Old Seasoned Pros vs Talented Youngsters: Which is the better rotation profile?

[He'sRaldo]

On the one hand we have players like Matic, Ighalo, Mata, and Young, who can come in and contribute solidly to a season when used wisely, but are usually not up to the task when asked to start week in, week out. Their experience makes them reliable, but they are not able to provide solid competition for the starters, and often their physical decline shows them up on the highest stages. The upside to that, however, is that they are less likely to kick up a fuss for playing time, and are aware of and content in their role.


On the other we have players like Greenwood, Williams, Chong, Tuanzebe, etc who are played with the future in mind. They rely less on experience and more on flashes of talent, and thus are played so that they can further their own development (as opposed to helping the club achieve it's goals). The downside to this is that they could potentially be starting matches and getting more experience on loan, and also their lack of experience means they are often unreliable and a tactical gamble. They are more for the future than the here and now. The upside though, is that their youthful enthusiasm can often spur competition for places, and it's generally more refreshing for the fans to see especially if they do turn into something special.


For me the ideal rotational profile is someone who's good enough to start and provide competition, but also willing to sit on the bench without kicking up a fuss. A good example of that was our very own Ole. Given that it's becoming harder to find such players, that profile will most likely have to be supplemented by the 2 aforementioned types of rotation. Which profile do you think is more appropriate for a club our size which aims to win the biggest trophies every season?

 

[Buchan]

On the one hand we have players like Matic, Ighalo, Mata, and Young, who can come in and contribute solidly to a season when used wisely, but are usually not up to the task when asked to start week in, week out.

Who’s going to tell him, lads?

 

[He'sRaldo]

Who’s going to tell him, lads?

To be fair, I'm talking more about a profile of player, it doesn't have to be players currently at the club. And at the end we did use Young in a more rotational role even though he admittedly did start much more than he should have.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

A good ratio balance of both lets say ( 1 OSPs : 4 TYs ).

Unless it's against shit teams, I don't think we should field all 11 slots with just OSPs and TYs. Instead, the regulars (Rs) should also be part of the eleven. OSP knows how to play and usually consistent and thus reliable but often questionable quality of play, while TY are usually inconsistent and often a risk in making costly mistakes yet they have the shock factor that can win you games or turn the game around in your favor.

Basically, OSPs are reliable and consistent but can be consistently average while TYs are risky and inconsistent but can help you win games.

Rotation games -- 1 OSPs : 4 TYs : 6 Rs

Vs Rubbish teams, let's say... 3 OSPs : 8 TYs or 2 OSPs : 9 TYs

Perfectly balance as All Things should Be.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Who’s going to tell him, lads?

Shhh, quiet. Let OP be.

 

[Dancfc]

The best way to provide quality depth and rotation is with versatile players.

The "two quality players for every position" notion is too much, the best way to create genuine sustainable depth (in other words keeping most players happy) is with holding good versatility in your squad. For example on the wing, three specialist players plus a player in another position (usually striker but sometimes CM) to play there if need be is perfect balance, 4 players for 2 positions always leaves one lacking ample game time (when we had Duff, Joe Cole and Robben we spread game time perfectly but when we added SWP to the mix it was overkill).

 

[tenpoless]

Middle seasoned pros. They can still develop, They are more experienced and but are still quite young. They can still hang out with the boys and enjoy their music. Like Lingard. But not the actual player, I mean the age.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Wait, I think my first post here misunderstood OP's question.

In normal competitive games, I say it's better to try out youngsters instead of the old seasoned pros. By this I meant, I rather we *in two situations: 1) sub youngsters in than see the likes of Lingard, Mata, Matic etc play, and 2) similarly rather we tryout Gomes than Lingard or Mata at the #10. (Yeah, Lingard is playing like he's OSPs nowadays).

Basically, prefer TYs more than OSPs.

^ Except for key positions -- CDM, CB and GK. That positions I say we should consider OSPs more, but at times try out the TYs, who knows they might be better. So, for the other positions, always prefer the TYs.

Depends on quality of said players and games eg. who are we facing, which competitions, etc etc of course.

 

[He'sRaldo]

Middle seasoned pros. They can still develop, They are more experienced and but are still quite young. They can still hang out with the boys and enjoy their music. Like Lingard. But not the actual player, I mean the age.

Ideally yes. The problem is those types might not always be fine with sitting on the bench. They usually will be later in their career, but not in their prime.

 

[He'sRaldo]

Wait, I think my first post here misunderstood OP's question.

In normal competitive games, I say it's better to try out youngsters instead of the old seasoned pros. By this I meant, I rather we *in two situations: 1) sub youngsters in than see the likes of Lingard, Mata, Matic etc play, and 2) similarly rather we tryout Gomes than Lingard or Mata at the #10. (Yeah, Lingard is playing like he's OSPs nowadays).

Basically, prefer TYs more than OSPs.

^ Except for key positions -- CDM, CB and GK. That positions I say we should consider OSPs more, but at times try out the TYs, who knows they might be better. So, for the other positions, always prefer the TYs.

Depends on quality of said players and games eg. who are we facing, which competitions, etc etc of course.

What if we're in a tight title race or Cl run or something; basically the level we want to be at. In that case, would you prefer the occasional magic of the youth over the reliability of the elders?