Let's talk about the Shrewsbury Town game

[selby]

  After two great wins 1-0  away at Hull and Lincoln they will be gunning for us on Tuesday to make it a hat trick against top sides in the division.
   Now they have Steve Cotterill at the helm he will make what always seems to be a game of attrition with Shrewsbury an even harder game to get a result in, and an even less entertaining game  if he resorts to type and brings a side brimming in the dark arts of the game and hell bent on spoiling the game at every opportunity if the situation arises that is to their advantage.
  Even more unusual we are going for five league victories in a row, the four behind us have propelled us into the heady heights in the division and another victory could have us at the summit going into the Christmas fixture period so some of the pressure is on our team to actually reach that position.
What team we will put out is anyone's guess, Darren the only one who can name it with any certainty  Fej had a great game today at Burton and could come up against his old team mates in this game  but could be a non starter just as easily as a starter.
  Keeping a clean sheet also has become a rarity,  a dubious and a silly foul in the area spoiling the chances in the last two games by giving penalties away on each occasion. Give Shrewsbury the same chances and if they get in front it will be very difficult to pull a goal back in my opinion and experience of past Cotterill's sides.
  There are however lots of plus points about our team, the young loanee's  are now developing consistency and have now the confidence  to show their skills and ability on the ball, Whiteman is looking more and more the complete mid field playmaker, with great passing ability reading the game well and also breaks the other teams game up when required, our three central defenders I would not swap for any others in this division, the keeper and full backs are consistent performers, and in Jones, Hasani, and Lokilo we have three youngsters  who are pushing to get starts in the team.
  I think we can and hope for a win, something to make this horrible year a little brighter for the supporters owners and staff at the club.
   How do you see it?
   Are you confident we can win the game?
   What if any changes would you make?
   Will you be watching on ifollow?
   What sort of game do you think it will be?
  Lot's to discuss about this game, please have your say.

[drfchound]

Hi mate, yep, I am looking forward to the game.
At least we won’t have Connor Grant on the near post on defensive corners.
Shrews won’t be pushovers despite their lowly position and as has been proved with recent results, their players will be playing to impress their new boss.
Cotterill isn’t one of our most respected opposition managers and I do expect him to get his players to employ spoiling tactics but we have to be wise enough to overcome that.
Today’s performance will have bolstered Fejs confidence and he will certainly be up for this game.
Taylor Richards (T-R) was superb today , capped off with a wonder goal, and he is improving all the time and I expect him to be pivotal for us.
Top of the league would be great if we can get there.

[Alan Southstand]

He was my motm, hound. The way he waltzed away from those 2 Burton players and, with nothing really on, curled an absolute beauty into the far corner. The sort of goal that gets bums off seats - a cracker. Please can we have a few more, Taylor lad.

Great result today, but it’s going to be difficult following that against, what will be, tougher opposition. I think you’re right, Selby, their tactics are going to leave a lot to be desired and I can’t see it being very watchable. However, the prize if we win is to be top of the league at Christmas and that, I have to admit, is way beyond any expectations I had at the beginning of the season!

I seriously don’t see many changes, as it will probably be a tad physical and not for the faint hearted. Fej has earned his place for this one and the 3 behind are the best we have available. Whiteman & Smith are becoming quite a double act and you can’t see anyone coming into that defence. So, if they’re all fit, I’d ask them to do it all again. After the run we’re on, confidence somewhat overrides fatigue.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Will be interesting to see how Rovers perform given the players will know what's at stake.

In DMs post match interview he denied knowing that a win would take us top. Ha ha. Pull the other one! However I completely understand why he wants to play it down and treat is as just another game.

I'm sure it will be the same approach but again, it's all down to the execution, which bit by bit we're getting better and more consistent in games. Hull the obvious exception.

Funnily enough, on MOTD they did an analysis of Jordan Henderson role at Liverpool which I thought was remarkably similar to Ben's role and how DM is encouraging the team to play, with 'full backs' able to get up the pitch. The difference with our full backs, is they're not touchline huggers, they come inside and go for the channels towards the edge of the area.
First goal today Cameron John with a great run and cut back.

With only us in action, there could be a lot more attention on us from rival managers analysing the way we play.

