I think Britt will start tonight

Tend to agree that Britt will start tonight, can't afford Fletcher to be out again, maybe a couple of changes?
Mendez Laing to start?
 
Tough one for Warnock tonight, we need to win. We need to manage players energy levels and we can’t tinker to much as we look like we have found a winning formula. Me personally if we could get away with it I would play the same team but I don’t think it’s as simple as that tonight.
Energy levels? These are pampered athletes. Tennis players can play every day, a sport that is fast paced. Cyclists can go up and down mountains. In an average game they run 6 miles, a good walker can do that in 1 1/2 hours. Stop listening to the nonsense.
 
Energy levels? These are pampered athletes. Tennis players can play every day, a sport that is fast paced. Cyclists can go up and down mountains. In an average game they run 6 miles, a good walker can do that in 1 1/2 hours. Stop listening to the nonsense.

It ain’t nonsense. Educate yourself.
 
Energy levels? These are pampered athletes. Tennis players can play every day, a sport that is fast paced. Cyclists can go up and down mountains. In an average game they run 6 miles, a good walker can do that in 1 1/2 hours. Stop listening to the nonsense.
Players always get rotated to keep fresh. Wouldn’t surprise me one iota if Fletcher and Watmore are on the bench tonight for this reason as they also need to be managed carefully. I personally hope it doesn’t happen but I would be shocked if we play the same team.
 
Energy levels? These are pampered athletes. Tennis players can play every day, a sport that is fast paced. Cyclists can go up and down mountains. In an average game they run 6 miles, a good walker can do that in 1 1/2 hours. Stop listening to the nonsense.
I tend to agree. Fletcher wouldn't be rested 2 matches into a normal season would he, even if he had been injured at the back end of the previous season.
Start Fletcher and withdraw him on the hour, especially if we are ahead at that point.

As an aside - do the older posters remember "Superstars"?
It always used to amaze me how absolutely unfit the top footballers looked by comparison to other top sportsmen. I know fitness has massively progressed in football, but I still look at other sports and it is clear football would still not fare well by comparison. Tennis being a classic example of one where they simply work much harder, for longer, with more dramatic changes of direction, more often.
 
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I hope not. Although it may a big ask for Fletcher to play 3 games in a short space of time. I’d probably play Fletcher for 60 or 65 minutes if he’s got it in the tank and then bring one of the other 2 puddings on.

Don't mention puddings when Britt's around he'll get distracted with thoughts of apple crumble and custard!
 
I've developed a real dislike for britt this season - which in turn has made me see just how much of a shambles his time with us has been. 15 million is criminal for someone who can't even control a football.

I thought Warnock making him captain was a masterstroke, but he's remained p**s poor throughout the season.

Personally don't want to see him anywhere near the starting 11 for the rest of his time here. Would rather play a half fit Mendez-Laing through the middle.

In terms of Akpom - i think he's been dealt a rubbish hand tbh, he clearly has more footballing ability than Britt but he's completely isolated everytime he plays. Would like to see him up there with Fletcher tonight - but I think he'll rest Fletcher.

Good riddance in a few months.
 
On the fitness
Energy levels? These are pampered athletes. Tennis players can play every day, a sport that is fast paced. Cyclists can go up and down mountains. In an average game they run 6 miles, a good walker can do that in 1 1/2 hours. Stop listening to the nonsense.

I don't think it's as simple as saying they are pampered athletes so they should be able to do more. The impact on energy levels due to the mental side of the game is underrated. The concentration levels required are massively draining and alongside the physical exertions can really take it out of you.

I only played Sunday league years ago as a kid and I could play football all day but match day would be a different story and take it out of you that much more.

I think football and the championship is different anyway as every game is hard work, whilst some of these other sports you mention such as tennis, the difference in quality between the elite and the rest is massive and some of the top pros can phone it in whilst winning easily.

Fletcher will do well to last 60 minutes tonight if he starts, but I agree with others starting him is the way to go tonight.
 
