Guardian article

[Guest AnfieldGrass]

read here

 

I wrote an email in response:

 

"Richard,

 

I was going to go into some detail re this piece (ie lazy, opportunistic, unoriginal, anti-LFC - you know the usual). But I shall resist temptation, and say only that just like the way you seem to think the players drag Benitez unwittingly into the path of success (two Spanish titles, a UEFA cup, a CL trophy (but wait there's more!), an FA cup, Super cup, Community shield - keeping the darlings of the media Chelski out of two major cup finals - just pure dumb luck eh?), I think the article shows you up for the ignorant (and probably jealous) git you are. Rafa has always used rotation, always has, and always will. To suggest (with such orginality - did you think of that all by yourself?) it will be Liverpool's failing, a mere six games into the league season, is, well just better left for the tabloid trash. Oh wait, you are tabloid trash! Oops, sorry about that. My mistake. I should have thought before writing."

[Maldini]

This:

 

English youngsters held back by Premier greed

 

One thing I neglected to mention last week in discussing the published views of Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of the Premier League, was his brusque dismissal of the FA's soon-to-be-stillborn national centre at Burton-on-Trent. I wonder if Scudamore was watching last week when England's under-18 footballers lost to France, for the fifth time in a row, at Hartlepool last week.

 

England's performance was not entirely without merit, but they were soundly beaten for skill and maturity and it can hardly be without significance that in none of those five matches have they managed to score a goal.

 

The French boys, of course, were brought up in a system based on Clairefontaine, the Centre National de Formation et d'Entraînement just outside Paris, where the groundwork was laid for senior teams that, within the last decade, have won one World Cup, finished runners-up in another, and carried off the European Championship.

 

England once had just such a centre. It was called Lilleshall, and it was killed by the greed of the Premiership clubs. Now, it seems, they are doing it again.

 

 

is bulls*** too, the reason English underage teams underachieve is because they pick the wrong players, if you look at the current French squad a lot of them played football at every level for France. The same isn't the case for England.

 

Add this to the fact that the ridiculous academy rules mean that the best players don't always get the best coaching and you get my point.

 

Also the Premier League clubs had nothing to do with Lilleshall being closed, that was Howard Wilkinson's idea, as was the idiotic academy system.

 

Interesting article about the Lilleshall experiment here:

 

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,766938,00.html

[Red]

Amusing email mate, but one I'd be very surprised to see you get a reply from.

 

You're right though, the article is total trash.

[Guest AnfieldGrass]

Amusing email mate, but one I'd be very surprised to see you get a reply from.

 

You're right though, the article is total trash.

 

Didn't ask for a reply. It's just a shame the news agencies who were previously considered more reputable have fallen to the depths of tabloid drivel.

 

Populist claptrap.

[fyds]

This:

is bulls*** too, the reason English underage teams underachieve is because they pick the wrong players, if you look at the current French squad a lot of them played football at every level for France. The same isn't the case for England.

 

Add this to the fact that the ridiculous academy rules mean that the best players don't always get the best coaching and you get my point.

 

Also the Premier League clubs had nothing to do with Lilleshall being closed, that was Howard Wilkinson's idea, as was the idiotic academy system.

 

Interesting article about the Lilleshall experiment here:

 

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,766938,00.html

Is correct - Richard Scudamore often bemoans the fact that Lilleshall was closed down - thinks it was short sighted and expedient from someone who thought too much of his own ability and judgement (Sgt Wilko).

[Andythered]

Some replies to the artcile on rotation:

 

steved

September 26, 2006 01:20 AM

Aol/usa Not sure how muich you've watched Liverpool or particularly know about Benitez, but it's a pretty asinine view of his policy of keeping players fresh for a full 60-odd games, and reeks of jumping on the "tinkerman" bandwagon so favoured by many of those employed to write commentary pieces.

 

It's the sort of view that used to crop up in the Madrid and Barcelona press as a running joke until to their chagrin Benitez's Valencia side stayed on the strongest to take their first league title in 31 years, and then repeated that performance two years later also adding a UEFA Cup. And Barcelona do rotate, frequently.

 

Comparing Aston Villa to Liverpool is pretty worthless given the short time scale we're talking about (6 games) and the fewer playing commitments undertaken by their players - not as many internationals to be played during through the season and very little World Cup hangover to contend with, no extended Champions League campaign, little expectation in the Cups. Probably looking at 25 games less for their top players compared to Liverpool.

