We clearly did - numerous times both have been rushed back from injuries and play in every single game until the edge of burnout.
They both sat out most cup games in the past 6 years. They played the majority of league games, as is the case with the first team now. The result of all this resting and prioritising of them and others, was one trophy in 6 years. The cost of not playing games was 20-odd trophies, no CL for the past 3 years, millions in lost revenue, 3 coaches sacked, and in Torres case, a transfer elsewhere. You call it "modern professional football to allow prime performance", I call it a "criminal waste of resources".
Yes there is a priority - it helps when you look at the bigger picture as opposed to the next game - we have 3 games in 6 days coming up - so i would like Suarez and CO to be fully fit for those games.
They are full time professionals, who like in every other job, have to cope with busy periods. Professionals don't prioritise, they just methodically get the job done, and move onto the next one.
There is a massive difference between the CL and Europa
Despite all the tinkering and rebranding done, they are the same trophies they were 50 years ago, and we've won the current competition we're in 3 times. The memories and experiences from them last forever.
We are also unbeaten in the league in 8 games now - top of the form table and moving up the real table - moved up 7 places in the last month or so and now only 8 points away from 4th. Me personally am not prepared to write of anything just yet and will show a bit more faith in the team and manager.
He finished 11th last year, he is 11th now. The 8 points off a UEFA Cup spot last season, is that much greater when you realise the strength of the opposition above us.
Winning the form table is not something to crack the champagne for. 11th wasn't good enough for us 2 years ago, and it's certainly not good enough now.
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