Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on March 03, 2024, 12:29:48 am
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I guess the big question is will this game be played on Tuesday? tneir ground in a bit of a state and not that great a forecast between now and Tuesday.
I was really disappointed with the performance at Walsall as regards to the pace we played at when we had the ball, it was a return to type, slowly passing from side to side at the back, Walsall like many before not bothering to press happy to wait for the mistake we made playing in front of them, and we showed little of the snap we had in midfield in the last few games, or our new found combative side of the game.
Add just simple balls from set pieces causing havoc every time from corners and we got what we deserved from the game, nothing.
Can we bounce back against another form side? will we change the approach and team? play like that again and I can see us getting another battering, play like we have the last few games and we can get something out of the game.
So can we start another little run of unbeaten games? Bradford will be well rested, we have a bit of a score to settle after the shoeing we got there in the cup, and have just played on another glue pot that saps the energy while they had their feet up no doubt watching our poor performance and dribbling at the prospect of playing us just a few days ahead.
Lots to talk about, some side issues from the EFL game for individuals to settle, and our team to find the spark they have shown recently after a poor performance at Walsall.
At the top of our game we can match them and most in this division, but we can be downright poor, what do you think? please have your say.
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Bradford last game was against Wycombe on the 21st Feb, well rested they will be but surely this can only play into Rovers hands. A bad result on Saturday granted but with a chance to bounce straight back against a team who I belive have only had training for the last 11 days due to postponements. I'm hoping the whole Tuesday, Saturday games we have had now comes into its own where we can indeed bounce back with more players than ever now available once again and a couple of changes to the starting 11 made to put a dominate performance in with a few goals scored to boot.
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I had a free bet (it was over a tenna ) on Rovers to win that whatever cup at 80/1 and had planned to hedge when we "got through" against Bradford so was right peeved off with poxy Bradford.
Sammy Chung you recall was about a minute away from collecting on Sutton in the final against Rotherham the other year at about 100/1
If we could beat these on Tuesday then I still think with luck we could scrape into the upper echelon come judgement day even though 2/3 of my cash was "cashed out" at no great loss
I have Bradford down for very close to 12th position if we don't beat them
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They don’t have great home form in the league this season. While they don’t lose that many (only three this season - the same as Stockport and Walsall) they don’t win many either (six which is less than our eight for example). They are among the lowest home scorers in League Two with just 20 goals, and only Gillingham and Forest Green scoring fewer at home.
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Looks like we might be without Wood ties in with Cook being back available.
Agree with the thoughts on Walsall thought we gave them far too much respect and just played the ball about without hurting them.
Although Hurst scored he was pretty anonymous and we missed Moly so fingers crossed he is available just in case the game goes ahead
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Looks like we might be without Wood ties in with Cook being back available.
Agree with the thoughts on Walsall thought we gave them far too much respect and just played the ball about without hurting them.
Although Hurst scored he was pretty anonymous and we missed Moly so fingers crossed he is available just in case the game goes ahead
Do we know yet why Moly was missing.
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Tight glute. Shouldn’t be out for long.
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Tight glute. Shouldn’t be out for long.
Sounds like a pain in the arse more than anything.
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Bradford have won the last 3 encounters with us. They probably like playing us.
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We’re a much better side then the one they faced in December
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We last played Bradford City (away) on 30 January.
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We’re a much better side than the BSM tie
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We were not any better on Saturday, but we are capable of playing a lot better.
Bradford have the option in this game of using the same tactics as Walsall, in the cup game they tried to force the game giving us more room to play and chances to get behind their defence, and we played well on the night.
What we have done is struggle against the tactics Walsall used on more than one occasion this season, and other teams know it, we have to find a way to counter act it and players that can win ugly.
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We last played Bradford City (away) on 30 January.
Obviously meant the league game.
You are very odd
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We were not any better on Saturday, but we are capable of playing a lot better.
Bradford have the option in this game of using the same tactics as Walsall, in the cup game they tried to force the game giving us more room to play and chances to get behind their defence, and we played well on the night.
What we have done is struggle against the tactics Walsall used on more than one occasion this season, and other teams know it, we have to find a way to counter act it and players that can win ugly.
We were much better on Saturday than we were in almost every game before jan
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I probably agree apart from the defending from set pieces, but then it is a low starting level before Christmas and shouldn't be that hard to attain.
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Tight glute. Shouldn’t be out for long.
As he got Scottish blood in him?
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This is probably irrelevant at this late stage but I just noticed on the Bradford City official site that away tickets can be purchased on the day, by accessing the club's away ticket website via QR codes posted at the away turnstiles.
