Coppell explains cup thoughts

Last updated : 02 January 2009 By Angus Muller

The Bluebirds will be with Michael Chopra and Wayne Routledge, both players have left the club after loan spells.

"I look at it quite coldly and, to a certain extent, dispassionately," explained Coppell. "We're not going to win the FA Cup.

"Cardiff got the final last season but they didn't win it. It was a magnificent achievement but I will repeat what I've always said, that we have 20 cup finals to come.

"I will spread the load and make significant changes, I make no bones about it. We have players carrying knocks and I will give the senior players an opportunity to recover and get back on track."

But Coppell also insisted: "People assume I don't want to do well in the competition but I do. I want us to go as far as possible.

"I'm not fielding a team to get beaten, I want the 11 who play to get a result, I'm really keen on that. The fact there are changes isn't important.

"The ones who tell me every day they should be playing are going to get an opportunity to show me what they can do."

Coppell, though, insists he is not keeping his team a secret. "Federici will play. It hasn't been set in stone but I've pencilled out a team.

"I will phone up Dave Jones if you want. It wouldn't bother me if he knew my team now, but I don't for definite. I'm not doing it to surprise him,"