[Washington]

I wonder if he was deliberately saving some players for the Stoke game.  I know the league is the priority but a good cup run breeds confidence and the revenue from a two legged semi-final will certainly help towards FFP!!  It was also interesting what he said after the game with regards to playing Nuhiu from the start:

"It's not a question of playing at the beginning, it's about creating the correct environment so Joao can make the difference and we are trying to create this kind of environment. Of course when you go on the pitch with energy in the correct environment, you are helping the team and scoring goals."


Not 100% sure what he means by all that but it does appear there is some method to the madness of playing Nuhiu from the start!!!

Bait for the opposites centre backs to commit fouls and maybe pick up a yellow card that will temper them. Last thing we need is a big lump putting Joao on the long term injured list in the first 5 mins.

For that I'd start Nuhui in the first half against Stoke