Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on December 26, 2023, 10:48:48 pm
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The third game in the terrible three games at Christmas that is on course for us to become the fall guys of Christmas, and have no Christmas cheer for any of us at all.
The introduction of Flint in the second half at Notts County the only present we have had up to press when the lad improved our central defence ten fold when coming on at half time in the Notts County game, due to injury to Anderson and Olowu in the first half, who were being systematically taken apart before leaving the field of play
There would be no loans out for Faulkner and Flint for me, they would learn their trade here playing first team football when fit as they are the best we have got and with Wood could learn off him and could be big money earners for the club handled correctly and brought through, could somebody please have a lightbulb moment?
The Mansfield game is another hard game, a manager who knows the game back to front, a team that is in form, strong and hard to play against most of what we are not, and we will have to raise our game from todays level lot's to even compete.
Thankfully the transfer window is fast coming upon us and hopefully we can get some of the right calibre players in to change things for the better. Midfield is an area for this game we are stuck with what we have, but needs looking seriously at strengthening as we are too easy to play against, just pulled and passed by all over the place, Faal dropping back more likely to start something off more often than our so called play makers, who are average on the ball and very poor off the ball.
Due to injury and form Grant has few options unless some players come back early, and that's a risk not worth taking, but no way is the team ending the game at Notts County good enough to start at Mansfield, Kuleya especially miles off it, and ripped apart three time in short time today.
Very little space for movement, Goodman, Adamson, and Brown who I think may be injured the best of the youth and very good players who will graft and have skill, Adamson and Goodman strikers, Brown attacking midfield. I can't see it happening but I would involve them to the end of the season or have them out in men's football at a good level if possible on loan and training with the first team here at Cantley.
So in short we go to one of the best teams in the division low on confidence, decimated by injury, and if that's not enough in poor form, what would you do? how would you try and counter it? Wood and Faulkner are not far away, this game might be too soon, but when fit like me would you play them as first choice central defenders with Bailey and Flint another cover as defensive mid fielders in front in mid field with two play makers, hopefully new signings ?
Not a lot wrong up front given the service in my opinion, what would you do? Lot's to discuss, questions and answers to be found, and an upturn in form needed, please have your say
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I just hope that we get our signings done early in the month instead of the last few days as often happens.
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Christmas is the Becher's Brook of the football season and the trilogy of games Rovers have played over the festive period has confirmed that the truth is we are quite rubbish.
Anything other than predicting a defeat at Mansfield would be over-optimistic.
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After the horrors of Anderson,Olowu and Biggins today - tarnishing some of the other lads unfairly - I'll be there supporting the majority of younger lads who never stopped battling today.
RTID
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I just hope that we get our signings done early in the month instead of the last few days as often happens.
Gm has two players training with the team already by all accounts
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Standard 3 goals conceded, probably 2 of them in the first half. Can’t see anything other than a 3-1 defeat, at best. That’s how bad we are.
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Can’t see anyone talking about another “Mansfield moment “
Stranger things have happened I guess.
We could hope for a bout of the shits running through the stags team?
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Standard 3 goals conceded, probably 2 of them in the first half. Can’t see anything other than a 3-1 defeat, at best. That’s how bad we are.
Loving the optimisim that we will score.
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What I would like to know is who the heck does everyone think we are going to sign in January.
Seriously we are only likely going to get a couple of loan players from higher up the pyramid.
No one is going to release players who are good are they.
Only ones will be the one clubs don’t want because they are not good enough.
When was the last time we made a really good signing in January.
Maybe I have forgotten one or 2 but if I have please tell me.
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It really shows how people are feeling at the minute that we're probably going to be taking less than 1000 to Mansfield, and there are still the best part of 250 tickets still on sale for Harrogate when it sold out in an hour last season.
Feels like we've reached a tipping point. The goodwill from the summer has dried up and people are sick of it.
Big job for McCann and everyone at the club to turn this around. We need to try to get behind the team as best we can at the games, because we're falling into a real relegation scrap if we're not careful. I can understand people's reasons for not going to this game though, it feels like a bit of a hiding to nothing.
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I've got my Mansfield tickets but at this moment in time I don't feel like going.
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What I would like to know is who the heck does everyone think we are going to sign in January.
Seriously we are only likely going to get a couple of loan players from higher up the pyramid.
No one is going to release players who are good are they.
Only ones will be the one clubs don’t want because they are not good enough.
When was the last time we made a really good signing in January.
Maybe I have forgotten one or 2 but if I have please tell me.
The only thing that will bring in the sort of players needed is dough. Lots of it. Or a huge dose of good fortune.
I cant bear the thought of any has beens who are without a club currently joining.
To find a few diamonds in the rough from lower leagues, now that would be something. Players who would see coming to rovers as a step up and a challenge. An opportunity to prove themselves at a higher level, and do just that. It’s not too much to ask is it?
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There is pretty much two ways it will go with recruitment, shopping for bargains nobody wants, same as when we picked up Agard, Griffiths and Clayton.
Alternatively, spend a bit of money like Gillingham did last season and hopefully start improving.
Likely to be the former, not the latter.
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What I would like to know is who the heck does everyone think we are going to sign in January.
Seriously we are only likely going to get a couple of loan players from higher up the pyramid.
No one is going to release players who are good are they.
Only ones will be the one clubs don’t want because they are not good enough.
When was the last time we made a really good signing in January.
Maybe I have forgotten one or 2 but if I have please tell me.
We have 5 loan spots and currently 4 loan players in Faal, Nixon, Roberts, Marsh.
Roberts will go back.
Marsh should go back. We need a player who can come in and hit the ground running to save us ASAP. He looked good but he wasn’t really what we needed. We need pace and runs in behind not a deep lying no.10.
That would then mean we can get 3 quality loanees in.
Broadbent (Grant said he’s ahead of schedule) and Faulkner can’t be far off returning.
