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As I've mentioned elsewhere, we're in danger of oversimplifying what goes into these types of decisions. It's not simply a case of looking at the fixture list and deciding to rest half the team because there's a European game coming up. From what I gather, the players are monitored pretty closely. The staff will have data on how far they've run, how much high-intensity running they've done, sprints, accelerations, training loads and how all of that compares to their normal levels. Then you've got the medical side. A player can be perfectly fit to play but still have a bit of tightness or be carrying a heavier workload than normal. The advice might be that he's fine for 30 minutes, fine for 60, or that another 90 minutes probably isn't a great idea. They'll also look at recovery, how the player has been training, how many minutes he's played recently and his own injury history. A 21-year-old who has hardly missed a game through injury might be treated differently from a 30-year-old with a history of hamstring problems. The opposition (and the playing surface, no matter how much some people like to dismiss it) comes into it as well. The coaching staff will have analysed them and worked out where they think they can afford to make changes without weakening the team too much. So the manager might effectively be getting told that Player A is absolutely fine, Player B has played a lot but isn't a concern, Player C is showing signs of fatigue and Player D is carrying a minor issue that could become a bigger problem. He then has to make the decision. That's particularly relevant for a club like ours when we're playing Thursday-Sunday-Thursday and have been doing that for several weeks. Some players could end up playing four or five games in a fortnight if you just keep putting out the strongest XI. That doesn't mean rotation is always the right decision. Managers can still get it wrong. You can change too many players, lose the rhythm of the team and end up going out of a competition you had a decent chance of progressing in. Teams far bigger with managers far more experienced than us have slipped on that banana peel before. But I do think it's worth remembering when we see a team selection we don't like that the manager isn't working with the same information we are. We're looking at the names on the teamsheet. He's looking at the teamsheet plus all the physical, medical, training and opposition information behind it. We can argue with the decision he eventually makes. But there's usually a lot more behind that decision than simply "Europe is more important, so we'll rest a few players."

The voice of sanity: the manager's had an amazingly difficult time dealing with a new country and language (though his English is better than some of the pundits on Sportsound), a wife and new baby living here too,, a squad in turmoil during the window, a raft of injuries and obvious difficulties in recruitment, particularly up front. He's already explained the quick sequence of fixtures has meant he's had very little coaching time and to work on tactics and, after one of our best nights in Europe, people turn on him after he warned us about our difficulties in beating lowly opposition in the LC last season and that we can't always play to our best because of all the availability problems. That plastic pitch would hamper any team which depends on accurate passing and all teams playing on that surface know this. Whatever happens on Thursday, I'm sure AJ will play the best team he can to carry out his chosen game-plan. We need to get behind the team and make FP start rocking again.

The issue is not with rotation but with the quality of player AJ has in reserve. That's not his fault and he is not going to hide behind that excuse. It takes a lot longer than a few weeks to build the quality of squad depth we require if we are to continue to mix it with the big boys. A run of injuries is another hurdle to overcome. And less easy to predict. On Sunday we were dependent upon Wilson and Ross who did not progress when loaned to lower league clubs and struggled to secure a starting position at Raith or Annan respectively. And they have shown next to nothing since returning to Fir Park. Harsh for some, but realistic. For some reason, misguided loyalty or financial reasons perhaps, their contracts were extended. That error came home to roost yesterday. They were out of their depth......against Stenhousemuir. It affected the whole team. Sadly, the whole experience may well have damaged them. Booth and Mcallister are at a different stage of their careers and may develop given the patience and Loan experience afforded to the two mentioned above. Time enough for them yet. Connolly did just fine and is a decent back up. Although at an early stage, Whyte has clearly benefited and matured from his time at Stenhousemuir. His appearances this season reflect that progress. Whether he turns out to be the next Turnbull or Miller time will tell but early signs are promising. Contrasting his progress with that of Wilson and Ross is very telling. Same path. Different outcome. Different quality. I really don't know what to make of Vogt. Given the other excellent signings our recruitment team have uncovered I cannot believe how little he has contributed so far. Flashes at best. At times he looks lost. At other times terrified. Hopefully we see soon the abilities that encouraged us to sign him. Gutted at losing to Stenhousemuir but not that surprised. The match played out as I feared believing that considerable rotation would be a huge factor. Not sure what other options AJ had. I really don't think he chose one cup over the other but rather decided to protect as many players as he could. Had he given up on the League Cup as many suggest, why then risk the players he did second half? When we qualify for Europe next season we will be in a much stronger position to compete on all fronts. With greater depth and hopefully less injuries. It is actually amazing how well we have started this season.

