With 7 games in the next 22 days, I don't think we are going to see a settled team. The team that plays Saturday may not necessarily be our strongest, or on Tuesday etc - the next few weeks we will see what the squad is really made of. Players like Buttterfield, Martin, Dickson, Holmes, Forte will get a taste of league action - our 1st team won't exactly be that on our teamsheets next few weeks IMO Its a chance for fringe players to show what they can do in the League, and how good our depth in the squad really is - its not really been tested much in the cup so I think it will be interesting Debates such as Richardson or Butterfield, Harding or Fox won't really be answered because of the rotation happening - so posters dont go to other posters " oh yeah fox is number 1 " when he starts because we won't really know yet Thoughts?
Sorry, can't agree! It's going to be a tough few weeks with some really difficult games. I think Nige will play his strongest team, injuries permitting. Not the time for mixing up the squad, unless we suffer a couple of defeats.
I agree with you, he will play his strongest team available each game with the exception of the carling cup
We had similar run in towards the end of last season. If I remember correctly, not much rotation happened throughout the games...
We will start every match with our strongest team, then depending on score Nigel will bring on 'impact' players. He's not in the business of keeping people happy by rotating players and risking losing. It's all about winning games of football.
Don't think it'll be that simple. We know that Nigel places a lot of importance in the details, and he will have data, not only on injuries, but on player condition and effectiveness generally. That might mean the difference between a reasonably fit Richardson being played, or a fighting fit Butterfield. Plus Nigel picks players on how appropriate they are to the opposition. He plays the percentages very well, and our strongest side may well be the one Nigel decides is the strongest for the opposition they face.
There will probably be a core of Davis, Fonte, Hooiveld, Cork, Lambert, Guly, Lallana starting games. Others will be rotated accordingly, expect to see Lambert, Cork, Guly and Lallana all subbed in upcoming games.
If our next two games were the other way around (ie West ham away, then Derby at home), i think Nigel might have rested a few for Tuesday. I'd back us to beat Derby at home, even with only 7 or 8 first team regulars, and then of course we'd have a few fresh faces to come back into the side for Reading away. However, it's not like that and I don't think we can afford to rest anyone for West Ham at home, nor indeed Derby away for that matter. I think we're just going to have to battle through these four games with pretty much the same XI each time, and just make wholesale changes for the Carling Cup game. The likes of Dickson, Butterfield, Holmes, Morgan and Chaplow will probably be utilised in our first XI a lot more during November and December, when the workload is just as heavy, but the opposition is at times slightly lighter.
Why would he not play our strongest 11???? Are you dense.... our team is 1 of the fittest in the league if not THE FITTEST.. so we have a very fast recovery and can deal with the amount of games coming up!! fitness isn't just about 90 minutes! I do agree with the fringe players wil be played more in the cup game, but i can only see a few first teamers out as adkins and saints will want to win and play a big prem team hopefully get to the quarter finals!
i think theres gonna be a lot of changes in the carling cup. dougie freedman is doing the same. one of the youngsters could really make a name for themselves in that game, put us into the quarters.
Agree with that Jen.. I'd like to see how Jordan prowse lives up to the task!! and ben reeves deff deserves to start after the performance against swindon!
"Players like Buttterfield, Martin, Dickson, Holmes, Forte will get a taste of league action" Wow- had almost completely forgotten about Forte! I agree, there's a lot of games close together, but they're also big games against strong opposition, so I think the team should be fairly consistent. Especially on the back of a decent break. There will inevitably be some rotation though & I'd like to see a bit more of De Ridder in action- don't think he's fully settled in yet
Must play strongest team available for every league game. Three points is three points whoever the opposition (although good to take points off close rivals). You may lose by playing a slightly weaker side against a 'lesser' team, then still not beat the supposedly strong side with your first team. Get those points on the board!
The next 4 league games look really tough. I think we will lose to Derby but beat West Ham on Tuesday, The following games against Boro and Reading will be a loss and a draw. If we improve on this, I think we are the real deal. Having been to the home matches in the league this season, there is nothing that frightens me with the opposition but I think that Leicester, Boro, West Ham and Derby are probably the ones who will be in the mix with us at the end.
If we come through October at least reasonably well, we have an 'easier' month. Keep up our home form and pick some points up away and we'll be in the mix. Home form is the key to everything as it gives you a strong base to work from.