Maybe TB will allow Grant a permanent signing in this emergency situation? You can get a cut price deal on players with 6 months left on their current deals. Maybe someone like experienced centre half Jack Baldwin who McCann made P’boro captain in 17/18?
The wage budget getting taken up by a lot of deadwood will limit what we can do though. Rowe, Biggins, Taylor and Lavery leaving in the summer will allow for better quality and more robust players to come in on permanent deals.
Maybe McCann’s recent comments point towards a change in the standard of the recruitment using statistics and looking at injury profiles.
Hopefully January also brings some frosty weather.
We should be offering Westbrooke a deal right now. The effect of his absence is catastrophic. And I’m afraid the writing is on the wall with this game again.
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I've been to more away games this season than ever, and seen one solitary win at tranmere, I think I've had enough for the time being. Hotels are booked in London for the sutton and crawley games, but aside from them, its gillette soccer satdi for me...
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The question for me is will we be able ro keep it below 15 goals scored against us in 4 games in December.
Shocking.
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What I would like to know is who the heck does everyone think we are going to sign in January.
Seriously we are only likely going to get a couple of loan players from higher up the pyramid.
No one is going to release players who are good are they.
Only ones will be the one clubs don’t want because they are not good enough.
When was the last time we made a really good signing in January.
Maybe I have forgotten one or 2 but if I have please tell me.
The only thing that will bring in the sort of players needed is dough. Lots of it. Or a huge dose of good fortune.
I cant bear the thought of any has beens who are without a club currently joining.
To find a few diamonds in the rough from lower leagues, now that would be something. Players who would see coming to rovers as a step up and a challenge. An opportunity to prove themselves at a higher level, and do just that. It’s not too much to ask is it?
Whilst normally it might be worth taking a chance on a rough diamond or two the club cannot afford to be taking chances with recruitment in this window, not if they are serious about retaining FL status. There needs to be an epiphany moment in the recruitment team to help them identify the players with ALL of the attributes currently lacking in our squad and the financial backing to go out and get them. This will need money spent on transfer and agent fees for this to happen.
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Selby I think you are being too kind saying that Anderson and Olowu came off with injury, my opinion for what it is worth is that both were hooked at half time.
The only way I see us getting anything from the Mansfield game is for the weather forcast to be correct and the game called off, at least we get a game in hand we'll get nothing else otherwise. But it's my second "home game " of Christmas so sadly I'll drag myself along again
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I myself think the came off injured might be to save face Raven but just going along with the official line as far as I know.
At the end of the day the last few games has just confirmed my thinking for quite a while that in Faulkner and Flint we have better young defenders than the ones who have been holding down the positions this season.
Flint I think would be an even better defensive midfielder in the Whiteman mould given his head, and would pair Wood with Faulkner as no nonsense central defenders and an experienced head to learn off, and Bailey alongside Flint just in front, and with the full backs we have here who have done ok even with a poor midfield in front of them we should be a lot more solid.
That should give licence for two playmakers in mid field whether already here or new signings, and Ironside and Faal have done well up front anyway with little service in most games, Faal doing some of the most memorable play in mid field opening attacks up when tracking back, more than most except Westbrooke in the midfield in fact.
Whether we have players coming in or not the EFL cup and staying out of trouble now gains more importance and we need to find players who care, have ambition, and fight, and a system and blend that suits the players we have.
Grants biggest job will be moving on players not required but under contract, a number of who have been here quite a while and look too comfortable here, and I expect to struggle to attract interest from other clubs of any standing.
A complicated situation for any club, lots of our own making with stupid contracts to some long standing players we have seen the best of some time ago, but there is hope with the youngsters mentioned if brought through properly training with the first team and good loans for Goodman, Adamson, and Brown who needs to train with the first team but play u18s and any in house games, Goodman and Adamson could flourish in men's football with careful nurturing and encouragement and playing at levels that stretch their capabilities.
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This is going to be a very difficult game for us to have to endure. With the bodies available to us its even worse.
Think we really need to bite the bullet and revert back to a flat back four. Sterry had done well since coming back and may possibly last the whole game, with Nixon on the left.
Center half will be interesting, If Anderson and Olowu and both "injured" (and i for one really do hope they are "injured" for at least the next 3 months) then it will have to be Bailey and Senior, we will need the "saviour" that is Flint to man up in midfield as this is our real issue, pair him up with a combination of Rowe, Moly, Close and with Faal in between linking up with Ironside whenever he can.
The emphasis for this team has to be playing the game forward and in their half of the field, if we sit and hold like we did against County then we will ship another boat load. Defence have to be quick and forward with their distribution and the midfield need to be looking to run forwards and get up front with Ironside, it may not be our preferred style but we need to make do whilst we wait for reinforcements, we cannot allow pussyfooting about at the back with this brittle team. What we need to do more than anything else is work, put the effort in and not give up, even if the odds are against us, we need to see some grit and determination, if they can do that we ask for no more. The side Ive picked has a bias towards the players GM has brought in, its no coincidence that these seem to be the only ones who are prepared to be professional enough to earn their pay.
Remember, even a team going through the delights we are can get a lucky break, a penalty just like yesterday, a goal at any time should give the team something to hold onto, anything after that is a bonus.
Lawlor
Sterry Bailey Senior Nixon
Moly Close Faal Flint Rowe
ironside
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We are in a right mess, but sometimes out of adversity comes positive. Those who might get chances could solve some of the problems.
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I just hope that we get our signings done early in the month instead of the last few days as often happens.
Gm has two players training with the team already by all accounts
if they are training, surely that would suggest they are free agents, so could sign at any time?
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Or loans
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Surely we are not going down the free agent at Christmas route again are we? Surely.
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Central defence and midfield are both in a mess.
I kid you not I would play Cliff Byrne at centre back instead of either Anderson or Olowu after yesterday - and Grant would double the contribution of Harrison at the moment
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We are in the shit but please no panic signings in January. If there is a prime target and we are paying big money for them, then fine. But otherwise Roberts and Marsh can return and two loanees come in to the squad, an attacking option and a midfielder with graft and talent (Galbraith or Matt Smith(s) type do exist).
