Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on January 07, 2024, 02:44:51 pm
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The big question is will we be s**t or sugar as we once again start out on our never ending quest to actually get past a long run of two unbeaten games on the bounce, against a team that we can go level on points with if we get a victory.
Newport County have been a credit to the league since getting promotion back into Division 2 and a number of managers have gone on to supposedly better things after building teams costing buttons, with players cast offs from other clubs or from the non league scene mostly, a prime example being Omar Bogle probably the most maligned and badly treated player unfortunately to be at the Rovers at the wrong time and I am pleased to say has overcome that experience and flourished somewhat at Newport, credit to him and their management.
In Evans they have a player in the top level of scorers in this Division who will test our cullender of a defence to the limit given the chance, so will need watching carefully, and generally have a strong outfit with players who give their all every game.
Questions must start to be asked about the make up of our side after again disappointing at Harrogate where defensively we once again had a shocker in midfield and at the back a repetitive strain that is all too familiar and has gone on for far too long.
Up front we are numbers short but now Faal especially has competition but I think he is being wrote off too soon to be changed and will come back stronger if we persist with him and introduce the new lad slowly.
In central defence everyone apart from Faulkner and McGrath the new lad seems to have had a chance and have had poor games interrupted somewhat with good games in alternate games, which is not good enough.
The signals coming out of interviews of the manager and his entourage give the impression that they are as mystified and perplexed as we the supporters are with the teams inconsistencies and are penalised by injury to do a lot about it, those troubles now look like clearing up slowly and players like Faulkner and Flint are not that far away and with McGrath surely should at this moment in time along with Sam Brown be looked on as the future and need careful mentoring and experience, the future looking better than the recent past to me.
So what do you think? that recurring question coming along tinged with frustration after we were looking for a much better season, the EFL Trophy competition growing in importance to the club with every league fixture defeat.
Lots to discuss about this game, and the season going forward, and points needed to keep us clear from trouble so please have your say about the situations and how you see us going forward especially this game.
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Not a great away record, lost as many as we have (9). Managed two away clean sheets all season and one of those was Forest Green. Current form not especially great, winning 1 in 6 despite playing some real rubbish among that run.
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Not a great away record, lost as many as we have (9). Managed two away clean sheets all season and one of those was Forest Green. Current form not especially great, winning 1 in 6 despite playing some real rubbish among that run.
Newport win it is then...
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I think it wouldn’t hurt to adopt a different formation and give a bit of protection to the back 4
if fit this is the team I’d play
Lawlor
Sterry Wood Faulkner Senior
Close Bailey
Molyneux Hurst Maxwell
Ironside
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I think it wouldn’t hurt to adopt a different formation and give a bit of protection to the back 4
if fit this is the team I’d play
Lawlor
Sterry Wood Faulkner Senior
Close Bailey
Molyneux Hurst Maxwell
Ironside
I wouldn’t be dead against that. Not a huge fan of attacking fullbacks being used as wingers though. Different skill.
I thought Carty looked ok. He could end up playing regularly. Looked like a player in the warm up. Technique decent, bit of pace about him. He may not convert it into performances but think he will get his chance in the next game.
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Don’t think either Maxwell or Hurst are fit. Even if they were, Hurst has always played on the left side, or on a few occasions on right side. No evidence of him being able to play through middle. Would sooner put Hurst on left and have Rowe in middle of that three.
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We’ve had so much joy with Ironside and Faal playing close together and gives us options to go long and mix it up. Don’t get why we can’t just play 442.
Jones
Sterry Olowu Faulkner Senior
Moly Close Bailey Hurst
Faal Ironside
I’d play something like the above with the players available then Bailey would go back to centre half when we get midfielders back. If Hurst isn’t fit Rowe can just play on the left of a 4 and would be fine
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Was Carty a right footed player lining up as the left forward?
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You’d imagine McGrath would come in at some point otherwise why has McCann signed him?
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Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
Bailey
Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal
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There needs to be a significant win against Newport, a team one ahead of us, with no great away record, our GD needs to become more positive, as does our play. These games are vital to win now.
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Was Carty a right footed player lining up as the left forward?
Looked left footed in the warm up and in clips.
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Don’t think either Maxwell or Hurst are fit. Even if they were, Hurst has always played on the left side, or on a few occasions on right side. No evidence of him being able to play through middle. Would sooner put Hurst on left and have Rowe in middle of that three.
