[aries22]

Unfortunately, I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that the manager (or head coach in this case) isn't the real problem when it comes to cups.  The Premier League has a major flaw in terms of huge squads full of players who won't all be used regularly in the league, and as there's no proper reserve league anymore and only three seniors can take part in youth games, the cup competitions are the only chance to give these guys games.  Many fans cry out for the strongest side to be played, but if you're fielding that side in both league and cup, you've now got a dozen players sitting around wondering why they ever bothered to sign.  Back to smaller squads, then?  Fair enough, but we'll also be back to the days when one bad injury in a crucial position could relegate a team.  A harsh proposition when relegation now often doubles up with near-bankruptcy.

To me, Irvine made a big mistake in selecting the midfield he did - that lack of creativity was tactical suicide - but I think he was also caught in the perpetual quandary of needing "the stiffs" to get competitive game time.  People who say the club set out to lose in cup competitions are off the mark; I think the desire to win behind the scenes is probably there, but is it matched on the pitch?  How do you motivate a player who thinks he's already achieved everything he needs to (or is likely to) in his career?  The Bournemouth reserves were chomping at the bit to beat a team full of internationals, to maybe stake a place in a first team that's going places, ultimately earn themselves promotion bonuses or a move to the Premier League in future.  Irvine apparently told our boys to go out and prove they should be in the first team; evidently, for most that just isn't a tempting enough carrot.

For the FA Cup, if we're not going to go old school and field the first team, I'd try and build a cup side out of those reserves AND older youth players who "get" the concept of a cup run and genuinely want to step out at Wembley in April and May.  Just trying to keep some fitness, curry your way into the first team or angling for a move?  Nope, not good enough.  I don't want you anywhere near that pitch at kick-off.

Maybe revive the old Central League and cut matchday subs from seven to three (one goalie, two outfield players). Which team was it very recently that had to put an outfield player in goal when the regular goalie went off injured? Those were the days.