Forum
Reply

Julien Stephan - Word of warning
at 14:52 18 Aug 2025

Some posters don't like the fact that the likes of Varane and Kone didn't start on Saturday.

Substitutes are a precious commodity - you have to be sparing with them, as you never know what injuries or cards may occur during the game.

If you start two players that you know absolutely WILL have to be subbed at some point (probably 60 minutes, or so), just because they're not fully match-fit, you're taking the unnecessary risk of not having the subs you need to affect the game late on. Not to mention the risk to the unfit players themselves, as they'll be expected to play a lot more minutes as a starter than as a sub.

So it makes absolute sense to have your least fit players as the ones to come on later in the game, (a) to give them minutes towards fitness, and (b) to ensure you have all your subs available for injuries, replacing players on cards, and to affect the game later on.

The same could apply to Esquerdinha, as well. He may be fit, but up against 'men' for 90 minutes is a big ask as a youngster, especially as a full-back. That could be why he wasn't a starter (?).

It's just where we are at the moment, with the injury and fitness situation...

[Post edited 18 Aug 17:18]

Forum
Reply

Injuries......
at 13:37 14 Aug 2025

Did anyone realise that Poku had a hamstring injury which kept him out of action for 3 months between early December 2024 and early March 2025, for which he had surgery?

That is worrying.

[Source: ChatGPT, but confirmed by checking P'Boro's match history]

[Post edited 14 Aug 13:44]

Please log in to use all the site's facilities

QPRMinty

Site Scores

Forum Votes:	6
Comment Votes:	0
Prediction League:	0
TOTAL:	6