lets talk about the M>K>Dons match

[selby]

  The game has taken on a whole new importance to us after our poor game at Wigan,and other teams below us in the table picking up points to narrow the gap at the bottom of the table.
  Will we see a number of changes?
  Or will Fergie see it as just one bad game and make minimal changes?
  Do we go four at the back?
  How will being completely outplayed by a better team affect our players confidence?
  Will we play with one up front?
  What do you think?

[dickos1]

I think 3 at the back suits us when we're looking to take the game to the opposition. Yesterday 4-5-1 would've been a better system as we knew we'd be under the cosh.
So I think stick with 3, but need players getting closer to marquis.
I think I'd give coops a free role to support him and not have to worry about defensive duties as much

[Retdon1]

We need to play 3-4-1-2 instead of 3-4-2-1... We need to get someone up top with marquis... Idd move Rowe to the left wing back role as toffolo is not good enough, and have copps in the 10 role behind the front 2... Everyone talks about fergy only knows how to play attacking football, but I've seen very little of that lately. The football we're playing is awful, so slow and ponderous. Time for a change

[Monkcaster_Rover]

Haven't really got a good track record against MK Dons have we?

I think things need mixing up a bit up top. Get Mandeville up there with Marquis. For all of John's running and endeavour it's not paying off is it. 1 goal in 3 (not through our man, may I add) isn't good enough. I'd take a horrible 1-0 off John's quiff at this rate.

[mrfrostsdad]

The only thing worth talking about the MK Dons game is that we win. However it happens we HAVE to win. No excuses, no the refs shite etc etc. A win is the only important thing

[selby]

  No pressure there then MFD quite a motivational speech that,I am sure everyone at the club is aware we need to win,How would you line up? would you change the team?what tactics would you adopt?would you ball them out or try to inspire them to play to their maximum ability? All things to discuss between ourselves,who are their danger men?how do you think they will set up against us?are we capable of getting the win we need?
  It would be good to know your views,it is an open debate.Me I am hoping for a reaction to last night, and would play Mandeville,and play Baudry on the right of a four.
                            Lawlor
 Baudry     Wright          Butler        Toffolo/Garrett
                            Houghton
      Blair             Coppinger        Rowe
                            Mandeville
                       Marquise

[dickos1]

The only thing worth talking about the MK Dons game is that we win. However it happens we HAVE to win. No excuses, no the refs shite etc etc. A win is the only important thing

Yet if we win playing shit you'll be the first on here saying so

[drfchound]

I would take any win and any kind of performance to get it as things stand right now.

[Metalmicky]

I'd give Marosi a whirl - Lawlor hasn't been pulling any trees up.  I would also start with Whiteman and consider giving Ben Khemis a game - not sure why we signed him, if only to warm the bench.

[Campsall rover]

We need to play 3-4-1-2 instead of 3-4-2-1... We need to get someone up top with marquis... Idd move Rowe to the left wing back role as toffolo is not good enough, and have copps in the 10 role behind the front 2... Everyone talks about fergy only knows how to play attacking football, but I've seen very little of that lately. The football we're playing is awful, so slow and ponderous. Time for a change

To play Rowe in the left wing back role is a complete waste of his ability.
He should be scoring at least 10 goals a season in this league but he will not get many playing as a wing back.
He is our most creative player along side Copps so needs to be playing in an advanced mid field role.

[mrfrostsdad]

The only thing worth talking about the MK Dons game is that we win. However it happens we HAVE to win. No excuses, no the refs shite etc etc. A win is the only important thing

Yet if we win playing shit you'll be the first on here saying so

I don't give a monkey's elbow how we win to be honest.

Here goes then:

Marosi in for Lawlor. Lawler inspires no confidence in me whatsoever. Every shot from distance seems to beat him and his distribution is awful.
I'd ditch the back 3 and go with a back 4. Bring in a right back, I guess it would have to be Allcock as there's no-one else, Baudry and Butler centre half and Toffolo left back (we don't have another)
4 in the middle and play with some width. Coppinger and Rowe wide with Houghton and Whiteman central and then 2 up front - a good old 442 that we can actually play.
Up front Marquis wouldn't be playing for me for a while, focus his mind a bit. Play Mandeville and Beestin up front. They couldn't do any worse

[Campsall rover]

Would rather have Mason than Alcock. Leave Marquis in just give him a strike partner. He is working hard it's just not happening for him in front of goalatvthevpresent time.
Once he gets a couple under his belt in a winning team then his confidence will come back. He can still get 15+ gaols this season.
He needs support both ON and OFF the pitch.
So all those Marquis bashers need to get behind him or last season really will be a one off for him.
Confidence and self belief is KING for all strikers so get off his back and give him the support he needs.

[dickos1]

Can't drop wright,
Marquis needs confidence, not playing terrible but no confidence in front of goal, only scoring will bring that back.
We would get overrun in the middle of the park playing 4-4-2,

I wouldn't play marosi

                        Lawlor
  Alcock                              Baudry
                   Wright   Butler

            Kongolo.  Houghton. Rowe
     
                   Whiteman coppinger
                          Marquis

[The Red Baron]

Baudry at left back? Surely Garratt deserves a go in that position?

[Campsall rover]

Could play Baudry at right back.

