retired_mmalc64

After playing a few cup games against premiership clubs with teams from the championship and lower and getting smashed every time, i was wondering whether anyone has found cup shocks hard to come by or whether it's just me. I've found this strange since on 07 you at least had a chance against the 'bigger teams'

LiveForever

never put pressure on your team

tell them 'to enjoy the match' or that the 'pressure is off'

if any of your players thrive on pressure, tell them you 'expect a performance' - works very well if this happens to be the captain

play defensive, close down all over the pitch, hard tackles, short passing - this way you break the flow of their game and retain possession

if you can keep it all level at half time, tell the team youre pleased if they are on 7s - if theyre on 8s tell them youre delighted

the other team might just be demoralised enough after not managing to score for a half for you to start playing well - in which case give them a bit more creative freedom and spread them out the pitch a little

thats my strategy anyway

retired_11xgirl

I beat Bolton 3-1 in the fa cup, with my league one Brighton side a few minutes ago. Usually if going up against a premier sid I get smashed with 5 goals or so though. Think I lost 7-0 and 9-0 or something against Blackburn and 5-1 against Arsenal this season.