In Defence Of Team Selection

I appreciate that these sentiments are not likely to be shared by too many Addicks. Perhaps they are influenced by not having had to watch the game itself (or shell out for a ticket), or to be around in London for the fall-out (although I’ve not been able to protect myself against the jibes of friends). But I’d make a defence of Appleton’s team selection for the Cray Valley Paper Mills cup game – which is of course not to say the performance or the result were OK. No question we are rightly embarrassed that we failed to win the game – and will be mortified if we lose the replay, with no disrespect to Cray Valley, who deserve all the plaudits. We expected better, even from what was – with one or two exceptions – the current back-up team. 

While acknowledging the pros of progress in the FA Cup (we are not obliged to give the modern title), including helping foster that desired ‘winning mentality’, I don’t really care about progressing in it, when set against the overriding goal of promotion. The FA Cup has a great history but no real future. It is irreversibly diminished in importance. The final was once a showpiece event for the season but is now an afterthought mixed in with play-offs. The glory days for the competition are not going to come back, which just leaves the enjoyment (present ties excepted) of upsets and for some teams the opportunity to measure progress against higher opposition.

I don’t really even care at present about the possibility of making the Third Round and getting one of the ‘big boys’, unless it provided more cash for the transfer kitty. That position may be influenced by the fact that I’ve seen us compete, and beat, the top teams over a number of years (others I appreciate have not had that pleasure). I want to see those times again, not some plucky, isolated performance against what would probably be a second-string team from leagues above. If we were in the Championship and progressing well, a good cup run and/or the chance to go up against a Premiership team would be appealing, an opportunity to pit ourselves against a top team. We are not. We are currently mid-table in the third flight and all that we do as a club surely has to be geared around maximising our chances of promotion.

I don’t think anyone would argue that if we are to be in with a shout of going up this season we have to improve. That can happen as a result of a team/squad gelling, getting the best out of each other, confidence growing etc, or it can happen as a result of changes of players in the January window – or of course both. In that sense, Appleton learning more about the players available on the fringes of the first team surely has value, whether what is learnt is positive or negative. And most of those chosen to start on Sunday seriously needed game-time. We are going to need at least some of them, sooner or later.

For example, we know that currently Hector and Jones are the first-choice centre-backs, with Thomas used as full-back but capable of moving back inside if necessary, including during a game. Ness and Abankwah are the ones waiting in the wings, in the event of injury or suspension (while Elerewe and Mitchell are out on loan). Ahead of January, Appleton has to decide both whether the current pairing are good enough to get us into the promotion mix and whether the back-ups will also be good enough – and by implication whether we need new signings. How else is he to be informed on the capabilities of the back-ups unless he sees them in action? And how can we expect them to step up to fill a gap capably if they haven’t been getting any game-time?

Before the game I sent around to friends my starting team for the cup tie. It ended up that eight of my 11 were chosen – and I hadn’t factored in Edun or McGrandles (I would have chosen them too). The fact that some of those chosen to start (but not all) singularly failed to grasp the opportunity provides Appleton with important, necessary information. Of course we all wish they had looked like world-beaters and given him selection headaches in key areas, but so be it. By the same token, May and Blackett-Taylor need to be kept in cotton wool as we are seriously screwed if they get injured, while I’m assuming that May and Dobson are still in danger of suspension.

Was the team selection a mark of disrespect towards Cray Valley and the FA Cup (and those who bought a ticket)? You can see it that way. I’d rather look at it as a reflection of our current priorities. No complacency but if we win the replay, outside of Addicks circles it will all be forgotten in a couple of weeks. I’d be tempted to punish those who started on Saturday by picking the same X1 for the replay (and if we win that to have to go to Gillingham), but would understand that could be a gamble that Appleton will not be inclined to take with the nation watching.