I think I understand your point BBB, and it is interesting. A player looking after himself and not making gut busting runs for 90 mins so he can peak later in the season and avoid strains, pulls etc. is completely unacceptable. But a manager resting key players for certain games, reducing our chances of winning for the same reasons is perfectly ok?
**For the record I'm not condoning or condemning either action, just making sure I understand.**
I think the perception is one is seen as selfish the other is seen as cunning. Personally I think with the amount of data and feedback on players fitness that is now available that in terms of the player looking out for their fitness and interests there needs to be better use of substitutions. For example if Lucas were to start against Spurs on Wednesday and BR left him on for the full 90 mins, when he was exhausted and struggling in the latter stages could we percieve that as not giving 100%?
The point I am trying to make is that to avoid a player coming across as not giving 100% we should use the data and information we have available to see if they are capable of playing at the tempo we want and need for 90 mins. If not then sub them before energy levels run out, or use them as the impact sub. The example I'll use here is Gerrard. If he was subbed more, not due to performances but due to fitness, I think we'd have less questions about his commitment and arguably better performances. Even starting Shelvey and using Gerrard as the impact sub could be more beneficial than him playing 90 mins every week when I personally don't think he has that level of performance in him any more.
If we were to use our squad and subs like this then you could argue that key players could be available for more games, even if it is as a sub, surely it increase our chances while at the same time allowing us to use youth and develop players.
As George said Arsenal's attempt at playing their strongest team as much as possible backfired, and with our squad as slim as it is no doubt we would suffer the same faith. So if BR decides to rest players as he will, I think we see it as more acceptable as it's for the greater good of the squad. Getting knocked out of the League Cup was disappointing, just like failing to get European football was disappointing 2 seasons ago. However we can argue that by missing out on Europe allowed us a strong start last season, a sort of blessing in disguise, it was never intentional but there are benefits. And as has been said, fans and managers alike prioritise, if risking a cup game (with a team that still has the ability to win) means giving us a stronger chance in a more difficult league game then I think we will go along with that.
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