05 Dec 2017 18:16:12
I think Bruce has had a decent season thus far, but I would like to see him rotating the team a bit better.

About 5 or 6 games into the season he really got the structure and balance right. If you have the balance right and a number of 'like for like' players. I really think you can rotate more.

For example Mourinio plays the same tean week in and week out just like Bruce. He ends up with a lot of injuries, and his players are buggered at the end of the season.

Furguson was the master of rotation, and it is different to tinkering. Rotation, you are keeping your spine, and what works, and roatating 1 or 2 players that are like for like every week.

These players can be rotated.

Grealish for Onamah
Hourihane for Lansbury
Taylor for Hutton
O'hare for Snodgrass
Jed for Samba for Terry
Lyden for Whelan

And a few more i'm sure.

Just 1 or 2 changes a week. You can keep players fresh, increase competition, develop youth and keep squad players happy. whilst keeping the spine and stucture and increase performance.

He has to rotate his squad based on injuries and it ends up being retroactive.

Thats what makes sense to me anyway.

1.) 05 Dec 2017
05 Dec 2017 19:25:43
I agree in principle, and on paper, and on places like this it makes sense, but you need the right sort of player, and the right quality with to replace.

Ferguson did this, you are right, and his squad players became legends, look at the little Norwegian! But his whole squad oozed quality, and world beaters, ours doesn’t, and in my opinion is fragile, I feel with this team, momentum is everything, not just with the results, but with the formation, and who’s in the team.
For me, we have a starting 11, that is a mid table prem side, we then have 11 more players trying to break in, that are a bottom 3 prem side.
If we mix them, the lesser players ‘could’ raise their games, but the opposite could also happen. And we can’t risk this.

We have to have a side that only the best play in, so if you make the team, you know you are there because you are the best on the day. We can’t have average players thinking they are playing because somebody else is resting. They know they won’t play the next week, so could be distracted, and cost us.

For me rotation works only with the very best.

Injuries happen through three things,

1) accident, bad tackle, trip etc
2) poor philosophy, warming up and down poorly, food and life style
3) poor mentality, anger, frustration etc

These guys are elite, two three matches a week, (180-270 minutes! ) will not kill them.

Pmsl at comparing Brucie with Ferguson and the chosen one!

2.) 05 Dec 2017
05 Dec 2017 19:47:44
Last line sounds condescending, wasn’t meant like that at all, so I apologise! Just made me laugh that he mentionyin the same breath, I’m one of Brucies biggest allies on here, and I have to admit he is fit to lace their boots!

Sorry VillaSA wasn’t meant to patronise. Just a different opinion.

3.) 05 Dec 2017
05 Dec 2017 20:06:31
Alright let's retract compare and say rather a facet of a broader strategy that I am comparing to greater managers that everyone can identify with.

Yes I do agree with your reasons for injury, however muscle fatigue can hit a player at anytime regardless how fit and elite they are, that's when long term injuries happen.

In terms of our starting team, I think its the most cohesion we have had in years. a lot of our fringe youth haven't been able to develop in our previous teams as our team and tactics changed like the weather.

Our team is pretty stable. I really think how can it be disastorous. Eg swap Whelan for Lyden one week and keep the core team. He can only improve in that enviroment.

4.) 05 Dec 2017
05 Dec 2017 20:08:34
No stress Flackie, never took it that way.

5.) 05 Dec 2017
05 Dec 2017 21:19:30
Thanks mate. glad you took it as it was meant!

6.) 05 Dec 2017
05 Dec 2017 21:57:46
Lyden can’t replace anyone, he’s just had a serious operation yesterday.

7.) 05 Dec 2017
05 Dec 2017 22:25:42
Well isn't that great news.

8.) 06 Dec 2017
06 Dec 2017 12:50:55
Great thread and replies. I tend to agree with Flacks on this one momentum is the key I can't remember the last time we had a decent and stable side although VILLASA I can see where your coming from but it's all about getting out of this horrid league it's easier said than done so for me keep the same 11 each week until injuries or suspensions dictate what happens but great posts fellas.