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Irvine hits out at cup competition rules
OWLS manager Alan Irvine has slammed the rules that will influence his selection for the match against Notts County at Hillsborough tonight.
In the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, clubs risk a fine of up to 5,000 if they do not include in the starting side at least six players who started the previous game, or at least six players out of 11 who have made the most starting appearances in league and cup matches this season.
Irvine believes that in principle managers should be without restrictions and should be in charge of their own destiny: "I think it's wrong. I don't think anybody should dictate to a manager what team he should pick.
"I'd like to have the freedom of picking the team I want to pick. It's hard enough doing the job without people telling you who should be choosing.
"I understand why the rule is there - it's because they don't want the competition to be devalued. But a manager should be allowed to pick whatever team he wants. He then stands or falls by that decision."
Irvine argues that it could be possible, at some clubs, for a manager to be unable to pick the side he wants and, after a bad result, lose his job if that was the final straw.
The Owls chief has been assessing one two knocks in his squad and deciding whether or not any of his first-team players ideally could do with a break.
He also cites the example of fit-again Tommy Miller: he is now knocking on the first-team door but the rules and the fact that he has not started a first-team match this season may influence Irvine's decision on whether he can play tonight.
Irvine as expected did not add to his squad before yesterday's deadline.
But goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell did make a pre-deadline move, joining Blue Square Premier outfit Grimsby on a month's loan.
Got a view? Leave a comment below.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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