Do Cup performances deserve League chances?

During our two cup campaigns so far this season we have played 3 out of 4 games with very much rotated squads yet still finishing with strong results. Some of the players in these rotated squads are looking to perform in these cup games in order to fight for their places in the regular 1^st team with the new signings further knocking them down the pecking order. A few players who in my opinion have performed exceptionally well in these circumstances and deserve to be looked at more often in league squads are…

Lewis Holtby- The young German attacking midfielder joined the Lilywhites from Bundesliga side Schalke 04 for a fee of just £1.5 million but since then Lewis hasn’t really become a first team regular like many of the fans were expecting. At the age of just 23 Lewis has got a long career ahead of him and has been regularly used in these rotated squads showing that he can be a key player for the squad. He has chipped in with 4 assists and 1 goal during these 3 games plus his tireless running and enthusiasm to play well for the team, these fine performances deserve a reward. Lewis’ eagerness to prove himself has made him seem like a real crowd favourite.

Sandro- Sandro Rainere AKA “BEAST” was seen by AVB as one of the main starters last season before he injured himself in an away game against QPR (Only Sandro can injure Sandro) but unfortunately since then he hasn’t been able to get himself back in the squad where he was. The arrivals of Paulinho and Capoue has really strengthened our options in the centre of midfield but this really has limited Sandro’s opportunities, but when he has been able to play in cup games he has really proven himself with industrial like performances, often breaking down opponents attacks and winning possession plus also creating opportunities for us going forward. Looks as if he and Paulinho could be a good partnership after the Villa game.

Jermain Defoe– Despite being our 6^th all-time top scorer Jermain has never really been a regular starter for more than half a season but you always know that he has a goal in him which is why I believe he should be given more opportunities in the BPL squads, he’s proved how deadly he can be in front of goal with 6 goals in 3 cup games. There’s few problems with JD though, he doesn’t suit our 1 striker system as he likes playing alongside someone like in the Peter Crouch days, he is always going for goal even when there are better openings to pass and lastly he was basically born offside. More sub appearances for the little man alongside Soldado could really help the team when we are in need of a goal and it could be a positive partnership if tested.