If we could have turned 6 of 13 draws into wins...

[DeeTheDog]

Rotation works, look at how badly Arsenal and Everton faltered towards the end of the season without rotation. If you look at the form table for the last 10 games, I'm sure we would be near the top.

Our season was lost during December to February, it was during this period were the loss of Agger and failure to land Heinz meant we were unable to rotate the centre backs and caused us to hold a deeper line. This had huge impact on our style of play especially against weaker teams as it was harder to press the play and it allowed the opponents greater time on the ball.

It is also not a coincidence that during this period when the most pressure was exerted on the manager, this coupled with the lack of assistant manager, surely had a huge impact on Rafa performing his job to the best of his ability.

Our form under the new formation gives us every reason to be positive for next season. Players who have not performed this season, look to being moved on. To avoid the Heinz scenario, transfers are going to be tied up early. I can only pray that the boardroom issue will be settled in time for the start of the season.

[Slim]

Rotation works, look at how badly Arsenal and Everton faltered towards the end of the season without rotation. If you look at the form table for the last 10 games, I'm sure we would be near the top.

Our season was lost during December to February, it was during this period were the loss of Agger and failure to land Heinz meant we were unable to rotate the centre backs and caused us to hold a deeper line. This had huge impact on our style of play especially against weaker teams as it was harder to press the play and it allowed the opponents greater time on the ball.

It is also not a coincidence that during this period when the most pressure was exerted on the manager, this coupled with the lack of assistant manager, surely had a huge impact on Rafa performing his job to the best of his ability.

Our form under the new formation gives us every reason to be positive for next season. Players who have not performed this season, look to being moved on. To avoid the Heinz scenario, transfers are going to be tied up early. I can only pray that the boardroom issue will be settled in time for the start of the season.

Good positive post.

[Craig_H]

Rotation works, look at how badly Arsenal and Everton faltered towards the end of the season without rotation. If you look at the form table for the last 10 games, I'm sure we would be near the top.

Our season was lost during December to February, it was during this period were the loss of Agger and failure to land Heinz meant we were unable to rotate the centre backs and caused us to hold a deeper line. This had huge impact on our style of play especially against weaker teams as it was harder to press the play and it allowed the opponents greater time on the ball.

It is also not a coincidence that during this period when the most pressure was exerted on the manager, this coupled with the lack of assistant manager, surely had a huge impact on Rafa performing his job to the best of his ability.

Our form under the new formation gives us every reason to be positive for next season. Players who have not performed this season, look to being moved on. To avoid the Heinz scenario, transfers are going to be tied up early. I can only pray that the boardroom issue will be settled in time for the start of the season.

Rotation the sensible way, works.

Rotation, the Rafa 'change 5-8 players per game' way, doesnt work.

[DeeTheDog]

Rotation the sensible way, works.

Rotation, the Rafa 'change 5-8 players per game' way, doesnt work.

Sorry... how many games this season excluding the formalties against Arsenal and Birmingham did this happen? I believe I read somewhere that Fergie actually rotated his squad more than Rafa this season.

Mistakes were made this season, no doubting that; however, the Sky myth, that Rafa rotates 4-5 players per game is simply not true. Our key players played in most games when fit, we have had several players out of form and injured which required rotation.

If you recall the days before Benetiz, our treatment room was full every week, Dave Galley was Doctor Death and our now almost ever present captain was more familiar with the roof of the physio room.

[Craig_H]

Sorry... how many games this season excluding the formalties against Arsenal and Birmingham did this happen? I believe I read somewhere that Fergie actually rotated his squad more than Rafa this season.

Mistakes were made this season, no doubting that; however, the Sky myth, that Rafa rotates 4-5 players per game is simply not true. Our key players played in most games when fit, we have had several players out of form and injured which required rotation.

If you recall the days before Benetiz, our treatment room was full every week, Dave Galley was Doctor Death and our now almost ever present captain was more familiar with the roof of the physio room.

