Isn't it a flawed argument to suggest that playing four full games, two against teams desperate for points, is equivalent to playing for five minutes. Surely not playing in two games halves the possibility of injury or suspension?
Of course,if you don't play you won't get injured or carded. My argument is that the potential benefits of playing a full strength,settled side outweigh such potential risks.
Looking forward to watching a game with my feet up, just hope we play well everyone comes out of it unscathed and it’s a good game to watch, haway the lads and roll on Monday
OK, my last word as it's match day and I need to get in the zone The team we could play today probably wouldn't be the side we'd start in the playoffs. Cirkin, Ballard, Enzo, etc won't be starting today, for example, but may well in the semi-final or final ... ... anyway, whatever team we play is down to the man with his neck on the block
In a perverse way, I would play as many squad players as possible and give all our first team as much rest as possible. This game and the game against Blackburn are dead rubbers...Also, I think I would prefer Bristol in 5th place than any of the other teams chasing that place. For me, The games against Oxford and QPR are vital to get our first team refreshed and playing with confidence. The stakes are really high now..and the full squad need using.
It's possible but I doubt he'll play the whole game. Bristol won't be shy of putting their foot in and they'd love him out today and the playoffs.
I'd rather bring him and Isidor on in the second half ... ... Bristol will be so fired up, with a sell out holiday crowd, and desperate for points.
I'm all for heading into the playoffs on form but I wouldn't be risking the likes of Enzo or Jobe today. Too much of a risk against one of our most likely playoff opponents. It's a tough one to balance as we have been incredibly poor lately and a win for Bristol would be a huge boost knowing they may play us in a couple of weeks. Whatever the starting lineup we have to be so much better than our last few games.
You could also argue that if we had rested and rotated we would not be in the position we are now where we are able to do what we are doing? It's still just all ifs and buts. The team and club have done very well this season let's not lose sight of where we are.
dont mind who he plays but lets play some positive football, we've nothing to lose so lets see some expression whilst at the same time being disciplined at the back. 4 games left, could do with form kicking in from today
Good point, but now we are where we are... The smart thing would be to manage what is left of the season. Risk management is the key, just like teams who have important European games coming up rest their key players...we should at least look at this
I have already had quite a few beers and there is more in the fridge. Kick off here is 22:00 so I am warming up nicely. Only missed 1 game and 2 half's of this season because of work and the early morning kick off times which are normally between 2 and 4 in the morning (I set my alarm and get up early to watch) and I am normally up and out for work at around 05:30 ish. So whilst you lovely people get to go to games I get to live vicariously through TV and this forum coupled with info from family back home. From what I see we have been concentrating on defence and defensive set ups lately and I think we were right to look at this. My hope is that the natural attacking talent has not drifted from the squad, but is more likely been held at bay like a dog straining at the leash ready to be let go when the time is right. Today may not be that time, but I will still cheer the goals that we score and watch proudly from afar, because the team and players have earned that this year.
We can argue hypotheticals until the cows come home, proof will be in the pudding come the end of may, all we can do as fans is back the 11 that take the pitch each game, haway the lads
