[wba_1996]

I also note his comments around tiredness of the regulars who have been asked to play four games in 12 days. Simple person that I am that makes 6 hours "work".  In 12 days. How can they be tired? Our postman runs on his round taking 3 hours a day. Every day. Am I missing something?

You get people saying this a lot, and I agree with it. But being professional athletes does anyone think maybe 3 high-intensity games in a week stretches them enough that there is a noticeable dip in their performance by the third game? With the pace and physicality of the PL I can imagine how tiring a full 90 mins can be. Would what is generally seen as an "unimportant" cup match in the grand scheme of the greed league appeal to a player who knows he then has to be fired up again for a tough match against a Leicester side full of pressing and pace just a few days later? There were 9 (NINE) internationals starting against Bournemouth, without being disrespectful, if I was one of the lads who started against Palace I would expect them to get the job done against lower league opposition. I'm not defending anyone but I'm just trying to look at it from another perspective.