This is contrary to information in the Away Day Guide by our SLO on the Rovers website.
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Correct me if I’m wrong but I think Richie Smallwood is suspended for tonight’s game. He schooled our midfield in the December game.
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Looking forward to tonight. I hope ifollow is back up to standard after the visual atrocity of Saturday
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Looking forward to tonight. I hope ifollow is back up to standard after the visual atrocity of Saturday
Are we talking ‘capitulation’ here or ‘buffering’!
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Just one change with Moly coming in for Hurst.
Hope they get the organisation at set pieces sorted and the keeper is back to his commanding self.
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Looking forward to tonight. I hope ifollow is back up to standard after the visual atrocity of Saturday
Are we talking ‘capitulation’ here or ‘buffering’!
Definitely nearer capitulation
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Just had a bet on Andy cook to score and Bradford to win so hopefully that will sort them out as I never win
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Bradford commentator just said we know the pitch is bad, play it long, chase em down and smash someone.
Injuries coming tonight again
Games shouldn't be allowed on this pitch
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Looking forward to tonight. I hope ifollow is back up to standard after the visual atrocity of Saturday
How's your going.......mine buffering
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A mile offside but I’ll take it.
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A mile offside but I’ll take it.
Rubbish :chair:
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Best half of the season, that.
Bradford obviously haven't done their homework from Satdi. Playing the aggressive high pressure and we are finding space to play through them.
I'm starting to feel confident about next year. Most teams play this way and I think we have something coming together that can beat it.
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Best half of the season, that.
Bradford obviously haven't done their homework from Satdi. Playing the aggressive high pressure and we are finding space to play through them.
I'm starting to feel confident about next year. Most teams play this way and I think we have something coming together that can beat it.
Yes. Up there with the first half at home v MK.
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That's a really dissappinting goal to concede. Jamie Sterry is culpable there. The more I've seen of him, I don't think he's up to the standard we need
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A mile offside but I’ll take it.
Rubbish :chair:
Was never offside
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Reight enjoyed that. We're definitely going in the right direction.
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That was good. We played football throughout bar last 10 minutes, on a terrible surface.
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That's a really dissappinting goal to concede. Jamie Sterry is culpable there. The more I've seen of him, I don't think he's up to the standard we need
Last 2 games Sterry has been responsible for 3 goals now, I think hes got too comfortable in the right back spot and the performances are suffering as he doesn't seem to have any competition for the shirt.
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I would suggest that Nixon is decent competition for the RB role.
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Before game I said to r old boy, I'm surprised Sterry starting and Nixon hasn't come in.
Be even more surprised on sat if there isn't a change there.
Last two games poor from Sterry.
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How nixon has been tossed to 1 side is beyond me. Nothing i have seen this season suggests sterry is better
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A proper performance that does show we are miles from where we were last season.
They all put a huge shift in, I am no fan of Biggins, but he did too, even if his quality is poor, he always tries and has been better of late.
Maxwell was outstanding, along with Craig.
I thought our forwards were poor, they had a tough game against their defence, but Joe looked knackered from the first minute, Adelukan was trying a bit too hard, and it wasn’t really working for him, but credit for effort, he ran his socks off.
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Thought we were excellent tonight, played with the game with purpose. Once again showed real aggression, and we looked very fit.
Have to agree though on Sterry. Hes a decent footballer, but ive seen him get beat a few times now, when he really should be stopping those crosses. Could never see Bradford scoring all night up until that point.
Maxwell easily MOTM
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I would suggest that Nixon is decent competition for the RB role.
I agree he is competition for the shirt but where is he? Had a slight niggle a while ago and then GM said he's left out due to the squad depth and not even making the bench in the last few weeks so has complacency set in with JS?
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Thanks for the overall round up of the game to the folks on here. I couldn't watch or listen for to work. RE Nixon/Sterry thoughts maybe because Sterry will be here next season and Nixon won't?
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That's a really dissappinting goal to concede. Jamie Sterry is culpable there. The more I've seen of him, I don't think he's up to the standard we need
Last 2 games Sterry has been responsible for 3 goals now, I think hes got too comfortable in the right back spot and the performances are suffering as he doesn't seem to have any competition for the shirt.
Tend to agree, Sterry seems very weak at trying to defend and block crosses. There was a game earlier this season when he pretty much allowed a player to cross a ball without so much as raising a leg to try and block it, which is criminal for a full back....or any player for that matter.
For me, Nixon and Senior both run their blood to water, and although they may not be as cultured going forward, they defend for their lives. No dispute with Maxwell holding down the left back spot but Nixon (if fully fit) deserves another crack at right back.
