I think the only option PV has is to send a team made up of juniors and a couple of stiffs up North and to keep the first team back at Beckenham preparing for Forest on Saturday. I really think the football league have missed a trick here,they could have raised the profile of the competition by running at least two if not 3 of the rounds during the 7 week world cup break, we will have 3 maybe 4 players in Quatar that means 20 plus players kicking their heels for that period of time ,i would imagine the majority of other teams will be in that position (the top 5 maybe will have more ) but the football league could have played this round on the 19th or 26th and the next round a week or two later . This would have meant Saturday fixtures for fans to go to to see almost full first teams , with almost full grounds,instead you will see reserves playing in half full stadiums in a round of matches shoehorned in. Be interesting to see what team Forest put out at Spurs

It's a good point. I have argued that they should play the League cup games as the opener for the season and have it done by November e.g. play 2/3 games in quick succession in July / August before the first PL game.

One more point

we've certainly got a good enough squad to mix some seasoned pros, with some of the kids.

Newcastle are flying so I'd assume they will put a decent team out, to keep their momentum up

We only have two games before the WC so I think Vieira will put out a relatively strong side, perhaps something like this...

Johnstone

Ward Tomkins Guehi Jairo

Luka Schlupp

Ebiowei Olise Eze

Mateta

I don't think we'll see many from the U23 appearing, if any. Doucoure, Mitchell and Zaha the most likely to be rested. Newcastle probably have a bit more strength in depth and are a very big and physical team so it will be tough to win this. It's probably our best hope of a trophy, but to be frank does anyone give a sh*t about this cup?

This line up looks about right to me. Would probably get Hughes in over Schlupp and rest Eze for someone. Would be nice for Ebiowei to get 90 mins.

I think both teams will be taking this relatively seriously with the priority being on the league. Newcastle will likely rest key players too.

This and the FA Cup are our only realistic chance of silverware so we should go for both of them. In 10 years time when we're back in the Championship, we need some kind of glory to look back on.

Whilst i agree with the majority of your post, FIFA will not allow any competitive games while the WC is in progress, which is why many teams, incl ours, have friendlies arranged, to keep those players not going to the WC fit, a bit like a 'mini pre-season' if you like.

This operation, will make the 'Charge Of The Light Brigade' seem like a simple military exercise.