Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on April 18, 2018, 09:30:24 am
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Nothing but Quick turn around games to the end of the season now, Oxford being the next up,who we owe one after playing well at their place,and coming away with nothing.
What do I know about them, not a lot, but the game at Oxford was one of the better standard games to watch, quite open, and they looked to have some decent clever players, who on their day would give most teams a little trouble.
Their wing backs played well in the first fixture going forward, but did not look that great in their own half, midfield looking their strong point. it will be interesting to see if their game is as expansive in away games.
As for us, who knows what we will get, having just witnessed us playing very good attacking football, and being so inept, all in one game.
So, what would you do?
Would you make changes?
Could we afford to experiment with our formation?
Can we keep the unbeaten run going?
What do you want to see us try to do to the end of the season?
All subjects and others we can discuss, please do.
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Given that Andrew is unlikely to be ready and Garratt is in the football equivalent of Siberia, we must go with Mason and Rowe as full backs. Baudry should return if fit and I'd like to see McCullough play.
Given that Beestin had a poor game and Kiwomya offered nothing when he came on, maybe time to give Alfie May another go as Marquis's partner. At least you know he'll put the effort in.
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Given that Andrew is unlikely to be ready and Garratt is in the football equivalent of Siberia, we must go with Mason and Rowe as full backs. Baudry should return if fit and I'd like to see McCullough play.
Given that Beestin had a poor game and Kiwomya offered nothing when he came on, maybe time to give Alfie May another go as Marquis's partner. At least you know he'll put the effort in.
I think Beestin is being groomed as Copps' replacement - he's not an out-and-out striker. I'd agree with May being given a run-out. I wouldn't mind Williams getting some game time as well but that looks unlikely. Baudry has to come back in if fit and I think McCullough and Whiteman will probably alternate between now and the end of the season.
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Agree with everything there Baron except bringing McCullough back. I was very impressed with Whiteman last night, however Houghton may be due a rest as he was below average and Kongolo for once did well off the bench so maybe earned a start. I'd like to see him and May given a shot from the start this weekend.
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I agree that Whiteman was our best midfielder last night. If anything, McCullough would replace Houghton. Kongolo is a possible for a role on the right of the diamond, although personally I'd put Blair there.
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Beastin had a very good first half but like most of the rest of the team played poorly in the second half.
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If Kongolo is the answer i dread to think what the question is.
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The midfield as been below average most of the season. Last night the attacking players in midfield were poor both attacking and defending. But who else is there. We haven’t got quality to replace them. So we are stuck with what we have. Message to them would be good if you could score and then don’t allow players to run past you and give up.
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Looking on their forum, like MK Dons their supporters see our fixture as one of their easier, and more winnable fixtures they have left.
They have also sold over 600 tickets for this game, not a bad effort with a couple of days to go.
Lets hope we make them work a little harder for their points than we did against Bury, and not be so charitable.
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One of the most sensible posts about our team selections I've read on here was the point that the left back position problems had a knock on effect to two or three other positions with players playing out of position to cover holes..
That said we cant address that to the summer now and it really isn't worth throwing Andrew into the mix with so many games in such a short period of time,after his bad injury..
So I would play Mason at right back and Rowe at left back...As for the front two I'm a bit torn about that..I wouldn't start Williams again,he's on his way and it wont achieve anything really so bench at best...So do we go with May or Beestin?? For me Beestin is much the better player but DF might have a decision to make about May soon.Do we keep him or transfer list him??
He is currently well out of favour but now might be the time for him to give him a few games,so he can have another look at him again in competitive matches...
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So I would play Mason at right back and Rowe at left back...As for the front two I'm a bit torn about that..I wouldn't start Williams again,he's on his way and it wont achieve anything really so bench at best...So do we go with May or Beestin?? For me Beestin is much the better player but DF might have a decision to make about May soon.Do we keep him or transfer list him??
He is currently well out of favour but now might be the time for him to give him a few games,so he can have another look at him again in competitive matches...
I'd agree with that wc.
I assume Williams is on his way out in the Summer, which personally I'm sorry about, but if so then there is little point in playing him if there are other options.
Of Beestin and May, I favour Beestin. However, this may sound odd but now that we're (almost) safe I would prefer to see May play alongside Marquis for the next few games, purely to show whether the lad looks like a long-term bet or not.
I can't make my mind up about him, whereas I'm fairly confident that Beestin has a bright future.
So on balance I'd like May to be given a little run in the team to show what he can do.
