The 'You Don't Change A Winning Side' Debate

[djsunyc]

no problem with starting the same squad. problem is not recognizing 10 mins into the 2nd half that we needed to make a sub and a dynamic sub at that. shouldve been kev atgp the 55 min mark.

 

[LydiateLee]

I think the 'play your strongest 11' debate is much more powerful.

How Kevin Mirallas does not get a game for us is remarkable.

Kone too, yes he had a good game against an off key Southampton but clearly he isn't a starter.

It is simple, drop Barry and Kone, move Cleverley alongside McCarthy and play two wide players. Deulofeu or Oviedo on the other flank.

 

[Dubai Blue]

Different opponents require different tactics. This ain't Fifa 15

 

[chazzle_dazzle]

Pick the team best equipped to beat the opponent... simple as.

However, favourites rule and that'll never change.

 

[Caolam]

The "don't change a winning side" adage was fine when players could play 50 games a season. Today they seem to get tired, the poor wee things.
Today's managers have to change to keep players fresh. There is also the matter of tactics, what works against one side won't work against another. We should know this better than most from last season.

 

[RFUS]

I understand the logic of not dropping anyone after a good performance, but really it should depend on who you are playing.

If you beat one team because your lineup and tactics were spot on, and the next team you play are similar in style and could be beaten by the same approach, then perhaps you keep your lineup.

But good teams approach each game differently. If you don't change things you become predictable and easier to defend against. I would say that not changing the lineup against City was mostly a good call, as it was a similar situation (we were trying to play on the counter). The main issue was perhaps with the subs (timing and the actual players being brought on/off).

 

[jtl60]

I think the 'play your strongest 11' debate is much more powerful.

How Kevin Mirallas does not get a game for us is remarkable.

Kone too, yes he had a good game against an off key Southampton but clearly he isn't a starter.

It is simple, drop Barry and Kone, move Cleverley alongside McCarthy and play two wide players. Deulofeu or Oviedo on the other flank.

Barry has been in good steady form so far this season.

Anyway, Hindsight is a lovely thing to have, but a more cautious approach against City should have been adopted. Leaving Gallaway exposed by playing Kone on the left was baffling. I would have been tempted to even play Besic there.

had we been playing a 'lesser' team than City it might have worked