Been thinking about how a lot of our more established named fringe players, when given the chance to play, are usually more of a liability and don't offer much to the team when they play. A lot of the time they look completely off the pace and as though they don't know what they're doing a lot of the time. Then i realised that a lot of these players don't really get that much game time and so perhaps that's why they always look so far off the pace and struggle to make an impact when they do play? Players such as Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Lucas & Keane, can go for weeks not playing any competetive football sat on the bench, or maybe get the odd few minutes here and there as a sub. And then all of a sudden they're thrown into a competitive game one week and are completely off the pace and struggle to make any impact, and then either make mistakes which costs us games (Lucas the other night for the penalty, Benayoun against Everton giving away the free-kick), or drift by until they're hauled off for someone else (Keane every game!).
Surely these fringe players would be much better off getting 90 minutes for the reserves under their belt in mid week so they can build up a bit of real match practice? As an example, Robbie Keane at the moment couldn't hit a barn door the way he's playing - so get him in the reserves, get him scoring and get his confidence in himself up again, and then maybe when he comes on as a sub with 20 mins to go, he could maybe grab a goal and build his confidence from there and actually warrant a place in the starting 11 the next game. Ryan Babel is another who would surely benefit from this too? Being able to get a full 90 mins under his belt regularly, to get into his rhythm and start living up to the potential we know he's got.
The only downside to sticking these players in the ressies, is that a few of the kids wouldn't get a game. But a lot of these kids are never going to make it at this club anyways, so the first team should take priority and the fringe players should be in there getting match practice so that when they do step up for a game, they can make the proper impact expected of them.
A couple of players who I think has shown that this method works are Nabil El Zahr and Emilano Insua. Both regulars in the reserves, and when they are called on for first team duties always seems to slot in nicely and make a positive impact because they've had regular games and their confidence and match fitness is up. Think back over this season about the times El Zahr or Insua has been brought on or started, and I think you'll agree that 9 times out 10 they've contributed to good effect. Can you say the same for the likes of Babel, Lucas, Benayoun and co??
I really do believe that the reserve team isn't being used to it's full potential to get the most out of it for our first team - anyone else agree??
