Originally Posted by
AucklandRover
I still don't quite follow the "tinkering" argument.
When we went into the Bristol City game, we had just picked up 13 out of a possible 15 points...and Mowbray made six changes!
That team included Bennett, Bell, Johnson, Brereton and Gallagher - all of whom had been under heavy criticism from supporters.
Surely, that was the biggest "tinker" of the season, but we proceeded to put on our best performance of the campaign up to that point!
Tosin was injured and couldn't play against Wigan. Five of the players who had been getting most stick all season (Bell, Johnson, Brereton, Gallagher and the 'awful' Bennett) were dropped. Williams, Downing, Evans, Armstrong, Dack and Graham were the players introduced.
Hands on hearts - did any of you look at that line-up (in advance!) and say it was weaker than the one that started in Bristol?
This is what I mean. We're in danger of ignoring "tinkering" when it works, but saying it's wholly responsible for a poor performance when it doesn't.
I have added the starting line-ups for comparison.
When I look at them, I have no doubt at all which one I'd have said was stronger if I'd been shown them before the games were played - given that Tosin was unfit for the second one.
BRISTOL CITY: Walton, Nyambe, Lenihan, Adarabioyo, Bell, Travis, Johnson, Bennett, Holtby, Brereton, Gallagher.
WIGAN: Walton, Nyambe, Lenihan, Williams, Downing, Travis, Evans, Armstrong, Dack, Rothwell, Graham.