2 games to go, nothing to lose, drop the experience - play the youth!

[Living In a Fantasy World]

we have 2 spare games left in the season with nothing much to play for, we might as well rest the experienced players like McDonald, Kitson and co and put in Ironside, Whitehouse and co. give them the 2 games to show us what they can do, while the rest can rest up and prepare for the playoffs. If the youths play well under the 2 games its probably worth giving them a shot in the playoffs.
It does not matter if we finish 6th - 4th all the same to me, the better team over the two legs goes through. Take the risk, I can only see positives in giving youth players a go next week.

 

[SwissBlade]

Yep chuck the kids in and bin the wasters.

Who ever said that you win with experience? Get rid and get the young guns in. It bloods them for next year/ puts them in the summer window

 

[Fife]

Agreed, what difference does it make as we have the ability to beat any of the other 3 teams. Rest the older players ready for the play offs - we need every edge we can get!

 

[Gavlar]

i was gonna post the same thing, we have to try other players out now surely, plus by resting the regulars they avoid injuries/suspensions aswell

 

[stannyblade]

Ironside needs game time as he may well be leading the line next season

 

[bartman]

with McMahon injured I would suggest the last two games will see Westlake play.

For me Coyne needs a couple of games to get match fit in case anything happens to Long.
MacFadzean,Ironside,Chappell and Whitehouse need to be given at least one full game out of the last 2.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Is McDonald definitely not suspended despite getting his tenth booking yesterday?

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

I'd defo give some of the young 'uns a run out in the last two. Ironside's chomping at the bit and should be in for Kitson, who is just going through the motions and spent 45 minutes at Pompey not attempting to win the ball just complaining to the ref that he was being fouled. McFadzean for one of the wide players, probably Flynn, and Whitehouse for Doyle. Those three might just bring some energy and zest to a team that were awful on Saturday.

 

[JohnDenver]

I'd defo give some of the young 'uns a run out in the last two. Ironside's chomping at the bit and should be in for Kitson, who is just going through the motions and spent 45 minutes at Pompey not attempting to win the ball just complaining to the ref that he was being fouled. McFadzean for one of the wide players, probably Flynn, and Whitehouse for Doyle. Those three might just bring some energy and zest to a team that were awful on Saturday.

I think there's no argument with these suggestions. So what if the kids aren't quite ready? Leaving them out for meaningless games like these won't make them ready any sooner!

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

unlike everybody else, i dont really agree

i think weve a lot to play for. im not really that bothered who we play, though id rather avoid brentford if they finish 3rd, but i think if we dont get 3rd or 4th so we have the 2nd leg at home we have next to no chance of winning. 2nd leg at home, the fans be able to raise this rabble for one last hurrah. then in the final pretty much anybody can beat anybody. plus we desperately need to win the games to get some confidence.

im all for giving ironside and mcfadzean a start, possibly whitehouse, before anybody misunderstands where im coming from, but after that theres nobody worth bringing in. but not cos "theres nothing to play for", because i think it could help to freshen the team up.

as for coyne playing, he wont be here next season and the chances of anything happening to long is minimal. no point nervous nellying over that, worry about that if it happens. as for next season, im not ieven nterested in that. anybody who may be playing next season isnt really going to benefit much from 2 games at the end of this one. especially as most of the team will be different, the manager could be different, the style of play could be different. next season is like next century right now.

 

[cooperblade]

Is McDonald definitely not suspended despite getting his tenth booking yesterday?

He's OK, the cut off was after the Swindon match.

Interested to see how we approach tomorrow night. Guess it depends on how much importance Morgan places on playing at home 2nd in the semis and trying to avoid a potential 2 leg semi with Brentford.

He's said he'll freshen it up though so I expect some changes. I'd give Collins and McDonald a rest.

 

[Selly]

He's OK, the cut off was after the Swindon match.

Interested to see how we approach tomorrow night. Guess it depends on how much importance Morgan places on playing at home 2nd in the semis and trying to avoid a potential 2 leg semi with Brentford.

