“ Don’t Tinker “

Bolton Wanderers Manager after 3 Successive Wins in one over Cardiff City:

"Winning breeds confidence and it keeps everybody ticking" - Steven Schumacher on selection decisions for Port Vale and why he didn't tinker with his centre-half partnership in the FA Cup.

“You don’t tinker with a winning side if you can help it.”


Also the Great Managers like Sir Alex Ferguson believed in keeping the same side, bar for injuries and suspensions.

I’ve always believed in trying to win every game and keep a settled side.

When I played back in the day we were always the same 11 you got so used how your mates played as soon as you had a newbie next to you things were so different hesitation crept in as to what was going to happen is he going for the ball , do I go for it, or wait and neither of you go for it , or see what happens little errors become big mistakes.

When I played back in the day we were always the same 11 you got so used how your mates played as soon as you had a newbie next to you things were so different hesitation crept in as to what was going to happen is he going for the ball , do I go for it, or wait and neither of you go for it , or see what happens little errors become big mistakes.

That’s exactly what’s happening now at the back and Trott has saved us time and time again.

It’s not good for confidence or the players Tinkering

I don't mind him rotating the midfield or Salech and Robinson.

But even I have to admit that changing the defence constantly doesn't help.

Morrison and bamba were a constant in the year we were promoted,
we started this season well first 6 games fish & lawlor, then it changed chambers osho all tried different pairings this is chaotic and so it effected results.

Morrison and bamba were a constant in the year we were promoted,
we started this season well first 6 games fish & lawlor, then it changed chambers osho all tried different pairings this is chaotic and so it effected results.

Agree 100% don't tinker with the centre backs. Having said that Lawlor has been injured so tough to tell if it's tinkering or forced changes

Just a curiosity stat? Chelsea 85 changes in 16 games! People questioning if it's affecting the team?

Also out of curiosity - are you still labelling it a 'tink' if it's injury or fatigue?

Also, bonus question, do you also think we should be playing 442.

If yes to both of the above, congratulations, you are old.

Absolutely pointless comparing to another club.

Most Squad Rotation
Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, has made a significant number of changes to their starting lineup this season.
They have made 85 changes in 16 matches across all competitions so far, which is by far the most of any Premier League or EFL team.
Maresca has made at least seven changes to his starting XI in five consecutive matches, a policy that has drawn comment from pundits and is described as part of a season-long strategy.
The high rotation is partly attributed to having one of the largest squad sizes in the league and a high turnover of players during the transfer window.

Least Squad Rotation
Sheffield United — about 20–25 total changes.
Much less rotation — they’ve largely stuck with a consistent core trying to build stability.
Around 2 changes per match on average.


Based on this, are we more akin to the club world champions, or a team currently battling in the relegation zone a few spots above us?

Poor form (or good form) and "tinkering" are not mutually exclusive.

Morrison and bamba were a constant in the year we were promoted,
we started this season well first 6 games fish & lawlor, then it changed chambers osho all tried different pairings this is chaotic and so it effected results.

All successful clubs tend to stick to a tried and trusted centre back partnership, think Pallister and Bruce, Robert Huth and Wes Morgan for Leicester, Saliba and Gabriel for Arsenal. In that area of the pitch it is absolutely vital to develop an understanding with your partner. To a degree I can understand some midfield rotation (excluding David Turnball !) but by and large I'm an advocate of a settled team to improve consistency.