The 3 behind Ironside would be fluid and interchange, hurst has played a few times off a striker, but that wouldn’t be his role here.
Close and Bailey would hold the middle of the park and let the 3 in front of them go where they want.
Maxwell always looks to me like he’s great going forward, we look dangerous when he plays and he knows how to hurt teams.
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Was Carty a right footed player lining up as the left forward?
Looked left footed in the warm up and in clips.
Thanks
Hmm normally in a 4-3-3 you see the wide forward on the opposite side of the pitch to their strong foot so they can drift inside towards goal.
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Let’s be the 12th man for the team. Against MK Dons and Grimsby in mine and my son’s opinion were the best atmosphere we have been to this season and probably last season. The players dug in. They seemed to thrive on the love from the fans.
Let’s get behind them again and again from the stands.
We all know there are issues and frustrations. Let’s get behind GM and the team. This can only help and not hinder.
People talk about us being in the dark days. This is nothing like it was in 1997. TB has put money into the club, some want more but he has kept our club going. I thank him for that.
We have no given right to beat teams like Harrogate, Newport etc at this moment.
My opinion is GM will get it right, he came back to put right a wrong. He will get players out who don’t fight or listen. Might not be now but could be the summer.
I have never known injuries like it. That doesn’t help. But maybe some players aren’t up for the fight which can make injuries last longer.
People on here give good comments which is what this forum is all about.
Let’s get behind the team and club. This will help the players too
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I am going to make a wild guess with Grant, I think his preferred line up is a back three defenders a system the present central defenders we have are not at all suited to, either fitness or physical and ability wise.
Could McGrath be a left sided central defender suited to that system with Faulkner central and Flint right sided and the future?
Something has to give, we cannot continue to to keep shipping goals the way we are doing, and the only negative I can see is the lack of experience in that line up, one that will get better, and cannot be any worse than what we have got, plus the manager would go up in my estimation anyway for having the foresight to at least try it, injury allowing would the Wigan Game be the ideal game?
I could be completely wrong, I have no idea if that line up has even been considered, but it could be an option from the outside looking in, and if successful could offer big value in the transfer market as a young back line like that would attract attention if they did well.
Is it something you would consider for the Newport game?
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Wigan game, my thoughts exactly Selby
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Agree it’s worth trying something different from this shambles of a defence! Not sure the Keeper is anywhere near good enough though to back up a young defence?
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Lawlor
Sterry. Olowu. Faulkner Senior
Bailey
Close. Rowe
Moly. Ironside. Carty
Bailey playing his ‘natural’ position of defensive midfielder is capable of linking with Close & Rowe whilst offering ‘protection’ to the back four he’s that good a player.
Faal looks bereft of ideas, pace or any sort of composure & his lack of goals appears to be weighing on his shoulders of late so I’d start Carty on the left side of Joe as he seems ‘easy on the ball’ & has pace with Moly in his ‘usual’ right hand side.
Ironside is NOT a No.10. I never want to see him that far from the box again. He would have buried the chance that fell to Moly seconds into the 2nd half of the game on Saturday.
We need to ‘freshen’ things up. Too many players not ‘buying into’ what Grant & his staff are trying to drill into them.
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Bailey is our most reliable central defender, every time he’s not been playing in the defence it’s been a disaster, so I worry about him not being there and being put in midfield.
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I just don't understand why so many of you are picking Olowu :facepalm:
How many chances are we going to give him?
Bailey and McGrath centre backs
Broadbent in for Biggo
New lad in for Faal
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Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
Bailey
Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal
Agree with that but Bailey at the back and Biggins in midfield - Olowu missing out
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I see Newport have drawn Man Utd in the next round if they get through their FA Cup replay...
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I think the midfield will be different, if rumours are anywhere near correct.
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I am really looking forward to seeing McGrath play if he is ready, who was replaced in the Coventry u21s by a seventeen year old called De Trollio who in turn is now out on loan in mens football in non league to get experience. But picking a player before Faulkner who has a record of Alfreton and an obscure Irish League team I can only put down to him being a new name that excites you roversdude.
I hope both play against Wigan with Flint to be honest, and would start Faulkner v Newport.
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I am really looking forward to seeing McGrath play if he is ready, who was replaced in the Coventry u21s by a seventeen year old called De Trollio who in turn is now out on loan in mens football in non league to get experience. But picking a player before Faulkner who has a record of Alfreton and an obscure Irish League team I can only put down to him being a new name that excites you roversdude.
