The Swansea City vice captain was left out of Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Coventry and must now wait to see if he will be recalled for the visit to Watford this afternoon.
But far from feeling sorry for himself, Tate has backed the decisions of the manager and said that he should keep on tinkering with the team.
“I think we’ve shown the squad is deep enough in quality to be able to shake things up and not affect what we’re doing,” Tate told the Western Mail. “I think most of the lads have been rested at one point or another and there’s no problem with that.
“I missed Tuesday, but it was a night off – the manager spoke to me before the game and said to have a rest, that it was my time, and I accepted that.
“I think a lot of people seem to believe it can affect the team’s rhythm if you change it around all the time, but you have to remember we work together every day in training so it’s not as if it’s playing alongside someone we’re not used to.
“We work with different partnerships on the training field and as long as that’s the case, when it comes to doing it on the field it should work like clockwork.
“We’ve got the squad to do it so why not? Different managers like to do it different ways and we’ve done both here. Kenny Jackett used to like to keep a settled side, Roberto Martinez liked to change things around and now Paulo is mixing it up. We’re fifth in the Championship at the moment so you pick which way is better.
“The squad accept he’s ready to change things around,” said the former Manchester United trainee. “I know the gaffer thinks we have too many games in this country to start with, especially compared to places like Italy, where he’s played.
“So as players and as a squad we’re going to benefit if we’re given a rest when we need it because we know we’ve got players to come in and do a job.
“It’s a long season and nobody is going to be able to be at 100 per cent every week.
“Looking back to the Coventry game, I probably needed the break because I wasn’t 100 per cent and, fair play to the manager, maybe he’s seen that and taken it into account.
“I’m not going to complain at that because I think I’ve played more league games than anyone apart from Dorus de Vries.
“We’re all pushing each other and we’re all pushing ourselves to make sure we hit those standards we set ourselves. If you’re not prepared for that challenge then you shouldn’t be at the club.
“Perhaps – but I’m not sure it works like that, we’re not on a rota, there’s no notice in the dressing room saying three games on, one game off,” the fan favourite joked. “But we’re all ready to play, and if the manager decides to give someone a rest I’ll play wherever I’m asked.
“If it’s left-back, it’s left-back it doesn’t make a difference to me and those who’ve watched me over the years would probably say the same.
“I feel comfortable across the back four, it’s not something I see as a negative because the more positions I play the more games I will play.”
