No it wouldn't be unfair.

He's the manager and it's his job to make the most of the resources available. However who is to say that the lesser players being used in earlier rounds don't become key players in later rounds in the EL and PL.

That's an excellent point DC5 but I think the lesser players would be miffed if they were suddenly to find themselves dropped after all their good work.

I think the youngsters will be grateful for the time they get on the pitch and all experience is good experience. I'm sure they know they won't be a match for teams they meet in the later stages.

Harry plays a weakened team because he's not bothered, he wants champions league!

Tough on the lesser players - their day will come.

Having managed both football and rugby teams I have always said that it's all about the sum of the parts being greater than the individual components.

No it wouldn't be unfair. Harry is employed to send out the best team he thinks is appropriateto win a football match, and if that means changing from a "reserve" team to a stronger/first team, than that is his privilege.

The youngsters would be raring to show the top teams what they could do Benny. They'd full of running and enthusiasm for it.
Cityblue,that doesn't answer my question and it's off topic.

They'd be full of running and enthusiasm for it
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It takes a damn sight more than running and enthusiasm to win a top level football match.

Tohbi - I think that this thread is beyond the Etilad's comprehension

Treat him with the contempt he deserves.

Tough on them you agree DC5 but not unfair.....ok.
Touche Spurcat.

Etihad 0 - Napoli 0

PAOK 1st XI 0 - Spurs 3rd XI 0

QED

The lesser (wrong word but we all know what is meant by it I hope) are employees of THFC, they are employed to do a job - if it were me I would be giving my all to demonstrate my commitment, ability and will to win. If I get left out at the and I would accept it - and YES I do know what it's like.

DC,squid and others have said that a lot of the threads are childish,I'm trying to bring some debate into the proceedings but I think you're right.
Yes Spurcat I agree which is as you know why a coach must always put the youngsters in with some experienced players.

Players are paid ridiculous amounts and will do as they are told. Only the bigger name 'established' players ever kick off because they think they are something special.

To be fair DC5 the guy has a point, it's all in the name of Champs league football.

and Spurcat spot on - the team fielded tonight could not compete with the top teams in the tournament

I don't think he does have a point Benny but as to the Europa I think more enthusiasm will be gained for it the further we go into it. I still could not have coped with a defeat tonight however dull the competition.

I can't work out whether people are agreeing with me or not

Some are and some aren't DC5 as a thread should be. I wanted to prove squid wrong and show that we can have a serious debate. I would feel very strongly if I was a lesser player and then I was dropped to make way for a top man after all my good work to get us to the latter stages. But professional football is a tough business and coaches have to be ruthless. So be it.

Would you really feel that strongly? If you did what would you do about it? Would you discuss it with the manager and accept that your sacrifice was for the greater good knowing that your time would come and that he would think more of you for taking it maturely or would you throw your dummy out of the pram?

I have managed semi-pro rugby with big squads made up of players of all abilities - they were told that the end results were more important about individual's egos at the onset - they were also told that everyone would be given an equal opportunity but at the end of the day the team chosen would be one to win the game - not to keep some people happy.

Tohbi, as would I if I we're a player but at the same time they should be happy they're given this opportunity. The fact is they wouldn't compete at a higher level at this moment in time

You are completely right DC5 and so are you Benny. Thank you gentlemen,I wanted thoughts and you gave them. After all that's been said I agree with you.

They probably would feel a little hard done by, but they are well aware that football is a team game.

They know that the reason that they would have got their opportunity in the first place is because they are part of a squad.

They have to learn to apply the same logic if they are left out of a game- namely that they are part of a larger squad.
The whole is bigger than the sum of its parts.

A vital role for the older players and academy is to teach them how to deal with this fact of life, and to push on even harder to impress the boss in time for the next team selection.

The munchkins will be fine.

I think that if they reached the final stages they'd work damned hard to impress Blanchflowers. I think it's possible that we will reach the final stages with a weakened team and Harry will have some tough decisions to make as to whom to play. Some of the older players as Sir Robert Paisley says think they are something special and in my view a bit too selfish to pass their experience on to the youngsters.

It will all depend upon what other competitions we are in - if we're in with a shout for top 4, the FA and Carling cups he'll have his hands full and will have to be selective - if we're only in with a shout for 2 of them he'll go hell bent to win them.

But he has to go hell bent to win all he's in because he doesn't know which he will or won't win. He can't say"We'll play a weakened team in this competition and go for another competition instead." He can't sacrifice one in the hope to win another. He has to go for all of them. I suppose all managers do.