I hope both play against Wigan with Flint to be honest, and would start Faulkner v Newport.
Selby I’d start Bobby every game, it’s only lack of game time after his injury that makes me think otherwise
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Is Bobby naturally right footed if so why put him on the left of a central two. If he does start on Saturday or Tuesday he should be on the right of the central two. We know Bailey and Olowu can play both and McGrath is left footed.
So all four if Anderson is not ready should get time on the pitch either Saturday or Tuesday
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I see that and agree, he needs to be 100% and is about there If Olowu is preferred right Saturday fair does, Tuesday v Wigan I would play Faulkner central with Flint right and McGrath left and see how they go, they would be playing for the shirt for me with a view to play games the rest of the season when fit, it is time for a change.
Of course them playing Saturday would be under the same pressure
But they have been hit one miss one for ages so need to do it every week from now on, they have had their chance more than once, Saturday would be their last.
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I doubt he will play 3 at the back having said his preferred formations have only 2 centre half’s
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Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
Bailey
Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal
Can't leave out Molyneux
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Think it will be
Jones
Sterry Bailey McGrath Senior
Craig Close Rowe
Molyneux Ironside Carty
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Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
Bailey
Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal
Can't leave out Molyneux
I can, and I would . I’m afraid at the minute he has far too many 5 and 6 out of ten performances than 7 and 8 out of ten. I hope it improves
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Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
Bailey
Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal
Can't leave out Molyneux
I can, and I would . I’m afraid at the minute he has far too many 5 and 6 out of ten performances than 7 and 8 out of ten. I hope it improves
You can based on the sitters and end product he produces week in week out at the minute.
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Molyneux is our best player at the minute, yes he’s missed a few chances but a lot of them he’s created himself.
The MK dons game he was unplayable
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Molyneux is our best player at the minute, yes he’s missed a few chances but a lot of them he’s created himself.
The MK dons game he was unplayable
Sorry but those 2 shocking missed sitters early in the second half at Harrogate whilst the score still 1-1 cost us the game - even worse for me is his entire body language suggests he wasn't that surprised - which is why he's a league 2 payer at best.
Can't have it always lads - blaming defenders for missing 1 header out of 20 and allowing forwards unlimited licence for mistakes isn't telling it how it is.
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Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
Bailey
Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal
Can't leave out Molyneux
I can, and I would . I’m afraid at the minute he has far too many 5 and 6 out of ten performances than 7 and 8 out of ten. I hope it improves
No chance. Our xg is way down when he isn’t in the side. A lot of our attacking play goes through him
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Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
Bailey
Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal
Can't leave out Molyneux
I can, and I would . I’m afraid at the minute he has far too many 5 and 6 out of ten performances than 7 and 8 out of ten. I hope it improves
If Moly’s scores have been 5 or 6, how would you rate Faal’s last half a dozen games?
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The same, but Faal is more of a goal threat
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The future has to be Faulkner and McGrath building up an understanding. To me Faulkner deserves a chance, but please not next to Olowu though. The last time this happened Olowu was tackling Faulkner in their own area.
Bailey in front of them giving plenty of support.
Only downside is the goalkeepers not giving the young defenders too much confidence or relieving pressure as neither rarely come out to collect any crosses.
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Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
Bailey
Close Rowe
Carty Ironside Faal
Can't leave out Molyneux
I can, and I would . I’m afraid at the minute he has far too many 5 and 6 out of ten performances than 7 and 8 out of ten. I hope it improves
Showtime?
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The same, but Faal is more of a goal threat
really??at the minute molyneux is the only player we have that can get the ball and run and try and take defenders on in the team,hopefully Saturday Newport will have their minds on the midweek cup replay
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Moly is a good player and a great asset. I'm sure he'll be the first to say he'd liked to have scored more goals but, he's been a bit unlucky hitting the woodwork several times. Does he always make the right decision to go for goal or lay off? Maybe not all the time but one's things for sure, he goes at teams and really tries to create those chances. He's probably one that every opposition team highlights as a threat.
By other players standards he's probably a 7 or 8 everytime but maybe because we expect much from him, we tend to downgrade him a bit.
With just a little bit more composure and maybe taking on the shot or cross a little earlier, he'd be in double figures by now.
