Team v QPR

[Ricky]

- - - - - - - - - - - Blackman - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - Basham - CCV - O'Connell - - - - -

Baldock - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Stevens

- - - - - - - Coutts - - - Lundstram - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - Carruthers - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - Brooks - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Donaldson - - - - - -


Subs: Moore, Stearman/Wright, Lafferty, Duffy, Thomas, Clarke, Sharp


Rotation is surely inevitable, and important. We have one extra rest day so shouldn't be at a disadvantage if we go unchanged, but it's also about the next game v Hull.

Lundstram in for Fleck is an obvious one with him suspended (good game for him to be suspended for).

It would be tempting to bring Lafferty in but Stevens has been playing that well recently that I wouldn't want to take him out.

Duffy played 86 minutes, worked hard as always and we need to avoid burning him out. Carruthers is due a game - he's a good player who's simply been unlucky others have done so well. He'll be completely fresh and desperate to play.

Brooks is also due a start and did his chances no harm last night, with a reasonable contribution. No Duffy in the side means we'll need him more. And I'd like to see him and Carruthers playing together. Flair and ability in abundance. He also looked good with Donaldson at Sunderland.

Clarke once again ran himself into the ground and we need to keep him in the incredible condition he's currently in. Donaldson's a perfect replacement. Given the players we have the forward line is one area we should rotate. Tuesday is a perfect game to do it.

 

[blademark]

Great shout with the front two. I'd be tempted to rest CCV also but I'm slightly worried about TOO many changes. But then whatever his majesty thinks, I'll go along with.
You can't improve on perfection can you.

 

[Revolution]

That was Sharp's 100th league appearance in his current spell at the Lane. He scored his 57th goal. It was his sixth of the season, in 10 games. All of them have been important- 4 scored in one goal wins, and a double in a two goal win. He didn't play a full game and we have an extra days break.

And yet people want to drop him for QPR.

I will never understand this.

 

[Dnblade]

Carruthers in for Fleck for me..he's a more like for like swap in that he can drive forward with the ball like Fleck...I do think we'll see 1 or 2 rested and on the bench though.

 

[FinchleyBlade]

Sharp will surely play, he came off after 75 minutes he should be fine.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Don't change a thing!

 

[EmleyMoorBlade]

Carruthers in for Fleck for me..he's a more like for like swap in that he can drive forward with the ball like Fleck...I do think we'll see 1 or 2 rested and on the bench though.

I would like to see Carruthers get a game he has been unlucky so far, still think he could be a big player for us and like all the squad currently not playing he will be desperate to put in a big performance
UTB

 

[Mumbo]

That was Sharp's 100th league appearance in his current spell at the Lane. He scored his 57th goal. It was his sixth of the season, in 10 games. All of them have been important- 4 scored in one goal wins, and a double in a two goal win. He didn't play a full game and we have an extra days break.

And yet people want to drop him for QPR.

I will never understand this.

I’m with you,he gets the service he will score,he was unlucky last night not to get more He’s in the right place at the right time,every time.

 

[blade too long]

rotation is vital , we have strength in depth and it keeps everyone on their toes
its not dropping players but utilising our assetts
the tempo and pace we play at with and without the ball is intense
players do need a break, Clarke covered miles at Elland Road just chasing down
CW has given himself some nice options and the chance to freshen the team up and give more players a game

His plan of nurturing Brooks into the team without over pressurising him his faultless

 

[Esablade]

Sharp will surely play, he came off after 75 minutes he should be fine.

Yeah, and he’s just come back from injury, he’ll be wanting games...

A lot depends on how Leon is feeling, could play Billy and Clayton up top as Sunderland, that looked good.

More likely to rest Duffy, but with the extra day might be best to start him for 60 mins or so...

UTB!

 

[Ricky]

That was Sharp's 100th league appearance in his current spell at the Lane. He scored his 57th goal. It was his sixth of the season, in 10 games. All of them have been important- 4 scored in one goal wins, and a double in a two goal win. He didn't play a full game and we have an extra days break.

And yet people want to drop him for QPR.

I will never understand this.

You seem to be disregarding the other side to it, which is getting Brooks in the team.

We shouldn't play Brooks in Duffy's role yet so the best place for him is behind a striker, and Sharp is less suitable for that striking role than Donaldson.

Of course another option is Donaldson and Sharp with Brooks on the bench again.

 

[Revolution]

You seem to be disregarding the other side to it, which is getting Brooks in the team.

We shouldn't play Brooks in Duffy's role yet so the best place for him is behind a striker, and Sharp is less suitable for that striking role than Donaldson.

Of course another option is Donaldson and Sharp with Brooks on the bench again.