 

You talk about the need for a settled back four and use it as a stick to beat Benitez with yet this is something he has pursued - last season you could write down the names of Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia and Riise without fail, with the few exceptions being when Riise was required to play left midfield due to a lack of options in the squad. This season, injuries to Riise (Sheff Utd and Everton) and Carragher have necessitated changes, plus the need to integrate the promising Agger as first choice ahead of the ageing Hyypia.

 

It's not tinkering for tinkering's sake as implied. And was it really an underachievement to finish with 83 points in the league last year? It might more accurately be said that Benz led his players to their highest points total since the club last win the league title.

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] YippyHK

September 26, 2006 01:37 AM

Bang on steved ...

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] rumagin

September 26, 2006 01:59 AM

Reston/usa I agree with Steved too. R. Williams isn't too smart and always goes after the genric arguments. blah.

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] rafaelridzuan

September 26, 2006 02:45 AM

 

spot on steved....

 

r williams should stop writing for lack of accuracy and substance etc etc etc

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] MaceTheAce

September 26, 2006 03:09 AM

Good rebuttal SteveD,

 

It is not possible for top players to play almost every game, particularly when going for 3 or 4 competitions, plus international games. Even if they can do it physically, they can't mentally.

 

What's the point of having these huge squads if you can't rest your top players. Take the example of Lampard who has played almost every Chelsea game for the past 2 years. If ever a player has lost his edge and looks stale he is it.

 

This is a discussion that should be held in April when we see who is still going strong for trophies. I fancy Benitez's approach will be paying dividends then.

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] ianx66

September 26, 2006 03:34 AM

Chiyoda/jpn Blimey that's a sloppy piece of work, maybe Steved should be working for the Grauniad instead.

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] confuciusfrog

September 26, 2006 03:40 AM

was going to say almost exactly what you said, SteveD, but by the end of reading his Williams piece was not even going to give it the effort. Thanks for saying everything so clearly and succinctly. im sick of the Guardian's attitude on so many issues football-related. what would be an interesting statisitc is to compare the top four, over the same time period, to see how many times they did / didnt change the lineup. im willing to bet that none of them had more than five games in a row unchanged, for WHATEVER reasons. its easy to say that such changes are the reason we havent won the league, but thats disrespectful of Chelsea and Manu and Arsenal (and even Everton two years ago), who all have played well and earned their achievements. Personally id have thought Liverpool fans would be well pleased to have the Champions League and FA Cup in consecutive years, and all the indicators seem to show that they are on course to challenge effectively with ManU and Chelsea and Arsenal for the League for the next two seasons at least.

One other point. Is a dynasty made or lost? Did Man U oust Liverpool in the late 80's or did Liverpool just take their foot off the gas? Have Manu given their dominance to Chelsea or was it snatched from them? Theres always elements of both. Personally, given Chelsea's millions, ManU's historic quality, Arsenal's attitide towards style and Liverpool's gatheirng strength and desire, i think this year will be one of the most entertaining season's we've had in years. there are four other teams that can realistically have a strong influence on the title, and its as open as it has been for years. After Arsenal had an unbeaten season people seem to think that thats the only way to show youre the best. As a side analogy, id rather have a 100m race where all 8 are below 10 seconds than one or two are 9.71 and the others are all 10.1 . I wish you cyncial writers would just act responsibly with the power you have than keep telling people this kind of time-wasting drivel.

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] treffer

September 26, 2006 04:02 AM

Beijing/chn Ofcourse you can discuss the rotation, but please come up with better arguments. Did you really think this well over before you wrote this ? Come on ! Steved is leading 10 to nil. Better to use arguments like for instance the mental consequence for the players and the team. The restless situation for the team, the coach want to keep all players as his friend etc etc. Anyway no hard feeling further.

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] kittyhawk74

September 26, 2006 04:53 AM

No disrespect to Nottingham Forest, as yourself already said it, it was 1959 and those days football was less demanding and training were less taxing. It goes with injuries as well hence, you just can't compared scenarios from those days to today. If you stick with the same team and play the whole season and you don't change your style and tactics with various suitable players for different opponents, then why bother having managers for all the teams? There is nothing there to manage anymore. Just wonder all you so called football writers are still living in caves? You have no rights to judge and if you think you are so good, you should be managing the Man Utds, the Chelseas and the Liverpools and not sitting behind your stupid desk earning peanuts just writing rubbish. I think that's it, you are not good enough to be the real deal so you write thrash eveyday to fulfill your fantasies. Stop judging and start observing, that will help you write better next time.

