A gallant effort

[BillyStubbsTears]

Agreed Gaz, and our approach depends on us, sometimes, drawing ina player or two from the opposition midfield to open gaps that we can play into.

But that choice, that time, was barmy, given the position of our players and the 4-5 Southampton players that were surrounding Bailey. There's got to be a balance and doing that 7 minutes in, against a side with quick, alert youngsters seemed barmy. Way too much risk for any likely benefit.

I hope we learn from it because we aren't going to survive if we do that regularly.

[colincramb]

Just contrasting barnsley’s efforts in this first half against a very strong Liverpool team to ours on Saturday and its night and day. They’ve been everything that we weren’t - strong, organised, aggressive, brave in possession. Obviously they aren’t exactly having a great season themselves but it’s everything we weren’t, which is worrying.

[Prez]

Just contrasting barnsley’s efforts in this first half against a very strong Liverpool team to ours on Saturday and its night and day. They’ve been everything that we weren’t - strong, organised, aggressive, brave in possession. Obviously they aren’t exactly having a great season themselves but it’s everything we weren’t, which is worrying.

Keillor-Dunn is a proper centre forward at our level.

Wish we had someone like him.

[Bills view]

McGrath did exactly the same pass earlier in the season which cost us a goal as Broadbent made a mistake I think. Pretty much the only option to the midfielder is a pass back to the keeper given the intense pressure so why give the pass. Why the risk for little gain.

[redarmi66]

McGrath did exactly the same pass earlier in the season which cost us a goal as Broadbent made a mistake I think. Pretty much the only option to the midfielder is a pass back to the keeper given the intense pressure so why give the pass. Why the risk for little gain.

Itv feels like Mcgrath is stuck in distribution rut of risky short passes into midfield or 60 yard crossfield punts that mostly come straight back. He needs a break so that can can be coached.

[drfchound]

McGrath did exactly the same pass earlier in the season which cost us a goal as Broadbent made a mistake I think. Pretty much the only option to the midfielder is a pass back to the keeper given the intense pressure so why give the pass. Why the risk for little gain.

Itv feels like Mcgrath is stuck in distribution rut of risky short passes into midfield or 60 yard crossfield punts that mostly come straight back. He needs a break so that can can be coached.

I have been saying for a while that McGrath looks very nervous when playing his passes.
A break would do him good.

[ncRover]

Just contrasting barnsley’s efforts in this first half against a very strong Liverpool team to ours on Saturday and its night and day. They’ve been everything that we weren’t - strong, organised, aggressive, brave in possession. Obviously they aren’t exactly having a great season themselves but it’s everything we weren’t, which is worrying.

Keillor-Dunn is a proper centre forward at our level.

Wish we had someone like him.

Mansfield signed him for about £100k in January 2023 from Burton.

We signed Caolan Lavery on a free to replace the recently retired Lee Tomlin.

[Nudga]

McGrath did exactly the same pass earlier in the season which cost us a goal as Broadbent made a mistake I think. Pretty much the only option to the midfielder is a pass back to the keeper given the intense pressure so why give the pass. Why the risk for little gain.

Itv feels like Mcgrath is stuck in distribution rut of risky short passes into midfield or 60 yard crossfield punts that mostly come straight back. He needs a break so that can can be coached.

I have been saying for a while that McGrath looks very nervous when playing his passes.
A break would do him good.

McGrath could do with travelling forward 10 to 15 feet with the ball to open space up.
CO'R did this in spades which opened up several different passing options. 
McGrath telegraphs every single pass and he does it from a near on standing position. He makes life so difficult for himself. 

[drfchound]

McGrath did exactly the same pass earlier in the season which cost us a goal as Broadbent made a mistake I think. Pretty much the only option to the midfielder is a pass back to the keeper given the intense pressure so why give the pass. Why the risk for little gain.

Itv feels like Mcgrath is stuck in distribution rut of risky short passes into midfield or 60 yard crossfield punts that mostly come straight back. He needs a break so that can can be coached.

I have been saying for a while that McGrath looks very nervous when playing his passes.
A break would do him good.

