Now that we have (temporarily) a bigger and better squad

[Salopian 1]

If we sign Davies in the next week or two, we shall have two players for virtually every position, which is very good.How then can we deal with the problem that only 14 can play in any match? How are the more peripheral players to get a regular match and stay fully fit? (I am aware that injury and suspension can reduced the actual available squad.) When did Nelson last have a game?There is now no regular reserve fixture list to give these players a game, perhaps with some of the better players from the academy. Ought we to look to join a more satisfactory combination league?Some managers, such as Benitez, have employed squad rotation, perhaps with a "horses for courses"  element. Does he still? But if too many different players are rested  each week, there can be problems of discontinuity, adjustment and familiarity.The solution would seem to be to do what was suggested when we gave up our membership of the combination league. That is, to arrange friendlies from time to time with other clubs who have the same problem. Alternatively we could organise games within the club, using all our professionals and  better academy players. Such games are often behind closed doors, for various reasons, but why not charge a small entrance fee for any fans who are free at that time (- presumably mornings during the week)?

[Yellafella 0]

It''s not a terrible idea but i''m pretty sure these matches go on behind closed doors quite a bit. But they''re still only training games and never going to be as competitive as even a friendly against another club. If you did make them competitve we would have to include first team players who don''t need any more games, it will just lead to injuries. We may have signed a few more players but we still dont have a very big squad. I am suprised however that the reserves haven''t played more friendlies against the local clubs, lowerstoft or kings lynn etc.

 

OTBC