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Start Beestin can't just drop players as soon as they have a quiet game that won't help development! give him 90min from now to end of season and get him in the mindset of been a senior player before next season
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I think it’s more about resting players than dropping at the minute especially assuming it’s predictedto be warm on Saturday
Copps looked like the game had come around a bit quick for him on Tuesday
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If Mason has to continue at LB then what is wrong with bringing Alcock in at RB, moving Blair forward to right of diamond in place of Houghton who offered very little in that position against a Bury.
Beestin over May every time for me as support for Marquis.
Beestin is a much more clever player than May and brings much more to the table.
I would like to see Williams on the bench in place of Kywomya who doesn’t look like he should be anywhere near the first team right now.
Whiteman did well in the first half hour when we were dominating things but was all over the place in the second half.
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Beestin is a much more clever player than May and brings much more to the table.
Except goals? You could argue that May has more goals to his name. I'm not knocking Beestin, I like the lad and I agree he has a bright future ahead of him but I think he may well blossom in the Copps role. He is not, yet, a clinical striker and neither is May (or, for that matter, Mandeville). If it wasn't for JM, we would be in a far worse position this season.
I don't go along with not playing Williams just because he is on his way out, it's a good time now to remind possible interested parties just what he can offer them? Let's face it, we don't have that many suitable options.
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Alan, are you talking about goals scored by the two players, Beestin and May, or shall we include assists as well, which are also important.
To be honest mate, I haven’t had time to check this out but my gut feeling is that Beestin has way more assists than May.
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Why does it matter about showing interested parties what Williams can offer? he's out of contract so it isn't as if we need to put him in the shop window to get shut of him.
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Why does it matter about showing interested parties what Williams can offer? he's out of contract so it isn't as if we need to put him in the shop window to get shut of him.
Very true RedJ.
However there is an argument that while we are still paying him he could be put to better use than playing in development games.
He would certainly been a better option to bring on than Kywomya against Bury, he would have put in a lot mor effort for certain.
The fans deserve a fully committed effort by the team and management for the last few games and not the usual collapse.
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Why does it matter about showing interested parties what Williams can offer? he's out of contract so it isn't as if we need to put him in the shop window to get shut of him.
I agree, he’s on his bike regardless if anyone is interested or not.
Very harsh the criticism given to kiwomya, he’s recovering from a serious illness, he also made marquis’s Goal on Saturday.
I’m still struggling to understand what this usual collapse is for the last few games!
Last season we’d already been promoted which as poor as it was is the main reason of the poor results, but the year before the last few games of the season was our best form we’d shown for about 6 months.
The only proper collapse I can think off was in 2014,
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Play whiteman further forward in the copps role
Then can have mccollough further back
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Where would you play copps?
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I don't go along with not playing Williams just because he is on his way out, it's a good time now to remind possible interested parties just what he can offer them? Let's face it, we don't have that many suitable options.
Cheeky question: I wonder what anyone (including DF) might think about offering Williams a 1 yr contract on very much reduced terms. Of course AW may well want to leave Doncaster as soon as possible, if not sooner, but I doubt anyone will be offering anything better.
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There are options. I'd like to see Beestin back in midfield on the right or in the Copps role.
My team tomorrow would be;
Marosi
Alcock Baudry Butler Mason
Mccullough
Whiteman Rowe
Beestin
Marquis May
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Where would you play copps?
He has played 2 matches this week put him on the bench ready for Blackburn
Got to manage his workload
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Why does it matter about showing interested parties what Williams can offer? he's out of contract so it isn't as if we need to put him in the shop window to get shut of him
I'm quite aware of that, RedJ, you are coming at it from the wrong angle - I was thinking more in terms of how AW would be looking at the opportunity. It's a chance for him to prove to any suitors out there that he still has something to offer. It's certainly not in his best interests if he turned up and didn't perform, surely?
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If May plays, be prepared for Marquis to be ineffective, they don't gell.
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I will be happy with 90 minutes of effort from the 11 plays on the pitch.
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Why does it matter about showing interested parties what Williams can offer? he's out of contract so it isn't as if we need to put him in the shop window to get shut of him
I'm quite aware of that, RedJ, you are coming at it from the wrong angle - I was thinking more in terms of how AW would be looking at the opportunity. It's a chance for him to prove to any suitors out there that he still has something to offer. It's certainly not in his best interests if he turned up and didn't perform, surely?
Yes, it's in his interests. But - and I say this as someone who does like Williams - why would we bother doing that if we don't need to, particularly keeping in mind how he only seems to get going after a run of matches.
