Ok. This has been really bugging me, pretty much since NP took over. What does he have against making substitutions? You are allowed to make 3, from a choice of 5 (seven last season), so if the game plan isn't working, you have other options. Last season, I believe it was the Bristol City game, he didn't make any at all. Ok, we won the game, but there were some really tired legs out there and he didn't make a single change. Against Blackpool, he brought off Adebola and brought on the only player in the squad who is even older! He then waited another 10 mins before bringing on Simpson. Tonight, he brought on Barmby (who for the second game running did nothing) for the only player who, for me, did anything he was supposed to! And then nobody else! If you are naming a bench (which in the cup you can have seven subs) full of kids, then even if we are 2-0 to a League 2 team, give them a shot, you never know! What is this obsession with bringing Barmby on in EVERY game? Hell won't rise if he doesn't make an appearance, so why does he bring him on? If we are a couple of goals ahead, fine, but not if we are chasing a game; we need somebody who change the play and push us on! I have nothing against Barmby, for me he is up there with Deano, but he isn't always the answer. I thought the purpose of a sub was to provide cover incase of injury, to swap tired players for fresh legs or to change around the formation depending on the game. Hell, atm the subs are nothing more than glorified season ticket holders who get to sit closer to the pitch and in comfier seats!
I have to say I disagree about Barmby. He consistently outshines everyone else when he comes on. He suddenly gives us an aerial threat even though he is the smallest player on the pitch, and he links up play that previously was going nowhere.
I love nicky barmby but on Friday the game passed him by for the first 10 minutes he was on and last night he just did his angry old mate act, nearly getting himself booked within 30 seconds of coming on.
Both times he came on we suddenly started looking like a lot more like scoring. Barmby's header was the closest we came last night.