There is a huge squad and some players coming back, so it is down to this group and Grant to get us clear of trouble and then we can sort the squad in the summer.
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:thumbsup:
What I would like to know is who the heck does everyone think we are going to sign in January.
Seriously we are only likely going to get a couple of loan players from higher up the pyramid.
No one is going to release players who are good are they.
Only ones will be the one clubs don’t want because they are not good enough.
When was the last time we made a really good signing in January.
Maybe I have forgotten one or 2 but if I have please tell me.
The only thing that will bring in the sort of players needed is dough. Lots of it. Or a huge dose of good fortune.
I cant bear the thought of any has beens who are without a club currently joining.
To find a few diamonds in the rough from lower leagues, now that would be something. Players who would see coming to rovers as a step up and a challenge. An opportunity to prove themselves at a higher level, and do just that. It’s not too much to ask is it?
Bailey, Sterry, Senior, Broadbent. All players who GM brought in from lower down the pyramid.
The problem is we need to clear out the ones who have presided over the shambles of the last 2 & half seasons.
Anderson has gone ( physically ) Rowe has gone ( physically ) those 2 are supposed to be our leaders.
Not seen them leading, not either by example or vocally.
Both got to go.
Close and Biggins halve shown when the going gets tough they haven’t got either the bottle or ability to be players that are going to stand up and make a mark.
Close would be a decent player in a winning team. In a struggling team he is a luxury.
So both have got to go.
Jones and Lawlor not good enough. End of. The goalkeeping position is crucial. We need much better.
Someone vocal someone who takes the pressure of the defence not one who heaps pressure on the defence.
Taylor, got to go. Ravenhill got to go, Long got to go.
Broadbent of the new players this season not good enough imo.
Clear out all the loans except Nixon and Faal.
In January we need 3 players. Centre back unless Wood and Faulkner are fit and stay fit.
Centre midfielder and he needs to be good, very good. We need a real leader without Wood playing
Another striker as Miller will not be seen it seems this season.
If we don’t get those 3 players in during early January then we are in a serious battle to stay in this league.
We really could go down. Anyone thinking other wise is not in the real world.
We were on the edge of play offs on Jan 2nd 2016 and we got relegated.
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Broadbent came from Sheffield United, currently in the Premier League.
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Broadbent came from Sheffield United, currently in the Premier League.
But he wasn’t in the 1st team.
He came to us to get regular league football.
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Standard 3 goals conceded, probably 2 of them in the first half. Can’t see anything other than a 3-1 defeat, at best. That’s how bad we are.
I would actually take a 1-3 !! Last thing we need now is to go there & get battered. Confidence is already shot.
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What I would like to know is who the heck does everyone think we are going to sign in January.
Seriously we are only likely going to get a couple of loan players from higher up the pyramid.
No one is going to release players who are good are they.
Only ones will be the one clubs don’t want because they are not good enough.
When was the last time we made a really good signing in January.
Maybe I have forgotten one or 2 but if I have please tell me.
It was probably as far back as January 2014, Camps. Terry and Dick backed Dickov with a lot of money to bring in quality players like Meite, Tamas, Sharp, and Neill.
It could have, and should have, saved us from relegation.
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Peeing it down, down hete so fingers crossed the pitch is waterlogged game called off
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If we get anything out of this game it will be a bonus but not a disaster if we lose as most teams in the division are looking to carry luck getting anything out of games there.
The opportunity lies a couple of games away when probably at Harrogate we could have some back match fit who have been missed, and maybe a couple of signings if rumours are correct of early signings who could have joined us.
That is when we must start to kick on to the end of the season with a view to strengthen more in the closed season to give ourselves a chance to do something next season in the league.
Hopefully some will have left and moved on not quite up to it, players like Faulkner and Flint are established Goodman and Adamson have kicked on after good loans , and Brown is ready to
step up to the challenge of getting into men's football, and we have brought in a raft of good young ambitious players who can improve us.
That is the challenge I would set the club, in fact I do on here now challenge them to look forward and sort the mess out.
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I just hope that we get our signings done early in the month instead of the last few days as often happens.
Gm has two players training with the team already by all accounts
if they are training, surely that would suggest they are free agents, so could sign at any time?
Registration closes in November until January. They could sign but can't play until January, so would be a waste of wage signing them early.
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Grant says Anderson and Flint out. Bobby back in the squad.
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The transfer window opens on January the first, but I don't think players can play before January the second and the Harrogate game On January 6th would be the first game they would be eligible to play in.
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Kyle Hurst was our best player last season. Got to get him in the team. Play 4-3-3 with Hurst and Molyneux either side of Ironside.
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That was last season! Hurst isn't the same player this season. A light breeze forcast for tomorrow so that keeps him out of the team based on his last couple of appearances
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If we don’t win 2 out of 3 games v MK Dons H, Harrogate A, & Newport H, then we are in a relegation battle. 100% we will be.
Next two after those games are Bradford A & Stockport H.
Starting to get really concerned. I just can’t believe the R word is being mentioned. I really thought we would be top 7 this season.
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You know, I'm not going to even check the scores this afternoon. If I wait until full time, I'll get the massive temper tantrim over in one go.
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You know, I'm not going to even check the scores this afternoon. If I wait until full time, I'll get the massive temper tantrim over in one go.
Matches are 7-45 kick off today.
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If we don’t win 2 out of 3 games v MK Dons H, Harrogate A, & Newport H, then we are in a relegation battle. 100% we will be.
Next two after those games are Bradford A & Stockport H.
Starting to get really concerned. I just can’t believe the R word is being mentioned. I really thought we would be top 7 this season.
Then after that Tranmere, Salford and Grimsby.
Shame we didn’t play the Walsall game when we should have as they have picked up now.
