'Didn't expect to go that strong... let's hope for no injuries' - Portsmouth fans react to team news for Harrow Borough FA Cup game
Pompey fans on social media have been left surprised by Danny Cowley’s decision to play a full-strength side for today’s visit of non-league Harrow Borough in the FA Cup.
In fairness to the Blues boss, he said he would do just that in the build-up to the first-round fixture.
And he has remained true to his word, with just two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Cheltenham on Tuesday night.
That’s sees Miguel Azeez and Shaun Williams brought in at the expense of Louis Thompson and Reeco Hackett.
Two academy youngsters are on the bench – Harvey Hughes and Harry Jewitt-White – but the rest is made up of first-team players as Cowley goes strong for the visit of the Southern League premier division south outfit.
As a result, many Blues supporters have expressed concern, particularly when the manager reported that he had only 16 fit senior players during the week.
Here’s a selection of the views shared on Twitter...
@jamesrafter94: Would’ve liked to have seen Ahadme and Jacobs get some time today.
Why play exactly the same ‘full strength’ team against a 7th tier team?
@Aaron25650310: Let's hope for no injuries.
@alfiee_26: If we don’t win then this is just embarrassing putting our best team out.
@Willfrattonpark: Sure didn’t expect us to go that strong.
@ffslluke: if we don’t win 5-0 at least it’s a disaster, literally our strongest team.
@AlfisaDon: why have we done this?
@pompey183: No doubt will start to moan about too many fixtures and small Squad next yet plays first 11 vs dog and duck