Should we rest Rickie?

[BadgerBadger]

It's always a dilemma about whether to rest a player or keep him going when he's playing well.

 

If Barnard starts hitting form I'd like to see Rickie rested for a game, put him on the bench and put Waigo up front as a partner.

 

Roll on Connoly getting fit for the run in

[Matthew Le God]

Why rest him? He is the League Top scorer and Saints need to win most of their remaining games. If he can't run around for 90 minutes and then play 3(if a Tuesday) or 7 days(if a Saturday) later at his age then he should give up professional football.

[Psycrow]

Unless his performances start to get affected, then no

[BadgerBadger]

Agree totally but I'd like to see him given a rest on the 'easier' games (Tuesday) to protect him - we have a big enough squad and a rest would do him good ready for the run in.

[Matthew Le God]

Agree totally but I'd like to see him given a rest on the 'easier' games (Tuesday) to protect him - we have a big enough squad and a rest would do him good ready for the run in.

 

Pointless resting him against Wycombe if it means Saints have less chance of winning. If you don't beat the poorer teams then it doesn't matter how you do against the better teams. As long as he isn't injured/carrying a knock he should play in every game.

[BadgerBadger]

Pointless resting him against Wycombe if it means Saints have less chance of winning. If you don't beat the poorer teams then it doesn't matter how you do against the better teams. As long as he isn't injured/carrying a knock he should play in every game.

 

Difficult one whether a rest is beneficial but still think a mix up may not be a bad thing, put him on the bench if all is not well bring him on

[Saint_clark]

No, his performances dropped but he has been back to his best recently IMO.

[St Landrew]

Wouldn't mind betting AP drops Rickie to the bench on Tuesday. But no doubt Rickie will make himself indispensible, at some point in the match.

[BadgerBadger]

Wouldn't mind betting AP drops Rickie to the bench on Tuesday. But no doubt Rickie will make himself indispensible, at some point in the match.

 

Would show AP to be comfortable and canny in his team selection but there is no doubting Rickie's importance hence the thought of giving the guy a rest.

[david in sweden]

It's always a dilemma about whether to rest a player or keep him going when he's playing well.

 

If Barnard starts hitting form I'd like to see Rickie rested for a game, put him on the bench and put Waigo up front as a partner.

 

Roll on Connoly getting fit for the run in

 

 

 

Rest - NO !............subbing him after he's got his regular goal - MAYBE ?

I think most players wouldn't look at it as being rested. Success is all about confidence and even if he's a bit tired he's consistant because after over 40 games he's never gone more than 3 games without scoring. He might lose that enthusiasm if sat on the bench. Let well enough alone.

 

If Barnard has found some form, and IF ..Connolly is in the way back then we have other dimensions but I'd leave him alone -if he's happy to continue as is..

[trousers]

Rest Lambert? Yes, perhaps...but not at the start of the game...rest him when we're 3 up and cruising...same starting line up for rest of season (injuries allowing) please mr pardew

[oxfordshire_saint]

To maximise our slim playoff hopes we need to be winning nearly all our games.

 

Rickie wins games, therefore he should play in all of them unless he starts to look knackered or picks up a knock.

[70's Mike]

Does sir Alex rest Rooney?

[Give it to Ron]

Agree totally but I'd like to see him given a rest on the 'easier' games (Tuesday) to protect him - we have a big enough squad and a rest would do him good ready for the run in.

 

Due to -10 and our poor start we are on our run in already every game is a must get 3 points. The top goal scorer has to play IMO until he loses form or injured.

Didn't Lambert have a rest when the game was off due to snow?

[JustMike]

id only rest him if he asks to be..which he wont, so no

[Pugwash]

Should always play the best available side. If Rickie's fit and in form, he should play.

[Andy_Porter]

Does sir Alex rest Rooney?

 

+1

 

It's only since we've had an influx of foreign managers that people seem to think players need to be rested. Resting players of Lamberts quality in this league is unheard of, I'd imagine he'd be pretty ****ed off if he was rested for a league game after playing every minute in the JPT.