He's said he'll freshen it up though so I expect some changes. I'd give Collins and McDonald a rest.

Playing at home second wont do us any good of we are 3 down from the first leg...

...avoiding Brentford is the biggest benefit of finishing 3rd/4th (assuming they don`t finish 5th of course)

 

[super_pig]

He's said he'll freshen it up though so I expect some changes. I'd give Collins and McDonald a rest.

permanently

 

[Revolution]

Not that I think we would win a final, but we might win a semi final, and it would help to be 3rd or 4th. Hence it would help to win tomorrow. Whether this means you put younger players in, I don't know.

What I do know is that if there was ever a time to bring on 2 young lads at half time, it was on Saturday, so why Forte and Robson were allowed to come on is a mystery to me.

 

[Darren]

Not that I think we would win a final, but we might win a semi final, and it would help to be 3rd or 4th. Hence it would help to win tomorrow. Whether this means you put younger players in, I don't know.

What I do know is that if there was ever a time to bring on 2 young lads at half time, it was on Saturday, so why Forte and Robson were allowed to come on is a mystery to me.

In our 5 previous play offs in their modern form, we have finished 3rd 3 times, 5th once and 6th once. We have yet to finish 4th. Maybe our luck will change if we do.

Incidentally, we haven't finished 4th in any division since 1959-60, which is the 3rd longest we have avoided any position (15th in 1930-31 and 17th in 1907-08 beat that - we have never finished 24th). Bet you're glad I told you that.

 

[Pinchy]

I'd defo give some of the young 'uns a run out in the last two. Ironside's chomping at the bit and should be in for Kitson, who is just going through the motions and spent 45 minutes at Pompey not attempting to win the ball just complaining to the ref that he was being fouled. McFadzean for one of the wide players, probably Flynn, and Whitehouse for Doyle. Those three might just bring some energy and zest to a team that were awful on Saturday.

Yes, we must give Ironside the chance to score a first goal in a professional league before his twentieth birthday. Once he gets that under his belt, Pele's record is there for the taking. Seasoned, still quality, still regular goalscorer Kitson should be released with immediate effect. We all know it makes perfect sense.

 

[Pinchy]

Playing at home second wont do us any good of we are 3 down from the first leg...

...avoiding Brentford is the biggest benefit of finishing 3rd/4th (assuming they don`t finish 5th of course)

Are you sure Brentford will be playing anyone in the play-offs? I think not.

 

[super_pig]

Kitson should be released with immediate effect. We all know it makes perfect sense.

then he can become a referee.. his dream job

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

In our 5 previous play offs in their modern form, we have finished 3rd 3 times, 5th once and 6th once. We have yet to finish 4th. Maybe our luck will change if we do.

Incidentally, we haven't finished 4th in any division since 1959-60, which is the 3rd longest we have avoided any position (15th in 1930-31 and 17th in 1907-08 beat that - we have never finished 24th). Bet you're glad I told you that.

There's always next season.

 

[Pinchy]

then he can become a referee.. his dream job

The evidence suggests that centre-forward is still very much his vocation.

He's well into double figures this season, playing against professionals in a grown-up league. How many has our top adolescent notched against other teenagers?

I've read some nonsense on here in my time, but the anti-Kitson stuff is close to a podium place!

 

[super_pig]

how long has he been on the pitch?

 

[Pinchy]

how long has he been on the pitch?

Ironside? I don't know. You'll have to ask those who have seen him regularly fail to score again other youth teams!

 

[ghandi]

Ironside? I don't know. You'll have to ask those who have seen him regularly fail to score again other youth teams!

Pinchy your man love for Kitson is almost in inverse proportion to your hate for Monty.

