Resting players

[The Esk]

Difficult decision.

QPR losing right now. Bet they don't care. They just want to stay up.

I was at QPR's game, not their first team but a shocking performance.

It will require Charlie Austin to keep scoring all season to keep them up.

 

[Toffeelover]

But then again those games seemed to be played at a noticeably slower pace. Swings and roundabouts pal.

I think the decision to "rest" players or not must in part be determined by the timing of the new signings, be they frees, loans or permanents, that Martinez must unveil this week if we are to have any realistic hope of climbing out of the hole we are currently in. If we are only getting one or two in, then I would throw in the towel in the FA Cup and field a team similar to the last EL group game. If we are getting three or four in, or which at least two are starting XI quality, then maybe we try for a run in the FA cup. Either way I would look at the City game as a meaningless fixture and effectively start our prem season all over again on the 19th against WBA.

If he doesn't bring in anyone, we are in bother and will in all likelihood have to get out of the EL sharpish in order to maximise our chances in the prem.

Difficult things to face upto, staying in both will ask more of our depleted and in some cases inadequate squad.

 

[Toffeelover]

Think it's a bit different now though, the pure physical peak of fitness which players can achieve now is almost detrimental in a way. Takes 1 screw loose for the whole thing to blow you know, like Mirallas hammy.

The whole thing being like our season as it currently stands.

 

[efcfanwirral]

For clarity, do you mean the 93 / 94 season (where we came 17th in the Prem, left the FA cup in the 3rd round and the League cup in the 4th round), or the 94 / 95 season (15th, won the FA cup and got beat in the 2nd round of the League cup).

Genuinely not taking the mickey, just want to know which season you're referring to.

The cup winning one - could have gone down all the way to the second to last game.

 

[ijjysmith]

...perhaps Martinez knows the situation we're currently in and doesn't want the FA Cup around as a hindrance.

Really tough.

The FA Cup isn't a hindrance, to me at least. But then again we are in deep doo doo in the league.

I honestly wouldn't rest anyone. And don't think Martinez will either.

 

[paultheblue]

We must play our strongest team against West Ham, If we beat them it would be a lift for the fans and the players.Losing or winning is unlikely to alter the result at City.
We will know who we have in the next round on Monday Night and I think the draw could have a bearing on team selection.

 

[Carlito]

Martinez needs to put a strong team out here.

The team badly needs a win, and besides anything else will probably be getting binned out of the Europa next month anyway.

 

[GaryM]

I hope he plays his strongest team and one that gives a toss. Like another poster said lets try & beat West Ham & rest players against City as we aren't going to win that one on current form. I can't sit there on Tuesday night knowing that the weakened team are going to get another beating plus he needs to get the fans behind him again.

 

[Saint Domingo]

If anyone could tell me what our first 11 is i'd love to know. I'd wager our fringe players are probably in better form.

 

[Moomin]

Our players had a good rest against Hull the lazy gets.

 

[Mike Walkers trackie top]

I hope he plays his strongest team and one that gives a toss. Like another poster said lets try & beat West Ham & rest players against City as we aren't going to win that one on current form. I can't sit there on Tuesday night knowing that the weakened team are going to get another beating plus he needs to get the fans behind him again.

The only thing is that even if we played our strongest team on Tuesday (which I hope he does) we still have the problem of our 'impotent' keeper inbetween the uprights.

 

[meagher94]

We should play our strongest team available, then play the exact same team against City. We need to get some structure back, there's too much chopping and changing. Besides, 4 days rest between these two matches is enough, plus there's a 9 day break after that.

Hopefully Stones and McCarthy are back. It should be this:

Robles
Coleman Jagielka Stones Baines
Besic McCarthy
McGeady Barkley Mirallas
Lukaku
​

Then the exact same team on Saturday, unless we get a better goalkeeper in.

 

[raib]

We will be in the draw for the 4th round, as the draw is on Monday night - so not only do we know we play West Ham at home, we would know who we could play against in the next round (should we get through), a good draw could mean RM puts a good team out.

Just drop Barry please.

 

[raib]

We should play our strongest team available, then play the exact same team against City. We need to get some structure back, there's too much chopping and changing. Besides, 4 days rest between these two matches is enough, plus there's a 9 day break after that.

Hopefully Stones and McCarthy are back. It should be this:

Robles
Coleman Jagielka Stones Baines
Besic McCarthy
McGeady Barkley Mirallas
Lukaku
​

Then the exact same team on Saturday, unless we get a better goalkeeper in.

McCarthy and Stones and Mirallas will not play - still injured.

http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

 

[royvernon39]

Just imagine if he puts a reserve team out or even worse God forbid plays Hibbert and we lose; then Aguero does us big time at the weekend.

The pressure on RM and geberal atmosphere will stink.

The team has to start to get wins and get some confidence under its belt.

The only change for me would be to give Baines a break. I would play Garbutt ( because we need to keep him happy) and also Oviedo.

Goalie, coleman, jags, distin, garbutt, Besic, Barry, Oviedo, Lukaku, Barkley, mc Gready.