Heron

Aye, that's fair re. those two. You could argue why Hall was brought in for example. However, I think we have tried to play with 'lesser able' squads from time to time and to varying degrees we did so vs Man United and Man City in the cup, but it's seemingly being forgotten about. In short, I think we absolutely would have been rotating more if we had viable options.

I feel you're perhaps referencing a different post to what I quoted as part of the discussion to be honest. Your comments don't really answer what I'm asking. If you have injuries, you're forced to rotate, how often you rotate is probably then reduced owing to perceived levels of quality and the capability of those being rotated in to get the job done. What you're saying above, to me, is a very "good in hindsight" notion. When players are playing 100%, are playing well, and getting results, and you are uncertain of the capability to maintain results with their positional competition then it is natural you're less likely to willingfully rotate. As I said in my previous post, given Trippiers influence it has become apparent why perhaps Tino wasn't rotated in sooner. Not for his playing ability but for his lack of influence over the team. The Gordon one, for me, would have been avoided had Barnes not been injured, which no one could foresee. So this comes across very hypothetical now...

With Gordon though - do you think he would have had this amount of game time with a fit Harvey Barnes/Willock/Joelinton who've all operated in similar/same positions? With reference to Trippier I am absolutely inclined to agree. However, his recent blip has made it abundantly clear to me that we are somewhat dependant on his influence alone. When Trippier isn't at it, we aren't at it for results. So that'd be my concern. I don't mean to come across a dick but I just feel it's all easy to say in retrospect and after bad results. I don't think anyone at the time was suggesting we should do the same back then. I could be wrong though...

Great post. Don't entirely agree with it all but think it's very well put across and reasonable to suggest.

At which point would you have rotated those players and who for? I for one think we need a 'Plan B' which is essentially a 'control'style of play but without an array of technically able players that's difficult to apply, especially if it becomes apparent mid-season that you need to owing to an overwhelming amount of injuries.

It's the path he has chosen, that's right. Was playing youngsters with reduced quality the absolute solution? maybe - we'll never know. But if it wasn't then he'd have broken the confidence of young kids who are starting out and got shit for it and instead he has some more experienced pros now managing a situation they will likely have experience of. Might not be what we wanted to see, but probably good man management (in a worst case scenario).

I can only speak for myself but I will happily accept criticisms of Howe if people can provide valid alternatives as to what could have been done at the same times and with the same resources as at that time. So far, a lot of what I am reading (albeit on WA and X) is hypothetical bullshit and folk just saying things are shit. What's the fucking point in that?

Absolutely right to call out the penalty decisions. Another game that's slipped by us despite a hearty showing. Had we beaten the likes of Bournemouth et al then we'd be looking at this game a lot different in my opinion. The chips are down and we're lacking confidence and belief. Mentality is the new issue and not just a thinned out squad. I feel we'll be fine, we just need to attack next weekend with all our might and resuscitate our season. You've got this Eddie. You. Have. Got. This.

Looks a good prospect for the future. We should sign him.

I'm a bit bored of the whole day-trippers and tourists causing a bad atmosphere excuse. It's been shite for ages unless we're winning. The same as any other football stadium in the UK. There's seemingly a feeling of embarrassment or it being socially unacceptable to do so it seems to me. Football is now an entertainment business not a sport. Get your popcorn and hot dog and clap when you score. That's it.

Yep.

The fans have lost belief too though. Cannot really blame the players for losing some too. We've had a pure hefty season and a good amount of bad luck. Our confidence has taken a real hit and it's evident.

Just desperately obsessed with us and our current superiority over them both as a city and a football team. Delewsional.

Fixed

Inter look really strong like. Could have been several vs Udinese. That goal from Martinez was beautiful.

Will be watching this one with my Inter supporting Father in law. Should be a good watch!

I actually thought that whilst his balance and footing was clearly off for Son going past him on the second the initial issue was that our midfield/defence were out of shape. Would need to review further but Trippier is isolated as 2 on 1 when he remains inside to mark the more central forward player, thus winning the header, he then has to make up the yards to get to Son who, opens up the opportunity to really go at him at the earliest opportunity and a player of that quality doesn't need any time to think. I thought a midfielder or perhaps Miggy should have been back in there to help him out. It appeared somewhat of a clear strategy to me today (that they'd isolate Son vs a fatigued Trippier) easy to say in hindsight but it may have been worth playing Tino right and Dummett or Ritchie LB. The booking and suspension for Fulham is a God send to be honest. Trippier needs a break.

Reds galore in Roma/Fiorentina

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Glad Eddie Howe should have predicted like 11 of his first team squad being out at any given time...

Going to be Inter's title this year at this rate. Hopefully so. That goal from Martinez at the end was exquisite and to be honest they could have put double figures past Udinese tonight.

We are playing to our maximum effort. You cannot give more than maximum effort. Could the players give better quality? Yes, in moments, but are they more likely to give more quality if they're less fatigued? Yes.

Mentioned it in the EH thread but for me (across the full season) I'd prefer to probably finish 4th in the CL and really prioritise the League Cup, an FA Cup run and 4th place. Given our injuries I think that's more achievable. Get CL a second year in a row and Cup wins etc. Will come in time.

Right now we're suffering from fatigue. So that's a shite point.

I'm not missing the point at all. You are saying folk are blaming every defeat on fatigue. That's bollocks. They aren't. They are blaming results on fatigue, when fatigue is a factor and probably the largest contributory factor. They're only blaming two league results on fatigue. It is always possible to have played better because humans are playing, there'll always be imperfections. No one is saying the team played well tonight, they are just saying that a fully fit, unfatigued side plays better and that these lads deserve some leeway.

Yep. More players back in Jan and the fixture congestion reducing by February hopefully.