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For the first time in a long time, I’m left feeling very disappointed with an away point. The trouble is we’re just not putting the game to bed when we are on top.
I would have quite happily taken a point before the game kicked off, but it really does feel like we’ve dropped 2 points. We’re changing for the better, but can we get back to going unbeaten again? Another tough game on Saturday and then it’s Colchester away!
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For the first time in a long time, I’m left feeling very disappointed with an away point. The trouble is we’re just not putting the game to bed when we are on top.
I would have quite happily taken a point before the game kicked off, but it really does feel like we’ve dropped 2 points. We’re changing for the better, but can we get back to going unbeaten again? Another tough game on Saturday and then it’s Colchester away!
Probs because we're missing Miller or, another goalpoacher, although we'd hope Adelakun and or/Max will be contributing in that department.
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I thought at the time that we were going to get pulled up for offside for our goal. I was almost in line and y thought that we had edged in front. The Lino was behind play though.
Nice to share a drink and a natter with Pancho Regan pre match in the Corn Dolly as well.
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Maxwell did play well, but got away with one when he put Cooke through on goal with the perfect pass, but unlike Sterry got away with it.
One glaring mistake each, he was the lucky one. Apart from that I thought we competed well, and what little good football was played on a mud bath we showed it.
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Nixon hopes to be here next season. That from the horses mouth.
Can’t understand why he doesn’t seem to be in GM’s plans as Sterry has flattered to deceive thus far for me.
He was culpable for Walsall’s first goal on Saturday & his poor marking, capability to put in a tackle & lack of pace (I appreciate it was towards the end of a game played on a clay bed) cost us 3 points tonight.
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Sterry had a decent game barring the cross. How good were Maxwell, Craig and Biggins though.
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Very good tonight. Very good starting 11 that I think would compete with most of the league as well. Sterry just seems to not want it as much as the rest of the team. Beat way I can describe it without offending people what I really think is wrong with him.
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I would suggest that Nixon is decent competition for the RB role.
McCann would seem to disagree, sadly.
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Yes , and good enough all round to make a Point a great disappointment for me
And a word for the Ref (just checked it's not allowed in print)
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We look a much better side when Molyneux plays in my opinion. His absence v Walsall made a difference.
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The highlights make it look an even game but it was not ..we were in possession and in control for most of the game .That pitch made ball control a lottery and Adalekun and Craig were both unable to display their expansive qualities on that surface .
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Bradford vlog. What an irritating bloke.
https://youtu.be/Z6ZnIiFFiIg?si=cVPN9mMKUbCQvQQ5
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I enjoyed that last night put performances like that in towards end of season maintain the form we have done for last 6 or 7 games and we will have finished season decent to give us some momentum going into next season.
Looking forward to seeing what McCann does next season after another summer but last night on a shit pitch we looked a good footballing team.
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I thought at the time that we were going to get pulled up for offside for our goal. I was almost in line and y thought that we had edged in front. The Lino was behind play though.
Nice to share a drink and a natter with Pancho Regan pre match in the Corn Dolly as well.
It was a pleasure to meet you and your Granddaughter last night Idler, really enjoyed your company.
We were the better team last night and I really enjoyed our performance. We deserved to win, no doubt about it. I was always a bit concerned that we didn't convert on of those chances we had, because at 1-0 it just takes one moment for the opposition to equalise, which is what happened.
Two points dropped there but a very encouraging performance.
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Maybe if Nixon is getting no game time GM is trying to get the price to come down for him from Hull.
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I thought at the time that we were going to get pulled up for offside for our goal. I was almost in line and y thought that we had edged in front. The Lino was behind play though.
Nice to share a drink and a natter with Pancho Regan pre match in the Corn Dolly as well.
It was a pleasure to meet you and your Granddaughter last night Idler, really enjoyed your company.
We were the better team last night and I really enjoyed our performance. We deserved to win, no doubt about it. I was always a bit concerned that we didn't convert on of those chances we had, because at 1-0 it just takes one moment for the opposition to equalise, which is what happened.
Two points dropped there but a very encouraging performance.
I agree with all of that Neil. We just can’t seem to keep a clean sheet. I don’t know what game the ref was watching either. I’d love to see the assessor’s report. It seemed a long walk back to the car and no gym this morning as my leg and foot are killing me. Hopefully I’ll be OK to make it on Saturday.
Maybe see you in the Corn Dolly when we play City next season? There will be a few more Rovers fans in if it is a Saturday. I’ll certainly have more family there if it is.