That last goal he scored at the eco was a cracker, taking on the shot without hesitation and curling it beautifully into the corner with pace.
That's why he's difficult to leave out of the team, plus he's versitile and can play from deeper too. Nothing wrong though in keeping him fresh and hungry by bringing him on as a sub from time to time to have that impact. What we need is someone also who can be a similar threat to compete with him
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The team that I would like to see and the team that end up being picked are two completely different picks I would assume.
Basing on the players I believe are fit or just about fit, my team would look something like
Jones
Sterry Bailey McGrath Senior
Craig
Close Rowe
Hurst Ironside Molly
But that’s unlikely to be seen out on the pitch
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In total games played this season,goals scored,assists and minutes
Luke M
35 played
3 goals
6 assists
2533 minutes
Mo F
33 played
9 goals
1 assist
2352 minutes
This isn’t a pop at Luke I just think we are more likely to get goals through Mo at the minute
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The team that I would like to see and the team that end up being picked are two completely different picks I would assume.
Basing on the players I believe are fit or just about fit, my team would look something like
Jones
Sterry Bailey McGrath Senior
Craig
Close Rowe
Hurst Ironside Molly
But that’s unlikely to be seen out on the pitch
I'd go same as this, but replace Hurst with Carty. Seems Hurst is struggling with fitness, Olowu could do with some time out the firing line. I'm a Faal fan, but he could do with a rest, and gives Carty a chance to show what he can do
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Moly is a good player and a great asset. I'm sure he'll be the first to say he'd liked to have scored more goals but, he's been a bit unlucky hitting the woodwork several times. Does he always make the right decision to go for goal or lay off? Maybe not all the time but one's things for sure, he goes at teams and really tries to create those chances. He's probably one that every opposition team highlights as a threat.
By other players standards he's probably a 7 or 8 everytime but maybe because we expect much from him, we tend to downgrade him a bit.
With just a little bit more composure and maybe taking on the shot or cross a little earlier, he'd be in double figures by now.
That last goal he scored at the eco was a cracker, taking on the shot without hesitation and curling it beautifully into the corner with pace.
That's why he's difficult to leave out of the team, plus he's versitile and can play from deeper too. Nothing wrong though in keeping him fresh and hungry by bringing him on as a sub from time to time to have that impact. What we need is someone also who can be a similar threat to compete with him
100% this
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In total games played this season,goals scored,assists and minutes
Luke M
35 played
3 goals
6 assists
2533 minutes
Mo F
33 played
9 goals
1 assist
2352 minutes
This isn’t a pop at Luke I just think we are more likely to get goals through Mo at the minute
Moly’s played a lot at wing back. Faal‘s a striker so of course you’d expect him to have more of a goal threat. Faal was great earlier on but has been poor recently and doesn’t seem to really fit into the wide forward role. For me Moly would be more effective in the forward role currently.
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New goalposts constructed for rest of season at the Eco power. Inflatable so easily transported at half time.
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It’s time to look at building a few new partnerships. I would look at trying to work with Faulkner and McGrath as our future central defensive partnership. I think Bailey and Craig will give us more energy and ball winning ability in midfield. With the class of Close in front of them. The front three for me pick themselves, they will do the job if given enough quality balls. Lawlor for me is the better of the two goalkeepers, though I do think we need better.
Newport like to play 5-3-2 away from home, this midfield would have the energy to win the middle of the field battle, that we have been losing most games. We would be able to get a foothold and some control of the game. It’s time to make changes, a lot of players have had their opportunities and failed. We won’t climb the league with our current line up.
Lawlor
Faulkner. McGrath
Sterry. Senior
Bailey. Craig
Close
Faal. Ironside. Molyneux
Subs Carty, Rowe, Broadbent, Biggins, Nixon, Olowu, Jones
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I just can't see McCann going with a totally new pairing at the back for this one. As suggested, I think the possibility of Faulkener and McGrath starting is more likely v Wigan.
If he does make changes, then you'd certainly hope Faulkener gets his chance first along with either Bailey or Olowu however, you'd think these pairings are being assessed in training this week and he'll base his selection on what he sees.
In midfield, I do think Craig has every chance of starting with Close and/or Bailey and/or Rowe (depending if Bailey's requited at CB)
Then up front, stick with Faal with Carty on the bench again, unless Carty's shown up really well in training.
That's about as on the fence as I can get!!