[PhilB]

Rest? WTF, Christ almighty they ought to try working for a living.

[Thedelldays]

just play him now..what have we got to lose

 

one thing..he deserves a big break in the summer..

[beatlesaint]

Agree totally but I'd like to see him given a rest on the 'easier' games (Tuesday) to protect him - we have a big enough squad and a rest would do him good ready for the run in.

 

I'm sure Millwall thought Wycombe would be an "easier" game too !!

Until we have no chance of play offs the only rest Rickie should be getting is dependant on us killing teams off with 20-25 mins to go, then he can be taken off.

 

I would be surprised if AP starts protecting Lambert a little bit until Connolly is fit and available anyway.

[Tokyo-Saint]

Wish my boss would rest me for a week!

[Eaststander]

Wouldn't mind betting AP drops Rickie to the bench on Tuesday. But no doubt Rickie will make himself indispensible, at some point in the match.

 

AP is too smart a manager, and has waited too long to play what he considers his best 11. He didn't make a (significant/tactical) substiutions on Saturday, and that says a lot.

 

He won't break a golden rule of football management and change a winning team. He was giving those 11 players as much experience of playing together as possible, they are going to need to function as the first team.

 

When the term rested is used, it may not be necessary to rest for a match, it may mean that the pressure is taken off RL as being the only option. LB will get more chances with RL on the pitch than he will without him.

[Goalie66]

no no and no

[VectisSaint]

+1

 

It's only since we've had an influx of foreign managers that people seem to think players need to be rested. Resting players of Lamberts quality in this league is unheard of, I'd imagine he'd be pretty ****ed off if he was rested for a league game after playing every minute in the JPT.

+2, think too many people are getting used to watching the Premier League too much. Rest 3rd division players! What a bunch of fecking wooses. He had a rest this week 6 full days without a game.

[September Saint]

Wasn't Barnard bought with the express purpose of resting Lambert?

Stated by AP

[alpine_saint]

No. Play your best team. Always.

[St Landrew]

AP is too smart a manager, and has waited too long to play what he considers his best 11. He didn't make a (significant/tactical) substiutions on Saturday, and that says a lot.

 

He won't break a golden rule of football management and change a winning team. He was giving those 11 players as much experience of playing together as possible, they are going to need to function as the first team.

 

When the term rested is used, it may not be necessary to rest for a match, it may mean that the pressure is taken off RL as being the only option. LB will get more chances with RL on the pitch than he will without him.

 

Having read through the thread upto this point, I've changed my mind on this. I think those that have said, take Rickie off after he his job is done, or, have Barnard playing alongside him throughout a match, thereby taking some of the responsibility away, are correct. Also, AP will almost certainly play his strongest team, so as to get them to gel as much as possible.

 

I think it's possible in other less pressurised scenarios, that AP could rest players like Lambert, but Saints don't have the luxury. The strongest team really have to be playing 100% from here, until the end of the last match of the season, whether that be Southend, at home, or a few games after that.

[sadoldgit]

Things have changed since the 60s and 70s when you had your starting 11, a sub, and that was it. Clubs have squads now and managers select teams to do a job on the day. Thers is also the issue of injuries and suspensions. Bobby Gould made the point the other days that football used to be a lot more physical but players seem to pick up more injuries nowdays.

 

Anyway, this forum can't even decide on who our best keeper is let alone our best starting 11!

 

I don't doubt that Pardew puts a team out each game to get a result. Whatever that team is there will always be dissention and debate, especially if we draw. I won't say lose because we don't lose many matches (which would seem to indicate that Pardew is getting things right more often than he is getting them wrong).

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

IMO, we should only be taking him off to 'rest' once we have secured the win, i.e. are 3-0 up with about 10/15 mins to go.

[aintforever]

Whilst I think it sometimes makes sense to rest players, I don't think now is the time - we need to just go for it.

