Rest key players?

Jedi boro said:
The counter argument is that players are just as likely to get injured in training.
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True, players do get injured in training, but the difference is, the risk of a deliberate injury occurring is higher in the actual match against a likely play off opponent in the run in (See Bamford v Norwich 2015)
 
If results go our way today and tomorrow, we could know that we've sealed 4th already and plan accordingly.
 
coluka said:
All those saying play your strongest team ….. So risking Akpom and Archer to join Ramsey, McGree, Fry, Forss and McNair on the sidelines is a good thing is it with 2 games before the play offs (after Luton)?

It would be sheer madness in my eyes, an act of potential self harm.

We need to protect Archer and Akpom and get as many of the others fit to play if we can in time.
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Not just protect Akpom and Archer.. give Crooks and Muniz a stretch out!!
 
One of the best away days I had following Boro was at Leicester in '97. We tore them a new one, scoring 3 in the first half and TLF was unplayable.

A few weeks later, they got the better of us, and him, in the league cup final and replay.

I wonder if there's somethign to be said for not showing our hand vs Luton, and maybe Coventry, in our remaining league games?
 
For me, whilst it's still mathematically possible that we can catch Sheffield United, however unlikely those chances are now, we have to play our best team and go for the win. We also want to keep momentum up and go into the play offs on the back of a winning streak. I do appreciate there's always a risk of injury and I fully understand where everyone is coming from and if Carrick decided to rest players then I'll have no complaints but I think we should go out and try to demolish Luton. Everyone knows what our hand is so it won't be a surprise to whoever we play.

In fairness, injuries might dictate the team regardless.
 
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Wistow_Red said:
For me, whilst it's still mathematically possible that we can catch Sheffield United, however unlikely those chances are now, we have to play our best team and go for the win. We also want to keep momentum up and go into the play offs on the back of a winning streak. I do appreciate there's always a risk of injury and I fully understand where everyone is coming from and if Carrick decided to rest players then I'll have no complaints but I think we should go out and try to demolish Luton. Everyone knows what our hand is so it won't be a surprise to whoever we play.

In fairness, injuries might dictate the team regardless.
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Disregard Sheff U they have gone. Everything now is geared to preparing for the play offs and I think we need to do everything to safeguard injuries. I don’t care about Luton game now. Just praying those who play come through unscathed.
 
Bit of a concern with the injuries.
Fry and now McGree and Ramsay will not be match sharp for the play-off matches, if fit at all.
We've coped ok so far with Mowatt in the middle and Hackney left. Be interesting to see if this works against better teams.
 
Cardiffdaffs said:
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Disregard Sheff U they have gone. Everything now is geared to preparing for the play offs and I think we need to do everything to safeguard injuries. I don’t care about Luton game now. Just praying those who play come through unscathed.
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99.9999% of me is disregarding Sheff Utd and I fully expect them to get 2 points from 12. However, until it's mathematically impossible for us to catch them we have to keep pressing (imo). Part of me wants them to get promoted against West Brom to keep the Baggies out of the top 6 but then the other part wants them to capitulate spectacularly.

I do accept I'm probably in the minority with my view with regards to playing the best 11 available and as I said, if Carrick and the management team feel it's right to rest players then I'll have no qualms with that.
 
I worry Luton will be out to knacker Akpom to get him out of the play offs.... i would rest him and others - Giles, Steffan, and Archer .....
 
It is a hard one for Carrick. I think it may depend on where we finish in playoffs, whether we play home or away first. Surely you always play the best team you can. Tbf Carrick is now in a doomed if he does and doomed if he doesn't situation
 
BoroPhil said:
Just hope Luton don't try and target Akpom. He's the one player we can't really replace.
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I disagree, he’s important player and key to how we play now. But I’d have full confidence that we have the ability to change our tactic and still be effective

That said I don’t want to see if that actually possible haha
 
I think Luton will target Akpom for special attention as I have seen them play on several occasions. I would very reluctantly rest him on Monday. Start with Crooks and Jones. as Jones knows how to draw a foul.
 
I don't think we'll change too much based on Carrick's comments, Jones and Dijksteel certain to start, I also expect Howson to get rested and give Barlaser a run out.

If we rested Akpom and Archer I'll not be disappointed. Luton are very physical, I expect crunching tackles on our players Monday night.
 
Bryant Bilongo (defender), Cain Sykes, (defender/midfielder), Jack Stott (midfielder, u21 captain) and Law McCabe (midfielder) all didn't play for the u21s today when you would have expected them to. Possibly involved tomorrow.
 
IMO - we rest no one unless they have an injury, we are hot on form again and finiding that sharpness in our play again, we go out and play the best team possible, if for whatever reason someone gets a freak injury or an injury in the game or training then so be it, Momentum is everything and we need to keep that sharpness and positive vibe.

Lets not think about what could happen and just go out and play our way as we have all season and what is meant to be will be!
 
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