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The current 8th wonder of the world is you did we beat Hull City away in the League Cup ( yes I know first round is notorious for fluke giant killings - they beat Charlton 3-1 at home in that cup despite being outplayed) and then lose 4-0 away to this mob who i pencilled in for a bottom 4 place .
from what i can see they have 4 clean sheets in the league ( one of those being our scalp) we have 4 in the league .
just remembered my financial benefactor Mr Bogle is still there -
Hopefully they will treat the match as a training exercise with us being the bandits at 3 o'clock (not 2 o'clock)
as they scramble a team together prior to shooting down the Spitfires next week
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It’s time to look at building a few new partnerships. I would look at trying to work with Faulkner and McGrath as our future central defensive partnership. I think Bailey and Craig will give us more energy and ball winning ability in midfield. With the class of Close in front of them. The front three for me pick themselves, they will do the job if given enough quality balls. Lawlor for me is the better of the two goalkeepers, though I do think we need better.
Newport like to play 5-3-2 away from home, this midfield would have the energy to win the middle of the field battle, that we have been losing most games. We would be able to get a foothold and some control of the game. It’s time to make changes, a lot of players have had their opportunities and failed. We won’t climb the league with our current line up.
Lawlor
Faulkner. McGrath
Sterry. Senior
Bailey. Craig
Close
Faal. Ironside. Molyneux
Subs Carty, Rowe, Broadbent, Biggins, Nixon, Olowu, Jones
It has to be time to make a new defensive partnership surely. Like this line up, Carty on for Faal and Nixon for Sterry if they look a bit jaded
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Do we know whether Faulkner and McGrath would complement each other? I have no evidence one way or the other as to whether it would work, but it would surely be the sort of risk which I would not have thought GM would take. I could see one or the other starting and the other coming off the bench though.
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We could do with a MKD type first half race into a decent lead and allow changes. I can dream lol
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ForsolongaRover, No we haven't any proof of that at all, but we do that have evidence that the partnerships up to press the last few seasons don't work that well.
We have enough evidence to convict them and throw away the key as it has been every other week for three years.
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ForsolongaRover, No we haven't any proof of that at all, but we do that have evidence that the partnerships up to press the last few seasons don't work that well.
We have enough evidence to convict them and throw away the key as it has been every other week for three years.
Totally correct Selby…. Play the same players get the same result as evidenced far too many times.
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Also, don’t forget that Grant will have had every opportunity this week to see how Faulkner and McGrath could work together.
I do think it would be good to see if they can make it work but in reality I think it is more likely to happen in the Wigan game than on Saturday.
If Faulkner is fully recovered from his injury I think he might see it as a slap in the face if McGrath starts with Olowu or Bailey against Newport.
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It would be strange to see Olowu starting now that there are alternatives available.
He was pulled off a half time a couple of weeks ago and then we were told that that he wasn't able to be coached how McCann wanted a defender to play after the Harrogate game.
I don't think McCann has confidence in Faulkner. Before he was injured he didn't get a chance.
I think it'll be Bailey and McGrath given a chance to put a partnership together.
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Don’t understand how some on here think Moly should be dropped, without him our creativity is next to nothing, yes he misses a few chances but a lot of them he creates for himself, that right footed shot across goal in the second half he made himself and the side footed volley wasn’t as easy as ppl are saying because it was behind him. He’s one of the first names on the team sheet for me.
I’d bring McGrath in for Olowu and partner him with Bailey and then Broadbent in for Biggins (don’t think Craig will be put straight into the starting 11). Would go with Carty or Hurst (if he’s fit) on the left instead of Mo but really do think that McCann is shoehorning him in atm just to make sure West Brom don’t recall him, think we will see him rotated a lot more after this week when the recall deadline has passed.
Jones
Sterry Bailey McGrath Senior
Broadbent Close Rowe
Moly Ironside Faal
Subs:
Bottomley
Olowu
Nixon
Biggins
Craig
Waters
Carty
That’s if Hurst isn’t fit enough for the bench.
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You could bring as many new players as you wanted and change the line ups at the back and attack with any combination you want at the club, but, if those midfield three have a bad game which they have done on a regular basis for a long time they will struggle with no service up front and no movement or protection in front of them at the back.
That's a trio if you were an opposition manager you would set up to be bullied and roughed up and pressurised on the ball, and easy to play through when you have the ball with a distinct lack of pace and physicality in the middle as set up.
