Boothroyd shows who's boss
Saturday's team selection showed that no matter who the player is, they can not be guaranteed a starting place. Following a 2-1 victory against Derby, Boothroyd rang the changes. Out went Westwood, Turner, Doyle, Eastwood and Jutikiewicz. Turner was injured and would have played following his man of the match performance the previous week.
Changing a winning team, needs a brave manager and it is something that Boothroyd had stated he wouldn't be afraid of doing. I for one applaud it.
The four five one formation we employed, like Derby did to us the week before, looked like getting us a point until some indiscipline from Carl Baker.
One of the current luxuries at Boothroyd's disposal is the size of the current squad that allows him the luxury to make so many changes and to bring in some quality players. Having players like Gunnarsson, Clingan, Wood and McPake featuring on the bench so often this season would have been un-thinkable last season. What would some of our previous managers given for a bench with those players on?
The fact Westwood was dropped and added to Boothroyd comments earlier in the week was designed to put pressure on him to sign a new contract. Reading between the lines it is sign or find yourself second choice for the rest of the season. Fair enough really considering the current stalemate around his contract negotiations.
I have said before that he is better off here performing well week in week out before the inevitable move to the Premiership materialises. Whether the new found responsibilities of fatherhood will sway him into re-signing remains to be seen.
So we have a week off now before the next big test against Leicester, where no doubt, he will change the team again. Who will play, what the formation will be is anyone's guess which is good as it keeps the players on their toes. Lets home for another home win a week Saturday.
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'Changing a winning team, needs a brave manager and it is something that Boothroyd had stated he wouldn't be afraid of doing. I for one applaud it.'
Even though we lost? Sending off aside, would Westwood have got there for the second goal? From where I was sat behind the goal (had to go in the Millwall end) it was clear Turner was slow off the mark and partly to blame.
Nice one Boothroyd, make a point over contract negotiations and help us to loose 3 points.
Hi Rich
A valid point, who knows what would happened if we had 11 men on the pitch might have got a point or more which would has us saying he was a tactical genius!
I feel sorry for him with Westwood. If you remember back last summer, RR stated we would sign up the big four on new contracts yet we waited a further 12 months to offer Westwood a deal. Not sure what the situation is with Gunner and a new contract?
AB seems to be playing hardball with him now that might just backfire judging by Westwood's comments. We will have to see what happens.