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] JohnMcGeechan2

September 26, 2006 05:19 AM

Auckland/nzl Agree with everything said so far. SteveD, you took the words out of my mouth. Richard Williams once again proving that football fans often have a clearer understanding of the issues involved in the modern game, and that most football commentators/writers/journalists are lazy individuals who will always take the path of least resistance when peddling their fare (think Motson commentary, think Crooks post match interview). Rarely have I seen a rebuttal that so completely and accurately demolishes a lightweight and ignorant piece of writing.

 

You know that he is being lazy when he says "Yes, Benz has led Liverpool to the European Cup during his time in England - although it might more accurately be said that his players led Benz to the trophy...". As if simply admitting up front that Benitez has won the biggest club trophy in the world, somehow "proves" his theories on Benitez's shortcomings.

 

The comparisson with Villa was stupid enough. Villa will be looking at an outside shot at the FA cup or League cup at best, with a possibility of a Euefa spot, and that is an absoloute dream scenario for that team (and sincerely, no disrespect intended). Liverpool on the other hand are competing for the biggest prize in club footbball, looking to qualify for it again next season by being in the top 3 and are serious contenders for both domestic cups. Work out how many games that is Richard, as well as the extra games for those players that have international duties, and you can see that rotation is not the actions of a fickle man , but an absoloute necessity, sorry you don't see that.

 

Secondly, and more obviously, there is the matter of the little outfit from SouthWest London who have completely altered the rules of the EPL. They have 2 and sometimes 3 worlds class players in every position. And they can buy more, if any team is to have any chance of wrestling the title from the bridge, they are going to have to rotate their squad. It works like this Richard, when the top 4 teams Arsenal/Liverpool/Man Utd/Chelsea play each other, on a good day any one of them could beat the other. However during one of these games (or any game come to that), an important player could pick up a knock that may rule them out of the next game, or may have expended so much energy midweek that they are physically unable to give as much in the next game. So what does the manager do ? Well one of the 4 managers can simply rest said player, and instead slot in his other 15-20m world class international that he has covering that position. So what do the other three managers do ? It's a puzzler isn't it Richard ? According to your logic it would seem that the manager should just play his "first" 11 irrespective of upcoming fixtures and their importance , and then when a player does become unavailable through injury/fatigue, presumably you would slot in whoever was available, and hope that they would perform immediately despite having spent the last 15-20 games playing in the reserves.

 

Sometimes you get unneccesary flak Richard (I have seen that), but sometimes you simply write ignorant,irritating and more annoyingly , lazy pieces. Perhaps you just do it to see if we are still paying attention to you. We are, but our numbers are ever dwindling....

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] n8dogg

September 26, 2006 06:06 AM

Troutdale/usa God, I hate Guardian blogs. Opinionated drivel, substandard journalism, paying scant regard to the profession's unwritten laws, like "get your facts right". Does this stuff even have to go through an editor?

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] Solarama

September 26, 2006 06:21 AM

London/gbr Spot on stevied. A disappointingly sloppy piece by RW, smacking of an editor seeing that statistic (of 93 games without an unchanged side) being trumpeted over the weekend and saying: "There's your piece for Tuesday morning."

 

Why insult Benitez by saying his players won the European Cup? Isn't it always the players that win the trophies? Yes, Gerrard and Carragher were immense at times, but what about the team ethic fashioned by Benitez, which took a skint, injury-ravaged squad of Houllier underachievers to glory?

 

And why compare Liverpool to Villa or West Ham? Why not compare them to Chelsea, Man U or Arsenal, all of whom have had to cope with several players at the World Cup and early-season international duty, as well as Champions league commitments over the course of a long and demanding season?

 

Benitez doesn't the team wholesale from game to game unless he feels he needs to. Come May you'll see that the core of the team will be the same (Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Sissoko, Gerrard, Alonso, probably Agger & Kuyt) and the rest will rotate. He did the same at Valencia and won 2 La Ligas & a UEFA cup in 3 seasons.

 

Just like zonal defending - which pundits and journos continue to criticise while conveniently ignoring that Liverpool conceded the fewest goals from set-pieces of any Premiership team last season - hacks and ex-pros don't seem to care if facts contradict arguments that they frankly don't understand.

