To rotate or not rotate

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Apologies if I'm duplicating a thread here. I looked but couldn't find one. I'm interested to know your opinions on whether SP should rotate the starting 11 more, especially when there are two matches a week to protect players from injuries and help those who will inevitably have to come in at some point to cover injuries/suspensions build up a bit of momentum/confidence/cohesion with the regular players. I always understood that this was a good idea as long as it's only 2-3 per match but I see from the team prediction game that people are pretty much choosing the same 11 each match. This may be because it's what you think SP will choose rather than your own opinions. I'm not an expert on team rotation so interested to get more knowledgable opinions on this.
 
Just been talking about this at work with a Luton fan who’s going on Saturday- under Eddie it was pretty much the same team and style every week barring injuries - we went at teams and steamrollered a lot of them - what great fun it was too …
Under SP it is different, he is happy to tweak the line up and style where he thinks it’s needed and so far it’s working v well .
Different times of course , different squad , different league now …. On the whole you wouldn’t change too much but it’s good he feels able to do it and the players respond ..
 
Think he will rotate regularly between Pearson and Brooks. Some games will need Pearson protecting the back four, he will need to play vs Sheffield United to combat the threat of Gibbs White for example. In others where we are less threatened offensively, he will move Christie central and play Brooks out wide, Lerma dropping deep and Pearson on the bench. I think.
 
What about rotating Billing and Christie or playing Brooks as number 10 and Christie on the right? Really pleased Billing scored on Saturday because he'd gone off the boil a bit. Also, any situations where he might play with a back 3 (maybe against Fulham for instance?). Great to have lots of options.
 
I can see Brooks and Christie being rotated a bit, given its not clear who the first choice is between them yet.

Otherwise you wouldn't want to tinker too much at the moment. Especially for Luton given the clear week since Cardiff. Peterborough midweek might see a couple of changes though.
 
I think you just have to pick the best team for every game, and when you're deciding that each match it's most often based on performances in recent games not practice, so changes possible but always likely to be minimal. Practice might get you off the bench sooner. Rigidly sticking to a winning team is the safe option, but these managers get paid to use their brains not stick to the safe option.

Cards may give people a chance plus later returns from international duty, but if you are a 1st choice now, you want to know that you can get back in if you take certain yellows for the team or have been rested just because you represented your country. Cahill has been good, but Mepham lost out due to his call up, and that leaves him in a difficult place. Could the same fate befall Zemura if he travels in the next break.

For what it's worth, I think we are going to have accept that success hereon probably means a good number are waiting for FA Cup watching a core nucleus. I wouldn't want to keep such a large squad happy if we hit a difficult spell though.

The only value in rotating is if you know that the players you need next year are not developing and you are prepared to take a longer term view by taking risks on the way by playing people further down the pecking order, by for example give Kilkenny a game against Luton instead of Pearson, which you could do if you have a week to prepare.
 
I get the feeling Kilkenny won't come back in because he's not yet physically strong enough. Shame because I think he's the best passer we have. I think Meps would probably have missed out whether on international duty or not. Feel a bit for him as he did well for us start of season and needs game time. He's done well for Wales too. Must be very frustrating for him. Not saying SP has been wrong, though. If I were Meps, I would be wanting to move on from us I think.
 
I think it is important that the players get to know one another, hopefully as well as JZ and Anthony have done.

It was clear in the last couple of matches that people like Christie weren't quite on the wavelength of the more established players which is totally understandable.

I think later on, as others have said we'll have enforced rotation through yellow cards or SP can choose to change the odd player here and there.

But while we're winning then we should stick with the team.
 
Key issue is SP's readiness to make subs. Take decent lead - make key subs; losing or underperforming - make subs. This gives squad players exposure and keeps the first choice on their toes. Doesn't have to be destabilising if done with care and the right timing.
 
Eddie always stuck with his best winning team regardless of how many games we were playing and I think Scott will too.
I think we have a better squad than last season apart from in goal so there are always good players ready to step in for an injury or inevitable suspension.
We also have the luxury of being able to give Stan and L Cook as much time as they need to get fit as we may need them as time goes on.
 
I get the feeling Kilkenny won't come back in because he's not yet physically strong enough. Shame because I think he's the best passer we have. I think Meps would probably have missed out whether on international duty or not. Feel a bit for him as he did well for us start of season and needs game time. He's done well for Wales too. Must be very frustrating for him. Not saying SP has been wrong, though. If I were Meps, I would be wanting to move on from us I think.

I know what you mean, but bearing in mind he's 22, I'd have expected his strength to have been improved/developed to a decent enough level by now.

After all, we're a professional sports club that must invest a lot in training methods and diets. Not like he needs to be eating/training like an extreme bodybuilder or worlds strongest man to make it as a footballer.
 
I wonder how much Eddie sticking to about 13 players in a 25 man squad impacted our performances (or lack of) in the cup competitions.
 

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