[Move DRFC]

Our best partnership at centre back last year was Baudry and Butler and we haven't started with just those two all season. Give them a go in a back two.

Wright has had a good season but we're 18th in the league, no one is undroppable.

[Retdon1]

We need to play 3-4-1-2 instead of 3-4-2-1... We need to get someone up top with marquis... Idd move Rowe to the left wing back role as toffolo is not good enough, and have copps in the 10 role behind the front 2... Everyone talks about fergy only knows how to play attacking football, but I've seen very little of that lately. The football we're playing is awful, so slow and ponderous. Time for a change

To play Rowe in the left wing back role is a complete waste of his ability.
He should be scoring at least 10 goals a season in this league but he will not get many playing as a wing back.
He is our most creative player along side Copps so needs to be playing in an advanced mid field role.

I would normally totally agree, but if we are to persist with the current formation, but with 2 strikers, that leaves either copps or Rowe to play the 10 role. Copps can't play any where else which is why I would move Rowe to the left intil Jan when we can hopefully strengthen in that area. I don't rate toffolo, and not seen enough of garret. We also need to strengthen at right wing back. Blair is well off form currently, and is still to prove he's good enough at this level. Alcock and Mason offer nothing going forward either.

[dickos1]

Yeah baudry left back, he's left footed, he's a defender, he's not looked great since he's come back at centre half.
Would be a very solid back four that, with houghton just in front.
Then let the other 5 create

[bpoolrover]

What ever formation we play we need 2 upfront, the midfield just does not get up quick enough to help marquis

[RoversAlias]

Baudry is struggling to play left side of the centre halves, he'd have no chance at left back. Got no pace either.

A lot of square pegs, round holes being suggested here. Beestin and Mandeville up front? Neither of them are out-and-out strikers, in fact I'd say both are best suited to playing in the #10 role. Dropping Wright makes utterly no sense, he's been our most consistent performer all season along with Butler.

People wonder why managers don't do things the fans suggest...

[dickos1]

Playing baudry at left back would be because he's struggling at centre half.
Full back is the easiest position on the park to play, and we still keep his height for set pieces.
Tofilo cant defend

[RoversAlias]

Your logic is flawed in my opinion, sorry. Marquis is struggling up front, so should we try him at full back too since it's so easy? Or Lawlor maybe, since he has his critics?

I'm exaggerating now, but you know what I mean. Wing back is a specialist position, and whether we like it or not Fergie seems intent on playing with them. Toffolo is getting better with more game time, I don't think Baudry is a realistic option as a full back at all. He isn't mobile enough, doesn't have the pace and won't know the positional sense you need. If he's struggling, take him out the team. Garratt is a left back and has done well when called upon this year.

[dickos1]

Baudry has played full back in his career, he's played there for us.
Of course he'll know the positional sense, full back is a simple position.

I used to play centre midfield when I played, I played there for rovers youth team, our manager got sacked and dave cowling took over, he didn't fancy me as a midfielder and played me left back, id never played there in my life.
All you need to do is play the ball into the channel and it looks like a great ball, and you've only to worry about defending against one player.

Baudry is a defender first and foremost so he'd slot in there no problem

[swintonrover]

Game's moved on since then Dickos. Full backs have been expected to be attacking players since the days of Roberto Carlos and Cafu. The general trend recently to go with 3 centre backs and 2 wingbacks has only pushed them further up the pitch.

[dickos1]

Wasn't that long ago Swinton 😂
I know, but I think we need to go back to basics, have a solid back four with proper defenders in it, similar to under Saunders.
And then have 4 or 5 attack minded players

[Move DRFC]

Baudry isn't left footed.

[bpoolrover]

Only problem dickos is all our midfield and 1 forward have no intention of running the channels

[selby]

  Baudry is our most gifted player in defence when he has the ball at his feet when defending on the right side of defence, but does not look as confident  or comfortable on the left side when bringing the ball out of defence to me.
  He is not a natural left footed player,which does not help the set up of the team that a natural left footed player gives you.
  People know my thinking about loan players having to play or we pay their wages, and that is the only reason I can see why Toffolo plays instead of Garrett,who when he has played has been just  as good,although Toffolo has done OK. I just do not think there is a lot between them appart from experience.
  As I hinted in my line up,I would play Mandeville up with Marquis,but just withdrawn behind him,and would make Marquis play and stay up front as I think he is trying to cover too much ground and coming too deep.
  The right side of the Blair/Rodney Coppinger Rowe midfield would be my worry.Blair and Rodney are both good going forward but are poor in defence good going forward,and is the reason I picked Baudry on the right for experience and to bully them into getting back when needed. so a fluid 4 1 3 1 1 if you want. 

[Chris Black come back]

Baudry isn't left footed.

Apart from the fact that he is not left footed, is out of form even in his favoured position, no evidence he can play full back let alone wing back, has no notable pace or evident crossing ability, why should he not be forced to play left full back?

[dickos1]

My mistake if he isn't, but he must be comfortable with both feet then, as he uses his left foot regularly.
I never said he should play wing back, completely different position to full back.
A centre half should comfortably be able to play full back and vice versa.
O Connor, friend, being two examples off the top of my head who were comfortable in either