Brownie added 15:23 - Aug 21
I have been critical of MM & the club re cup teams in the past - Man Utd away, Lincoln etc - but can't criticise this decision.
We have to prioritise & I have to agree with the manager with the injuries we have the team selection for this match is obvious.
Hope they do alright but hope is not based on confidence.

COYB!
5

BlueSmith94 added 15:25 - Aug 21
I havent got any problems with this, its a really good chance to see how good our youngsters are! Before the summer I hadn't heard of Flynn Downes, there might be another player that plays tomorrow that could be a hidden gem and help with our injury crisis at the back! And if I'm honest the FA cup and Championship important to me, dont give a s**t about the league cup!
2

jjhbruno added 15:26 - Aug 21
Disappointing as I just bought 7 tickets for non town supporters to effectively watch us get walloped (hope I'm wrong) but can totally understand the decision as there's no real choice is there.
3

christiand added 15:37 - Aug 21
Quite understand MM's decision here, but why isn't Rowe getting a run out against Palace?
He's only getting cameos in the league games, surely getting 90 minutes under his belt would only benefit him?
6

Crock added 15:47 - Aug 21
"David McGoldrick's wife is expecting tomorrow" Tomorrow is coming after today.
0


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