My own take on it is that we put in a Herculean effort at Wigan and a massive effort at Gillingham. Bristol Rovers had no midweek game and I thought they looked fresher than us and actually we weren't that good on Saturday, but again the players but a big effort in and did what was needed to give us breathing space.
I think if I was Warne I would be playing most of the first team regulars over the next two games but try and take the chance over the two games to give the likes of Potter, Mattock and Proctor game time if they are ready for it. I would also give the players who weren't in the side over the last couple of weeks (Ball, Forde, Ajayi, ***mings, Yates) minutes as we may need to call on them in the playoffs if we have injuries.
It is a balancing act of course, but so far Warne has managed these things well.
I don't want to see ***mings or Yates anywhere near the 1st team. Sure I've heard Warney say we won't see Proctor at all this season. Like to see Wiles. If you play Potter you'll need 3 in midfield. Forde been unlucky not to be playing, Taylor isn't a winger & Williams has been disappointing lately. Could give Wood a rest play Ajayi. Do we give Smith a rest? problem is we need his height. Lavery could do with games. Got some options but especially last game at home our fans will want to se the strongest side out possible. Me as I've said would like to see what Wiles can do in midfield. That's a risk I wouldn't mind looking to the future.
My point really T71 is that whether you rate them or not both ***mings and Yates are near the first team. They have both featured regularly as unused subs. An injury or suspension to Emmanuel and ***mings comes into the equation as a sub at least. If Smith is out is Lavery good for 90 minutes? It isn't hard to imagine a scenario in which Yates may be called into action at some stage, again perhaps as cover off the bench. If we can get the fringe players some game time without disrupting the side too much that might not be a bad thing.
Smiler - what an balanced individual you are. My thoughts are ( for what they're worth ) is I agree with you entirely IF the squad was evenly balanced and that means squad players are capable inserts to our team formation - of equal quality to who's considered FIRST TEAM.
Sadly - having watch Yates in training and playing - my personal feelings are he's not a "first team player".
OK Warne's love child for some reason and he'll probably get the winner at Wembley....but for me he's not even a squad player. Nothing personal - just don't think he moves like a footballer - runs like a footballer - thinks like a footballer.
He follows Ball - but never available for a one touch pass from Ball ( typically ).
But - generally speaking YES this would be a time to use squaddies.
However - that's what PEP did so I'd tend to keep playing hard with BEST ELEVEN untill we have silverware for Tony's office.
If we are going to play squad players needs to be players who needs games who could feature in the play-offs. Yates is behind Lavery then Ball so that's a no. ***mings, if anything happens to Emmanuel, Vaulks will play at Right back so that's another no. I've said this before only player I'd like to see in these next 2 games is Wiles. He's not like Yates he's solidly built, looks like he can get forward.
It is very conceivable that in the Playoffs Emmanuel plus a centre half might both be suspended or injured or red carded, and that ***mings (who has plenty of experience) would be needed - perhaps because Vaulks is needed elsewhere or perhaps because Vaulks might also be unavailable.
I accept that Yates is behind Smith, Lavery and Ball but it isn't difficult to imagine a scenario in which two of those three are injured/suspended or that we need to chase a game and throw an extra forward on.
My earlier point stands - both Yates and ***mings are amongst a group of players who have played a fair number of first team games and have regularly been substitutes. They may not be everybody's cup of tea, but they are not a million miles from being asked to play in certain situations that are unlikely, but that may still happen. That being the case, there must be some merit in the idea of giving them a run out.
Some would prefer to stick with the first eleven at all times if possible for the sake of momentum etc and I understand that point of view.
What is completely inconceivable is that Ben Wiles will be asked to play in a playoff semi final or a final at Wembley. He may have a bright future, but he is far too inexperienced and untested to be thrown into such big games right now. It wouldn't be fair to him. These are not throw away games like the ones Bailey-KIng (where is he now?) played in where you can just play a kid to give him a debut. They are opportunities to prepare in the best way possible for the Playoffs. If it is right (and it must be) that Wiles is not going to figure in the Playoffs, I don't see much if any point in him playing against Plymouth or Blackpool except perhaps for a ten minute cameo as a sub.
It is very conceivable that in the Playoffs Emmanuel plus a centre half might both be suspended or injured or red carded, and that ***mings (who has plenty of experience) would be needed - perhaps because Vaulks is needed elsewhere or perhaps because Vaulks might also be unavailable.
I accept that Yates is behind Smith, Lavery and Ball but it isn't difficult to imagine a scenario in which two of those three are injured/suspended or that we need to chase a game and throw an extra forward on.
My earlier point stands - both Yates and ***mings are amongst a group of players who have played a fair number of first team games and have regularly been substitutes. They may not be everybody's cup of tea, but they are not a million miles from being asked to play in certain situations that are unlikely, but that may still happen. That being the case, there must be some merit in the idea of giving them a run out.
Some would prefer to stick with the first eleven at all times if possible for the sake of momentum etc and I understand that point of view.
What is completely inconceivable is that Ben Wiles will be asked to play in a playoff semi final or a final at Wembley. He may have a bright future, but he is far too inexperienced and untested to be thrown into such big games right now. It wouldn't be fair to him. These are not throw away games like the ones Bailey-KIng (where is he now?) played in where you can just play a kid to give him a debut. They are opportunities to prepare in the best way possible for the Playoffs. If it is right (and it must be) that Wiles is not going to figure in the Playoffs, I don't see much if any point in him playing against Plymouth or Blackpool except perhaps for a ten minute cameo as a sub.
I haven't written Bailey-King off. We haven't got a right winger good enough for the championship. Bailey-King could be anything. We are going to have bring players through, we haven't got the budget to buy a championship side. Wiles wouldn't throw him in with squad players. Play him with Vaulks & Towell in midfield see what he can do, he's got scope. Other clubs play young players, why not us brings them on. If your good enough your old enough.
Well, I guess you could say we got 1 point it Yesterday's match not 3, maybe we'll count it anyway.
What a great season and another FANTASTIC weekend - you don't get many like that in a lifetime, I loved every minute (despite shredded nerves after we scored our 2nd....)
Would't it be a dream to have this thread going next season, lol....