[sadoldgit]

There are certain positions I would never change on the field unless forced to do so by the player either being injured or having a mare. I wouldn't change the defence/keeper and I would take off the main goal threat. I would play Lambert in every game as a starter come what may. He scares defences, keeps the back four occupied and his free kicks are a constant threat. When you don't play your main goal threat it gives teams a psychological lift.

[croydonsaint]

No we should not rest him, but if we are winning comfortably in any games take him off then.

[VectisSaint]

Having read through the thread upto this point, I've changed my mind on this. I think those that have said, take Rickie off after he his job is done, or, have Barnard playing alongside him throughout a match, thereby taking some of the responsibility away, are correct. Also, AP will almost certainly play his strongest team, so as to get them to gel as much as possible.

 

I think it's possible in other less pressurised scenarios, that AP could rest players like Lambert, but Saints don't have the luxury. The strongest team really have to be playing 100% from here, until the end of the last match of the season, whether that be Southend, at home, or a few games after that.

The original poster asked whether AP should now rest Lambert for a complete game. That is the idea that is nonsnse. Subbing him 15 minutes from the end when we are 3-0 up is a different matter, and would be something most managers would consider. Unfortunately it hasn't happened too often to give AP that luxury. With all our attacking force it still surprises me that we have yet to give any team a complete tonking.

[musesaint]

Why would we?

 

And why should we?

[RedArmy]

We finally have a goalscorer who's able to play every game, and people want to rest him. Unbelievable.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Difficult - I think it's far too early to tell whether we could perform as good or better without him, so for now the answer is NO. However, do you drop an in-form player? No, unless you have a Directive from the Board from some reason, or the player himself requests to be rested for some reason.

[Under Weststand]

Absolutely No we only have a slight chance of overcoming the points deficit to claim an improbable play-off place (I don't believe it will happen) but we have to try, we need to win & keep on winning so we have to as AP has stated play your best team week in week out. No more tinkering If we are to stay down this year lets go out fighting & set down our marker for next season. Make the league fear us next season.

[richardc]

Pardew said and I agree every game is now a cup final game and you would nt rest Rickie for a cup final - so it has to be no until we are at least 3 up in a game

[Bridge]

Rickie looks like one of those players who wouldn't want to be rested. I bet he just loves being out there playing and not missing out on the action. Imagine being on the bench or in the stands watching you teams mates playing without you. No No No.....

[Saint_clark]

Pardew has said on Saints player that when Connolly is fit again he will consider resting him.

[slickmick]

Surprised he wasn't taken off straight away after he scored our fourth.

[dune]

90 minutes work once a week must be so draining.

[slickmick]

90 minutes work once a week must be so draining.

 

Is he not playing tommorrow then ?

[dune]

Is he not playing tommorrow then ?

 

180 minutes a week then. It's a hard life.

[alpine_saint]

No, but I'd take him off immediately if games are unequivocally won, like Saturdays.

 

Not sure why Barnard came off and he didnt.

 

We really need Connolly back.

[slickmick]

180 minutes a week then. It's a hard life.

 

Its a very good life I agree but giving him a break when we can afford to could give him that extra edge to his game when we need it most.

 

Saturday was a good time to have rested him sooner.

[krissyboy31]

No, but I'd take him off immediately if games are unequivocally won, like Saturdays.

 

Not sure why Barnard came off and he didnt.

 

We really need Connolly back.

 

Barnard got a knock and was taken off as a precaution.

[alpine_saint]

Barnard got a knock and was taken off as a precaution.

 

So, AP didnt want to change both.

 

Understood. Thanks

[krissyboy31]

When Connolly is fit then, we could consider giving him a break, depending on the opposition. I would however, always have him on the bench for those matches, just in case we have to chase the game towards the end. Obviously for the matches against Huddersfield, Swindon, Leeds etc. he has to play.

[L1Minus10]

OK...so Pards rests him for a game and for whatever reason, we don't win. I can just imagine the reaction on here, let alone Cortese's reaction.