Stick with the same team that played against Everton or make changes to freshen it up after a tough 120 minutes? I'd be tempted to give Rothwell a start in place of Crowley, and Smith a start in place of Nyatanga.
No way would I swap smith for nyatanga, need to keep a solid back four. Personally unless needed I wouldn't change the first 11
Same team unless forced through injury, get business done by 65mins and sub players made of glass off (winnall) so we still have a decent striker for the massive game on Tuesday..
I think it will all depend on how sharp each individual looks in training as to who is and isn't rotated out.
They are supposed to be professional sportsmen, 2 games in 3 days shouldn't be a problem even tho the first one went to extra time, unless the squad is desperately unfit.
7 games in 3 weeks with 2 going to 120 minutes its a fairly tough ask. No doubt they can do it fitness wise but performing at the highest standard with so little recovery time isn't easy.
You right, but it isn't 2 games in 3 days. The last 3 weeks have been intensive with a small squad and 2 games going to OT. Plus some of our players haven't played football competitively at adult level at all prior to this season. I would start as per We'd and make changes as we go. Also we can rest a lot on Tues.
They are young, average age about 23 fgs, when we were that young we had bags of energy to spare. Plus they should be chomping at the bit now after Wednesday. A no brainier IMO
They are and according to LJ it isn't a case of whether they want to play, as they all will and do. It's about how LJ feels they will operate energy wise. They measured the energy levels and work rate in the EFC game. Scowen ran 14km and 30% of it, high intensity. They need to remove lactic acid from their legs and then go again. Not an expert but I'm good a repeating what I hear
Good post. It isn't that they "can't" play 90 minutes of football. It's that the human body needs a certain amount of time to recover. No matter how fit you are. The point is whether they would be playing at 100% or close to that. Even if they are 95% recovered that still gives Rochadale a 5% head start. I'd expect to see Smith in for Nyatanga and one of Watkins or Winall start on bench (for either Harris or Wilkinson). Also Rothwell for Crowley and Digby for Pearson or Scowen. I'm not in a million years saying I hope all the above will happen, it's just imagine LJ will try and balance out the fatigue but still have enough quality on the pitch to win the game. Really think it's our toughest test yet, and if we get 3 points that would be a huge huge achievement. Would probably take a point if offered, and then get back to full fitness, couple of new additions and really go for it. Up by Christmas
Wow, going into some grey areas with lactic acid, I'm no doctor but just did a Google and there are differing opinions on this subject. If indeed lactic acid is a bad thing then we can expect a reserve side playing for Everton this weekend, and all the teams in the Europa cup who play on Thursdays must have a severe problem. Just a thought.
Training will have been pretty light since Wednesday. Bit of light jogging and set piece work and shitloads of massage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Presuming everyone is fit I'd go with the same team except Smith in for Nyatanga. I'd imagine there's a good chance Scowen won't play today, he was limping at the end of Wednesday & took forever to get off the pitch at the end. If he is out I'd like to see Digby get a start & see how he performs, I saw him warming up on Wednesday & I've never seen him looking as lean, hopefully that means his fitness is good & we'll see the best of him or at least close to it
