A FEW weeks ago, a team preparing for the biggest game of their season rested their best players for a relatively unimportant league match. Instead of putting out the big names, they turned up with a side of fresh-faced kids. They were beaten 3-0.

It seems a familiar story, except it isn't about the pimply XI Swindon's sent to Preston. The team were Club Universitario, a Bolivian Primera División side from Sucre. And they did just as Swindon did, except more so.

Club Universitario didn't just rest their first team, they put out only seven players. And this rag-tag collection of kids did remarkably well, holding on for twenty minutes against the might of Club Bolívar. In fact, their defeat came by default when injury robbed Universitario of one of their eight, and with no subs they were forced to forfeit the match.

It is an extreme example, even more than Mark Cooper resting players and then using Tuesday's Colchester game for what Ben Gladwin admitted after was “an exercise to work on some things building towards the big games”. But, as Jose Mourhino seems to have been put on this sphere to remind us, ends can sometimes justify means.

Cooper's idea seems to be to 'reset' his players physically and psychology through a mixture of rest and a mini pre-season. Those, like Andy Williams, who need to find form are being given game time and those who need a break are putting their feet up. Saturday will probably be the same.

It's a bold decision because unless Town win the playoffs, Cooper will be criticised. Even if Town bow out 34-35 on penalties in the final, someone will question if that 35th Town penalty taker was sharp enough.

Even though Ron from TheWashbag.com has neatly demonstrated 'momentum' doesn't really matter, questions will always be asked. There is even one fan out there who believes that a conspiracy means defeat is as certain as turning up with just eight players.

Will it work? We will know soon enough. But, just for the record though Club Universitario won their big match 2-0.