Resting players?

[red g]

Why does Scum, Chelsea and arsenal never rest players? Yet we always make at least 3 changes per game??

Is it because Lampturd goals hang all game that he can play every game?

Is it because of Gerrards workrate he cant play every game?

How come tennis players can play every other day week in,week out yet footballers cant?? (niave question from someoene who knows nowt about fitness levels)!

Will we see the benefit later on in the season??

[carheex]

My opinion is that our best XI should be played whenever possible. ONLY make changes when forced.

[bazza76]

My opinion is that our best XI should be played whenever possible. ONLY make changes when forced.

Rafa is argueably the most advanced manager in football. Not only in tactics, but in the way he prepares the squad. Notice how we finish so strongly last season after a bad start. Personally I think its because we were not as tired as other top sides and also the fact the the SQUAD got used to playing Rafa's system, we have some new players, most of them have never played in the EPL before. We will improve and results will improve, we have had possibly the hardest start of all the big sides so far this season. IMHO we will continue to get better and better, I actually dont expect everyone to understand how Rafa works, as the man is so unique in his management style. But the main flaw that I can see in the way he operates is the settling in period at the start of a season, internationals have also played a big part in our performances this season, I think Liverpool, more so than most other clubs with Rafa's coaching style, need more time for training, and Rafa hasnt really had the opportunity to show what his team can really do so far this season. Just my opinion.

[Helios Creed]

The pundits on TV yesterday were saying that top players like Gerrard should never be rotated, as at Chelsea where Lumpy plays every game... ignoring the fact that he has not been playing well for a while and maybe needs to be rotated? I think our recent long season and WC involvement will catch up with us (and hopefully others) if we don't act prudently.

[Eth]

I agree with Bazza in that Rafa does a great job in keeping players in good condition right up until the end of the season but I feel that as we have so many new players and a new system of using wingers - we need to halt the rotation until we get them to gel and an understanding of each other

[bazza76]

The pundits on TV yesterday were saying that top players like Gerrard should never be rotated, as at Chelsea where Lumpy plays every game... ignoring the fact that he has not been playing well for a while and maybe needs to be rotated? I think our recent long season and WC involvement will catch up with us (and hopefully others) if we don't act prudently.

There were definately times last season when we had players who needed a rest, I think they were mainly, Carra, Xabi and Gerrard. We had a tough schedule and it was good to see Rafa being able to rotate them, Rafa is not afraid to rest players as he sees it as part of his tactics, for the season, almost using it like a bench.