Rafael Benitez has conceded that sometimes he "gambles too much"

[kemm1]

There's no logical reason for arguing that constant rotation DOESNT lessen fluidity, stability and disrupt your rhythm.

I understand what you're saying, but I genuinely beleive that rotation can work. I won't go any further because I think I'll just be accused of being a 'Rafa Sheep' or something unless you really want to dicuss this.

[Craig_H]

That too.

I just think we don't have a good enough squad to rotate players and thus win games.

That's down to the timing of the rotation.

Our squad fillers are good enough to beat the likes of Derby, Sunderland, Fulham, Boro etc at home. THAT is when you use them. Not, for example, away at Pompey.

[Craig_H]

I understand what you're saying, but I genuinely beleive that rotation can work. I won't go any further because I think I'll just be accused of being a 'Rafa Sheep' or something unless you really want to dicuss this.

No, i dont disagree that is can work. But as i've said, you have to firstly choose the games where you rotate wisely. Secondly, you have to limit it to maybe 3 or 4 players at most. And third, you have to make sure that the players coming in are still playing in positions that they're comfortable in.

Rafa doesnt do the above three things well enough, which is why rotation (or HIS brand of it) costs us.

I didnt specifically call YOU a rafa-sheep...so dont bah on about it

[Roboklopp]

We shouldnt be taking any team in the league for granted. Rotate in the cups by all means, but keep it within reason for the league.

Part of the problem is that we've had so many players being brought into the club & sold off that it has taken the squad even longer to understand each others' games. Had we had the same group of players we had back in 2004, then the could cope with rotation a lot better by now.

[kemm1]

No, i dont disagree that is can work. But as i've said, you have to firstly choose the games where you rotate wisely. Secondly, you have to limit it to maybe 3 or 4 players at most. And third, you have to make sure that the players coming in are still playing in positions that they're comfortable in.

Rafa doesnt do the above three things well enough, which is why rotation (or HIS brand of it) costs us.

I didnt specifically call YOU a rafa-sheep...so dont bah on about it

OK mate, let me just finish up my cooking and I'l get back to you.

[Roboklopp]

No, i dont disagree that is can work. But as i've said, you have to firstly choose the games where you rotate wisely. Secondly, you have to limit it to maybe 3 or 4 players at most. And third, you have to make sure that the players coming in are still playing in positions that they're comfortable in.

Rafa doesnt do the above three things well enough, which is why rotation (or HIS brand of it) costs us.

I didnt specifically call YOU a rafa-sheep...so dont baa on about it

[Craig_H]

Pedant

[Roboklopp]

Pedant

Peasant.

[Joe King]

Peasant.

Peanuts

[Craig_H]

Peasant.

This could turn into a very long winded, unpleasant game...but I'M far too mature for that...

[saveferris]

I dont think its totally down to rotation. I feel that its the number of players that can change a game that is the difference between us and the remaining top 3.

We have Torres and Gerrard and if either of them are off form then we struggle. We have a number of very good players, such as Babel, Masher, Alonso, Agger and Carra but they are solid and dont have the ability to change 1 point into 3.

If you look at the top 3.

Arsenal have Fabregas, Adebayor and Van Persie in my opinion that can and have change a game, if they dont do the job they still have players such as Hleb, Rosicky, Flamini and Eduardo who have stepped forward when needed. Man U have had nani and Ji-Sung Park come into game and helped change the face of a game and Chelsea have a number of players as well. We havent had our team step to the plate when our big guys fail to perform to their best and that is why we draw games we should win.

All the top teams rotate, not as much as we do but all the same when their palyers come in they do the job required to get the points, we have got players that need to start making key contributions. Alonso is a good exmaple, in his first season he was a revelation, compared to Molby, this season he hasnt passed as well as he can. Others are Kewell, Aurelio, Kuyt, Crouch, who when fit can either score goals or provide decent service. We also know players such as Finnan, Penannt, babel and possibly Benayoun (altough he has been pretty good this season relatively speaking) can help in the attacking third.

I think rotation is a convenient excuse to an extent. Our players simply arent playing to their potential.

[rage]

rafa might come close to acknowledging his faults but he won't learn from them. today i give u pennant on the left wing.

[Skillz]

Where am i claiming that?

I could misquote you too but what would be the point?

I think you're missing out on the difference between making a title challenge, and actually winning the league.

Imply was the word and it is easy to see in my post what i meant.

TBH DJ it is the way you post like you have the answers like it is so simple, it is so obvious. The fact is it isn't.

Another fact is you said Rafa is a bigger obstacle to us winning the league than Manu, Arse and Chelsea. Besides being an incredibly stupid comment that you should be ashamed of it is disrepectful to the quality of those teams, their resources, the standard required to win the league but most of all it shows a massive disrespect to our manager and what he trying to achieve.

Perhaps you should go back and read your post again because it sums up why you piss people off so often on here deliberately or not.

[akjs123]

It's not a great record, as you say. You did most of the work for me, with this reply.

A great record would have been wins against Arse, Chavs, Spurs and Birmingham as well. But if you put things into perspective then you would see that during the first 4 months, we had injuries to Torres, Gerrard, Alonso, Carra, Agger and some more as well. Thats 5 players which form the spine of our team.
There was an interesting stat during the scum game yesterday that whenever Rooney has missed a game due to resting/suspension this season, United have not won.
And Chavs lost the title last season due to injuries to Cech, Terry etc.
So in an ideal world, yes we could be better off, but given our injuries during that period, a good record is good enough.

[Craig_H]

Imply was the word and it is easy to see in my post what i meant.

TBH DJ it is the way you post like you have the answers like it is so simple, it is so obvious. The fact is it isn't.

Another fact is you said Rafa is a bigger obstacle to us winning the league than Manu, Arse and Chelsea. Besides being an incredibly stupid comment that you should be ashamed of it is disrepectful to the quality of those teams, their resources, the standard required to win the league but most of all it shows a massive disrespect to our manager and what he trying to achieve.

Perhaps you should go back and read your post again because it sums up why you piss people off so often on here deliberately or not.

Well i wasnt implying that, so there we go.

We basically disagree on the impact of rotation and that's fine with me, but you seem to be irked that i dont think the same way as you. I dont know why it bothers you so much.

I also think that our lack of a title challenge has mostly been down to poor decision making by the manager, but you obviously disagree. I'm sure we can live with that.