Are we allowed to rest large portions of the squad

[ArcticBlue]

Against Wolves? Being as though they are locked in a relegation battle. Based on what Gus has to say, I think this is the case:

“We need to play our game with the best team available because we cannot do any favours when there is a relegation battle.”


Surely this is a little unfair as it is risking injury to our players? I am guessing Palace would need to do the same too, but still! I suppose, the players that he doesn't want to play could withdraw with 'minor' injuries i.e. Ulloa, Barnes etc.

What Gus said there and what happens may not be the same. He is not likely to say he is going to play a weakened side. I would suggest any player who has even the slightest fitness doubt will be rested. That's what I would do anyway. That said, one doesn't want to lose the game and thus lose form.

 

[Triggaaar]

I live in the heartland of Wolves support and have been stopped and even threatened by their sypportwrs in the last week or so........ putting aside the argument of being fair to the other teams fighting for survival I want my effort to be rewarded. I want to see a strong Albion team and a good win to see us into the playoffs in style. Nothing less than 100% of the best available

I can understand your point of view, as this could well be your last ever game.

 

[father_and_son]

If we lose this game because we've fielded a team with a significant number of non-first choice players I for one will be extremely pissed off. Momentum is key as we enter the payoffs and losing at home to the team second or third bottom in the table may seriously affect our confidence going forward into two or three of the most important games in this clubs history.

If our "dev squad" lost this game then the first team still have momentum because none of them were involved... this argument doesn't stand up when its an all or nothing squad.

 

[Normal Rob]

to me it's about professional integrity. You play your best team. Simple.

 

[strings]

I live in the heartland of Wolves support and have been stopped and even threatened by their sypportwrs in the last week or so........ :

Bloody 'eck!

I live in the Black Country and work in Wolves - haven't had any threats though! Most of the folk I know have already resigned themselves to league 1 football. They're a funny lot round here, but they are right to blame the board for the shambolic running of the club. Most fans seem to conveniently skip over the bit where they harassed the board into sacking McCarthy, though.

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

I'd imagine Ankergrin, El Abd, Painter & poss JFC could get a look-in with PIG, Bridcutt & Ulloa rested, poss Buckley too, for KLL.

Still a strong side.

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

If we have won the points to secure 4th, I think we can play who we like as long as they are a squad player. If we played a youth team fair enough but see no problem in playing El Abd Ankergren Painter JFC Crofts and kazenga. We can also justify bringing in a specialised RB from the development squad as bruno injured and calde suspended.

So....

Casper
Dev squad El Abd Greer Painter
Hammond Crofts
Kaz JFC Vicente
Barnes

Is that a weak team ?

That team would walk all over League One.

I'd Play:

Brez

Dev Squad RB Greer Dunk Painter

Spanish Dave Dicker Crofts JFC Barnes


Barker


Don't think KLL will be playing after picture of his hand in a sling yesterday.

 

[severnside gull]

I can understand your point of view, as this could well be your last ever game.

you obviously know the area

 

[drew]

We can quite happily drop anyone with a slight knock and equally can justify trying out one or two of the youngsters who have had first team action as our justification is that this is not our last game of the season. Gus won't play the dev squad but equally I take with a pinch of salt any comment about playing our strongest team judging by some of the comments leading up to previous cup games.

 

[severnside gull]

Bloody 'eck!

I live in the Black Country and work in Wolves - haven't had any threats though! Most of the folk I know have already resigned themselves to league 1 football. They're a funny lot round here, but they are right to blame the board for the shambolic running of the club. Most fans seem to conveniently skip over the bit where they harassed the board into sacking McCarthy, though.

Probably not helping that I have Seagull stickers all over the car but I've had two people suggest I remove them if we send Wolves down or I might need a paint job! Took it jocularly but after Wolves fans' antics last weekend I'm not so sure
They really are fanatical round here (Bewdley) but you're right that they forget their part in dumping McCarthy. Feel sorry for them though as they have real quality players who sadly appear not only to not give a shit but even worse to have no self respect or pride. Last season I would have been desperate to get some of their top players but after their performances this season I would question whether most of them are worth a fee of any description. Sad really but as I have said to them - we've been there and bounced back (didn't go down well I have to say)

 

[Rugrat]

We are fighting for a shot at the Prem and the biggest prize in our history. Shirley the responsibility for everyone at the club is to do whatever they can to get us there. If that means resting some and giving some others game time it will all be with that ultimate objective in mind. As Gus said it's not our fault that Wolves are where they are.

We should do whatever is best for us and not for Posh or Barnsley. If the FL don't like it then they can write us a cheque for £100M or whatever

 

[hybrid_x]

momentum is not as key as getting two or three of your best players injured......if we lose 0-2 with many reserves how do we lose momentum is 4/5 of our best players didn't play.....how can an individual lose form if he does not play?

silly argument.


lose 0-6 and yes, it could hurt us, but a few ressies and a poor performance with no injuries is fine with me.

 

[JBizzle]

We are fighting for a shot at the Prem and the biggest prize in our history. Shirley the responsibility for everyone at the club is to do whatever they can to get us there. If that means resting some and giving some others game time it will all be with that ultimate objective in mind. As Gus said it's not our fault that Wolves are where they are.

We should do whatever is best for us and not for Posh or Barnsley. If the FL don't like it then they can write us a cheque for £100M or whatever

Although I agree I think the most important thing in maintaining momentum going into the play-offs. If we take it easy, play a weakened team and lose 3-0 I honestly think it would have an impact on out play-off mentality.

Sure, rest a couple if they have doubts (Bridge, Kuszczak, possibly Ulloa) but I think a sound battering of Wolves would mean a huge amount going into the play-offs.

 

[banjo]

I still think with a slightly weakened team will will beat them. They are under pressure to win and we can just play freely = 3-1 win to us.

 

[Triggaaar]

Most fans seem to conveniently skip over the bit where they harassed the board into sacking McCarthy, though.

We have some fans like that here.

 

[Coach_Carter_92]

Also might be worth noting Wolves have a lot of first team players out injured, including Sako who was rushed back too early last week, so he might not play

 

[Paris]

We should rest the majority of our big hitters tomorrow. Especially the likes of KLL and Buckley, who have fairly regular injuries. It'll only become an issue if Wolves stay up. Highly unlikely

 

[Rugrat]

Although I agree I think the most important thing in maintaining momentum going into the play-offs. If we take it easy, play a weakened team and lose 3-0 I honestly think it would have an impact on out play-off mentality.

Sure, rest a couple if they have doubts (Bridge, Kuszczak, possibly Ulloa) but I think a sound battering of Wolves would mean a huge amount going into the play-offs.

I agree ... the point I was trying to make is that it should be entirely up to us how we approach the game. Our play off hopes and doing the very best against Wolves may not be compatible, I'm not sure. The Prem changed their rules (about "weakened" teams) a couple of years ago, I hope the FL did the same. If not feck them anyway and pay a fine

 

[JBizzle]

Yeah, if I'm honest I'm torn between a weakened side or focusing on momentum and I genuinely don't know which on ewill have the biggest impact.

The question I always had, if who decides what a "regular" is? What if, say Bridge, Bruno, Ulloa, Greer, Kuszczak, Vicenta and Ulloa are all injured for the first 6 games of the season and all then come in? Theoretically, we would be dropping the regulars based on appearances and replacing them with fringe players. The League can't make a judgement on who is deemed a regular accurately can they?

 

[bn1&bn3 Albion]

Don't want to risk players but at the same time I'd like to keep our unbeaten run going into the play offs..