Rotation systems

Sandals

WIth clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool rotating the squad almost constantly, although it must be said the back-bone of chelsea does not change, it asks the question, Is this constant resting of players necessary, with all the matches been played during the year or is it just molly coddling this new generation of football stars?
I am referring only to squad rotation in order to give the players a rest rather than to give some squad players a go

copacetic

I think for Liverpool with the amount of games already played it has been needed. However I think a lot of what Benitez does is based on a certain shape of team for a certain game rather that resting players..

MrJoeSoap

Molly Coddling.

Cue "In my day..." rant.

therecklessone

I had a rant about this to a relative of mine after my Gran's funeral during the week.

As I see it, players of old played in a more competitive league with 22 teams, and valued both the League and FA Cups. In addition, the top teams faced tough European trips from day one of their respective competitions with the knockout format and dodgy trips behind the Iron Curtain. On top of all that, the game was a much tougher affair and attention to dietary needs was rudimentary if at all.

So in short, modern day footballers are big girls blouses.

You play your best 11 whenever possible. Professional footballers should want to be on the pitch for every minute of every game. If they don't, then their motivation needs to be questioned. Of course, I'd make allowances for the likes of Roy Keane who's suffered numerous injuries and given his all over his career.

gracehopper

therecklessone wrote:

You play your best 11 whenever possible. Professional footballers should want to be on the pitch for every minute of every game. If they don't, then their motivation needs to be questioned. Of course, I'd make allowances for the likes of Roy Keane who's suffered numerous injuries and given his all over his career.

I'd fully agree with you here. if a footballer is young and fit they should be able to play at a high level at least twice a week. As somebody mentioned there earlier Terry and lampard are never dropped from chelsea

Lemlin

It has to be kept in mind though that a team like Chelsea could easily play 6 games in two weeks, whereas a team like Blackburn, with no European competition, might only play 3 in that two week period.

Therefore Blackburn's players are going to be fitter and sharper. Its just a fact of the game now because there are too many fixtures.

The Premiership should definitely be reduced to 18 teams.