The FA Cup is too long – Flores

Charlie Nicholas believes Watford will beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the FA Cup later today, according to his Sky Sports predictions column.

“I don’t want to change the rules of the FA Cup, but our team has its limits so we need to manage the players”.

In the Premier League, Newcastle find themselves in the relegation zone, a position many would have expected Saturday’s opponents Watford to be in after their promotion from the Championship last season.

Previous to that game against Blackburn, the last time Coloccini played an FA Cup-tie was in the disgraceful 3-1 defeat to then League Two Stevenage on 8 January 2011, five years ago to this day. Ighalo has been sensational and has scored fourteen goals this season, he is the pace player who plays off the shoulder of his strike partner Deeney who is one of the best hold up players in the league at the moment.

Jose Holebas may also be drafted in but Nathan Ake remains suspended while Tommie Hoban (groin) and Joel Ekstrand (knee) are out.

It shows lack of respect for the Newcastle fans, that the club captain has been allowed/encouraged to put his feet up whilst thousands of fans waste their money to watch a weakened team get knocked out season after season.

Midfielder Jack Colback is a doubt for the game with a hamstring injury, while Vurnon Anita is set to miss out with a similar problem.

While both managers will be keen to see their side progress, the Premier League mid-week fixtures will be in the back of their minds.