New poster here so go easy on me - Anyone noticed that in the 14 days starting the 15th Oct, we'll have played 4 of the top 6 teams (ok palace is in the carling cup but we still have to play them)? Ouch!! Maybe rest a few players on Tuesday?
We have 5 pts from the last three league games, which I one more than I would have taken at the start o those and the next game. Oh and welcome.
Without a doubt I expect players to be rested on Tuesday vs Palace. We've played the fringe players in the previous rounds, and I see no reason why that wouldn't happen again. The fact that it's sandwiched in between big league games vs Reading and Boro is another reason, but in all honestly they could have been home games vs Doncaster and Bristol City, and I'd still have expected the fringe players to play vs Palace.
Oh, and even if Adkins did decide to put out a full strength side against Palace, then at least Hammond will still get the night off due to his suspension.
...amazing that if we beat borough next week, we come through these games at least 3 points clear at the top.
Adkins has confirmed in his inteview with Solent that Bart, Martin and De Ridder will all play vs Palace. Interestingly, he also twice concedes that he maybe should have made more than just the one change to the side today, to keep things fresh (I can remember towards the end of the last season he made five changes for a Saturday game following on from a Tuesday game), so that would certainly suggest he'll be freshening things up for Tuesday.
A good set of players as back up and can only help to keep them fresh for when and if they are needed in the league campaign.
agreed ! all do well when called upon in league, demonstrated today by Martin, recently by Holmes and before injury Harding (altho he was 1st choice then)