Mate, there's been several times i can personally remember hearing the words 'Rafael Benitez has made 6/8 changes to side today' and that's a fact. I'm not making it up.

[DeeTheDog]

You recall hearing is hardly the basis of fact, do you have any proof? I recall hearing that how we would be challenging if we had not rested Torres and Gerrard when in fact both were rarely rested when fit.

[Craig_H]

You recall hearing is hardly the basis of fact, do you have any proof? I recall hearing that how we would be challenging if we had not rested Torres and Gerrard when in fact both were rarely rested when fit.

I dont mean hearing as in someone down the pub told me - i mean the actual commentator, while giving out the lineups, has said it.

Was he lying?

[rage]

rafa's rotated players, formations, and players in positions.

he has over rotated or in lay mans terms tinkered too much

[DeeTheDog]

I dont mean hearing as in someone down the pub told me - i mean the actual commentator, while giving out the lineups, has said it.

Was he lying?

If he was saying, as you mentioned - 5-8 players per game, then yes he was lying or believe it or not talking rubbish.

[dww]

The thing is that often that line has been used in terms of changes to teams when we have played in the CL or cup and a different team in the two competitions was justified and similar things were done by both United and Chelsea. And overall the amount of rotation in the top teams (bar Arsenal) is on most analyses done through the season roughly the same. I'm not sure that the I heard the commentator say "................." consititutes a very valid argument as we all know that many use facts very selectively and to bring certain stories to the fore which is the tabloid nature of all football presentation in this country.

There is however a different point that some team selections and tactics (the one I remember was against Reading) have been miscalculated and cost us points. I thin the same can be said of United and Chelsea actually - the difference is that they have a bigger number of quality attacking options which have meant that even when they have messed tactically they have still had a dangerous team on the field. We can't really say the same and it has cost us. However the rotation has helped both Babel and Lucas develop and we will be in a better position in my opinion next season.

[Craig_H]

If he was saying, as you mentioned - 5-8 players per game, then yes he was lying or believe it or not talking rubbish.

Crikey mate, this is gonna be a long day

I recall several occasions, hearing the commentator(s) say, as they're reading out the team lineups, that Rafa has made 6, 7 or 8 changes (depending on the specific games) to his side.

I cant make it much more simple than that.

[Craig_H]

The thing is that often that line has been used in terms of changes to teams when we have played in the CL or cup and a different team in the two competitions was justified and similar things were done by both United and Chelsea. And overall the amount of rotation in the top teams (bar Arsenal) is on most analyses done through the season roughly the same. I'm not sure that the I heard the commentator say "................." consititutes a very valid argument as we all know that many use facts very selectively and to bring certain stories to the fore which is the tabloid nature of all football presentation in this country.

There is however a different point that some team selections and tactics (the one I remember was against Reading) have been miscalculated and cost us points. I thin the same can be said of United and Chelsea actually - the difference is that they have a bigger number of quality attacking options which have meant that even when they have messed tactically they have still had a dangerous team on the field. We can't really say the same and it has cost us. However the rotation has helped both Babel and Lucas develop and we will be in a better position in my opinion next season.

Are you related to Tomkins?

[DeeTheDog]

Crikey mate, this is gonna be a long day

I recall several occasions, hearing the commentator(s) say, as they're reading out the team lineups, that Rafa has made 6, 7 or 8 changes (depending on the specific games) to his side.

I cant make it much more simple than that.

Simple - Excellent adjective, I concur.

[Craig_H]

Simple - Excellent adjective, I concur.

Not simple enough for some of us, clearly...

What if i write it down on paper and send it to you?

[lfc1394]

Rotation the sensible way, works.

Rotation, the Rafa 'change 5-8 players per game' way, doesnt work.

I wouldn’t mind 5-8 or even 11 changes in the cups. I think that’s what we as supporters need to come to terms with and hopefully Rafa will too. Our strongest teams in the CL and PL and the kids in the cups. I don’t really care if we get knocked out of the FA cup at home to Barnsley if we are genuinely challenging for the league.