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] kiwired

September 26, 2006 06:26 AM

Auckland/nzl Totally agree with steved with one addition. Actually I view Rafa's 'tinkering' at half-time of taking off Steve Finnan and bringing on Hamman as critical to Liverpools victory in the CL. The notion that the players overcame Rafa to become champions is just ridiculous.

 

[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] ScouseHK

September 26, 2006 06:34 AM

The article's aim was to offer up the possibility that Liverpool would prosper with a little less tinkering from Rafa.

Instead you use Martin O'Neil's Aston Villa's league position as proof that settled sides are more likely to succeed. Villa only have something like 12 first team squad members and the league season is 5 games old.

You then go on to use a 15 year-old Man. United defence as further proof, then, incredibly - mention Barcelona who happen to play in the same league where Rafa's rotation policy bought Valencia 2 La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup.

Mention of the two Argies at West Ham is quite simply put, irrelevant. These two have never started a game for the Hammers. Pardew didn't want them. He didn't buy them.They were dumped on him as some sort of "sweetener" from the MSI guy who is about to buy out the board at Upton Park. How the situation in east London and, indeed, any other of the points you make, has any bearing on the purpose of your article - settled first teams (picked by the manager)and the benefit to Liverpool F.C. is, quite frankly, beyond me.

All in all very lazy and misinformed.

[Guest AnfieldGrass]

Got a lnk for those responses Andythered? Cheers.

[fred]

Got a lnk for those responses Andythered? Cheers.

 

try this

[DanielS]

Need to find a different news site for interesting comment on football. Guardian Unlimited Football has now deteriorated into little more than a school playground - the level of humour has never been particularly high and fifth formers would be ashamed of the Fiver. Also, since the blog style comments area was brought in the level of opinion being delivered is ample evidence of a complete lack of editorial review. Just don't bother with it anymore.

[Hodgson for Chelsea]

Need to find a different news site for interesting comment on football. Guardian Unlimited Football has now deteriorated into little more than a school playground - the level of humour has never been particularly high and fifth formers would be ashamed of the Fiver. Also, since the blog style comments area was brought in the level of opinion being delivered is ample evidence of a complete lack of editorial review. Just don't bother with it anymore.

 

It's a shame really isn't it? Used to be a good read but is going downhill. Some of the views under the articles defy belief. One guy GENUINELY believed that Momo should be benched - can you believe that?! He cant have seen us play if he thinks Momo should be on the bench no matter what his justification is for it.

[downunder]

It's a shame really isn't it? Used to be a good read but is going downhill. Some of the views under the articles defy belief. One guy GENUINELY believed that Momo should be benched - can you believe that?! He cant have seen us play if he thinks Momo should be on the bench no matter what his justification is for it.

 

I do find it hard to understand all the constant changes as well, at times when we have played well and won I wish we had the same team as the next week.

 

Richard Willaims nearly always writes garbage though!

[Guest AnfieldGrass]

 

I do find it hard to understand all the constant changes as well, at times when we have played well and won I wish we had the same team as the next week.

 

It's not hard to understand, Rafa has explainedit plenty of times. If you want an explanation just ask one of the regular posters on here who have greater insight into the issue than I have, although I think my understanding of it is clear.

 

Namely, we play over 60 games a season, contending in four major competitons (and expected to do well in them all), have faced serious setbacks over the past few years due to not having adequate cover for injuries, many players with international responsibilities, and some players who need resting, both physically and mentally, because they are relied on so much to do a job. Rafa's idea is to have 2 players for each position in order to rotate for these reasons, and has made it quite clear this is his intention, it should come as no surprise. he has done it before, and only now is his LFC team starting to come together as a benitez "skwaad", and the signs are there that he will be able to turn this club into his Valencia of a few years ago, who won the spanish title faced with the challenge of bigger clubs with much bigger bank balances.

 

Simple really. It aint rocket science. You may not like it, but it;s happening. Accept it. It may not be perfect right now but we all need to show patience. The title will come, but what e dont need are lazy journos writing total rubbish in order to make things simpler to explain. These are the same journos who will do a cmplete u-turn when we grab the title and other managers will start copying Rafa's tactics.

[Jambo]

Sign SteveD! He'd be a worthy addition to the forum

[downunder]

It's not hard to understand, Rafa has explainedit plenty of times. If you want an explanation just ask one of the regular posters on here who have greater insight into the issue than I have, although I think my understanding of it is clear.

