Looking at this game logically it was always going to be a tough game against tough opposition. When I say tough I don't mean difficult I mean physically tough, a battle, brawn against skill.
So beginning with the logic of the game and therefore a game plan, team selection and tactics, lets start with who can't or shouldn't play, then those who need game time, then those returning from injury and finish with those players best suited for a battle and therefore up for the fight.
Defence.
Reina, injured. Johnno, injured. Agger, needed resting due to his injury history. Straight away you've lost 3 very experienced, battle hardened players that have been the backbone of the defense pretty much all season.
Only a week ago Brendan recalled Carra to the starting 11 due to the lack of leadership on the pitch, dropping Skrtel to the bench. Logic would therefore suggest that Carra should have started alongside Coates and this would have been sufficient to keep the back 4 organised, on their toes and he sure as hell wouldn't have allowed us to been bullied like we were. If Coates was still having a mare then bring Skrtel on and if Robbo was still having a mare then put Stewart at LB.
So a back 5 of Jones, Wisdom, Coates/Skrtel, Carra, Robbo/Stewart would have given us a much more solid defense.
Midfield.
Allen and Raheem have needed a break for quite a few weeks, Bendan said as much himself before Xmas. The 4th round of the FA Cup away at a tough ground like Oldham is not the place to be playing players who need a rest. Lucas is still needing match fitness and as we needed a bit of bite or steel in midfield I would have started Lucas and also Shelvey.
That gives us a midfield 3 of Lucas, Henderson and Shelvey with Borini, who also needs match fitness, either making up the 4 or playing next to Luis behind Sturridge.
That line up, for me, would have given us sufficient to overcome Oldham and a 5th round home tie against the bitters.
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