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Bonus is Anderson is out, shame that Flint is also out. Bobby back in the squad
Is Brown fit as I’d pick him rather than Biggins based on last few games
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Paul, you should have kept quiet, he would have been happy with a 0-0 draw at tea time.
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Hello folks. Anybody got ideas of best place to park tonight.
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Happy travels for all those going to Field Mill.
Most away games lost in the last five years:
1. Morecambe - 62
2. Doncaster - 58
3. Reading - 58
4. Blackburn -57
5. Cambridge - 56
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We are due one then....Pub team having a laugh.
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Only 1000ish going. Usually this fixture is a guaranteed sell out. I think the goodwill from the summer has very much run out.
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You know, I'm not going to even check the scores this afternoon. If I wait until full time, I'll get the massive temper tantrum over in one go.
Afternoon or evening makes no difference to this lot. We could kick-off at 3pm and still not create a chance until 10pm.
Matches are 7-45 kick off today.
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I’m going tonight so have to remain optimistic
Rovers to win 1-0. Bobby to head in from a corner
I’ve not been drinking and I’m not delusional I just need to live in a daydream to get me to the match
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This is one of the few games I would make the effort to go to, but the players have showed they can’t be arsed so following their example I can’t be arsed. I’m even thinking of not bothering with ifollow, but come KO I will be logged on
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Grant says Anderson and Flint out. Bobby back in the squad.
Perhaps the good news outweighs the bad then, but it seems Flint could be too fragile to spend enough time on the pitch to develop usefully. Although our efficient media people have him about to become 123 years old on New Year’s Day, you would expect him to be reasonably resilient at almost 23.
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3 of us going. I wasn't arsed yesterday but now looking forward to it.
It's the hope that kills you.
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Hello folks. Anybody got ideas of best place to park tonight.
Mansfield Station recommended by SLO and Mansfield FC
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Hi guys
Plenty of off street parking near ground, do not park at the nearby gym or retail parks as fines will be issued.
As for the game, we are on a great run at moment but will give you chances. Grimsby should have scored on boxing day, in the end I think we had 36 attempts at goal with 18 on target.
Good luck after tonight, you won't go down, that will be Sutton and FGR.
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Hello folks. Anybody got ideas of best place to park tonight.
Mansfield Station recommended by SLO and Mansfield FC
That will be down by the Burger King won’t it?
I’ve parked there in the past, short walk and quick getaway
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Pick a simple eleven, attack them, work hard and do the basics. We're not capable of anything better but this lot need to put a shift in tonight, that's how they get the fans back onside.
IF I was Mccann I'd show them the Charlton play off game. We lost that tie, but every fan came away happy because the players put a full shift in against a very talented Charlton side that mostly ended up in top divisions. Surely all we ask is 100%?
I'd go with a 4-3-3 tonight. Ironside with Hurst/Molyneux either side up front and just try to force them back running down the wide. Not pretty but we've got to have the attitude of scoring more then them.
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I don’t know what the midfield 3 looks like in a 433. Assume Bailey at base but the other two have to be Close and Biggins?
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Hello folks. Anybody got ideas of best place to park tonight.
Mansfield Station recommended by SLO and Mansfield FC
That will be down by the Burger King won’t it?
I’ve parked there in the past, short walk and quick getaway
Yes Burger King is on the retail park over the road from the station but yes close by.
Be carefull not to park in Retail park next to ground fines will be issued and watch out for closing times on other car parks quite a few close at 10.00 or earlier. There is pay and display at the Water Meadows swimming baths and another couple close by all pay and display though have some change with you the card payment machines often don't work
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You can park at Sainsbury’s as well
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Been watching since the mid 80's so seen my fare share of average football. We will improve again.
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I don’t know what the midfield 3 looks like in a 433. Assume Bailey at base but the other two have to be Close and Biggins?
The way we're playing forget trying to control a midfield, try and get it to the front three as quickly as possible.
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Happy travels for all those going to Field Mill.
Most away games lost in the last five years:
1. Morecambe - 62
2. Doncaster - 58
3. Reading - 58
4. Blackburn -57
5. Cambridge - 56
…and despite this, we are one of the best supported teams away from home in the lower divisions!
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You can park at Sainsbury’s as well
I thought that was 2 hour max stay?
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No it’s on the parking app now
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Don’t think I need to pay £10 for ifollow tonight.
Quinn, Reed and Maris to pass it round for fun and make our midfield look like lost children.
Akins to bully Olowu all night.
Keillor-Dunn to score a few.
Flint to score from a corner after losing his marker.
There doesn’t need to be any pressure on McCann after tonight as there isn’t much anyone could do.
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I fancy us for a battling draw tonight.
Obviously based on no evidence whatsoever, just blind optimism.
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No it’s on the parking app now
Spot on, just booked it's the right side of Mansfield for me. Thanks for that
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For anyone who has changed their mind last minute. You can pay on the gate tonight in the away stand.
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For anyone who has changed their mind last minute. You can pay on the gate tonight in the away stand.
That's really annoying if true as its contrary to what the official SLO guide said and some of us only found out today we'd be able to go
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For anyone who has changed their mind last minute. You can pay on the gate tonight in the away stand.
That's really annoying if true as its contrary to what the official SLO guide said and some of us only found out today we'd be able to go
Get your skates n, you might just make it for KO
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For anyone who has changed their mind last minute. You can pay on the gate tonight in the away stand.
That's really annoying if true as its contrary to what the official SLO guide said and some of us only found out today we'd be able to go
drfc FB page is still advertising tickets, a week after ticket office told me they had gone off sale?
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Called Mansfield ticket office, you can pay on gate. Thanks DRFC website :thumbdown: The lads better do the business since I'm legging it to the car half in Xmas pyjamas
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I don't think there's been a game where you can't buy tickets at the ground. It's not down to Rovers surely who gets let into someone else's ground.
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Ok prediction, sadly i think we will get stuffed 5-1.
Come on Rovers prove us all wrong and show some fight and pride.
