Risky business

[robinrover]

Good professional display last night but the risk to mulgrew and Smallwood was that needed?
League should be our up most priority and both mulgrew and Smallwood are key to our decent start so far and continuing success.

[champs95]

its over now, unscathed!!! But I feel the same? Why on earth did we risk so many key players?? We even brought Dack on?
So now onto Hull at home, a nothing game and a very small crowd. I cant say I was happy we beat them last night, but I guess winning is a habit. So from that aspect, it maybe cant be a bad thing.

[AucklandRover]

I think it's part of Mowbray's innate cautiousness. He doesn't like having too many youngsters on the field at the same time. In the end, he risked Conway as well. I can see that if Smallwood was not used, he'd have had a real problem, because none of the U-23 midfielders at the right level are actually "holding" players. Also, I am sure he wants to test this squad a level up in the game against Hull, so he probably took that extra risk. I'm glad it paid off with no injuries or suspensions.
Going back to the Under-23s, if they all come through, we are going to be spoiled for choice in the central, creative role in a year or so.
Tomlinson, Hardcastle, Mols and Rankin-Costello all look very promising in that position. Grayson may be the one who is more suitable for the Smallwood role, eventually.