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It really doesn't matter who or how we play tomorrow as long as we win, we really need to pick up points to keep away from the scramble at the bottom of this division.
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Overall I have thought performances have been better this season. I have enjoyed more games.
However, we are in the bottom six, have lost more games than we have won or drawn and have the fourth worse goal difference in the league. In my view, and we all have different views and some extreme, praising too many of the old guard doesn't stack up. Under several managers most have shown to be past their best or (despite flashes of promise) not of the required standard.
If we feel we have a good manager then it has to be player quality that is seeing us in a lowly position. Get the new recruits in the team. If McCann has chosen them we must trust his judgement.
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Your post is optimistic about the future results and McCann along with performances. Imo I’m inclined to say the same where performances are concerned , as in a few of the games even when we’ve lost we could have had points to show . But this not that strong a league if your set up is good and our hasn’t been.
McCann has struggled to get a settled first 11 with so many new players coming in and now there’s even more new players coming in it could be 2 steps back before we get the momentum required to push on .
I hope he puts all his new players either in the starting lineup and or the rest on the bench as the supporters want an uplift in results after too many disappointing results at home .
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Your post is optimistic about the future results and McCann along with performances. Imo I’m inclined to say the same where performances are concerned , as in a few of the games even when we’ve lost we could have had points to show . But this not that strong a league if your set up is good and our hasn’t been.
McCann has struggled to get a settled first 11 with so many new players coming in and now there’s even more new players coming in it could be 2 steps back before we get the momentum required to push on .
I hope he puts all his new players either in the starting lineup and or the rest on the bench as the supporters want an uplift in results after too many disappointing results at home .
You could be right but it’s just as possible that you’re pessimistic view could equally be disappointing (obviously for you)
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Would like to see a team like this but think he’ll only start maybe 2 of the new players.
Jones
Sterry Olowu McGrath Senior
Bailey
Close Craig
Waters. Molyneux
Ironside
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Same as last week. Miss sitters, can't defend a cross from the right. Just Ironside missing them today and not Moly
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Who switched off for the throw in?
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Another game where we were the better team and lose. Proper smash and grab.
Ironside had 2 or 3 great chances, moly had one saved and Waters had a couple and looked threatening.
A bit too slow in the build up today, maybe that’s because of the new players still settling in.
Was impressed with McGrath, him or Rowe for MOTM for me.
Fair play to Newport, came with a game plan and played it to perfection, stopping the game and stopping any momentum for us and then took their only chance.
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The Newport number seven looked a very useful player today.
Great movement up front and good with the ball.
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Played for Barry Town last season and is one of this divisions top scorers this season.
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Well and truly mugged yet again paying dearly for missed chances.
The back four looked pretty secure and it was good to see Jones coming out a few times to claim the ball. McGrath looked steady and did most of the basics right.
Waters looked a threat and was very good with the ball getting into some good positions.
I didn't expect Rolls Royce football with the number of changes but we kept a shape and discipline but once again, we failed to capitalise on the spaces we created. At times the ball was like a bar of soap, really fighting to get control and impose ourselves.
The times we did get something going, Newport killed the game with the stoppages.
A very safe debut for Craig, not really offering too much, although he got gradually more involved. Close and Broadbent were also distinctly average, so as a midfield unit, there was no obvious pattern of play.
Once again, a team who did very little to earn three points, kicks us in the goolies!
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I’ve just remembered that we should have had a pen for a two handed push in the back of McGrath in the second half.
A corner to the back post area was headed back into the middle of goal, about six yards out.
McGrath was rising to get in a header on goal but a defender clearly pushed him, with two hands in the middle of his back, away from the ball.
As clear a foul as you could ever see, unless you are an American referee.
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Problem is Pancho, how many times this season have we said "If we'd just taken those half chances" or "If we'd been a bit more switched on in defence".
We're kidding ourselves. Good teams take their chances, make better ones and defend better. Poor teams don't.
Barring a brief spell of 7 or so games in the autumn, we have been a poor team all season. Other than those 7 games, we've won 13 points in the other 20. That's not due to bad luck or the odd player having an off day.
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Problem is Pancho, how many times this season have we said "If we'd just taken those half chances" or "If we'd been a bit more switched on in defence".
We're kidding ourselves. Good teams take their chances, make better ones and defend better. Poor teams don't.
