Quote Originally Posted by MrsORichSenior_ View Post
players need to be physically and tactically equipped to handle different roles and systems...... but not all players possess this versatility....... some may say fewer changes lead to more consistent performances..... fine line squad rotation..... yes it is important to keep players fit...... but making too many changes can mess with team chemistry.....
maybe we have to many like for like and not enough variables to throw into the mix ?

we have the joint 14th youngest age squad in this seasons Premier League....... at 26.4 average age.
squad size 26...of which Farke has played 21 players so far.

youngest squad is Chelsea......average age is 23.4
squad size 31...... of which Maresca has played 26 players so far..... even he is bristling at suggestions that his future is under scrutiny right now....and many on here moaned about Bielsa only having a small squad of 18............

the maximum size for a Premier League senior squad is 25 players...... with no more than 17 players not classified as a homegrown player........ but clubs can submit an unlimited number of players under the age of 21.....who do not count towards this 25 player limit.... so they can be registered as well.




as for young players been given a chance......
only 188 minutes for 19.5 year old Archie this season playing 4 competitions....... consisting of 72 cameo minutes in PL...... 8 minutes in 1 CL appearance......18 minutes in UEFA Super cup.....and a full 90 minutes run out in EFL cup....... playing right side midfield against Doncaster Rovers......wonder if he is happy ?

Gnonto 107 apperances for Leeds and 19 goals at 21 years old..... played 24 Premier League appearance in 22/23 and 2 more this season to date....... with 79 in Champions plus a few grumbles along the way as well.

MOT
Those stats don’t really address the point being made about two specific players nor the general observation over the last 2 and a bit season as to how Farke rotates squads.

Bijol has had zero PL minutes and he was supposed to be our marquee signing. That is perplexing. Tanaka has fared a bit better but tends to come on as a very late sub - there is no suggestion he isn’t good enough. The game v Fulham which I was at was crying out for him to come on for Stach after 60 mins as Stach was out on his feet. It didn’t happened.

We hay have used 21 players but the stats you produced don’t show how many minutes or what time they can on.

Not saying Farke is an awful coach but subs and squad rotation has been a consistent weakness - if Gruev and Ampadu hadn’t got injured Tanaka (and Rothwell) would never have got anywhere near the time they did last year and deserved to have.

The list of players grumbling about it continues to grow at Leeds and he has had it elsewhere too.

Crew made zero minutes last season before his loan to Rovers - he is clearly good enough. Gray has made zero minutes this season. He is the age where 5 minutes here and there gives him a taste and is good for development.

Giving players like Tanaka, Gnonto (when fit) or Justin 5 to 15 minutes here and there is neither good generally for squad harmony and if injuries occur and they are needed it means they are not match fit.

Farke is not a top tier elite manager so will have flaws and this seems to be one of them.