 

Namely, we play over 60 games a season, contending in four major competitons (and expected to do well in them all), have faced serious setbacks over the past few years due to not having adequate cover for injuries, many players with international responsibilities, and some players who need resting, both physically and mentally, because they are relied on so much to do a job. Rafa's idea is to have 2 players for each position in order to rotate for these reasons, and has made it quite clear this is his intention, it should come as no surprise. he has done it before, and only now is his LFC team starting to come together as a benitez "skwaad", and the signs are there that he will be able to turn this club into his Valencia of a few years ago, who won the spanish title faced with the challenge of bigger clubs with much bigger bank balances.

 

Simple really. It aint rocket science. You may not like it, but it;s happening. Accept it. It may not be perfect right now but we all need to show patience. The title will come, but what e dont need are lazy journos writing total rubbish in order to make things simpler to explain. These are the same journos who will do a cmplete u-turn when we grab the title and other managers will start copying Rafa's tactics.

 

However when a player is playing well it is not ALWAYS right to rest them, some players thrive on playing week in week out, I am in no way saying Rafa isnt doing a good job, but I go back to what i said last week.

 

Arsenal in 1980 played 70 games, without constant rotation. Players have it easier nowadays, all they have to do is turn up at certain times and then play, everything is taken care of for them. In the 70's and 80's travel was harder etc. I am not saying if Rafa didn't rotate we would be better off but I think that players on ridiculously high wages should be able to perfom at the top of their profession for 180mins a week for 45 weeks of the year (Top tennis plaers can!!!). You never ever hear players say they are tired or want a rest.....they are a bunch of fairies I tell ya!!! I think we used very few players in 79 when we only let a few goals in - the back five got used to eachother!!

[DanielS]

However when a player is playing well it is not ALWAYS right to rest them, some players thrive on playing week in week out, I am in no way saying Rafa isnt doing a good job, but I go back to what i said last week.

 

Arsenal in 1980 played 70 games, without constant rotation. Players have it easier nowadays, all they have to do is turn up at certain times and then play, everything is taken care of for them. In the 70's and 80's travel was harder etc. I am not saying if Rafa didn't rotate we would be better off but I think that players on ridiculously high wages should be able to perfom at the top of their profession for 180mins a week for 45 weeks of the year (Top tennis plaers can!!!). You never ever hear players say they are tired or want a rest.....they are a bunch of fairies I tell ya!!! I think we used very few players in 79 when we only let a few goals in - the back five got used to eachother!!

 

It isn't only about rest though. Benitez has a different tactical plan for every team we oppose and each player in the squad is used to implement that plan. If a player doesn't fit the tactical plan, he doesn't play - no matter who.

[The Hitman]

He cites O'Neill at Villa as an example.The reason that Villa don't use squad rotation at the moment,by and large,is most probably because O'Neill doesn't rate half the squad and doesn't want them anywhere near the team.

Regardless,different strokes for different folks,Rafa's been successful with rotation so far.

[Guest AnfieldGrass]

 

However when a player is playing well it is not ALWAYS right to rest them, some players thrive on playing week in week out, I am in no way saying Rafa isnt doing a good job, but I go back to what i said last week.

 

Arsenal in 1980 played 70 games, without constant rotation. Players have it easier nowadays, all they have to do is turn up at certain times and then play, everything is taken care of for them. In the 70's and 80's travel was harder etc. I am not saying if Rafa didn't rotate we would be better off but I think that players on ridiculously high wages should be able to perfom at the top of their profession for 180mins a week for 45 weeks of the year (Top tennis plaers can!!!). You never ever hear players say they are tired or want a rest.....they are a bunch of fairies I tell ya!!! I think we used very few players in 79 when we only let a few goals in - the back five got used to eachother!!

 

Comparisons to 26 years ago are irrelevant. Times have changed. The Arsenal of 1980 didnt have an Abramovich to contend with. There was little international representaion, and to be fair the game is totally different.

 

Just because it was done like that once does not mean it will/needs to work now. To do the same things and expect the same results when everything around you is changing is foolish.

 

Every top manager rotates, some more than others. The media has latched on to benitez' policy and started bagging it for the only reason it needs: It's Liverpool, and we are dangerous.

 

am not saying if Rafa didn't rotate we would be better off ...

 

So whats the frigging issue then?

Edited September 26, 2006 by AnfieldGrass

[downunder]

It isn't only about rest though. Benitez has a different tactical plan for every team we oppose and each player in the squad is used to implement that plan. If a player doesn't fit the tactical plan, he doesn't play - no matter who.

