Because I think changes are based on scouting the opposition and picking players for that as Norton Cat pointed out while also taking into account the reports from the medical department when it comes to player fatigue. So seeing as I've been good enough to answer you, will you return the courtesy and answer me. How do you know it's needless tinkering?
Just pick your strongest team and stick with it. Think Johnson overthinks things and tries to be a bit too clever at times with team selection. Imo.
We'd be found out within a fortnight if we did that. Every club relies on detailed scouting now and makes changes, to one extent or another, based on that. Its just Johnson talks about it a lot.
A lot saud “Jones for Gooch” before kick off at the weekend. But Gooch did a very good defensive job. That’s why he was playing. Had he been playing against Posh, we probably would’ve won as it was Jones who stood and watched Dembele wander into acres of space! Different players play different roles. And that is something which is very important. Everyone says “start with x, y and z” and, as fans, we all know which team is best based on what we see regularly. But we don’t see it as regularly as Johnson. We don’t scout the opposition as you say. We don’t know who is capable of what from the opponents.
That may be true, but if the players are on their game they will win anyway, Could mention our last game we knew what to expect but could do nothing about it in the end, same with the top two everyone knows how they play they just cant stop them. Its a fine line, and I tend to go with the strongest line up, mine would be playing a 3/4/3 with Connor Sanderson Bailey-Wright O/9 / Power / Scowen / Hume with a front three from Jones / Diamond / AoB / Wyke / Stewart / McGeady / Gooch or Maguire plenty room for tinkering there if you like.
That said, we could’ve comfortably won that game and none of the Charlton lot could’ve complained. Their keeper was the difference with two worldy saves at 0-0. Even one of those goes in I thin, we run out comfortable winners but then, if my Aunty had balls, she’d be my uncle!!
But what if the opposition line up 433 against that? We're 1 for 1 at the back and immediately outnumbered in centre midfield. You have to know that our players are significantly better in centre mid to cope with being a man down. If they're not, you have to match up. Its horses for courses, just the way Johnson plays it.
cant remember if i met your unclestill upset the EFL let them have that goalie its cheating as far as i'm concerned
Belated apologies for not thanking RTB for his efforts in setting up another top class thread. Well done mate its keeping us all sane. (well at least some ) Just a shame your not picking the starting eleven as well.
We'll learn a lot about the mentality of the squad tomorrow. The easy option is to accept the playoffs.
Jones is the better winger...Gooch is the better wing back .. from what I have seen to date. Jones I reckon will get better the more games he plays...not sure that Gooch will.
Fair comment and I agree completely. Gooch is an enigma. One game in 5 he will be unplayable. But the other 4 he will be about good enough for my old pub team!! pits obvious he has the ability. We just done see it often enough
Like you've both said though, they're different players and, therefore, offer different things to the team.
cheers again RTB... apologies for repeating myself but i will never change my thoughts that a solid, regular defensive line is an important part of a winning team and if the lads are fit, get them in regardless of how well onien has been doing. liverpool, once van dijk was out started to struggle and since then have had bad luck regarding defensive players, they have an abundance of quality all through the squad but losing that regular back line hurt them. hopefully LJ will have the luxury of being able to field an even stronger side when needed.
Great thread as usual rtb. A must win game, going for a nervy 2-1 win to the lads. Wyke & someone else.
Not so sure. Do Hull and Peterborough change things every game. I know Peterborough don't change their team.