What are the merits of squad rotation?

[Rashid]

I mentioned this in other thread but here are a few interesting snippets.

Liverpools best player this season has been Jamie Carragher, a player who has played every league game.

Chelsea's has been Frank Lampard and John Terry, a players who have played virtually every game.

Man United's has been Gabrielle Heinze, a player who has played every game when fit.

Arsenal's has been (again) Thierry Henry, a player who plays every game when fit.

The league champions of England have always had more or less the same starting 11, a first 11 that usually starts every league game. Looking back over the past 15 years, Man United, Arsenal and now Chelsea all have a first team that most of us could name of the top of our head.

Does this not tell us that squad rotation should only be used for injuries and extreme fatigue? I think we should find our best 11 and stick to it, and change it only if someone gets injured or give a kids a go in the league cup games.

[05 Milan]

Originally Posted by Rashid

I mentioned this in other thread but here are a few interesting snippets.

Liverpools best player this season has been Jamie Carragher, a player who has played every league game.

Chelsea's has been Frank Lampard and John Terry, a players who have played virtually every game.

Man United's has been Gabrielle Heinze, a player who has played every game when fit.

Arsenal's has been (again) Thierry Henry, a player who plays every game when fit.

The league champions of England have always had more or less the same starting 11, a first 11 that usually starts every league game. Looking back over the past 15 years, Man United, Arsenal and now Chelsea all have a first team that most of us could name of the top of our head.

Does this not tell us that squad rotation should only be used for injuries and extreme fatigue? I think we should find our best 11 and stick to it, and change it only if someone gets injured or give a kids a go in the league cup games.

Rafa won La Liga and the UEFA cup last year by using squad rotation

[Tom R]

go away.

[kop]

Originally Posted by Rashid

I mentioned this in other thread but here are a few interesting snippets.

Liverpools best player this season has been Jamie Carragher, a player who has played every league game.

Chelsea's has been Frank Lampard and John Terry, a players who have played virtually every game.

Man United's has been Gabrielle Heinze, a player who has played every game when fit.

Arsenal's has been (again) Thierry Henry, a player who plays every game when fit.

The league champions of England have always had more or less the same starting 11, a first 11 that usually starts every league game. Looking back over the past 15 years, Man United, Arsenal and now Chelsea all have a first team that most of us could name of the top of our head.

Does this not tell us that squad rotation should only be used for injuries and extreme fatigue? I think we should find our best 11 and stick to it, and change it only if someone gets injured or give a kids a go in the league cup games.

I think you have some good points, but to play a first 11 I think you have to decide which tournament you prioritize. You can't play a first 11 for some 60 games but it shouldn't be a problem for 38. Those who play more than 38 (Terry and Lampard certaily played nearly 60 this season?) are special and not exposed to injuries. Not every player are build to play that much but some are. Riise is one example, Carra another, but even they need rest sometimes. I also think it depends on what position you play in, i.e. a CB can do it easier than a CM.

[Red Nick]

Originally Posted by 05 Milan

Rafa won La Liga and the UEFA cup last year by using squad rotation

thats the point isnt it CFC at the end of the season looked tired especially the first half at anfield, so if you actually want to win the PL & CL then your gonna have to rest your best players for 6-8 prem games plus most of the LC & FAcup games.

In the end Rafa was proven right to rest players at Burnley

[Rashid]

But did he though? This was Rafa's team at Valencia:

Canizares
Tourre Ayala Marchena Carbone
Refute Albelda Baraja Vicente
Aimar
Mista

Apart from when players are injured, I cannot think of many other players coming in for most of Valencia's games. Besides, we are talking about winning the English league title, and history suggests the team who wins the league doesn't rotate much. This season we have had no choice but to rotate due to injuries, next season I'd prefer to see a more stable line up. Carragher, Lampard, Henry and Terry prove that players can keep to a high level even if they play most games.

[PhilM]

Originally Posted by Rashid

But did he though? This was Rafa's team at Valencia:

Canizares
Tourre Ayala Marchena Carbone
Refute Albelda Baraja Vicente
Aimar
Mista

Apart from when players are injured, I cannot think of many other players coming in for most of Valencia's games.

So if he didn't do it at Valencia, what makes you think he's going to do it here?

[Rashid]

Originally Posted by PhilM

So if he didn't do it at Valencia, what makes you think he's going to do it here?

