Blues boss defends cup selection
Jonathan Redhead Lowestoft Town joint boss Micky Chapman says his club have no intention of 'belittling' the Suffolk Premier Cup as they prepare to field a reserve team in defence of their trophy tonight.
Jonathan Redhead
Lowestoft Town joint boss Micky Chapman says his club have no intention of 'belittling' the Suffolk Premier Cup as they prepare to field a reserve team in defence of their trophy tonight.
The Blues play neighbours and rivals Kirkley & Pakefield at Walmer Road in a competition they won in stunning fashion at Portman Road last season.
But with a total of 11 senior players injured and a chance of winning through to the FA Cup first round proper against Gloucester City on Saturday, Chapman said the club have taken the decision to put out their second string even though he knows they will be criticised.
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"Sometimes in football you have to put your personal pride aside for your own best interests," Chapman said last night. "And we've decided to play a complete reserve side because we've got one of the biggest games in the club's history on Saturday.
"It could go down as big as the FA Vase final at Wembley and the semi-finals. But we have to consider the club's best interests and we have a massive, massive game and if we're in the hat for the FA Cup first round it could set the club up for a very, very long time."
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If the Trawler Boys win against Gloucester they could face the likes of Leeds United, Charlton Athletic or even Norwich City, in the cup.
Their injury list includes, Carl Poppy, Richard Woodrow, Reece Hunn, Scott Mitchell, Jack Marsden and Bradley Hough who are all almost certain to miss Saturday's game.
The likes of Jamie Godbold, Greg Crane, Gary Holt, Dale Cockrill and Andrew Fisk are all doubtful after being added to the injured list after the 2-0 FA Trophy defeat at Hendon.
"I know it will upset some people," Chapman said. "But we've spoken to some of our fans and they understand. Myself, Ady Gallagher (joint boss), Craig Fleming and Dave Carolan (coaches) are all in agreement and so is our chairman.
"It's disappointing the game has come 48 hours before we go to Gloucester and in different circumstances it wouldn't have happened."