We are top of the league with Brooks playing cameos. If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

This isn't a computer game. No need for changes just for the sake of it.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Sharp is currently scoring 2 goals for every 3 full games he is playing. A goal every 128 minutes. Not bad.

There was a very clear sign yesterday when he left the pitch he is less than happy about consistently being dragged. In fact that’s an understatement.

Leon’s doing well and deserves to keep the shirt. But his legs must surely tire at some point. Maybe rested Tuesday, Maybe not.

I’m not at all sure that Lundstram for Fleck is the shoe in many are predicting. I can perhaps see Basham going in to CM or, more likely, Samir.

But I do agree that it’s highly likely that there will be changes beyond the enforced one with Fleck.

I’d go Brooks to start, not sure for who. Samir for Fleck.

UTB

 

[BigBed]

I'd bring in Wright, Donaldson, Carruthers and start Brooks.
Give Duffy, Clarke and CCV a rest for the first half atleast.

 

[Ricky]

We are top of the league with Brooks playing cameos. If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

This isn't a computer game. No need for changes just for the sake of it.

Rotation is important. Wilder says so himself. His selection on Tuesday will prove it. And I'm pretty sure he knows it's not a computer game.

 

[Revolution]

Sharp is currently scoring 2 goals for every 3 full games he is playing. A goal every 128 minutes. Not bad.

There was a very clear sign yesterday when he left the pitch he is less than happy about consistently being dragged. In fact that’s an understatement.

Leon’s doing well and deserves to keep the shirt. But his legs must surely tire at some point. Maybe rested Tuesday, Maybe not.

I’m not at all sure that Lundstram for Fleck is the shoe in many are predicting. I can perhaps see Basham going in to CM or, more likely, Samir.

But I do agree that it’s highly likely that there will be changes beyond the enforced one with Fleck.

I’d go Brooks to start, not sure for who. Samir for Fleck.

UTB

Wilder likes Lundstram so that's my prediction. That'll be the only change.

Second guess is Basham moves up and Stearman or Wright come in.

 

[Revolution]

Rotation is important. Wilder says so himself. His selection on Tuesday will prove it. And I'm pretty sure he knows it's not a computer game.

Rotation for the sake of it is not important.

Injuries and suspensions have seen a lot of the squad get games this season. It's going to happen again with Fleck. Its not necessary to tinker much beyond this.

As for Sharp, Wilder virtually always starts him when fit. Because he's our best striker. And it works.

 

[Ricky]

Rotation for the sake of it is not important.

Injuries and suspensions have seen a lot of the squad get games this season. It's going to happen again with Fleck. Its not necessary to tinker much beyond this.

As for Sharp, Wilder virtually always starts him when fit. Because he's our best striker. And it works.

What is rotation 'for the sake of it'? It always serves some purpose when the games are piling up.

The least it's about is managing the squad maximising their condition for future games.

Duffy for example seemed to tire a bit in the second half of last season. The more we can prolong that happening this season the better.

When you have a good squad like ours you can gain an advantage by bringing fresher players in because they're at a similar level to the players they replace.

 

[blademark]

Rotation for the sake of it is not important.

Injuries and suspensions have seen a lot of the squad get games this season. It's going to happen again with Fleck. Its not necessary to tinker much beyond this.

As for Sharp, Wilder virtually always starts him when fit. Because he's our best striker. And it works.

CW will not make changes for the sake of it. He will make changes dependant on the fitness and energy levels as well as overall sharpness he sees when the players next report for training. The effort our players expend in a game is way above most other teams. 3 games a week is a big ask, especially for the older guys.

 

[Revolution]

What is rotation 'for the sake of it'? It always serves some purpose when the games are piling up.

The least it's about is managing the squad maximising their condition for future games.

Duffy for example seemed to tire a bit in the second half of last season. The more we can prolong that happening this season the better.

When you have a good squad like ours you can gain an advantage by bringing fresher players in because they're at a similar level to the players they replace.

Rotation for the sake of it? When you change a team that's doing well and weaken it.

Nigel Clough is a good example of a manager who does this.

 

[Revolution]

There you go. Rotation for the sake of it in action.

 

[Ricky]

Because Wilder's the sort of manager who does things 'for the sake of it'.

 

[Revolution]

Because Wilder's the sort of manager who does things 'for the sake of it'.

He did it for the sake of "rotation". It was unnecessary and we lost.

 

[Ricky]

He did it for the sake of "rotation". It was unnecessary and we lost.

Rotation isn't automatically pointless. You don't know how necessary it was. Do you think he's a manager who won't have good reason to do what he does? He's a ruthless winner. But he has to think ahead, not just about one game. Duffy and Sharp will be 100% for Saturday.