Mon 12th Outdoor pub crawl around Lincoln
Tues 13th Removers upload
Wed 14th Move House
Thurs 15th Broadband activated at new house
Sat 24th Birthday
Three key questions:
a. Will I survive my first visit to a pub in 6 months?
b. Will my broadband be activated in time for the Coventry game?
c. Will my Birthday be a happy one based on Championship survival?
It's going to be a tense month for everyone from Tony Stewart down to us dedicated supporters.
10th -18th April will define our season. We need to play our strongest team for the Easter week's fixtures and then assess how thing's stand. We will have to swap most of the team around from 10th, and probably give an unexperienced side one of the fixtures that week, as it stands now I'd say that would be the QPR game, but things could change between now and then.
This is going to be a very tactical time, and PW likes to do his homework, so I'm feeling confident about the run in.
On paper at least we have easier fixtures over the Easter weekend than our rivals. We need to steal a march and if at all possible catch Birmingham and Coventry so that going into our four game week those games feel like bonus opportunities rather than must win games. I agree that if any, the QPR game looks like the one to take a bit of a punt on with more fringe players starting. We can't afford to hand Coventry or Birmingham a soft three points.
Glen , I can only wish you luck on all those endeavours.
It's a daunting looking fixture pile up.
Reiterating the idea that the mental strength and management is more key than the physical in my experience. One can endure physical demands when young and fit , but the mental acuity needs the experience of older professionals.
I'm still not persuaded that targeting a game for the B side is sound but I see its temptation. If I were playing a pro squash player one day and my mate the next I'd certainly expect to lose and so I'd use it for what reason? Warm up? Experience? A jolly?
I think we have to put all doubt aside and be clear in intention, and only approaching each game with mental strength seems to produce the clarity everyone needs. It's impossible to pick a weakened side without creating huge doubt in the players minds and creating unhelpful differences . The confusion and possible ramifications on goal difference and moral could be shattering. Only going into each fight with clarity-singleness of outcome on the day seems manageable to me . The balance is to use the 5 subs as each game unfolds, but definitely avoid the possible internal and external criticism that tinkering too much could manifest.
-- Edited by ian on Saturday 27th of March 2021 01:23:09 PM
I fully accept your reasoning Ian, but on the flipside, if we completely tire out the A team, what would happen to morale if they get beaten heavily because they are outplayed by a fresher faster team? It is a conundrum that PW will have to solve, and I am happy to leave him to it. There are no "correct" answers, only options that will either work or not. Keep your fingers crossed.
