To be fair there will be a number of enforced changes due to the loanees going back and other cup tied so needs must to a certain extent but I fully agree with Fieldmarshall on the principle of always playing your strongest side.
There are many things you say against footballers but just because they're paid alot of money and are finely tuned athletes doesn't mean that they are going to be able to play at their peak performance in games, physiologically it takes its tole no matter how fit or well paid they are, it's just something you have to accept!! In the league I think you always put out your strongest team (something i really disliked with the whole MM vs Man U saga!!). But I still like strong teams out in the cup games but I also think it's a chance to try a few players out, in this instance I don't think MM has actually got alot of choice although even if Orr, Henderson and DJ were fit to play I would've said maybe with the exception of DJ others deserve their chance. I think Loach deserves his chance as I don't think there's alot to choose between the 2 and Loach is actually ours. It sounds like Hewitt has impressed in training and Orr hasn't overly impressed. Edwards hasn't impressed so I'd drop him and Martin doesn't look like a LW, so I'd move him accross!! I'd like to see JET and Chopra given a go upfront as we haven't got choice with Chopra and JET needs to be brought to improve our creativity and I think there may well be potential in a JET Chopra partnership!!
I have no problem with using cup games to give some fringe players extra experience. I'm not, and have seen no-one suggesting fielding a reserve team but why not use the opportunity to give players a chance to usurp a 1st team position? As JWM and others rightly argue, if it's not broke dont fix it (with non-first team players) - Mcarthy's first choice team seems to be getting by alright. So what of the bench players? is it just tough that no-matter how impressive they are in training and the last 20 or so minutes in a game they wont get a start because the first team is winning and playing well? Do they have to wait for an injury or a drop in form? Where's the motivation to be a committed squad member? It's as much the 'reserves' job to push the first team as it is the first team to hold onto it. The point being, we give, say Murray, a start against villa and he scores a hat-trick. Compared to we start with chopra, which is more likely, and he doesnt score. Of course the argument could be used in reverse, but we already know what Chopra offers - A very unpredictable scoring record. I remember going to the Shrewsbury game where Keane effectively played the reserves. I remember watching a good equal game of football, i never felt short changed, no guarantee a first team squad would have done any better. though that's just down to opinion. Villa is obviously different from shrewsbury but i still dont see the harm in experimenting a little when no league points are at stake. to sum up my position - I would play some of the fringe players (my definition being the younger ones i.e not scotland) but don't play the under 21s side.
just to add to the argument of 'if its not broke, dont fix it' we have been very poor for two consecutive home games which means there could be an argument that things do need tinkering with and that the first 11, whilst not broke are certainly not at their best. Maybe it was due to the amount of games over the period, possibly (especially Brighton) being outplayed by a better team, possibly just an off day. Only MM, his staff and players will know the reasons for certain but it would certainly be easier to call for an unchanged team after a convincing win than a convincing defeat.
does anyone know of any pubs around villa park that are for away fans? never been there before so I don't have a clue...
In my opinion the amount and frequency of games that we have players should all be able to handle, A player has a case for a rest after a distant international but to me the domestic fixtures should be easily handled by a player injury permitting.
It seems Mick has said at the press conference some of the players he will be playing: Loach Hewitt, Kisnorbo, Smith, Cresswell (JET?), Hyam, Reo-Coker (Martin?/McGoldrick?) Chopra, (Murphy?/McGoldrick?) Personally I would like to see Martin/JET on the wings, and McGoldrick up front. I liked Hyam and N'Daw when they played together but I'm just happy if Hyam gets a start.
