There was a time when clubs always fielded their strongest team in the FA Cup.
If a player was struggling with an injury, a Cup game – rather than a league fixture – would be the target for the player’s return.
How times have changed. Karl Robinson will make eight changes from Saturday’s starting line-up at Bradford for the Cup replay at Milton Keynes on Tuesday evening.
The Addicks have injury and illness problems, so Robinson will have to make careful use of his squad. League points will be Robinson’s main focus.
A difficult and uninspiring tie at Brighton awaits the winners, and it is doubtful if either set of fans will shed any tears if their team is eliminated.
So which three of Saturday’s starters will the new boss retain? He has ruled Andrew Crofts, Frederik Ulvestad, Josh Magennis and Nicky Ajose out of the clash at stadium:mk.
Dillon Phillips looks sure to start in goal, and Ezri Konsa could also go again.
Charlton may look something like this:
Phillips; Konsa, Teixeira, Johnson, Chicksen; Aribo, Foley, Jackson, Botaka; Hanlan, Umerah.
Subs: Mitov, Fox, Ba, Dijksteel, Muldoon, Lookman, Novak.
It would be no great surprise if it is Milton Keynes, rather than the Addicks, who travel to the Amex to play Brighton on 7 January.