Barring a brief spell of 7 or so games in the autumn, we have been a poor team all season. Other than those 7 games, we've won 13 points in the other 20. That's not due to bad luck or the odd player having an off day.
Every other person who’s seen that game doesn’t describe Ironsides chances as half chances. Only you, maybe that should tell you something
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Just seen the clips. The two Ironside chances in the first half are more than half chances. I’m talking about the one where Broadbent heads it back across for him and the other one from the free kick that McGrath knocked down. They’re not sitters as such as they’re both instinctive efforts, he’s just unlucky they don’t fall a bit kinder for him really, but they are chances that would quite often result in a goal I suspect, given the proximity to goal, position, and only really having the goalkeeper to beat.
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Radio Sheffield commentary said after 10 minutes McCann was livid about lack of intensity in our opening play. McCann himself keeps coming back to this as well. We are just so rarely ever on the front foot. I get that keeping that tempo up for 90 minutes is impossible but how about just the opening 9 minutes? It is more noticeable this season than most that you can tell in the opening few minutes whether we are up for it or not.
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Radio Sheffield commentary said after 10 minutes McCann was livid about lack of intensity in our opening play. McCann himself keeps coming back to this as well. We are just so rarely ever on the front foot. I get that keeping that tempo up for 90 minutes is impossible but how about just the opening 9 minutes? It is more noticeable this season than most that you can tell in the opening few minutes whether we are up for it or not.
I noticed in the second half, when we won a free kick, he was fuming at Moly for taking his time getting to his feet rather than jumping up, taking a quick one down the line to create a 2 on 1 opportunity for us.
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Radio Sheffield commentary said after 10 minutes McCann was livid about lack of intensity in our opening play. McCann himself keeps coming back to this as well. We are just so rarely ever on the front foot. I get that keeping that tempo up for 90 minutes is impossible but how about just the opening 9 minutes? It is more noticeable this season than most that you can tell in the opening few minutes whether we are up for it or not.
It’s Close’s job to set the tempo in the middle of the park. A kid who’s only played u23 football isn’t going to come in and do it on his debut.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Close is padding out his pass completion stats in a backwards and sideways manner so he can get a move to Crawley or something in the summer.
Westbrooke has a lot more drive about him.
Harry Wood - who I thought Grant would sign went to Grimsby and scored on his debut. Nice.
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Who switched off for the throw in?
Just after the announcement that he was the sponsors man of the match, McGrath mistimed his jump to clear the ball which went over his head straight onto the Newport players foot which all he had to do was swing it.
Unfortunate but it was a poor game in a poor league which neither team deserved to win.
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Who switched off for the throw in?
Just after the announcement that he was the sponsors man of the match, McGrath mistimed his jump to clear the ball which went over his head straight onto the Newport players foot which all he had to do was swing it.
Unfortunate but it was a poor game in a poor league which neither team deserved to win.
McGrath wasn’t gonna get that header anyway.
Poor from Biggins to stand off the man and let him cross it with his strong foot.
Nixon was goal side of the goalscorer and then switched off for a second and paid the price for that.
Bailey should’ve been closer to Nixon when the cross came in.
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Let’s not forget that it was a very good cross into a dangerous area and terrific movement by the player who scored.
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Let’s not forget that it was a very good cross into a dangerous area and terrific movement by the player who scored.
yes it was I agree but it was avoidable from a defensive point of view.
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Let’s not forget that it was a very good cross into a dangerous area and terrific movement by the player who scored.
yes it was I agree but it was avoidable from a defensive point of view.
Yep, all goals are preventable.
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Radio Sheffield commentary said after 10 minutes McCann was livid about lack of intensity in our opening play. McCann himself keeps coming back to this as well. We are just so rarely ever on the front foot. I get that keeping that tempo up for 90 minutes is impossible but how about just the opening 9 minutes? It is more noticeable this season than most that you can tell in the opening few minutes whether we are up for it or not.
2 games recently we started with high intensity, Mansfield & MK Dons, & we were the better side in both. It's a conundrum why we don't start every game like it. We made a very poor Newport side look like Barcelona in the first 10 minutes. Newport, 1 place above us, in league 2, at home. Do certain players lack motivation, or the team as a whole. Think it's a Frant problem to sort.
