I know players can become easily fatigued and watching some games recently were non-match fit players have played can be evident as they get knackered after 60 minutes (like Jelavic's first game against Norwich started brilliantly but did tire a little). But with the Cardiff and Brighton games being so close not being ideal I honestly don't see a problem. Players who have written after their career, like the secret footballer, have all come out and said they would rather play than train as at the end of the day that's what they love doing. The question I have is what does everyone think about an extra game with the replay? Good or Bad?
Good. I also dont see the problem especially for the younger players. I would not expect players like Faye and Koren to have both games in them and with Long and Helavic being cup tied both teams almost pick themselves. Chester and Rosie have a chance for monday to start which is also a bonus for us. Brighton have the same issues and also a massive championship league game on saturday at home to Wigan who are now 7th with Brighton 8th. Brighton dont have the squad depth in quality
It'll depend on what happens against Cardiff. A win and they'll want to keep the run going. Success breeds success. On the other hand, a defeat against Cardiff might make Bruce put out a strong side to get us back on track. And a big kick up the arse. I hope they don't pass up the opportunity to do well in the cup.
Well in my opinion now the training will be lighter and more games can actually be beneficial to gain momentum. Like you say older players will have a bit part withing one or both of the games so the team for brighton should pick itself. The only issue obviously is playing Cardiff away traveling then playing 2 days later
I dont see a problem with the closeness of the games for fatigue its more to do with recovery after knocks and prep time for the next game
Brighton have the same gap and also have to do a bit of travelling. We have a bigger squad so I don't think it's a disadvantage for that game. (Unless Allam decides we're going down to Cardiff in horse and cart again to save money) The only problem could be in having two days less rest for the next match. (Newcastle?)
Sagbo's late goal papered over the cracks of a poor performance on Monday. We must improve for Saturday (which with Long and Jelavic back in the team and Faye dropped we should do). If we get 3 pts then we'll waltz past Brighton - confidence is a huge part of this squad. I'm not quite sure where this post is going now and I've probably gone a bit O/T and now I'm thinking what the hell do I write next to try and get it back on topic but it's too late now. Oh dear
I think this also, if a win or draw on Saturday, then the mood will be positive, and he will probably go with the nucleus of the team that plays Saturday.
Rough league game/cup game possibilities below - this would leave only Elmo and Livermore starting both (plus a problem at LB)... McGregor/Harper Elmo/Rosenior Fig/Who???? Brady? Davies/Chester Bruce/Faye Koren/Elmo Hudd/Meyler Livermore/Livermore Quinn/Boyd Long/Aluko Jelavic/Sagbo (or Fryatt)
2 wins out of these two games could really get some momentum going again with a tricky home to Newcastle coming up. But the closeness of these games like I say can really build momentum and confidence. To me when a manager complains about the fixtures it screams that they're already making an excuse
We played Man United on 26th Dec and then Fulham on the 28th, and it didn't seem to impact the players too much!
Between our games finishing on Saturday and the kickoff on Monday Brighton have to travel from Brighton, and we have to travel from Cardiff. There isn't that much difference to be had out of it. If there was a significant difference between travelling Saturday night or Monday day then Brighton would travel at the same time we do. How does us having a bigger squad work anyway? Brighton made more changes than us for the first game, and one of our changes was to bring our first choice keeper back into the side.
