31-08-2023, 03:47 PM
In defence of Cooper pretty much every team changed most of their first team including the lower league sides. Teams just don't take the League Cup seriously in the first few rounds, prioritise the Chelsea game and avoiding injuries.
Now whether you think that's the right choice is another matter. I know plenty of people were asking to see the likes of Elanga and Santos and get them game time. Imagine starting Taiwo and he got injured, he'd have been slaughtered. Personally I think play every game to win so you play most of your first team but he did say he didn't want to make tons of changes but there were a few injuries and fatigue.
The majority of teams/managers will do exactly this including Burnley who did the same. Perhaps if we'd gotten all our business done earlier the backups would've been a bit better!
Now whether you think that's the right choice is another matter. I know plenty of people were asking to see the likes of Elanga and Santos and get them game time. Imagine starting Taiwo and he got injured, he'd have been slaughtered. Personally I think play every game to win so you play most of your first team but he did say he didn't want to make tons of changes but there were a few injuries and fatigue.
The majority of teams/managers will do exactly this including Burnley who did the same. Perhaps if we'd gotten all our business done earlier the backups would've been a bit better!