Wigfred

The boss made a couple of mistakes today, in my opinion

First, he shouldnt have taken O' Neil off for Hunt, as O Neil was looking a threat, and forde wasnt, plus Shaq already had a yellow

Second, to play a 5-4-0, invited pressure......as soon as you clear it, the balls back etc etc. We should have maintained an attacking mentality, we might have scored

We have a depleted squad. With what players we do have available, we're playing them often for 80-90 minutes stints for Tuesday and Saturday games over the past month. They must be tired. We go down to 10 men for half the game on a large pitch. It was always going to be an ask.

The players work so hard. I'm pleased to have them as our players.

I suspect my next bit is going to be repeated during the remainder of the season but..
..not wanting to say the season's over but it is. I don't believe we'll make the playoffs as the teams above are not going to drop that many points, not all of them, and we'll face hurdles with our limited squad. It doesn't bother me as I'm very much looking to next season. With our absent players back (Graham, Theo, Agyei, Happe) and Sanders and Galbraith fit from the start, a more experienced sweeney, and an additional striker (McKirdy or equivalent caliber), Brynn back, and having signed Miz and Forde - I think we'll be a real force. Yes, I know that's a big wish list.

Anyway, nothing really to say in this post other than our fans should be happy with our current standing. We're really in a good position in all aspects.

I say give the kids a chance against Vale then play the strongest side we can against Stevenage. We'll need all the next six points to maintain a chance of the playoffs, but we've no hope against Stevenage if everyone's as knackered as they looked today.

good comments Oreo. The key is going to revolve around a position we’ve struggled with and that’s a proper centre forward. That is key to getting out of this league. I just hope that RW is truly backed in the summer by the board.

Not how it works. Different players have different fitness levels depending on where they play, age, previous injuries, existing conditions etc. Youre simplifying this.

So be it. We've got players who need gametime and players who need a rest. Fact is we need to win the next two games or our season's over (if it isn't already). And I know which of the two teams I'd rather field a few kids against.

I saw the knackered comment and responded.  But I agree we do struggle against teams like Stevenage who employ a robust physical style of play.  Less so of late but they concede so much possession yet appear very effective in possession.  We are the opposite.  

But we choose our players and style, they theirs. So we can’t really complain if we struggle against them. Though I’m hoping we beat them next week. We are due a win.  Nice away day trip.  I fancy 3 points there.

So you made a point, said to stop whinging about minutes played, and then agreed you had no detailed data to back up your claim and then you revert back to saying we need to cut out the excuses about minutes played and get on with it!

I personally do not subscribe to this can’t play two games a week without being tired. Players love two games a week as it keeps them focussed and doing what they love best actually playing a game rather than training. However, the game has moved on massively over the past ten years and sports science plays a big part of that. Blood tests, fat tests, muscle tests (reaction rate to a pinch), Red zones and so on. The players are important and earlier this season you heard RW say that Ruel was in a red zone, RW was advised not to play him, he played due to injuries etc. and he picked up a muscle injury. Medical science said he was in a danger zone, RW took responsibility and he got injured.

The issue is science has a part to play today, you may not feel tired however, the science points to the fact your muscles for example are and at that point you risk soft tissue damage. The game is the fastest it’s ever been and medical teams are so important to the team. The player wants to play of that there is no doubt, maybe they need protecting from themselves? Maybe we’ve over trained? Maybe the squad is too thin to rotate without compromise? It’s finding the right balance and that’s an art form which is constantly being worked on I’d have thought.

Finally looking at the team the evidence is there before our eyes, Shaq is knackered, the zip has diminished to a certain extent, Theo one game too many, Dan A probably needed a rest and we pushed him and now he’s out. So tiredness is real as we’ve seen and are seeing, RW knows what he’s doing and I’m grateful for that, it’s tough when your heads on the block if you get it wrong more often than not. Still I’d rather be where we are than say Carlisle who came up with us.