I hope not. Although it may a big ask for Fletcher to play 3 games in a short space of time. I’d probably play Fletcher for 60 or 65 minutes if he’s got it in the tank and then bring one of the other 2 puddings on.
We have Mendez-Laing on fhe bench we DO NOT need those 2 on the field of play AT ALL
 
On the fitness

I don't think it's as simple as saying they are pampered athletes so they should be able to do more. The impact on energy levels due to the mental side of the game is underrated. The concentration levels required are massively draining and alongside the physical exertions can really take it out of you.

I only played Sunday league years ago as a kid and I could play football all day but match day would be a different story and take it out of you that much more.

I think football and the championship is different anyway as every game is hard work, whilst some of these other sports you mention such as tennis, the difference in quality between the elite and the rest is massive and some of the top pros can phone it in whilst winning easily.

Fletcher will do well to last 60 minutes tonight if he starts, but I agree with others starting him is the way to go tonight.
I think tennis players need to concentrate .
 
I've developed a real dislike for britt this season - which in turn has made me see just how much of a shambles his time with us has been. 15 million is criminal for someone who can't even control a football.

I thought Warnock making him captain was a masterstroke, but he's remained p**s poor throughout the season.

Personally don't want to see him anywhere near the starting 11 for the rest of his time here. Would rather play a half fit Mendez-Laing through the middle.

In terms of Akpom - i think he's been dealt a rubbish hand tbh, he clearly has more footballing ability than Britt but he's completely isolated everytime he plays. Would like to see him up there with Fletcher tonight - but I think he'll rest Fletcher.

Good riddance in a few months.
I think having a real dislike for anyone is something I would rarely have
I can only think of Mido when he was a Boro player
If Britt or Akpom come on I would wish them all the best - I don't want any player to fail wearing a Boro shirt, though unfortunately I think some do on here to prove they are right (I'm not referring to you by the way)
They both seem like decent blokes
 
I think tennis players need to concentrate .

I'm not saying they don't but it's in shorter bursts with more breaks. When the ball is dead in tennis you know you can relax and switch off for a bit as there are massive cues before the game starts again, I've never seen anyone seek to gain an advantage with a sneaky quick first serve.

However, in football even at throw ins and corners when the ball is out of play you need to be switched on to be in the correct position to keep an eye on runners and team shape etc. Far more mentally exhausting than blowing some no hoper away 6-1 6-0 in 30 minutes or so.
 
On the fitness

I don't think it's as simple as saying they are pampered athletes so they should be able to do more. The impact on energy levels due to the mental side of the game is underrated. The concentration levels required are massively draining and alongside the physical exertions can really take it out of you.

I only played Sunday league years ago as a kid and I could play football all day but match day would be a different story and take it out of you that much more.

I think football and the championship is different anyway as every game is hard work, whilst some of these other sports you mention such as tennis, the difference in quality between the elite and the rest is massive and some of the top pros can phone it in whilst winning easily.

Fletcher will do well to last 60 minutes tonight if he starts, but I agree with others starting him is the way to go tonight.
I am worried about how long Fletcher can play, and worry about injury
Hopefully Mendez-Laing can come on after an hour with us winning comfortably
 
I'm not saying they don't but it's in shorter bursts with more breaks. When the ball is dead in tennis you know you can relax and switch off for a bit as there are massive cues before the game starts again, I've never seen anyone seek to gain an advantage with a sneaky quick first serve.

However, in football even at throw ins and corners when the ball is out of play you need to be switched on to be in the correct position to keep an eye on runners and team shape etc. Far more mentally exhausting than blowing some no hoper away 6-1 6-0 in 30 minutes or so.
Or winning a game 9 - 1?

How do some players never miss a game and others need a rest?
 
I can’t see where anyone questions if they are nice guys. We need players with the ability to score - one seems to have lost it and the other has never been prolific.
 
-------------------Bettinelli----------------
------Dijksteel--McNair--Fry--Bola-------
-------Tavernier--Howson--Saville--------
----Spence--Assombalonga--Johnson---
 
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