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You know, I'm not going to even check the scores this afternoon. If I wait until full time, I'll get the massive temper tantrum over in one go.
Afternoon or evening makes no difference to this lot. We could kick-off at 3pm and still not create a chance until 10pm.
Matches are 7-45 kick off today.
it's like when you wet yourself but don't know why....... fooking get a grip.
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Could tonight be another “Mansfield moment “?
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Could tonight be another “Mansfield moment “?
Only in the context of that's probably how long it will take us to concede.
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21 mins ..
To be fair we had a perfectly good goal wiped off , Ref evened it up by not giving them s stonewall pen . But our defence is just pathetic and Lawlor is equal to that he should have followed the movement of the player coming at the far post and came off his line to meet him !
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Miles better but a formation that has Faal having to track a marauding full back is inviting a goal like that.
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Half Time
1-0
Well done Rovers,showing energy,passion and desire.
Keep that up and we'll be ok
RTID
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1-1 is a superb result. Huge performance.
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Where's that energy been recently? Like a different set of players tonight.
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New Mansfield moment?
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C’mon!
Who saw that point coming?!
Hats off to the lads who battled for that, hats off to GM & his team for ‘masterminding’ it & more importantly, hats off to the ‘faithful’ who gave up their afternoon & evening to go there & support the boys. Quality.
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Battling performance on a really really poor pitch.
Would've taken a point before the game, well in lads.
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Battling performance. Could've nicked that too. Well done lads
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How did we set up? Looked like 4 at back but what about rest of side? Worked a treat whatever it was.
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C’mon!
Who saw that point coming?!
Me.
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who's everyone's MOTM?
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who's everyone's MOTM?
Any one of them bar Faal and Biggins tonight. Rightly brought off. Should have brought on Hurst tonight though.
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Credit where its due tonight, the defence looked much more stable. Olowu and Bailey never put a foot wrong. A propper team performance which makes recent weeks even more baffling. Still dont believe for a single second this group can be more consistent but, it was a very good effort.
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who's everyone's MOTM?
Dare I say it? … Olowu. Didn’t put a foot wrong and I’m normally one of his biggest critics.
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who's everyone's MOTM?
Difficult. Moly ran himself into ground, Olowu excellent, Ironside a f**king unit and touch as always. But everything goes through Close, so MOM tonight for me. Was excellent
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Pride restored - very well done to the lads.
Olowu / Biggins - both showed balls and class tonight
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Brilliant!! Why has it taken this long to put in a performance like that! Thankfully we’ve finally ditched the 3 at the back/wb set up which clearly doesn’t suit this set of players. Well done to the lads for that battling performance
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How did we set up? Looked like 4 at back but what about rest of side? Worked a treat whatever it was.
4-3-3
Olowu and Bailey as centre backs so much better for not having Anderson to care for. Senior outstanding defensively and Sterry good going forward and linking with Moly (who was also dangerous further forward).
Close in the deep midfield role everything went through him.
Ironside in a sort of roberto firmino role? Was class whatever it was.
Only dodgy thing was asking Faal to do defensive work on the left side.
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who's everyone's MOTM?
Bailey was superb. Ironside close behind.
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And yes, Close played very well.
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We need to turn that draw into a win in the next game. It’s all about consistency.
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That was excellent from the team tonight. On the front foot for long periods, everyone had energy and fight.
More of this and we’ve got a chance to improve and develop.
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I think a new forward may well take Faal’s place in that formation
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The performance of the season for me. God knows where it came from.
The thing now is consistency. The lads know now they've got it in them, which in itself should boost their confidence.
Everyone was much braver on the ball tonight, and please, GM, stick to a back 4 for the remaining games.
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who's everyone's MOTM?
Any one of them bar Faal and Biggins tonight. Rightly brought off. Should have brought on Hurst tonight though.
Biggins was excellent tonight, don't know what game you were watching
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What a nice surprise.
I’ve been out with the family tonight and didn’t get to follow the game.
Not been home long and am catching up on what happened and it seems that we have done the biz tonight.
Looking forward to the MKD game now and just hope we can pick up a win to make this point a valuable one.
Good that the bottom two lost too.
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who's everyone's MOTM?
Dare I say it? … Olowu. Didn’t put a foot wrong and I’m normally one of his biggest critics.
It was an entire team transformed and playing for the manager once again as well as each other. Olowu was a man transformed, so composed, passing the ball immaculately. Perhaps he does play better without Anderson beside him. Close had the opportunity to show why some people think he is so good, but he did not engage as much as he might have done and played it safe most of the time. In contrast, Biggins involved himself a lot, but made some bad decisions and it was apparent that being on the ball and sustained attacking was something most of the players weren’t used to and perhaps they don’t know what to expect from each other. The team-player of the match for Rovers was Ironside, always working hard, and never selfish.
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Maybe times up on the back 5 now. Never helped us defend better and if anything the more defenders you have the more it brings the opposition on to you
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who's everyone's MOTM?
Dare I say it? … Olowu. Didn’t put a foot wrong and I’m normally one of his biggest critics.
It was an entire team transformed and playing for the manager once again as well as each other. Olowu was a man transformed, so composed, passing the ball immaculately. Perhaps he does play better without Anderson beside him. Close had the opportunity to show why some people think he is so good, but he did not engage as much as he might have done and played it safe most of the time. In contrast, Biggins involved himself a lot, but made some bad decisions and it was apparent that being on the ball and sustained attacking was something most of the players weren’t used to and perhaps they don’t know what to expect from each other. The team-player of the match for Rovers was Ironside, always working hard, and never selfish.
What did you think of Louis when he came on?
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I recall Olowu being good in a cb 2 pairing and was pleased he accepted a renewed contract . He always looked solid and dependable previously when playing in a 2 imo. He looked good in games with Ollie younger as I recall. Well done Joe!!
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Ollie Younger....forgotten man!
Is he fit yet, and worth a deal until the end of the season to prove his fitness?
