It's to do with the two different European competitions being played in alternate weeks. The League Cup fixtures are on either the 17th/18th of September or the 24th/25th September The Champions League teams are playing games on the 17th/18th of September, Europa League are playing games on the 24th/25th September, I didn't watch the draw but my understanding was that only those in opposing European competitions couldn't meet (i.e City v Spurs), as there wouldn't be a space in the calendar for it. Liverpool v City should theoretically have been possible as they could have played in the League Cup on the 24th/25th but it looks like they seeded all six of the European sides instead, I don't think that was the original intention. Edit* It was talked about / explained a bit more in this thread: The League Cup to introduce seeding system
All fixtures confirmed apart from ours, cant play 1st week as we play Inter, 2nd week will be us and United at home same night as we play Arsenal 22nd and Newcastle 28th
Well if you want to give us the win fair enough! Like wise if we let you have it prevents us getting a confidence draining battering.
Sounds like a right old mess From the BBC “Yesterday, the EFL confirmed third-round fixture dates but Manchester City's home game with Watford was listed as "TBC". This is why. City play Arsenal in a Sky televised game on Sunday, 22 September. The following Saturday they go to Newcastle for a TNT televised game. That means the City-Watford game needs to be played on Wednesday, 25 September. Except that is the same day as Manchester United start their Europa League campaign against Dutch side FC Twente.” Should have switched the tie . They probably want us to play on the Thursday but we have refused
Manager has inevitably confirmed we'll rotate quite a bit tomorrow. At least we've gone a round further this year!
It's tricky to say who will play for us on wednesday given all the injuries we already have. In an ideal world the full backs, CMs, AM and maybe even RW we started against Ipswich would probably among be our rotation/cup players I'd still like to see a decent amount of rotation if possible, along with game time for those coming back from injuries. From the press conference it sounds like wieffer, lamptey and Ferguson are all available and will at least make an appearance (if not starting) RW is a bit of an issue as there's no one to neatly rotate minteh with due to Gruda/march not being available. With Pedro/Rutter both also unavailable we need enciso at AM, meaning adingra needs to be LW (unless we don't rest mitoma, which would be a mistake imo). I wonder if we'll make use of kadioglu's versatility and push him further up the pitch instead. Something like: Steele Lamptey - Webster - Igor - Estupinan Moder - Wieffer Kadioglu - Enciso - Adingra Ferguson (Though not 100% sure on Igor's fitness so one of Dunk/JPVH may start over him)
Pretty much full strength for us at Loftus Road. I'm sure QPR will be up for it though. Nice to have a manager who at least tries to take the cups seriously.
QPR fans unhappy with our rotation. I don't mind it, we have injuries in key areas so have to rotate. No idea who Ashby is though!
I assumed it was that highly rated one from Newcastle? Used to be at West Ham? 0-1 Nketiah already. Great for him to get off the mark.