I still find it incredible that we have fans that judge new players on 1 or 2 first team appearances after just moving to a new country and having 4 hours of training. So not understanding everything David pointed out is not quite as surprising to me.

Its incredible that people dont understand this. Id guarantee, that if we didnt have so many injuries, didnt have two games in a week at the start of the season and didn't have so many new guys at the Club, then AJs team would have looked drastically different to the one he put out yesterday. He didn't sideline Longelo for Wilson, or Johnny K for Ross, just for the sake of it

And injuring themselves even more on the new seats. 🤣

Yes, some players didn't do themselves or the club any favours. There's been plenty of talk about incomings but a few need to be shipped out either on loan, to mitigate wage costs or to gain experience; or permanently.

What is your biggest memory as a Well fan? Was it playing Dortmund, or playing Panathanikos in the Champions League? Was it marching through the streets of Nancy (I was there). These are great memories but for me seeing us win the cup in 91 will always be the best and until we do it again it will not be beaten

The perspective is that one or two are clearly not good enough for the top division despite having been given the recognised route and support to build their career. Not based solely on Sunday but also based on the past two seasons. They have not developed as we all had hoped. Sadly that happens all too often within every club. But for a number of reasons they are what we have at the moment and that's not their fault. More generally, at what age and after how many games does a player stop being regarded as a youngster? When should we reasonably expect to see progress? I think it was you who highlighted that Wilson has played over 100 senior games. Many of those games surrounded by senior players within an established line up. Add some Under 21 International appearances in 2024. Numerous coaches They are all doing their best and that effort is appreciated. For their own good I believe it would be better if they moved elsewhere.....loan meantime or straight transfer. It was painful seeing how much they struggled on Sunday. To be clear, I am not blaming any of those youngsters for the loss on Sunday. I don't think any senior Motherwell player came off that park thinking they had done themselves justice. I am just saying there comes a time to identify when a player is not up to the standard we require. That does not mean a player....youngster or otherwise.... does not have a future elsewhere

Mybe a paper exercise, but our submitted list for Thursday's game is a little more optimistic as it includes Sods, Williams, Thor and Ap Stam. Priestman and Sparrow also on it as well Hodge. How fit some of these players are is another matter entirely of course. Still its a step in the right direction.

Lot of people stating that our fringe players are not good enough for first team squad. I disagree. When a bunch are flung into the foray, then sure, it’s a team lacking quality but when you sub on on one or two playing alongside our starters then they are fine

DennyMC - not only have you one of the coolest avatars wit big Sieb but this post is absolutely top notch and summarises brilliantly where the young players are together with what many of us are thinking about Vogyt. For me it covers exactly where we're at. Great post .

Not a bad shout. Darren Randolph is available as keeper too, I think. Brian Kerr might be a decent option.

This 100 times over. But you know, he is Scandinavian, so clearly just disrespected Stenny & The League Cup..... 🤔🤔🤔

"He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy!"

Very well said sir

Ahhh...like i do with my jokes? 🤣🤣

Just for the record, there will never be a "none of the above" box. Feel free to not vote. Personally, after some of the pre-match chat about Connelly, I thought he strolled it. Wish the rest of them had performed to the same levels.

Horrendous list. Can understand fully why AJ rotated team yesterday

I wouldn't want that either. Winning every game sounds dead boring, and leads to the sort of entitled fanbase the OF are blessed with.

Copy n paste. Copy n paste. 🙄

Well judging by your match predictions we were never winning the league cup anyway 🤪🤪

We have had a great start to season so always going to be a blip. If we were playing on grass game would have been different. Relax folks

We’re also a good side.