Olowu with Younger is a better pairing than with Anderson/Wood IMO.
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That was much more like it!
A very respectable performance and result.
I think the system change helped a lot, but our whole outlook was chalk and cheese from the Notts County performance. We showed a lot of tenacity, energy, got the ball down and played some decent stuff at times, and I’ve come away from the ground thinking that we could’ve nicked a win if we’d had a bit more quality at the top end of the pitch.
Fair play to the team and GM. More performances like that and we won’t be worrying about going down.
Senior, Bailey, Olowu and Sterry all played really well. Molyneux and Ironside were good. Midfield 3 worked really hard.
Can’t complain at all with that. Just a shame we could only muster under 900 to witness it live.
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Ollie Younger....forgotten man!
Is he fit yet, and worth a deal until the end of the season to prove his fitness?
Olowu with Younger is a better pairing than with Anderson/Wood IMO.
The rumour is that we're signing a young Irish CB, Albie.
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Fantastic effort from all the team tonight from what was a really enjoyable match to watch.
Everyone bar none was up for this game so a big well done to the management for getting the players into the right mindset, this was a massive game for us as it would of been very easy to roll over and take a beating but the team came together tonight and showed the guts and determination to do well that we've all been desperate to see.
As for the game, it was ironic that what turned out to be the worst official we've had this year allowed the game to flow enough for it to be a belter, I'm still none the wiser how he chalked out our early goal? if it was for foul play then you would never see a goal again with this berk in control, very poor. It must of been playing on his mind soon after as he then evened it up by not giving them a stonewall penalty, if that had been for us we would of all gone ballistic. Some of his interpretations for fouls, advantage and time management were just plain bizarre!
As for the lads really difficult to pick out any individuals as i thought the whole team stepped up but Ironside was immense in his work rate and desire, a special mention to our much maligned defence should also be noted, they all performed very well, Bailey and Olowu stood firm against a much vaulted forward line, both full backs worked tirelessly throughout with great link up play between Sterry and Moly, i said earlier in the week that i thought Sterry would be good for the whole match and he stood up well, a real shame he's been out for so long as i'm quite sure if he'd played the majority of games we would of benefitted massively.
We now need to think about the latter part of this season post transfer window, if we can get a couple of players in who can improve us playing a 433 as tonight then we should finish far stronger, its looked like GM didn't think he had the personnel for this formation, a couple of injuries may have just saved our season.
If we can reproduce the intensity, fight and determination that we expended on this game for the rest of the season we will be on the right path to kick on, well done all.
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who's everyone's MOTM?
Dare I say it? … Olowu. Didn’t put a foot wrong and I’m normally one of his biggest critics.
It was an entire team transformed and playing for the manager once again as well as each other. Olowu was a man transformed, so composed, passing the ball immaculately. Perhaps he does play better without Anderson beside him. Close had the opportunity to show why some people think he is so good, but he did not engage as much as he might have done and played it safe most of the time. In contrast, Biggins involved himself a lot, but made some bad decisions and it was apparent that being on the ball and sustained attacking was something most of the players weren’t used to and perhaps they don’t know what to expect from each other. The team-player of the match for Rovers was Ironside, always working hard, and never selfish.
What did you think of Louis when he came on?
I worried a bit, but he was not seriously tested. It’s very obvious that he is coached to remain on his line as is Lawlor and whether it suits either of them is questionable. It allows opposition set-pieces to be planned with the certainly that the keeper won’t challenge unless the ball is right under the bar. With Lawlor seemingly vulnerable to possibly persistent injury problems, there seems to be a case for a third senior goalkeeper. And that’s as positive as I’m going to be.
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Funny how in the box and Michael shaw haven’t commented (well in the box commented that we were getting beat)
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I thought it was an all round team effort. The midfield and back line were composed enough by doing the basics well enough to give Mansfield alot to think about.
Senior, Bailey, Olowu and Sterry performed very well. There was sufficient composure there to give us a bit of a platform. Close was busy as usual, and whilst Biggins is a sandwich short of a picnic, he did some good things tonight.
Maybe a bit miffed that Faal played a wider role and struggled to make a mark on the game, you wonder whether his head is in the right place.
Overall, a very pleasing result and performance to stop the rot.
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Makes a big difference when you’re not carrying 3-4 players through a game! Much more enjoyable last night and nice to see we had a threat at the top end.
Olowu best game for a while, no Anderson so make of that what you will
The two full backs really helped with control and finding passes forward.
Midfield, Rowe and biggo much more improved, taking passes to feet and turning and playing through the thirds
Molly had a blinder, the ability to get him self between player and ball to nick the ball back really helped setting up our attacks, makes me wonder if we have held him back playing him as a wing back most of the season.
Ironside- man of the match. What a man what a player!
Only question I have, is why did he bring kulaya on over hurst? Something has gone on behind the scenes I would imagine. Shame the little flicks around the corner last night would have been perfect for hurst to link off Ironside
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It's a funny one with Hurst. Probably our best player last night but he's not done anything much since he returned from injury. I suspect McCann wanted a more physical presence hence Kuleya came on.
I also agree on Biggins. Let's be honest his passing is poor for this level but he ran his socks off and I'll never criticise that. Very unlucky not to score aswell. I thought we looked way better when Rowe moved further left, he had a decent game last night.
Please stick with 4-3-3
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The performance of the season for me. God knows where it came from.
The thing now is consistency. The lads know now they've got it in them, which in itself should boost their confidence.
Everyone was much braver on the ball tonight, and please, GM, stick to a back 4 for the remaining games.
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It's a funny one with Hurst. Probably our best player last night but he's not done anything much since he returned from injury. I suspect McCann wanted a more physical presence hence Kuleya came on.
I also agree on Biggins. Let's be honest his passing is poor for this level but he ran his socks off and I'll never criticise that. Very unlucky not to score aswell. I thought we looked way better when Rowe moved further left, he had a decent game last night.
