Tricky FA Cup issues for Moyes – plus possible team

Ben Johnson looks set to claim right back position

We really don’t need reminding we have never won at Edgeley Park  because, given the law of averages, victory tonight would start to put things into a more sensible perspective.

Let’s be frank however, it takes a decent non league team to make it to this point of the competition as was shown comprehensively by Crawley yesterday (Sun) in giving a tonking to Leeds.

There’s also the secretive team selection issues surrounding David Moyes ahead of each match and particularly in this one where changes will invariably be made.

We can expect to see Darren Randolph in goal and probably Mark Noble in midfield but beyond that we are into guessing territory

There’s a suggestion that young Dane Frederick Alves could come in at the back and one would expect Ben Johnson to get a start with Ryan Fredericks absent with Covid.

I’d imagine he will slot into his natural position on the right  which may mean Aaron Cresswell could find himself on the left when expecting a rest.

With little cover in midfield for Declan or Tomas other than the captain, it’s difficult to see where the boss will go and whether he will be prepared to risk Michail Antonio up front.

Some like me would say he needs 90 minutes or close to it to get match fitness up for Burnley and West Brom whilst others would say it’s too much of a risk.

We need a Cup run and the gaffer has to strike a balance. That’s not going to be easy but here’s the sort of team we may see.

Randolph;  Johnson, Dawson, Balbuena, Cresswell; Yarmolenko, Noble, Benrahma, Holland, Lanzini, Antonio.

Prediction 0-3