KEEPING the season buzzing is the most important thing now . The trip to Old Trafford holds out the prospect of glory and victory there will set up a spectacular season finale of the kind we would barely have believed credible back in August.
Beating Manchester City would be a quickly forgotten short term high if Boro then come down with a bang and lose on Monday. To have an almost tangible semi-final showdown with Watford and a chance to first foot at Wembley snatched away would be a cruel crippling blow.
To that end Boro should rest their big hitters to keep them fresh for Old Trafford. We should concentrate all our fire on the replay. It is the doorway to glory and victory is paramount.
The timing could not be better for us. Man United are injury ravaged - Rio Ferdinand is the lastest to limp out after a tangle with the Yak left him with cracked ribs - and could be more so if Bolton give them a good kicking. Bolton's snarling, niggling, robust approach has never been particularly appealing to we purists but on Saturday I will be urging on Fat Sam's lads as they fly into tackles and flail elbows while playing at a strength sapping 120mph. We need that to be a high-tempo, ugly, physical bad tempered game with the highest possible body count.
And United are dazzled by the glint off far bigger bits of silverware. In order of priority they are still chasing the Premiership and the Champions League. The FA Cup is a distraction for them bringing unwanted games and awkward replays very little financial reward while they do not need the place in the UEFA Cup it offers.
It is a sideshow for them but for Boro it is the only show in town. That is why Gareth Southgate should plan the weekend with United in mind. Boro should rest some key players to ensure they are fresh and raring to go against what could be a jaded United. A jaded United is still a good team and a difficult task but having the edge in terms of stamina and strength over the full 120 minutes could be the deciding factor. We must give ourselves the best possible chance.
I would definitely rest Jonathan Woodgate - if possible. We know that at times he struggles to play two games a week so two in three days will be really pushing it. Sitting out this one will ensure he goes into the game fresh and fully fit. The problem is who else would you play? Riggott is touch and go and there are questionmarks over both Davies and Xavier in the middle. Maybe Coops should get a chance; he comes to games in full kit every week and stands on the touchline looking longingly at the action. He is clearly desperate for the call.
Likewise I would rest Viduka. Like Woodgate, the Aussie feels the strain of games in quick succession more than most and besides, he can be our most effective weapon in tearing open United's defence so we need him as sharp as possible. Yak is younger and fitter and can bear the brunt of the work against City. Give GD Lee a start; let's see if he can do the business. We know he can hit the post, let's see if he can hit the back of the net.
I would also seriously consider resting Downing and Cattermoel and giving Morrison and Johnson a game. Both of the youngsters are straining at the leash, have the talent and urge to get forward and have the pace to hurt teams. Both have added zest when they have come on this season and will relish the chance to get at a demoralised side. Maybe at a push I would give Arca a break too and ask Fabio Rochemback to knuckle down and do a job.
Maybe it is "a risk" but it is a calculated one and an acceptable one. These are all fit, talented and handsomely rewarded young players and if they are not capable of stepping up to play against a side in free-fall then they shouldn't be at the club. And it is a risk that I would be prepared to take because the potential rewards on Monday are huge.
Faustian pact? Where do I sign?
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