Is that AR is trying to show the players that no-one is guaranteed a start and so is trying to get rid of any possible complacency... Shuker dropped for Colchester, Burns at Preston, McPhail dropped today along with Robbie. As I say it's probably a load of rubbish but that's my only explanation...
Maybe he thinks it's gonna need a determined midfield display to get owt out of the game, and McPhail can easily drift out of this type of battle ????
Nearly every manager Rotates his squad when there are two game in three games. Why should Ritchie be any different?