part time pete wrote:Dan wrote:Upper West wrote:I do not think it is the strength of the bench but the timing of the substitutions.
I have thought for a long time that a substitution late in the game should only be made in the case of injury. 2 reasons for this. Firstly it takes a while for a sub to get into the game. Secondly if the opposition is pushing for a goal, it gives them chance to have a breather before making a final push.
If you look at any match where a goal has been scored late on there is a good chance that a substitution was made by the opposition a few minutes earlier.
Stags this season
Orient A Sub 90 conceded 92
Newport A sub 84 conceded 88
Bolton A sub 86 conceded 90
Colchester H sub 84 conceded 85
Cheltenham (cup) A sub 108 conceded 110
Colchester A sub 80 conceded 89
Bolton H sub 83 conceded 85
Imagine where we’d be in the table if we hadn’t made any of those changes!
But three of those games, Clough was not even here.
I know mate it was just an observation. It could be a fitness issue or mental issue as it’s happened all season under two managers.