McGrath could do with travelling forward 10 to 15 feet with the ball to open space up.
CO'R did this in spades which opened up several different passing options. 
McGrath telegraphs every single pass and he does it from a near on standing position. He makes life so difficult for himself.

CO’R did do that very well didn’t he.
I’m not sure Jay is good enough right now to do the same.

[Usher wide.]

Absolutely agree hound.

Without criticising Jay’s endeavours, he’s not yet confident enough (in my opinion) in his own strengths at his position to be able to ‘progress’ at this stage to become a confident ball carrying centre back that we witnessed O’Riordan had.

As I said in an earlier thread, we can only assume Grant is looking for such a centre back.

[GazLaz]

Just contrasting barnsley’s efforts in this first half against a very strong Liverpool team to ours on Saturday and its night and day. They’ve been everything that we weren’t - strong, organised, aggressive, brave in possession. Obviously they aren’t exactly having a great season themselves but it’s everything we weren’t, which is worrying.

Keillor-Dunn is a proper centre forward at our level.

Wish we had someone like him.

Mansfield signed him for about £100k in January 2023 from Burton.

We signed Caolan Lavery on a free to replace the recently retired Lee Tomlin.

I suggested him when he was at Oldham. Him and Piergianni were there at the same time, both obvious top end L1 players available for nothing.

[i_ateallthepies]

McGrath did exactly the same pass earlier in the season which cost us a goal as Broadbent made a mistake I think. Pretty much the only option to the midfielder is a pass back to the keeper given the intense pressure so why give the pass. Why the risk for little gain.

His passing is that of a player who just wants to get rid of the ball, either a short pass to anyone regardless of their situation or a long diagonal punt that looks impressive but almost always just hands possession back to the opposition.

[Bentley Bullet]

We often tend to play each other into trouble. Sometimes a pass goes to a teammate who has two players on him, as though there is no other option available. This is potentially suicidal, especially when done from the back.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Absolutely agree hound.

Without criticising Jay’s endeavours, he’s not yet confident enough (in my opinion) in his own strengths at his position to be able to ‘progress’ at this stage to become a confident ball carrying centre back that we witnessed O’Riordan had.

As I said in an earlier thread, we can only assume Grant is looking for such a centre back.

I think that's a fair assessment and we must remember he's a young lad where he still needs some nurturing. Some of the criticism is a bit harsh however, he's one of a few players who's mistakes have been punished.

I still think he has the potential to progress even more than Joe Wright for example, who was also young and prone to errors of judgement (as well as blighter with injury).

Jay could certainly thrive with an older head alongside, although Pearson doesn't seem to have those leadership/mentor qualities we've had in Wood, Anderson, Butler, Jones etc.

Jay's positioning and decision making is questionable but that's symptomatic of a back line which isn't always on the same page. That said, the defensive performance v Bolton recently was very good so we need more of those please.

[Alan Southstand]

To add to the above, I’m hoping some verbals from our new keeper will help those in front of him!

[i_ateallthepies]

Absolutely agree hound.

Without criticising Jay’s endeavours, he’s not yet confident enough (in my opinion) in his own strengths at his position to be able to ‘progress’ at this stage to become a confident ball carrying centre back that we witnessed O’Riordan had.

As I said in an earlier thread, we can only assume Grant is looking for such a centre back.

I think that's a fair assessment and we must remember he's a young lad where he still needs some nurturing. Some of the criticism is a bit harsh however, he's one of a few players who's mistakes have been punished.

I still think he has the potential to progress even more than Joe Wright for example, who was also young and prone to errors of judgement (as well as blighter with injury).

Jay could certainly thrive with an older head alongside, although Pearson doesn't seem to have those leadership/mentor qualities we've had in Wood, Anderson, Butler, Jones etc.

Jay's positioning and decision making is questionable but that's symptomatic of a back line which isn't always on the same page. That said, the defensive performance v Bolton recently was very good so we need more of those please.

I think this is fair comment DBR and mine are borne of frustration at his persistence with the same wasteful passing choices, evidently unwilling or unable to learn.  Nevertheless, I do agree he should be given the opportunity to continue his development and hopefully become the CB that we all would like in our team.

[roversdude]

Can’t dispute some of the short passes have been shocking but just to caveat it he has played some amazing long balls