tbh I was only using Nicky Bailey there because we'd had a run of about 5/6 wins after Millwall with an unchanged squad, a first team player came back into his slot and we instantly lost again... i.e. the change upset the winning mentality at the time.
It's a tough one. Dale Stephens is good player, and has scored some good goals for us, as well as setting up a few. Like they say though, you never change a winning team. Should least bring him on as a sub, with at least 25-30 minutes left.
Most likely the bench for sat Sully Cort Stephens Haynes Clarke ...that's quite a bench even withough hayes and waggy, we've got such a fudging good squad this year!
I thought Russell really helped steady the ship at a very important time on sat. But you do feel Haynes will feature, and not at Clarke's expense.
I can't imagine he's "match fit". Ankle injuries take a while to get back up and running again. I imagine he will be on the bench in hope that we can bring him on for 20-30 minutes.
Tbh i completely forgot about him, but looking at the players we have playing and that can make the bench, i don't see how he can get a space on there. Powell won't drop the GK or CB from the bench, and if there's a chance stephens can play he'll be there, that leaves clarke (one of the leagues top scorers) who powell obviously believes can bring something different then hayes, and either haynes or waggy for the pace, plus haynes can play on the wing. Harsh i know.
If Stephens isn't 'match fit' I'd much rather have Russell on the bench, 1-0 up against Sheff Utd with 25 minutes to go isn't the time to bring on a rusty 'flairy' midfielder, especially if we have 2 attackers (Clarke and Haynes) on the bench as well.
I'd rather have Hughes on the bench than Russell lol! How times have changed - After the Cup matches (the Carling and the JPT) everyone thought Hughes was a dud signing