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That's a really dissappinting goal to concede. Jamie Sterry is culpable there. The more I've seen of him, I don't think he's up to the standard we need
Yes, Sterry just let the winger run around him, but we were unlucky that Smyth was on the other end of the cross because his touch was exquisite, whether it was pure skill or luck - probably a bit of both.
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I thought at the time that we were going to get pulled up for offside for our goal. I was almost in line and y thought that we had edged in front. The Lino was behind play though.
Nice to share a drink and a natter with Pancho Regan pre match in the Corn Dolly as well.
It was a pleasure to meet you and your Granddaughter last night Idler, really enjoyed your company.
We were the better team last night and I really enjoyed our performance. We deserved to win, no doubt about it. I was always a bit concerned that we didn't convert on of those chances we had, because at 1-0 it just takes one moment for the opposition to equalise, which is what happened.
Two points dropped there but a very encouraging performance.
I agree with all of that Neil. We just can’t seem to keep a clean sheet. I don’t know what game the ref was watching either. I’d love to see the assessor’s report. It seemed a long walk back to the car and no gym this morning as my leg and foot are killing me. Hopefully I’ll be OK to make it on Saturday.
Maybe see you in the Corn Dolly when we play City next season? There will be a few more Rovers fans in if it is a Saturday. I’ll certainly have more family there if it is.
Yes, I'll make it my 'go-to' pub before all future games at Valley Parade Dave!
Sorry we got split up as we entered the ground but I realised they had just kicked off so I didn't hang about!
You're right about the ref, he was dealing those cards out so frequently I thought it was his night off from Napoleon's down the road.
I was convinced there would be at least one red before the end, which would have been ridiculous.
I don't think either Manager would be pleased with the ref's performance, and of course they both got yellows too!
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The three games against Bradford are a microcosm of our season to me.
In the first game we were well beaten poor in midfield and at the back where Cook ran the show.
In the EFL cup game we were kicked off the field while playing well at the start of a little resurgence, and a light bulb moment we can compete after the game but were a soft touch to their heavy handed play and a very poor official that let dangerous play go on from start to finish of the game, and we came out second best in a close encounter, but since are no longer just rolling over.
Last night we had the resolve to match their physicality and bullying tactics in mid field, with Anderson and Wood being the rocks our game was built on giving out as much as they were getting Cook lucky not to walk for a high tackle on Anderson and a shadow of the player in the first game.
The little slick passing football in the game was played by us, and we dished as much out as they did in the dark arts area of the game, and for much of the game controlled the pace of the game, slowing it down to their and their crowds frustration.
We are ahead of them now as a football team, their bubble looking burst when it comes to cohesive passing play, and we at last are sticking up for ourselves and earning the right to play.
We still have a way to go, and Crewe will be a big test of our consistency after being below the par of late at Walsall, but we look to be getting there and no team plays well every game.
Good teams beat good teams at their level, we now need to start beating the better teams like Crewe in the division to gain confidence for next season.
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We look a much better side when Molyneux plays in my opinion. His absence v Walsall made a difference.
Dead right. I hope we are having new contract talks with him.
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We look a much better side when Molyneux plays in my opinion. His absence v Walsall made a difference.
Dead right. I hope we are having new contract talks with him.
Agree 100%
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I have to say having watched the game on ifollow, I thought the commentary from the 2 home guys was the most fair and unbiased (if not totally) commentary I've heard from any game I've watched on TV for god knows how long. Very complimentary to Rovers at times saying we played at a high tempo with lots of energy and no little skill. They picked out James Maxwell as outstanding and his effort deserved a goal. A pleasant change to listen to 2 commentators give a well balanced commentary on the game instead of hearing Rovers this, Rovers that, dirty team etc. etc. well done guys and thank you.
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I agree , and their views on the Ref mirrored what I thought and have posted on Rate the Ref
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I'd go with that re: Moly. Definitely offer Maxwell and Faulkner something as well, and possibly Westbrooke (although if there is a cheaper alternative that can do the same job, I wouldn't be against it) and probably let go of the rest. Biggins has been decent recently but I still think we need better if we're serious about aiming for the top end of this league.
As for last night, I thought we were decent for the first 80 minutes and looked good for a win. Frustrating that we couldn't get the 2nd goal to ensure the win, but I think we can be encouraged by the performance on a really difficult pitch. To say we're not the most "rough and ready" team I thought we handled it really well. I thought Craig was good, as was Maxwell, and Biggins had another decent game. Adelakun and Ironside weren't at their best but I think they can be forgiven for that, considering how well they've both done in previous games.
