How should we approach the last 3 games?

As ever, in Carrick we trust. It's not like he won't have come across this scenario before in his career. What would Fergie do?

Sports science will be a big part of any decision. No point risking anyone carrying an injury or anyone looking fatigued. But there's no substitute for playing matches, I think if players are fully fit they should play.

Whether the international break is why we suffered our mini blip or not, it's still a bit of a warning that it's easy to lose momentum if you're not careful.
 
As already pointed out, WBA can still spoil the top 4 party,, 11 pts behind us having 4 games left to play, so if they win today, then we must stay focused.
However if WBA don't win today, then we may see changes in the team for Monday night and remaining games, as finishing 3rd or 4th has the same home advantage for the 2nd playoff leg.
I'm sure Luton may be thinking the same, resting some of their best players, having all but secured 3rd or 4th place.
 
Play the ressies at Luton. No more injuries to “starters”. Keeps the squad players up to a certain level of readiness and maybe most importantly. ( I understand there is a massive IF, coming here). If we play Luton at Wembley at the end of May why give them the perfect scouting opportunity. The game means absolutely zero in terms of the league.

Now the next two games potentially have massive implications at both end of the table. Rotherham May need a point to stay up, they may not. They could be safe. And then Coventry last day will be in the thick of the play off race. Our motivation could be, do we want to play them twice more in a weeks time? Who knows.

But I’d definitely risk nothing at Luton and then have to respect the integrity of the league for the final two
 
We are playing two of the teams we could meet during the playoffs in the next 3 games and should avoid giving too much away in terms of tactics. I Remember the little fella battering Leicester in the league game just before the final and that prompted O’Neil to change his approach and marked him out of the final.
 
Joy_Division_Oven_Gloves said:
We are playing two of the teams we could meet during the playoffs in the next 3 games and should avoid giving too much away in terms of tactics. I Remember the little fella battering Leicester in the league game just before the final and that prompted O’Neil to change his approach and marked him out of the final.
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our tactics aren't really a secret and with all the video technology etc used these days I don't think it'd make that much difference. Sides know how we're going to play.

But I suppose there is a case of denying them the opportunity to test themselves in practice against us. Most won't have faced Archer or Ramsey before. It's one thing watching videos and another facing up to them in the flesh.

To be honest I don't think Carrick will think like that though. Easy to fall into the trap of becoming too concerned about the opposition. I think he'll just want us focussing on ourselves than trying to second guess what might or might not happen in the play-offs. If we play to our potential we'll beat anyone else likely to finish in the play-off places, I'm sure that's all he'll be focussing on making sure we perform, rather than trying to catch other teams out.
 
Joy_Division_Oven_Gloves said:
We are playing two of the teams we could meet during the playoffs in the next 3 games and should avoid giving too much away in terms of tactics. I Remember the little fella battering Leicester in the league game just before the final and that prompted O’Neil to change his approach and marked him out of the final.
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Rob Edwards was at the Riverside last week watching us against Norwich, I think Luton and all the other playoff hopeful teams will already know how we play/set up, they will know our strengths and weaknesses, and so will we about them.
If we rest players now it won't be for tactical reasons or giving too much away, it will be for precautionary reasons against possible injuries.
 
What happens if we field weakened teams against Luton (outside chance of 2nd), Rotherham (battling against relegation), Coventry (need win to secure playoff spot?)......and we get turned over in all three?

No momentum into the playoffs, fans having a meltdown and the potential to have another mini wobble?

Personally, couple of tweaks, but play strongest team possible. Akpom and Lenihan are the conundrum.......either of these get injured 😬😬
 
I doubt any of the players will want resting. We’re heading towards the most important part of the season with promotion to achieve. As others have said though, the condition of each player will be a big factor. Some will have minor injuries and other might not be in peak condition.

I’d personally want to play the strongest team in all the games but would understand giving Howson in particular a breather.
 
My biggest worry is Luton and Coventry players putting a few naughty challenges in against us (Chuba in particular) to take them out for the play offs
 
Uwefuchs said:
So the playoffs are confirmed and so is the top 4 (and the playoff second leg at home). In theory we could rest players and have 3 weeks rest until the playoff first leg but that in itself is a risk of losing sharpness, but with injuries mounting up it feels like we can't afford getting too many other players injured.

How would YOU approach the last 3 games? Do we go full pelt, hopefully win the last 3 and go into the playoffs with momentum?

Or do we rest and rotate players?

Its a tough one, losing someone like Akpom to an unnecessary injury would be a hammer blow but its a fine balance between losing sharpness and losing players to injuries.
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We must continue exactly as we have done thus far under Carrick - it would be a mistake to change anything or to take our foot off the pedals. Keep the momentum going right til the end Only rest players if they are not 100%. Keep the rediscovered momentum going right through April into May. And so into the play offs.
 
Heine_Otto said:
My biggest worry is Luton and Coventry players putting a few naughty challenges in against us (Chuba in particular) to take them out for the play offs
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And we could do the same, we could literally play the kids on Monday and injure half of their team.
 
allied_assault said:
Try to finish 2nd
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We have to play our best team and play to win. We might still catch sheff utd. Unlikely as it seems utd have lost 2 games on the bounce this season already with 1 draw then a loss straight after. It isn't impossible and you can't throw that chance away however slim.

Secondly you cannot just choose to turn it on again after playing half pace.

Thirdly they are professionals.
 
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