I don't remember saying Rafa was going to do it here. But the general consensus is that he favours it.

Anyway, you are THE PhilM? Is so, then I am in town working these days, where do you drink and play pool these days?

[kop]

Originally Posted by Rashid

But did he though? This was Rafa's team at Valencia:

Canizares
Tourre Ayala Marchena Carbone
Refute Albelda Baraja Vicente
Aimar
Mista

nice try

I think it's Torres and Rufete, not Tourre and Refute



And I think Angulo played regular too, not that it ruin you argument though.

[05 Milan]

Originally Posted by Rashid

But did he though? This was Rafa's team at Valencia:

Canizares
Tourre Ayala Marchena Carbone
Refute Albelda Baraja Vicente
Aimar
Mista

Apart from when players are injured, I cannot think of many other players coming in for most of Valencia's games. Besides, we are talking about winning the English league title, and history suggests the team who wins the league doesn't rotate much. This season we have had no choice but to rotate due to injuries, next season I'd prefer to see a more stable line up. Carragher, Lampard, Henry and Terry prove that players can keep to a high level even if they play most games.

but he did though. that's why I mentioned the UEFA-cup, because he used a very different team in that competition throughout. I'm asuming he used a more regular 11 in the league, and that's probably what he'll do here once he gets a first 11 he's satisfied with

[Rashid]

Originally Posted by kop

nice try

I think it's Torres and Rufete, not Tourre and Refute



And I think Angulo played regular too, not that it ruin you argument though.

He started only 12 league games in season 2003-2004. Next time check your facts.

_________________________________________________

Real Sociedad - Valencia C.F. Suplente 25
Real Betis - Valencia C.F. Suplente 25
Valencia C.F. - Sevilla Suplente 22
Valencia C.F. - Villarreal C.F. Suplente 21
Albacete - Valencia C.F. Suplente 7
Real Valladolid C.F. - Valencia C.F. Titular 90
Valencia C.F. - Osasuna Titular 90
Málaga C.F. - Valencia C.F. Suplente 23
Valencia C.F. - Atletico de Madrid Titular 90
Real Madrid C.F. - Valencia C.F. Titular 77
Valencia C.F. - F.C. Barcelona Suplente 12
Espanyol - Valencia C.F. Suplente 12
Valencia C.F. - Deportivo de la Coruña Suplente 11
Celta de Vigo - Valencia C.F. Titular 77
Valencia C.F. - RCD Mallorca Titular 90 1
Real Rácing Club - Valencia C.F. Titular 90
Real Zaragoza - Valencia C.F. Titular 90 1
Valencia C.F. - Real Sociedad Titular 90
Athletic Club - Valencia C.F. Titular 90
Valencia C.F. - Real Betis Titular 46
Sevilla - Valencia C.F. Suplente 19
Valencia C.F. - Albacete Titular 73

[Rashid]

Originally Posted by 05 Milan

but he did though. that's why I mentioned the UEFA-cup, because he used a very different team in that competition throughout. I'm asuming he used a more regular 11 in the league, and that's probably what he'll do here once he gets a first 11 he's satisfied with

I'd not have much problem with that, this years team have been excellent in the cups (barring the Burnley disaster) and not great in the league. If he addresses the 'league team' for next year we could be onto a winner. I just feel to win the league, history has proven that a regular first 11 is the way to go. Selecting different teams for the cups and European Cup could well be a good strategy.

[Barry Wom]

Originally Posted by Rashid

Selecting different teams for the cups and European Cup could well be a good strategy.

i'm sure rafa will be sleeping better tonight, safe in the knowledge he has your approval.

[Rashid]

Originally Posted by js_

i'm sure rafa will be sleeping better tonight, safe in the knowledge he has your approval.

And I will sleep better now that you have gone to the trouble of pointing that out to me and adding nothing to the thread.

[kop]

Originally Posted by Rashid

He started only 12 league games in season 2003-2004. Next time check your facts.

there there

I'm just trying to contribute to the discussion. And I did give you the argument.

I'll make sure I have my facts right before I reply to your posts next time.

But you have to admit Refute was a bit funny. No? Not at all? Oh, well...

[05 Milan]

Originally Posted by Rashid

But did he though? This was Rafa's team at Valencia:

Can-of-zigars
Tourrettes Ayala Machina Carboner
Refute Albellend Barajajaja Vincente-Vega
Aimar
Mista-Bombastic