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I'd go with that re: Moly. Definitely offer Maxwell and Faulkner something as well, and possibly Westbrooke (although if there is a cheaper alternative that can do the same job, I wouldn't be against it) and probably let go of the rest. Biggins has been decent recently but I still think we need better if we're serious about aiming for the top end of this league.
As for last night, I thought we were decent for the first 80 minutes and looked good for a win. Frustrating that we couldn't get the 2nd goal to ensure the win, but I think we can be encouraged by the performance on a really difficult pitch. To say we're not the most "rough and ready" team I thought we handled it really well. I thought Craig was good, as was Maxwell, and Biggins had another decent game. Adelakun and Ironside weren't at their best but I think they can be forgiven for that, considering how well they've both done in previous games.
After this season can anyone tell me why Faulkner deserves a new contract? I get he's young and had potential but he has done absolutely nothing to warrant a new contract, hasn't been out on loan for the majority of the season, played very few games although has been injured but all that aside why does he deserve a new contract, he's brought less than Biggins to the team but people are happy to let him go but mention Faulkner and its like he's the messiah and he must be signed, what am I missing??
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I'd go with that re: Moly. Definitely offer Maxwell and Faulkner something as well, and possibly Westbrooke (although if there is a cheaper alternative that can do the same job, I wouldn't be against it) and probably let go of the rest. Biggins has been decent recently but I still think we need better if we're serious about aiming for the top end of this league.
As for last night, I thought we were decent for the first 80 minutes and looked good for a win. Frustrating that we couldn't get the 2nd goal to ensure the win, but I think we can be encouraged by the performance on a really difficult pitch. To say we're not the most "rough and ready" team I thought we handled it really well. I thought Craig was good, as was Maxwell, and Biggins had another decent game. Adelakun and Ironside weren't at their best but I think they can be forgiven for that, considering how well they've both done in previous games.
After this season can anyone tell me why Faulkner deserves a new contract? I get he's young and had potential but he has done absolutely nothing to warrant a new contract, hasn't been out on loan for the majority of the season, played very few games although has been injured but all that aside why does he deserve a new contract, he's brought less than Biggins to the team but people are happy to let him go but mention Faulkner and its like he's the messiah and he must be signed, what am I missing??
Answered your own question... he's young and has a lot of potential. Worth keeping for the future even if he's not featured much this season, albeit we need to manage his development better I think.
I don't think he's the messiah at all. I don't think he's anywhere near ready for L2, and it remains to be seen whether he will in future, but he has enough promise to justify keeping him around.
Comparing with Biggins is like comparing apples and oranges. Biggins is 28 this month and is likely at the peak of how good he's going to be. To treat a 19 y/o player the same way based on his first-team contribution would be very muddled thinking if you ask me.
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That's a really dissappinting goal to concede. Jamie Sterry is culpable there. The more I've seen of him, I don't think he's up to the standard we need
Maybe a bit harsh on sterry.
Tired legs at end of game on heavy pitch & perhaps keeper could have done better?
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Keeper should have saved that
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Really poor goalkeeping again. Same as the 3rd goal against Walsall.
Not too surprising that such a young, inexperienced keeper is starting to make mistakes for all his promise.
It may be best to take him out of the firing line at this point. He's here to help Rovers, and has done so, he's not here to have his confidence shattered by the club.
I don't think Jones would have conceded either of the 2 goals I've referenced.
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Footballers make mistakes, but if a goalkeeper makes one then it’s usually a goal.
You can’t drag him out the team because he’s made a couple of mistakes.
He’s a far better goalkeeper than jones,
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TLT is way in front of Jones IMO and he isn’t afraid to get into the mix and catch or punch the ball away.
One punch clear at Bradford was terrific under pressure from their big men.
Jones is more likely to be rooted to his line.
The Tyler Smith goal last night was an instinctive poke at a good ball into the box and went over the keepers head at pace from around six to eight yards out.
Sometimes those shots go in and sometimes they hit the keeper.
This time it went in, it happens.
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Really poor goalkeeping again. Same as the 3rd goal against Walsall.
Not too surprising that such a young, inexperienced keeper is starting to make mistakes for all his promise.
It may be best to take him out of the firing line at this point. He's here to help Rovers, and has done so, he's not here to have his confidence shattered by the club.
I don't think Jones would have conceded either of the 2 goals I've referenced.
Seriously?
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We look a much better side when Molyneux plays in my opinion. His absence v Walsall made a difference.
Dead right. I hope we are having new contract talks with him.
If we weren't on Tuesday, I assume we will be doing at 9am Monday. The lad was superb today and he's revelling in this new style where we are breaking quickly from the transition and trying to turn defenders.
Really important player for next year.