Please stick with 4-3-3
According to Grant in his interview we didn't play 4-3-3. It was a diamond.
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How much better were we with a back 4.
Full backs playing as full backs and 2 centre backs playing as centre backs and not getting drawn out of position.
Not rocket science. I just hope the penny has dropped with GM and he sticks to it now.
Olowu had his best game of the season and I thought Sterry, Senior and Bailey were also excellent. They did their jobs of defending.
Ironside was fantastic. He dropped deeper and was at times an extra midfielder. He probably had more accurate pass completions than anyone else last night.
Took his goal well at 2nd attempt ( 1st one was blocked )
M.O.M by a mile for me.
Followed by Olowu.
Mention for Molyneux also as he worked his socks off last night.
If we could get a few more goals out of him and he plays like that week in week out we would have a brilliant player at this level.
All in all that was a very encouraging performance. We got stuck in, closed down their players and played with belief and spirit.
Work rate from everyone was what we need every game.
That set the bar last night and if that consistency is maintained for our last 22 games then we will finish in the top 10
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Probably wise to bring Satona back from his loan now. He's better than Kuleya and someone to come off the bench now in this system.
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How much better were we with a back 4.
Full backs playing as full backs and 2 centre backs playing as centre backs and not getting drawn out of position.
Not rocket science. I just hope the penny has dropped with GM and he sticks to it now.
Olowu had his best game of the season and I thought Sterry, Senior and Bailey were also excellent. They did their jobs of defending.
Ironside was fantastic. He dropped deeper and was at times an extra midfielder. He probably had more accurate pass completions than anyone else last night.
Took his goal well at 2nd attempt ( 1st one was blocked )
M.O.M by a mile for me.
Followed by Olowu.
Mention for Molyneux also as he worked his socks off last night.
If we could get a few more goals out of him and he plays like that week in week out we would have a brilliant player at this level.
All in all that was a very encouraging performance. We got stuck in, closed down their players and played with belief and spirit.
Work rate from everyone was what we need every game.
That set the bar last night and if that consistency is maintained for our last 22 games then we will finish in the top 10
It's a big IF Camps, but they have proved last night that they can do it. There should be no more Morecambe, Bradford and Notts County performances this season!!
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Can I throw in…..how much better we looked without Anderson at the back
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How much better were we with a back 4.
Full backs playing as full backs and 2 centre backs playing as centre backs and not getting drawn out of position.
Not rocket science. I just hope the penny has dropped with GM and he sticks to it now.
Olowu had his best game of the season and I thought Sterry, Senior and Bailey were also excellent. They did their jobs of defending.
Ironside was fantastic. He dropped deeper and was at times an extra midfielder. He probably had more accurate pass completions than anyone else last night.
Took his goal well at 2nd attempt ( 1st one was blocked )
M.O.M by a mile for me.
Followed by Olowu.
Mention for Molyneux also as he worked his socks off last night.
If we could get a few more goals out of him and he plays like that week in week out we would have a brilliant player at this level.
All in all that was a very encouraging performance. We got stuck in, closed down their players and played with belief and spirit.
Work rate from everyone was what we need every game.
That set the bar last night and if that consistency is maintained for our last 22 games then we will finish in the top 10
Looking at the highlights Camps, it looks like Joes first shot was scuffed and would have gone well wide.
Luckily the bounce back off the defender fell perfectly and Joe was able to adjust his body to slot the ball into the corner.
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How much better were we with a back 4.
Full backs playing as full backs and 2 centre backs playing as centre backs and not getting drawn out of position.
Not rocket science. I just hope the penny has dropped with GM and he sticks to it now.
Olowu had his best game of the season and I thought Sterry, Senior and Bailey were also excellent. They did their jobs of defending.
Ironside was fantastic. He dropped deeper and was at times an extra midfielder. He probably had more accurate pass completions than anyone else last night.
Took his goal well at 2nd attempt ( 1st one was blocked )
M.O.M by a mile for me.
Followed by Olowu.
Mention for Molyneux also as he worked his socks off last night.
If we could get a few more goals out of him and he plays like that week in week out we would have a brilliant player at this level.
All in all that was a very encouraging performance. We got stuck in, closed down their players and played with belief and spirit.
Work rate from everyone was what we need every game.
That set the bar last night and if that consistency is maintained for our last 22 games then we will finish in the top 10
Looking at the highlights Camps, it looks like Joes first shot was scuffed and would have gone well wide.
Luckily the bounce back off the defender fell perfectly and Joe was able to adjust his body to slot the ball into the corner.
Yes it was going well wide as he scuffed the first effort. Great awareness and finish at the second attempt. Joe was immense last night.
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It's a funny one with Hurst. Probably our best player last night but he's not done anything much since he returned from injury. I suspect McCann wanted a more physical presence hence Kuleya came on.
I also agree on Biggins. Let's be honest his passing is poor for this level but he ran his socks off and I'll never criticise that. Very unlucky not to score aswell. I thought we looked way better when Rowe moved further left, he had a decent game last night.
Please stick with 4-3-3
According to Grant in his interview we didn't play 4-3-3. It was a diamond.
Yeah, Ironside was basically a 10.
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Hi guys.
Did say you would get chances. You clearly had a plan and it almost worked. Draw fair result? No and to be honest you should have won, fantastic support as always from you guys.
Didn't play well. Should have lost but omg I will take that point.
Some of your fans said defo going down? Not a chance. Well done again
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The current game is all about getting your distances correct. You need every player fit enough to sprint to the ball and read the game. Being technically gifted doesnt cut it anymore whether its at the highest level or the lowest. Look at Paul Pogba for example. Without the willingness to get to the ball when you dont have it and the willingness to run into space when you do makes every bit of difference between successful and being sh!t. Then is when quality comes into it. We ask a lot of Molyneux but we are a much better team when he decides to turn up and work like he did last night. He and Ironside set the tone for the performance. The only disappointing player for me was Faal. Big fan of his but over the last few games he has not looked bothered IMO.
