Bloody Rotation

[beabeasdad]

Once again, after a midweek CL win he can't resist the urge to tinker. With predictable results.

When will Rafa learn? You win things by playing your best team week in week out.

He seriously underestimated the Blades yesterday and we got what we deserved.

Etc Etc Etc Ad bloody nauseum

[einar]

[Red_Polo]

It's become a serious problem. Our players are not tired enough for the big games.

[DannyMan2006]

Once again, after a midweek CL win he can't resist the urge to tinker. With predictable results.

When will Rafa learn? You win things by playing your best team week in week out.

He seriously underestimated the Blades yesterday and we got what we deserved.

Etc Etc Etc Ad bloody nauseum

Everton and Newcastle games aside I would say we are now at a level of confidence where we can rotate the team how we see fit and still get results. It was the same result last year too.

The problem with rotation is at the start of the season. Opposition players arent worn out by a long season through lack of rotation at smaller teams, and all our new signings are not able too gel on the pitch because of constant switching. This both seasons has led to poor starts and low confidence initially. Of course we are saying the benefits now but the title is long gone.............

I think Rafa should stick to minimal rotation at the start and then back to his usual as they role into the busy december. But what do I know?

[einar]

Everton and Newcastle games aside I would say we are now at a level of confidence where we can rotate the team how we see fit and still get results. It was the same result last year too.

The problem with rotation is at the start of the season. Opposition players arent worn out by a long season through lack of rotation at smaller teams, and all our new signings are not able too gel on the pitch because of constant switching. This both seasons has led to poor starts and low confidence initially. Of course we are saying the benefits now but the title is long gone.............

I think Rafa should stick to minimal rotation at the start and then back to his usual as they role into the busy december. But what do I know?

I absolutely agree. I think the key to a better start to a season is less rotation until the team gels properly.

[beabeasdad]

Everton and Newcastle games aside I would say we are now at a level of confidence where we can rotate the team how we see fit and still get results. It was the same result last year too.

The problem with rotation is at the start of the season. Opposition players arent worn out by a long season through lack of rotation at smaller teams, and all our new signings are not able too gel on the pitch because of constant switching. This both seasons has led to poor starts and low confidence initially. Of course we are saying the benefits now but the title is long gone.............

I think Rafa should stick to minimal rotation at the start and then back to his usual as they role into the busy december. But what do I know?

That is a very good point.

[keniget]

Heh, no one is against rotation as a principle but as Danny said, there is a time and a place for it.

When you're up against Chelsea, Man Utd, Bolton and Everton away at the start of the season AND are trying to integrate 5 / 6 new players, you really should be looking to establish some sort of stability. It's common sense really.

[Morph]

I agree and disagree, in the past the rotation options we've had have been ****, now we've got something like the quality of players we need, and the new signings have settled better. I don't think rotation at the start of next season will matter so much, providing we don't make wholesale changes with personnel in then summer.

[cobain]

It's become a serious problem. Our players are not tired enough for the big games.

True

[dww]

Heh, no one is against rotation as a principle but as Danny said, there is a time and a place for it.

When you're up against Chelsea, Man Utd, Bolton and Everton away at the start of the season AND are trying to integrate 5 / 6 new players, you really should be looking to establish some sort of stability. It's common sense really.

The trouble at the beginning of the season was compounded by both injuries and the crap form of established players such as Stevie, Alonso, Carragher, Hyypia and Reina which made establishing a consistant core to the team hard.

Hopefully now we should have enough options in the spine of the team to mean that we can find a selection of players who are fit and on form who are already established in our pattern of play at the start of next season no matter who we bring in.

[bazza76]

I think Rafa should stick to minimal rotation at the start and then back to his usual as they role into the busy december. But what do I know?

I'd agree with that. But I'd like to add a little to it.
ITs also got to do with the number of new signings we make in the summer, I think we signed about 6 last summer, so naturaly, if Rafa wants to play these players it will take them time to adjust to the squad, especially when it is being rotated so much and the players are not of a world class standard. Rafa needs time to train and prepare his squad, alot of the players are used to that now, but new players will take a while longer.

[lfc4ever]

Only once in 125 matches has he named an unchanged team, and we all remember that one, wonder if he'll break the 100 barrier this time?

But all things considered, with the tough start to the season espcecially the away matches, with the new signings not bedded in and not having been here for pre-season, with the rubbish WC most players had, the rotation was one factor to be considered for a slow start to our season.

[bazza76]

Only once in 125 matches has he named an unchanged team, and we all remember that one, wonder if he'll break the 100 barrier this time?

But all things considered, with the tough start to the season espcecially the away matches, with the new signings not bedded in and not having been here for pre-season, with the rubbish WC most players had, the rotation was one factor to be considered for a slow start to our season.

Yep.
Just my opinion, but I wouldnt be suppries if we a has a slow, (not as slow as this year) start to next season. Not only is it about getting players used to Rafas system, its about them building confidence in it.

[Morse]

Everton and Newcastle games aside I would say we are now at a level of confidence where we can rotate the team how we see fit and still get results. It was the same result last year too.

The problem with rotation is at the start of the season. Opposition players arent worn out by a long season through lack of rotation at smaller teams, and all our new signings are not able too gel on the pitch because of constant switching. This both seasons has led to poor starts and low confidence initially. Of course we are saying the benefits now but the title is long gone.............

I think Rafa should stick to minimal rotation at the start and then back to his usual as they role into the busy december. But what do I know?

Spot on Danny.

[SouthAfricaRed]

I absolutely agree. I think the key to a better start to a season is less rotation until the team gels properly.

IMO The Key is a proper Pre Season. Not one where the majority of players arrive a couple of weeks late because of International commitments or One where we start in Round 1 of CL