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Radio Sheffield commentary said after 10 minutes McCann was livid about lack of intensity in our opening play. McCann himself keeps coming back to this as well. We are just so rarely ever on the front foot. I get that keeping that tempo up for 90 minutes is impossible but how about just the opening 9 minutes? It is more noticeable this season than most that you can tell in the opening few minutes whether we are up for it or not.
We are constantly hearing this comment and yet nothing appears to be working in respect to solving it. If there are 2 more possible incomings we need it in midfield, everything stems from that area of the pitch. We are both defensively and attacking poor due to our mega poor midfield
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I notice one thing a lot. And that is other teams seem to receive the ball and know what to do with it immediately. Where their team mates are, who will be in a position to receive a pass.
Whereas Rovers receive the ball. Have a good think about what to do with it. Maybe get the ball taken away from them. If not, pass to someone who is already marked by 2 or 3 opposition players or back to the GK.
I don’t understand how GM accepts this tbh.
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Radio Sheffield commentary said after 10 minutes McCann was livid about lack of intensity in our opening play. McCann himself keeps coming back to this as well. We are just so rarely ever on the front foot. I get that keeping that tempo up for 90 minutes is impossible but how about just the opening 9 minutes? It is more noticeable this season than most that you can tell in the opening few minutes whether we are up for it or not.
We are constantly hearing this comment and yet nothing appears to be working in respect to solving it. If there are 2 more possible incomings we need it in midfield, everything stems from that area of the pitch. We are both defensively and attacking poor due to our mega poor midfield
So why were we so fast out of the blocks v MK Dons? As I said on another thread we sat back in the second half (and was told this was us containing them), but you could say that we became complacent (and perhaps a bit fortunate). So, put another way, 45 minutes of pressure is about all we can manage!
Effort/intensity is not skill it’s working hard, like in any job! It’s something that the casual fan (if there are any left) will not forgive easily.
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Radio Sheffield commentary said after 10 minutes McCann was livid about lack of intensity in our opening play. McCann himself keeps coming back to this as well. We are just so rarely ever on the front foot. I get that keeping that tempo up for 90 minutes is impossible but how about just the opening 9 minutes? It is more noticeable this season than most that you can tell in the opening few minutes whether we are up for it or not.
We are constantly hearing this comment and yet nothing appears to be working in respect to solving it. If there are 2 more possible incomings we need it in midfield, everything stems from that area of the pitch. We are both defensively and attacking poor due to our mega poor midfield
So why were we so fast out of the blocks v MK Dons? As I said on another thread we sat back in the second half (and was told this was us containing them), but you could say that we became complacent (and perhaps a bit fortunate). So, put another way, 45 minutes of pressure is about all we can manage!
Effort/intensity is not skill it’s working hard, like in any job! It’s something that the casual fan (if there are any left) will not forgive easily.
If we knew the answer we wouldn’t be in the mess we find ourselves in
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We have no fitness to be a front foot team. McCann needs to take some blame for that after having the players all summer.
Also we are so slow at any restart that I thought it must be tactical. Aren’t your own throw ins one of the areas you are most vulnerable from or something like that?
If that’s the case it’s a bit negative and not what I’d expect from a McCann side. If he doesn’t like how slow we are it should be simple to sort in training. These people get paid to practice so let’s get some moneys worth out of it.
Sick of watching us take an ages to get the ball in play. Would be one thing if we always kept the ball nicely after taking our time but it’s never working
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Radio Sheffield commentary said after 10 minutes McCann was livid about lack of intensity in our opening play. McCann himself keeps coming back to this as well. We are just so rarely ever on the front foot. I get that keeping that tempo up for 90 minutes is impossible but how about just the opening 9 minutes? It is more noticeable this season than most that you can tell in the opening few minutes whether we are up for it or not.
We are constantly hearing this comment and yet nothing appears to be working in respect to solving it. If there are 2 more possible incomings we need it in midfield, everything stems from that area of the pitch. We are both defensively and attacking poor due to our mega poor midfield
So why were we so fast out of the blocks v MK Dons? As I said on another thread we sat back in the second half (and was told this was us containing them), but you could say that we became complacent (and perhaps a bit fortunate). So, put another way, 45 minutes of pressure is about all we can manage!
Effort/intensity is not skill it’s working hard, like in any job! It’s something that the casual fan (if there are any left) will not forgive easily.
If we knew the answer we wouldn’t be in the mess we find ourselves in
Is the answer so elusive? Is it not just a question of application - getting “stuck in” as we used to say?