As frustrating as it is, I suspect it?s sensible asset management, led by physios and owners.
A lot of these old championship players are riddled with little injuries and it completely disrupts a squad. Look at Ajayi, he can?t make a full season these days. One big injury at the wrong time and it can kill their career and championship seasons are very long.
Rodri is the best example of a player totally relied upon and city clearly can?t get by without him.
Diangana was class until that nasty hamstring injury which lost him a yard of explosivity. He?s not been the same player since.
Fellows and Johnstone are probably ?35m worth of assets. If you were an owner you would protect them at all costs. Brighton do this quite well, with a decent sized squad and a lot of rotation. I think we?re following their lead in terms of model.
The key thing for me is not the rotation that?s the problem, it?s the quality of the squad. So it?s positive that we bought 4 attacking players in January.[/QUOTE
Sorry but I can't accept 'It's sensible asset management'
Take the specific of Armstrong's substitution on Saturday. You, me and next door's dog knew it was a decision that weakened the side. The player came here because he needed game time and he's not our asset to be 'sensible' with. So why sub him?
I don't believe owners dictate to managers who they can and can't play. I can't envisage any manager working under those sort of constraints. And if they are your 'prized assets' surely those are the very players you need on the pitch at the end if the game is in the balance. It's all about winning isn't it?
What's the answer to Rodri situation. Don't play him?
I do agree with you there is an all too obvious problem with the quality of the squad. But if everyone knows that then why oh why do it ffs?'
There's a stat for everything these days and sure enough there's one for goal involvements from subs season to date
Rohl 149 subs 22 goal involvements
Farke 143 subs 16 goal involvements
Corberan 104 subs ONE goal involvement!
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/cham...wettbewerb/GB2
It's a problem we are all aware of but the bare facts are startling
To finish on what I hope is a positive I'm very happy with tonight's X1 I just hope that either we are 2 up with 10 to play or that front 3 are still on the pitch. Agreed?