Rotherham's crazy schedule towards the end of this season presents PW with a dilemma. With 8, possibly 9 games to cram into April, he is going to be dependent on having a fully fit squad. The first question is therefore, are we likely to see Lindsey, Robertson and Chieo back for the Easter weekend.?
The second point is will he adopt a system whereby he targets specific games to play his first XI and then rests key players in those games where we have an outside chance of getting points? Of our key relegation rivals, Huddersfield have a dreadful run in, Birmingham's is not much better but they have the incentive of a new manager, Wednesday, Derby and Coventry have reasonable games, but as we know, there are no easy games in this league.
I suspect that Warnie will take each game as it comes while keeping an eye on other teams' performances and the individual fitness levels within his squad. It's not going to be easy but, if we achieve survival, it will be an immense achievement, particularly considering the unusual challenges we have faced in this crazy year.
Yesterday's performance will have given the team a fantastic boost and I've got every confidence that we'll be in the Championship next season.
Whatever happens, we've showed that as a club we have what it takes to compete at this level. And one thing that is for certain, April is going to be an expensive ifollow month - but money well spent!! Onwards and upwards!
-- Edited by GlennMiller on Sunday 21st of March 2021 01:44:41 PM
Apart from perhaps Brentford away just pick best least fatigued side we can. Training cut back. Need Robbo Lindsay back, hopefully Chieo. Good day for us yesterday build on that.
-- Edited by gwru on Sunday 21st of March 2021 10:49:13 AM
You're right Glenn. How to use the squad will be vital. Having the injured players back fit will be a bonus, particularly Lindsay. It always was going to be a season where the squad was going to be important, and now that comes into sharp focus. We have players like Sadlier, Clarke and Shaun MacDonald on the fringes who are capable players. George Hirst is a willing runner and if he can at least make a nuisance of himself in short spells he will be contributing. If he only scores one goal this season I won't be bothered as long as it gets us three points somewhere. All contributions now are important and welcome.
Everyone says 50 pts is needed. Personally I think 47/48 might well prove to be enough. Four wins from the remaining twelve games gets us to 47 and a point or two elsewhere probably seals the deal. It is definitely possible. Whether Warne targets games as ones we can afford to lose and trade-off for resting key players I am not sure. It is a tough call. They are good with the fitness testing they do and can gauge pretty well who is in the right shape to play.
It is a phenomenal effort we are putting in. As supporters we can't ask for more than we are getting.
Agree it's tricky - because he will always be wanting to put out his best 11, but we saw a month or so ago that this knackered players and performances dropped in key games.
I just hope we can keep as many fit as possible and get the injured ones back asap - so that at least he has a choice and can use 5 subs in a game.
Main thing will be our spirit and confidence, if we play to our best we can beat anybody in this league - plus luck, refs etc all add to it.
We owe Coventry one, and we must put Wycombe to the sword - for some reason I'm nervous about those two games the most..
Glen, that's right, £90 in April plus the popcorn.
I'm with Davidein and Gwru, play the best 11 to start and use 5 subs per game . In my 3 years managing a Sunday league team I remember having some players I had to get in the game and it surprised me how effective switching players was despite a lower ability level.
The schedule will be incredibly punishing so I think I would use the whole squad switching around 60 minutes 5/5.
Regardless of lindsay, mattock , ogbene, being fit they will be an equal part of the squad and I reflecting on the season I don't think they will be anymore or less important.
Agree that the games V Coventry , Wycombe , plus brum are crucial. A slip up against any of these would be a big wound to stem.
Good point Davidedin about the five subs. With all players available you can play play two games a week and give most of your midfielders and forwards 100 minutes each without losing anything. We have real strength in depth in midfield if they are all fit so interchanging the likes of Barlaser, Wiles, Wing, McDonald, Lindsay, Sadlier and even Crooks in there we don't lose much whoever is given a breather. The real dilemma for me is Smith. We are so dependant on him that you almost can't leave him out, but we ask so much of him that there must be a danger he will burn out. Having said that, the one recent game we rested him for was Preston and we got the win.
Good argument about the substitutes - squad and game management will be key. I trust Paul Warne to know his players well enough and to use them as efficiently and as effectively as possible. There's a great incentive for all the players involved - a place in a Championship side next season, with all the financial reward that brings and the knowledge that the squad will probably be added to and strengthened to make it an even more effective unit next time around.