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It's a funny one with Hurst. Probably our best player last night but he's not done anything much since he returned from injury. I suspect McCann wanted a more physical presence hence Kuleya came on.
I also agree on Biggins. Let's be honest his passing is poor for this level but he ran his socks off and I'll never criticise that. Very unlucky not to score aswell. I thought we looked way better when Rowe moved further left, he had a decent game last night.
Please stick with 4-3-3
According to Grant in his interview we didn't play 4-3-3. It was a diamond.
Yeah, Ironside was basically a 10.
Position or performance level ............. or both :lol:
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who's everyone's MOTM?
Dare I say it? … Olowu. Didn’t put a foot wrong and I’m normally one of his biggest critics.
It was an entire team transformed and playing for the manager once again as well as each other. Olowu was a man transformed, so composed, passing the ball immaculately. Perhaps he does play better without Anderson beside him. Close had the opportunity to show why some people think he is so good, but he did not engage as much as he might have done and played it safe most of the time. In contrast, Biggins involved himself a lot, but made some bad decisions and it was apparent that being on the ball and sustained attacking was something most of the players weren’t used to and perhaps they don’t know what to expect from each other. The team-player of the match for Rovers was Ironside, always working hard, and never selfish.
What did you think of Louis when he came on?
I worried a bit, but he was not seriously tested. It’s very obvious that he is coached to remain on his line as is Lawlor and whether it suits either of them is questionable. It allows opposition set-pieces to be planned with the certainly that the keeper won’t challenge unless the ball is right under the bar. With Lawlor seemingly vulnerable to possibly persistent injury problems, there seems to be a case for a third senior goalkeeper. And that’s as positive as I’m going to be.
Jones, Not seriously tested!!!!! Think it's your eyes that need testing
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I think a new forward may well take Faal’s place in that formation
Yes the potential new lad is known for his work rate.
Think the Mo Joe partnership is over, they will likely rotate for that deep 9 position I think. Both have the right attributes for it
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It's a funny one with Hurst. Probably our best player last night but he's not done anything much since he returned from injury. I suspect McCann wanted a more physical presence hence Kuleya came on.
I also agree on Biggins. Let's be honest his passing is poor for this level but he ran his socks off and I'll never criticise that. Very unlucky not to score aswell. I thought we looked way better when Rowe moved further left, he had a decent game last night.
Please stick with 4-3-3
According to Grant in his interview we didn't play 4-3-3. It was a diamond.
Yeah, Ironside was basically a 10.
Position or performance level ............. or both :lol:
Sex appeal
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Hi guys.
Did say you would get chances. You clearly had a plan and it almost worked. Draw fair result? No and to be honest you should have won, fantastic support as always from you guys.
Didn't play well. Should have lost but omg I will take that point.
Some of your fans said defo going down? Not a chance. Well done again
I just checked when Mansfield drew 2-2 at home to Tranmere it was November 28th - Clough praised them to the hilt then ( they must have been about 3rd bottom then ?) and he said they would climb the table and they certainly have in the last month.
On Boxing day Grimsby had chances early on and as someone said - it could have been a different result "if... if ..if"
So with us getting a draw the question to be asked is are they going off the boil at home ? They seem to have a knack of beating the "non top 7" away
We know they are built on defense (best defence) and pass and move when not pressing but struggle for goals (who doesn't)
Judgement Day for them on Monday ??
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Probably wise to bring Satona back from his loan now. He's better than Kuleya and someone to come off the bench now in this system.
Even if we had Sotona he would never have been brought on yesterday instead of Kuleya.
Especially when Tav came on in midfield, imagine Sotona as a central midfielder lol.
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Probably wise to bring Satona back from his loan now. He's better than Kuleya and someone to come off the bench now in this system.
Even if we had Sotona he would never have been brought on yesterday instead of Kuleya.
Especially when Tav came on in midfield, imagine Sotona as a central midfielder lol.
I was pleased to see Tav come on yesterday. He's a smart player who I'd like to see more of from the bench .
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Probably wise to bring Satona back from his loan now. He's better than Kuleya and someone to come off the bench now in this system.
Even if we had Sotona he would never have been brought on yesterday instead of Kuleya.
Especially when Tav came on in midfield, imagine Sotona as a central midfielder lol.
I was pleased to see Tav come on yesterday. He's a smart player who I'd like to see more of from the bench .
at the time I was surprised he came on instead of Hurst as thought Hurst would’ve been better on the ball but he ran his socks off when he came on and did his job.
Think bringing him and Goodman on and not Hurst was a bit of a statement from McCann saying that he needs a good number of signings in January.
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When the opposition manager praises you, you are no threat to his team, only time they praise teams, to deflect the performance of their own side. Good point against Mansfield, means nothing without following on from that with another good result.
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Yep Sammy I am with you, we have had a couple of false dawns this season, this time we need to grasp the metal and follow it up and even reach out to be even better than at Mansfield.
It needs to be just the start of even better things, and the players need to realise their stock automatically goes up with the team if they can be successful, and that comes only with hard work and commitment.
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When the opposition manager praises you, you are no threat to his team, only time they praise teams, to deflect the performance of their own side. Good point against Mansfield, means nothing without following on from that with another good result.
Exactly what I said further up the thread:
“Looking forward to the MKD game now and just hope we can pick up a win to make this point a valuable one.”
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We need something, to build confidence . At home you always want to win especially. We’ve just gone to the side second from the top in the league and got a point and could have come away with three. That’s with multiple injuries and a constantly changing team. We need players back and continuity of selection especially at the back. Get that hole in midfield filled in January, hopefully get a good, strong and experienced centre back in to control the backline. A few exciting younger players to add to that mix and we are capable of climbing that league table.
The whole team needs to use the last game as around the standard we should be attaining every week. Really disappointing to be where we are after the optimism we had. I think we can beat Mk Dons but it will be a battle.