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Have a feeling this could be a good game, having a nosey on their forum they are classing it a massive game for them & looks like they will be bring a decent following so hopefully a good atmosphere. How will we approach the game as we are all but safe now? They will be desperate for a win so do we invite them on & look to score on the break or do we go for them from the off, one things for sure we will have to match them for effort & commitment as they will be up for it. As for the team personally I would rest Copps for the Blackburn game, bring in McCullough, push Whiteman further forward & play Beestin on the right. Looking forward to it, & we owe them one.
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But - and I say this as someone who does like Williams - why would we bother doing that if we don't need to, particularly keeping in mind how he only seems to get going after a run of matches.
Easy answer to that is no one else is staking a claim. At least AW has experience and that's all I can offer over all the others that have tried and, so far, failed.
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Unfortunately Alcock has been poor since picking up the injury against Newcastle in pre season 2 yrs ago, and has had very few good games since, and has a rick in him when under pressure as we have all seen over the last 2 yrs. Why play a player who will not be here next season.
If May plays up front, Marquis drops off slightly, plays wider, and we lose control and the holding up of the ball up front where May is easily eased off the ball, and has not got the control, or pace to get away from a marker.
Beestin is learning the game up front, has been a little unfortunate when hitting the post, and could do with a couple of goals, but he is stronger, has better control, and can collect the ball with his back to goal and lay if off and bring other players into the game.
Playing him up front with Marquis in the remaining games that don't mean a lot, will do him and us more good getting experience at this level for next season if Kiwomya does not play. Kiwomya and Beestin are our best two pairings with Marquis, recent results and the form of Marquis show it.
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Well, it's make or break time for May, if it isn't broken already. It was a worthwhile risk bringing him in to be a fox in the box. Unfortunately, it hasn't quite work out. I remember his brother defending him on social media saying 'Wait till our Alfie gets a one-on-one. He' ll score!` He hasn't from the next three or four chances and his last goal was a deflected effort that was lucky to go in.
For me, Williams is too unreliable both in fitness and form to save his Rovers career.
That said, I wouldn't grumble if either or, we're given a chance today.
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Are people forgetting Ben Khemis is fit now?
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I'd rest Marquis after Fergie did say his hamstring was hanging off.
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I’d much rather keep giving kiwomya game time, in order to get upto speed and be rating to go next year. Than a player that won’t be here next year ala Williams
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I agree with that Dickos,which was my point, but if Marquis is rested Kiwomya and Beestin could be a good experiment looking forward to next season, and I would like to see Rodney play further forward just behind the front two, if Coppinger is rested, and encourage him to run at people at every opportunity.
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Why does it matter about showing interested parties what Williams can offer? he's out of contract so it isn't as if we need to put him in the shop window to get shut of him.
I agree, he’s on his bike regardless if anyone is interested or not.
Very harsh the criticism given to kiwomya, he’s recovering from a serious illness, he also made marquis’s Goal on Saturday.
I’m still struggling to understand what this usual collapse is for the last few games!
Last season we’d already been promoted which as poor as it was is the main reason of the poor results, but the year before the last few games of the season was our best form we’d shown for about 6 months.
The only proper collapse I can think off was in 2014,
Dickos. In fairness, I think getting 12?points from the last 19 matches of 15/16 counts as a collapse by most definitions.
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Depends how far back u go to class an end of season collapse
If it’s 19 games then last season was far from an end of season collapse
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It was the last 19 games of the season. We were shite pretty well throughout.
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I know but people keep going on about a collapse last season and grouping it with a collapse the year before as though it’s an epidemic.
Two completely different scenarios
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I didn't expect much today and we didn't get too much, although on chances, Marquis with two, Blair, May and the non penalty, we could have easily ran out winners.
We were expecting changes and we got them. We had it confirmed who aren't up to the job and hopefully won't be here next season.
Given how loose our play was at times, we still created chances and other than the first 25 mins of Tuesday night, I thought we were better. Once again though, a self inflicted punishment with their goal.
I thought Khemis should have been given a chance with Rowe missing unless of course he has an injury too. If not then he should be given that chance on Tuesday.
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The biggest lesson to learn yesterday, is even when you have a weakened team out, you don't play that great, people are a little out of form is, you still get chances, take them and you have a chance at winning a football game.
We didn't and we lost, to a team that we should have taken 6 points off in two games and ended up with none.
Was it surprise the team we did pick, not really, the modern way of saying players are fitter than ever, but cannot play two games a week, left us with the same old players making the same mistakes again, as I alluded to in earlier posts, anyway on to the next game.