The Highs and Lows of Rotating Squads

The reality of the mordern game is that no squad is always full, and yet some miraculously remain less full than others.

In this year long battle with stretchy hamstrings, things have reached a point in the season where injuries will start having a major impact. The team which goes the longest keeping it's best players the fittest with take the title.

I'm gutted that we've lost both Song and Nasri this week -- a real shame given they were both in top form. But it begs the question, could it have been expected  or even avoided?

Here's a breakdown of the squad into positions and games started.





I can't help noting both Song and Nasri have been in the upper ends of their respective positions, which is a reminder that some of our more "played" players need to be used wisely. Read: Koscielny, Sagna, Wilshere, Clichy.

Also the utter contrast between pairs like Sagna/Eboue, Clichy/Gibbs, Nasri/Rosicky and Song/Denilson is a reminder that our second team have really not created the depth this season. Moral of the Story : Despite the rotations, we've still relied heavily on a few shoulders. Would a more fluid rotation policy have helped ?

We are a strange club in that sense, our depth is only used in groups of 8, almost like a seperate team altogether. Its puts the manager and the fans in a strange place -- You constantly wish for the same team to start every game, only to find your best players having to come off injured because they went that extra mile.

Everyone hates stupid injuries. It's worse if it happens when someone's overplayed because the "B-team" player hasn't stepped in, let alone compete for the place.

Our "unbeatable" first team needs everyone to stay fit, and our indifferent fringe players need to step it up a notch when they get a chance. And they will get chances.  (I thought Arshavin looked great against Everton.)

Time for the rabbit feet and crossed fingers to come out.