' Ole Solskjaer set to make nine changes for FA Cup clash '

Cardiff City boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set to make nine changes for FA Cup clash with Wigan
14 Feb 2014
Having regularly rotated his Cardiff City team in his tenure so far, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now set to make nine changes for tomorrow's clash with FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic



Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to make wholesale changes to his team for tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth round clash with Wigan.

As many as nine players who started Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa could be rested, with only goalkeeper David Marshall and front-man Fraizer Campbell keeping their places.

Solskjaer looks likely to pick an entire new-look back four, with Kevin McNaughton, Mark Hudson, Juan Cala and Fabio coming into the side against Championship WIgan.

Peter Whittingham and Kim Bo-Kyung, unceremoniously axed from the match-day squad against Villa after their limp displays in the south Wales derby, could be handed an opportunity to reprieve themselves.

Norwegian duo Magnus Eikrem and Mats Daehli are also pushing for starting spots, as well as the more-established City duo of Aaron Gunnarsson and Don Cowie.

A third Norwegian, Jo Inge Berget, could also be picked for his Bluebirds debut as strike partner to Campbell.

Solskjaer will keep his plans under wraps until just before kick-off, but he looks certain to use the cup match to rest key Premier League personnel, including Steven Caulker, Gary Medel and Wilfried Zaha, while Jordon Mutch is injured.

Victory for the Bluebirds will put them within two matches of a third major Wembley final in the space of just six years.

Going to be honest - I see this game as a runout for our fringe players

I dont want to do a birmingham & wigan - winning a cup then getting relegated in the same season

Europe in the championship would be awful

Concentrate on the prem ole

Fabio is cup tied

I think this is a bad move.

He should be looking at putting out his best 11 because basically its a new team that needs to gell. This is an ideal time to do it.

I think this is a bad move.

He should be looking at putting out his best 11 because basically its a new team that needs to gell. This is an ideal time to do it.

Tough call but we cant afford bookings or injuries ............

I think this is a bad move.

He should be looking at putting out his best 11 because basically its a new team that needs to gell. This is an ideal time to do it.

totally agree with you ian time is running out and he needs to find his best starting eleven and this game gave him an opportunity to do that.

Does OGS even know his best 11...

My opinion is that he doesnt

I think a mixed side would be a good idea. I.e. include some fringe players like Hudson Gunnarsson Whittingham and Kim, as they could play a part in the season if we have injuries or suspensions to first team players; rest most of our key players like Medel, Noone and Marshall but also play the Norwegians to boost their match fitness because I think they will now become very important for us in the run in. An opportunity to give Cala a try out too.

Marshall
McNaughton Hudson Cala John
Dælhia Gunnarson Eikrem Kim
Berget
Campbell

Lewis, KTC, Turner, Cowie, Whitts, Zaha, Jones,

Seeing as almost all the XI will be in the here next season if Cardiff get relegated be good showing on how Cardiff will do.

Does OGS even know his best 11...

My opinion is that he doesnt

I agree that he doesn't but this is the perfect game to try that out.
I would only make a 2 or 3 personally.

I think this is a bad move.

He should be looking at putting out his best 11 because basically its a new team that needs to gell. This is an ideal time to do it.

totally agree with you ian time is running out and he needs to find his best starting eleven and this game gave him an opportunity to do that.

I disagree lads. I think we need to give more players opportunity of gaining some match fitness and game time.
The Norwegians are still effectively in pre-season so they could do with game time to get up to pace.

It's unfortunate that Fabio is cup tied. I'd play Zaha, Jones, Cala and the 3 Norwegian. I'd rest Medel, Noone, Caulker.

It's a good chance for the new signings to make an impression and build fitness before the hull game.

Dunno about the rest of you but I'm kinda excited to see Berget play, hope he can deliver! I reckon all the non match fit players will get a sub at the least though

Looking forward to this game. Over the years the FA Cup has lost a lot of standing, which is a great shame. If we win, were in the quarter finals.

Hope that OGS picks a strong side. There is no contradiction between having a cup run and trying to stay up.

Jones is also cup tied.

Going to be honest - I see this game as a runout for our fringe players

I dont want to do a birmingham & wigan - winning a cup then getting relegated in the same season

Europe in the championship would be awful

Concentrate on the prem ole

there are only three domestic trophies a club can win............the FA cup is 2nd in prestige only to the title itself. we still celebrate 1927 in many ways.......so id take the FA cup,if it was a choice ,all day every day..i was there when we won the cup...means something..i had aST when we finished 14th in prem.........nahh

Surely Zaha has to start because he clearly needs gametime to get match sharpness. Afterall he will have 7 days and a nice week in Dubai to get over the game.

Marshall
KTC Turner Cala Kev

Gunnar Wolf/Whitts

Zaha Daehli Kim

Campbell. ta da next round here we come.

Marshall/Lewis

KTC Cala Turner John

Whittingham or Gunnarsson

Dælhi Eikrem Zaha

Berget and Mason.

Looking forward to seeing Berget

Going to be honest - I see this game as a runout for our fringe players

I dont want to do a birmingham & wigan - winning a cup then getting relegated in the same season

Europe in the championship would be awful

Concentrate on the prem ole

there are only three domestic trophies a club can win............the FA cup is 2nd in prestige only to the title itself. we still celebrate 1927 in many ways.......so id take the FA cup,if it was a choice ,all day every day..i was there when we won the cup...means something..i had aST when we finished 14th in prem.........nahh

Spot on this . Football all about winning things and top days out .

I hope we dont put out our second string, its a disgrace to the great institution of the fa cup... And lets not forget winning today leaves us one match from wembley. Plus with 2 massive teams going out this weekend its not unlikely we could get to the final. Noone loves a cup run like us bluebirds... Que sera sera

Dunno about the rest of you but I'm kinda excited to see Berget play, hope he can deliver! I reckon all the non match fit players will get a sub at the least though

Hes taller than i imagined when he apeared for the dev team. Looked a good player tho

Most of these players played 46 games in the Championship last season, surely to god they can cope with this!??! They're paid enough!!

Strong team even with changes

Dunno about the rest of you but I'm kinda excited to see Berget play, hope he can deliver! I reckon all the non match fit players will get a sub at the least though

Hes taller than i imagined when he apeared for the dev team. Looked a good player tho

Yeah his positioning so far looking alright, hopefully he can put one in on the debut