this rotation lark...

[Eskimo]

I've just gone back over the last 23 games of last season and with the exception of 4 games we had a different line up each game.

 

During that period the highest number of changes to the starting line up from the previous game was 7 on 4 occasions 6 changes were made and 5 changes were made on 5 occasions. I'd say the average is between 4 and 5 changes per game...

 

I reckon if you go back further, say to Jan/Dec, that the trend will be the same...

[Guest soueyg]

We were winning then.

Edited September 15, 2006 by soueyg

[Guest AnfieldGrass]

So do you have a conclusion based on these stats?

[David Hodgson]

I've just gone back over the last 23 games of last season and with the exception of 4 games we had a different line up each game.

 

During that period the highest number of changes to the starting line up from the previous game was 7 on 4 occasions 6 changes were made and 5 changes were made on 5 occasions. I'd say the average is between 4 and 5 changes per game...

 

I reckon if you go back further, say to Jan/Dec, that the trend will be the same...

 

Hmmm...look at the rate of changes during our two long winning runs last season. I'm sure you'll see less changes.

[IgPig]

Hmmm...look at the rate of changes during our two long winning runs last season. I'm sure you'll see less changes.

One of our winning runs came during the last 23 games of the season

[Eskimo]

Hmmm...look at the rate of changes during our two long winning runs last season. I'm sure you'll see less changes.

 

I did look back over a 34 match period the other day but didn't make any calculations although I did note that the spine of the team is pretty consistent i.e. back four and central midfield but up front and out wide there were regular changes 3-4 players on average. If I get time I may look into it.

 

As for the 23 game period we won 16, lost 5 and drew 2 and the losses were against good teams Benfica, a***, Chavs (Charlton being the odd one out) so not to bad overall.

[Alonso]

I did look back over a 34 match period the other day but didn't make any calculations although I did note that the spine of the team is pretty consistent i.e. back four and central midfield but up front and out wide there were regular changes 3-4 players on average. If I get time I may look into it.

 

As for the 23 game period we won 16, lost 5 and drew 2 and the losses were against good teams Benfica, a***, Chavs (Charlton being the odd one out) so not to bad overall.

For me that's the key. Wherever possible the back 5 (including GK) need to build up an understanding so that needs to be a setteled 5, we then have 3 midfielders in Gerrard, Alonso and Sissoko who are all world class, each offering something different giving a great balance to the side. They form such a strong base from which to attack on that IMO they need to start in every game, either Gerrard out wide or playing off the lone striker. You then have 3 players left to complete you line up and I think that's where the rotation can come in dependant on form, fitness, tactics etc. Admitedly strikers need to form a partnership too but hopefully that'll come with training and the game time, they get with each other. The plus points are that they are all intelligent players each slightly different so shouldn't have too mcuh problem gelling quickly.

[Guz]

I dont think Rafa has ever shown any indication that he wants to piss about with the defence and central midfield every week. Reina, Finnan, Carra, Sami, Riise, Gerrard, Sissoko and Alonso seemed to play the majority of games when fit. In the run up to the cup final a couple got a rest and Warnock came in for Riise occasionaly but other than forced changes (injuries i.e. to Momo), he's tried to keep it constant. It was only the strikers (Morientes, Crouch, Cisse and Garcia) and left wing (Kewell, Garcia, Riise) that changed on a regular basis.

[hideNseek]

Is it the rotation policy or the fact that we've 6 new players who don't know the rest of the team and what is expected of them yet?

 

Personally I think Rafa is rotating too much to early. But then he knows more than I do so hopefully humble pie for me soon.

[Lee W]

As I've said, in central defence it is too risky to rotate regularly and would say that upfront, especially with two new strikers you do need to establish a first-choice pairing with a good understanding.

 

Not particularly a fan of rotation in those areas, but maybe it's more merited in midfield where the bulk of the leg-work is done, so seeing Alonso, Gerrard or Sissoko on the bench is fine with the fresher legs coming into the game against tiring opponents if needs be.

 

From what I've seen so far, I think the sooner we get Agger fully integrated with Carra, and Kuyt and Bellamy playing together regularly, the better.

 

As far as the rotation goes at the moment, it's surely down to a ridiculous opening schedule, but it's the same for all the top sides with international players so I don't think there's any point in whinging about it.

[fred milne]

From what I've seen so far, I think the sooner we get Kuyt and Bellamy playing together regularly, the better.

With the strikers, I would rather we established two identifiable alternative partnerships - i.e. Bellamy & Kuyt; Crouch & Garcia - and avoid mixing up the four too much.

[G Richards]

It may well be that Rafa is prepared to take some flak in the short term because he knows it will be so much better for the longer haul.

 

On the face of it, it seems as though we are rotating a bit too much, given that the players don't know each other really well yet. But then that might be precisely why Rafa is rotating them, so he can get to the point where they do.

 

As I say, short term pain; long term gain.

[Rimbeux]

It may well be that Rafa is prepared to take some flak in the short term because he knows it will be so much better for the longer haul.

 

On the face of it, it seems as though we are rotating a bit too much, given that the players don't know each other really well yet. But then that might be precisely why Rafa is rotating them, so he can get to the point where they do.

 

As I say, short term pain; long term gain.

 

 

Aye

 

Players need to play to gel and stake their claim, some need protecting from themselves, others from going in at the deep end, quite a few defenders have been injured

[anny road]

have just had a look at LFChistory.net and scanned the teams on our run of wins last season and he changed the team every game, between 2 & 4 changes

 

That was without the depth of squad we have now

[Keita]

someone said yesterday that Gerrard has only started one of the last 8 champions league games away from home.