 

[metalblade]

I bet the Portsmouth fans wish they still had Kitson ....................................nah more like they are still pissing themselves laughing.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

we have 2 spare games left in the season with nothing much to play for, we might as well rest the experienced players like McDonald, Kitson and co and put in Ironside, Whitehouse and co. give them the 2 games to show us what they can do, while the rest can rest up and prepare for the playoffs. If the youths play well under the 2 games its probably worth giving them a shot in the playoffs.
It does not matter if we finish 6th - 4th all the same to me, the better team over the two legs goes through. Take the risk, I can only see positives in giving youth players a go next week.

If you think the powers that be at BTDBL then you really are doing what your handle says

I agree with you by the way

 

[Grecian2000]

Have we really got two "spare games" to give youth it's head?

Or have we actually got two very important games that we can get our strongest team together and get us ready for the play-offs? Although we are all pissed off with where we are, we are actually three decent games away from promotion if we can get it right at this late stage, no matter how unlikely that seems at the moment.

I am clueless as to what is the best way forward as I can see a bunch of spineless "here for the money" wankers taking the piss BUT the question for Morgan is "are they more likely, as seasoned pros, be up for the play-off challenge rather than some, wet behind the ears, kids who haven't proved anything in their careers?".

I'm glad it's Morgan having to answer it than me but I suspect his answer (as mine would be) will be to give experience it's final shot and fuck them off if/when they fail.

 

[Darren]

Have we really got two "spare games" to give youth it's head?

Or have we actually got two very important games that we can get our strongest team together and get us ready for the play-offs? Although we are all pissed off with where we are, we are actually three decent games away from promotion if we can get it right at this late stage, no matter how unlikely that seems at the moment.

I am clueless as to what is the best way forward as I can see a bunch of spineless "here for the money" wankers taking the piss BUT the question for Morgan is "are they more likely, as seasoned pros, be up for the play-off challenge rather than some, wet behind the ears, kids who haven't proved anything in their careers?".

I'm glad it's Morgan having to answer it than me but I suspect his answer (as mine would be) will be to give experience it's final shot and fuck them off if/when they fail.

For all those who say "the players don't care", do they also think that the players "are money grabbing mercenary bastards?"

If the answer is yes, given that they will get a substantial bonus for promotion, it must follow that they care very much.

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

Have we really got two "spare games" to give youth it's head?

Or have we actually got two very important games that we can get our strongest team together and get us ready for the play-offs? Although we are all pissed off with where we are, we are actually three decent games away from promotion if we can get it right at this late stage, no matter how unlikely that seems at the moment.

Okay if we play a full strengthened team but we get two negative results or poor performances, (which is possible) we will be very low confidence going into the playoffs. also the first teamers would have played another 2 games which as been a full packed month of football, if anything give them a mini break to rest up and prepare for the playoffs.
I would have thought our confidence levels would be already low with us losing 2 out of the last 4 away games by 3 goals and 4. Youth players being thrown into the mix will freshen up the team.

 

[Pinchy]

Okay if we play a full strengthened team but we get two negative results or poor performances, (which is possible) we will be very low confidence going into the playoffs. also the first teamers would have played another 2 games which as been a full packed month of football, if anything give them a mini break to rest up and prepare for the playoffs.
I would have thought our confidence levels would be already low with us losing 2 out of the last 4 away games by 3 goals and 4. Youth players being thrown into the mix will freshen up the team.

Only if they are good enough, surely? They may be, although their failure to stand out in a league of their peers does not bode well. A play-off campaign is hardly the time or place for experiment though, is it? Pre-season friendlies are there for that sort of thing and I shall be the first to demand that the youngsters are there and then given opportunities.

 

[metalblade]

For all those who say "the players don't care", do they also think that the players "are money grabbing mercenary bastards?"

If the answer is yes, given that they will get a substantial bonus for promotion, it must follow that they care very much.

Most fans would be happy if they were money grabbing mercenary bastards as long as they worked for it, sadly it is not often that they show any inclination to put in the effort. A big choice coming up for the players do they bust a gut for a nice fat bonus or stroll along and just do enough to earn a steady wage for another year or two in league one ???