Not Andy Naylor
Well-known member
This has been brought up on numerous other threads, but it came up on the radio yesterday evening, so let’s continue the debate.
After reading Andy Naylor’s Argus piece yesterday, I’ve come round to the idea that we should ‘use the squad’ more in future matches against the top six, especially when there are more obviously winnable games soon afterwards. Spurs at Wembley is the next obvious example.
Previously my opinion was that big defeats would be bad for morale and our goal difference, but if everyone accepts that any big defeats suffered as a consequence are just the price to be paid for the strategy, then it shouldn’t affect the mood in the camp too negatively.
And it’s also just possible that the results might not be as dire as expected. Fringe players who get to start, such as Hunemeier, Kayal, Goldson, Rosenior, Murphy, Schelotto, Baldock etc might well raise their game and show what playing in the Premier Lesgue means to them in a way that they didn’t in the League Cup and whatever that other competition was called. Moreover, of course, they get the game time that they lack at the moment and is one reason why they aren’t ready to step in now.
I’m not suggesting that we rest the entire first team at Wembley. That would be like waving a white flag, and a definite slap in the face to the players selected, not to mention the travelling fans. But giving Duffy, Stephens and Propper a much-needed night off might be a start.
As for goal difference, that is worth only one point either way, and if resting players enables us to win a future game we might otherwise draw, we’re already a point up on the deal.
After reading Andy Naylor’s Argus piece yesterday, I’ve come round to the idea that we should ‘use the squad’ more in future matches against the top six, especially when there are more obviously winnable games soon afterwards. Spurs at Wembley is the next obvious example.
Previously my opinion was that big defeats would be bad for morale and our goal difference, but if everyone accepts that any big defeats suffered as a consequence are just the price to be paid for the strategy, then it shouldn’t affect the mood in the camp too negatively.
And it’s also just possible that the results might not be as dire as expected. Fringe players who get to start, such as Hunemeier, Kayal, Goldson, Rosenior, Murphy, Schelotto, Baldock etc might well raise their game and show what playing in the Premier Lesgue means to them in a way that they didn’t in the League Cup and whatever that other competition was called. Moreover, of course, they get the game time that they lack at the moment and is one reason why they aren’t ready to step in now.
I’m not suggesting that we rest the entire first team at Wembley. That would be like waving a white flag, and a definite slap in the face to the players selected, not to mention the travelling fans. But giving Duffy, Stephens and Propper a much-needed night off might be a start.
As for goal difference, that is worth only one point either way, and if resting players enables us to win a future game we might otherwise draw, we’re already a point up on the deal.
