Day 116

A lowly one thousand people are expected to attend tomorrow's FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round match against Buxton. That's a real shame, because I think we'll put on a show. I'm hardly surprised, though—we're considered shoe-ins for a big victory, and one-sided games can be awfully boring to watch.

The bookies rated us at 1-20 odds to win. Would anyone even bother to bet? The odds on a draw or loss are favourable for risk takers—11-2 for a draw and 30-1 for defeat. Betting on the draw seems like a smart choice. If we get shocked, or play with too much arrogance, Buxton could easily sneak a draw and force a replay...What am I saying? Put your life savings on us to win. You might get enough to buy yourself a nice dinner after the game.

I had a bit of a think about match selection. We've got a league game midweek—just three days after tomorrow's fixture. I'll save Bore's return for then. I'm looking to put Kanouté, Woods, and Sam Smith in from the start. Gowling, Power, and Barnes-Homer will likely make way. I may give youngsters Robert Taylor and Karlton Watson starting berths, too. It's tempting to throw 16-year-old left back Will Rawdon in from the start, but I'm weary of leaving us too vulnerable in defence. The lad's a good chance for the bench, though.

In other news, Chalwe and Burgess finished their trials today. I'm still interested in Chalwe, but with Gowling and Marques playing so well together there's really no place for him.