 

That is true, however I think if he kept the back 5 the same (Reina, Finnan, Carra, Riise, Agger) all season I think we will let in less goals than changing it all the time. Obviously there will be forced changes for injuries and suspensions but i think that back 5 would help us stop us leaking goals.

[Cobs]

However when a player is playing well it is not ALWAYS right to rest them, some players thrive on playing week in week out, I am in no way saying Rafa isnt doing a good job, but I go back to what i said last week.

 

Arsenal in 1980 played 70 games, without constant rotation. Players have it easier nowadays, all they have to do is turn up at certain times and then play, everything is taken care of for them. In the 70's and 80's travel was harder etc. I am not saying if Rafa didn't rotate we would be better off but I think that players on ridiculously high wages should be able to perfom at the top of their profession for 180mins a week for 45 weeks of the year (Top tennis plaers can!!!). You never ever hear players say they are tired or want a rest.....they are a bunch of fairies I tell ya!!! I think we used very few players in 79 when we only let a few goals in - the back five got used to eachother!!

that'll be the Arsenal who finished 4th in the League and lost the FA and Cup Winners Cup Final?

 

seems like they ran out of steam at the end of the season, eh?

 

Fact of the matter is no-one had big squads back then & the pace of the game was a lot slower, with the game as a whole being less physically demanding, as evidenced by the number of injuries players suffer these days.

[Behind Enemy Lines]

..... Obviously there will be forced changes for injuries and suspensions but i think that back 5 would help us stop us leaking goals.

 

or b) keep all of the players 'match fit' and used to playing with each other - then when the injuries or suspensions happen - there is less of a 'unknown' factor for whoever steps in.

[downunder]

Fact of the matter is no-one had big squads back then & the pace of the game was a lot slower, with the game as a whole being less physically demanding, as evidenced by the number of injuries players suffer these days.

 

Players dont have more injuries these days, but the medical teams are better, so more are detected. As I say I am one for rotataion but at times I think he over does it. Also why doesnt he rest Reina?

[Cobs]

so you think players used to play through undetected cruciate ligament injuries & broken metatarsals back in the early eighties?

 

 

oh, and Reina isn't rested because the goalkeeper will always have enough recovery time between games to be back at 100% for the next match.

Edited September 26, 2006 by Cobs

[Guest AnfieldGrass]

Also why doesnt he rest Reina?

 

Reina gets a rest on the pitch.

[downunder]

so you think players used to play through undetected cruciate ligament injuries & broken metatarsals back in the early eighties?

oh, and Reina isn't rested because the goalkeeper will always have enough recovery time between games to be back at 100% for the next match.

Look at Tommy Smith now He played when he shouldn't have. These days you are not allowed to play when injured there is no pulling the wool over the managers' eyes.

 

Cruciate injuries used to mean end of career, now they can get fixed. Yes I am being argumentative but however much I hate to say this, Fergie doesn't rotate and gets (relative) success. Both methods have things going for them.

 

A high percentage of injuries happen in training , so by resting doesn' always mean players stay fresh. I am more for taking players off near the end when the games is sewn up so they dont get injured late on.

 

By resting Reina occasionally we would keep Dudek match ready, he is getting no game time at all, and that is probably why he looked so shaky for Poland, 2 weeks ago,

[Raj]

However when a player is playing well it is not ALWAYS right to rest them, some players thrive on playing week in week out, I am in no way saying Rafa isnt doing a good job, but I go back to what i said last week.

 

Arsenal in 1980 played 70 games, without constant rotation. Players have it easier nowadays, all they have to do is turn up at certain times and then play, everything is taken care of for them. In the 70's and 80's travel was harder etc. I am not saying if Rafa didn't rotate we would be better off but I think that players on ridiculously high wages should be able to perfom at the top of their profession for 180mins a week for 45 weeks of the year (Top tennis plaers can!!!). You never ever hear players say they are tired or want a rest.....they are a bunch of fairies I tell ya!!! I think we used very few players in 79 when we only let a few goals in - the back five got used to eachother!!

 

But your argument does not take into account that the game is played at a faster pace, with more athletic players. Players are fitter now than in the past, mainly through better eating habits and the advance of sport science. As a result, a player has to be close to his physical maximum to perform, otherwise they get found out. Also, there is no relevance between high wages and a players ability to perform physically and mentally.

 

I am left puzzled by Rafa's team selection at times, but I do understand that the team will change for tactical or physical reasons. Many of these decisions, we will never be privvy to.