It'd be nice to think he dropped Howard and Stones for form reasons, not injury. If so, it's a great managerial call. If not, it's just really good fortune. Stones will be back to his best, but he got too cocky and needs to learn he's not the be all end all of centre halves quite yet.
That said, it was the right team selection no matter how he came to it. I was confused by his lack of subs, as the game was crying out for Deulofeu at 1-0 to discourage them swamping forward, but at this point you just accept Martinez is going to be odd with subs.
The key now is getting a run of games together. He has no excuses - that's a talented squad and there's now zero pressure on them with the season more or less dead.
That said, it was the right team selection no matter how he came to it. I was confused by his lack of subs, as the game was crying out for Deulofeu at 1-0 to discourage them swamping forward, but at this point you just accept Martinez is going to be odd with subs.
The key now is getting a run of games together. He has no excuses - that's a talented squad and there's now zero pressure on them with the season more or less dead.
