augie wrote:In the cup final in a few weeks time we might just need chesney or wilshere or any of the so called back up players, so it makes perfect sense to play them today because they need to get some match sharpness under their belt.
I cannot understand the outcry against playing a non first choice team today - I would start chesney, chambers, gabriel, wilshere and wally for this game and blend them in with some of the first choice players. If a line up containing those players cant beat a shit reading side, then we have no place being in the premier league - there is a world of difference between this game and those against wigan and hull last season - hull are a premier league club and wigan were 5th in the championship and contained many players that had played in the premier league the season before, whilst reading are a side that sit
17th in the championship
I fully expect us to batter tham and thats even with some first teamers being rested

I don't understand why you would want to tinker with a team that has FINALLY found a winning formula.
There's only 7 games left (8 if we reach the cup final) and most of them are spaced a week apart, so there's no reason to start messing about with personnel.
They've not played for a week and it's another week until Chelsea, so would 14-15 days rest for Cazolra, Giroud, etc. help them going into the Chelsea game next week? - I don't think it does. That is too long to be away from competitive football and it threatens to halt the momentum we've built using the same small group of players in recent weeks.
Also, I think it's a psychological blow for any professional to be axed for a Wembley cup semi-final. It's a huge game regardless of opposition and they'll want to play in it... and they've earned the right as well. That's why Chesney should have played last years final and why Ospina should be in goal today.
I'd play the same team that has won us games recently, and then bring on Wilshere and Theo in the second half if the opportunity presents itself.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.