Looking at the still pictures and Mowatt face in interview

the young lads look shattered , do you think it is worth playing some fringe players on Saturday and keep our big hitters for Derby game, the fixture list is relentless, we have 2 long away trips to travel to in next 16 days,think big Val needs to manage team up to international break in a way we might not like in terms of selection, ready for very important April for final push for season

 

So he should look knackered. He gave his all as usual. But he'll bounce back, the energy of youth . Just try to stop him being part of the team.

 

The potential reward is so great that I think Mowatt and Co will insist that they keep playing. They get a decent rest after the Wednesday game on 20th March, after what will admittedly have been an absolutely brutal run of Saturday/weekday fixtures.

 

I get your thinking but I'd be tempted to start strong Saturday, put the game to bed by half time, then give players like Oduor and Kane a 2nd half.

I'd also start Halme over Palmer Saturday.

 

I thought Palmer was excellent last night. I would start him again alongside Mowatt. It seems our strongest midfield at the moment. Don't change a winning formula

 

Palmer was OK, but I thought we looked as good with Halme, possibly more solid.

 

everyone one is just skin and bone though, how many times can you go to the well, so to speak, I would take a chance against Brum to give a few a rest , but big Val will know best he will have the data etc, the huffing and puffing charts

 

In Val we trust

 

Brittain is overdue for a break but we do need to be careful. Saturday is a potential banana skin if we take Birmingham to be an easy game. They are fighting for their championship lives and have hit a bit of form recently

 

Corrected it for you

 

Not too long until the international break now. I think we’ll be fine, they’ll bounce back.

 

He looked dead on his feet last 15 minutes. Only problem is if you look at his stats compared to Palmer and Kane he’s miles ahead of them in all areas. Think we’d struggle without him.

 

Unlike some others we know, we will be following the science. I noticed on some close ups last night that Mowatt looked absolutely shagged and looks due for some respite. No doubt his personal data will be the guidance used.

 

Saturdays game won’t be easy. We know more than anyone that a wounded team is the most dangerous, they’re fighting for their lives these and may cause problems.

Id go the strongest team possible every single game. Obviously the manager and ultimately the player himself will know if anyone is unfit and therefore won’t be in that strongest 11 on the day. We have to trust Val here, he’s shown game after game and even during these games that he’s not afraid to change the team. I think that’s what makes us so hard to plan against.

 

Val did say in the post match interview I saw,that the players were and looked tired but praised their constant effort.

 

The players have to fight something new this weekend. Expectancy. They're expected to win this Saturday that is what makes it tougher. I was secretly pleased we dropped back down to seventh because we have no laurel's to rest on.

 

I think it will be a bit much to ask the same midfield 4 to start every game between now and the international break. Halme would be a decent option against Birmingham. Williams should get some minutes, whether it be to give Styles or Brittain a half off in the odd game.

 

Just wish Palmer could shoot. If he could we could have a Redfearn-like talent on our hands.

 

I don't think he can't shoot. He just doesn't shoot at the right moment. If he shot when it sat up rather than when he's being closed down he wouldn't have to snatch at his efforts so much. That will come with experience.

 

We could mate I agree, Romal is a phenomenal talent. But don't forget he's still only 22 and he's still improving. Redfearn was 26 when he joined us, and 33 when he played in the Premier League.