It's probably fair to say that the majority of players need to be at peak match fitness level to contribute toward the performance of their team. They're usually only considered for selection by their managers when they've proved they've achieved that level. Benkovic being dropped this week into the under 23 squad for yesterday's game is a case in point. Harris said he wasn't "match fit" and needed to get there before being considered for the first team - but some players are different. Something else he said was that Wilson and Tomlin were capable of doing things on the pitch that others weren't - that is very important as to the direction we hope to go. Now we can see that Wilson is fit enough, but what about Tomlin? If as Harris suggesseted he's pain free and training well on grass this week, is it a viable proposition to chance him either tonight or at QPR? I realise they're both away games and we've got results without them on the road, but is it the right time to move things up a gear? Wilson is young and should recover easily between the games but what about throwing Tommo in there as well even for a short period to inspire something different from what other side expect from us?
Tomlin on bench tonight. Fit and ready to go if needed. Could start Saturday as young Harry will have played a number of games, including Wales, in the last 3 weeks or so. He's young and fit to a Prem level but I wouldn't want to risk short term burn out or a niggling injury - like Desmond. Therefore switch to bench for Saturday unless he comes through strongly tonight then why not start both Saturday with Wilson having a wider but roaming role. On another note - Murphy? Should be fully fit and chomping at the bit to impress - either for us or a potential buyer in January if he wants to move on for regular starts. However, he started at the weekend but looked dis-interested. What happened to the player of 18 months to 2 years ago who was regularly tearing full backs apart and either putting in good crosses or getting shots in himself? In addition, what is the attraction with playing right footed wingers on the left and left footed wingers on the right? I get it that if they cut inside they can get shots in with their better foot. But we have a giant centre forward who will thrive on crosses from the byeline. He can't be a goal threat with balls knocked up to him from 30/40 yards back and his back to goal. He can head on or hold up to play in others but he is the main striker ffs. If we persist with 2 wingers have at least one of them who can attack his full back, get past him and put in crosses that will terrify defenders. Or find a winger who can play a ball equally with both feet. As rare as a hen's teeth. One of the reasons we scored freely about 10 years ago was a right footed right winger called Chris Burke who revelled in tearing left backs apart and getting in crosses for Bothroyd, Chopra et al. Also he wasn't bad at cutting inside when not expected and putting in good right footed shots.
So here's the conundrum. Should Tomlin be on the bench and only brought on to change our fortunes when we find ourselves behind - or - start him from the off to "produce" something, get in front and then sub him when he's knackered for a more defensive player to see the game out. This football management game is so simple isn't it?.......
I'd let tomlin come on to play against tiring legs. Start wilson in the middle. If he's still got the energy move him left when you bring Tomlin on. Against teams with less fire power, do you play 4141 rather than 4231? Wilson AND Tomlin behind the striker?