Just hope we can do enough to keep the run going and bring some much needed Christmas cheer to us all.

[Lytham Rover]

It is bound to be congested in the middle need to get down the wings and try to get behind and round them

[Janso]

It is bound to be congested in the middle need to get down the wings and try to get behind and round them

You've got to hold and give
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Defend and attack
There's only one way to beat them
Get round the back

[sha66y]

It is bound to be congested in the middle need to get down the wings and try to get behind and round them

You've got to hold and give
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Defend and attack
There's only one way to beat them
Get round the back

Poetic indeed...
Good meter and enjambment or what should be enjambment...
I would make the last line
“ and that’s get round the back”  ...thus ending on a 6 metric rather than a four ...

Just saying

[RugbyRover]

It is bound to be congested in the middle need to get down the wings and try to get behind and round them

You've got to hold and give
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Defend and attack
There's only one way to beat them
Get round the back

Poetic indeed...
Good meter and enjambment or what should be enjambment...
I would make the last line
“ and that’s get round the back”  ...thus ending on a 6 metric rather than a four ...

Just saying

Can't beat the original mate.........unless its with something like......

"We're playin' for Rovers (DON CAS TER)
We're playin' this song

We're singin' for Rovers (DON CAS TER)
ta ra, it's one on one"

 

[scawsby steve]

It is bound to be congested in the middle need to get down the wings and try to get behind and round them

You've got to hold and give
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Defend and attack
There's only one way to beat them
Get round the back

That would be good with a bit of rap, J. I suggest Wolfie and BB to do the honours; I can just see them both in baseball caps the wrong way round, and their trousers hanging below their underpants.

I'd pay f*cking good money to see that.

Or maybe not.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Just reading the Free Press and comment about DM's desire to keep making changes considering players welfare during this busy season.

Which brings me to the elephant in the room. Might be only Anderson and Whiteman who have not missed a game yet, and you wonder whether these two should be afforded the same courtesy and be given a rest.

Can we play well without Ben Whiteman? Do we need to try it sooner rather than later, or is Ben that pivotal to the way we play, he must start every game?

Personally, now we've got right into the mix, I think we can afford to bench him at least and give him some respite. I think Smith can fill the void somewhat but we have very capable players who can form an effective midfield.

Clearly DM will have to pick and choose selectively depending on the opposition but with some tough fixtures on the horizon, now might be as good a time as any to put a contingency in place. Would be an easier decision mind if Gomes was fit.

Thoughts.

[IDM]

Perhaps both those players are at their best ages and love playing.?  So unless they pick up a slight knock, they could be ok to play on.

[drfchound]

In Bens case, isn’t he one booking away from a suspension.
I believe it is only two more games until that slate is wiped clean so it might make sense to play him in the next two matches in case he does get booked and would then miss a game anyway.

[RoversAlias]

It is bound to be congested in the middle need to get down the wings and try to get behind and round them

You've got to hold and give
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Defend and attack
There's only one way to beat them
Get round the back

That would be good with a bit of rap, J. I suggest Wolfie and BB to do the honours; I can just see them both in baseball caps the wrong way round, and their trousers hanging below their underpants.

I'd pay f*cking good money to see that.

Or maybe not.

It's already a rap to be fair.

And a bloody good one. Arguably the best thing the singer has done in the last 30 years...

[Janso]

It is bound to be congested in the middle need to get down the wings and try to get behind and round them

You've got to hold and give
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Defend and attack
There's only one way to beat them
Get round the back

That would be good with a bit of rap, J. I suggest Wolfie and BB to do the honours; I can just see them both in baseball caps the wrong way round, and their trousers hanging below their underpants.

I'd pay f*cking good money to see that.

Or maybe not.

It's already a rap to be fair.

And a bloody good one. Arguably the best thing the singer has done in the last 30 years...

Yeah, for anyone who's not twigged, it's part of the John Barnes rap in World In Motion.

[les@donr]

It will be a tough game. The Shrews will sit back and invite us to attack so they can catch us on a counter-attack. But that itself is a dangerous game, because we have the players in both midfield and attack to open up both their midfield and defence. I think if they play this way. we could have a field day, Fej will relish this game, and want to score against his old team. The only cloud is if we don't perform to our best, this could hand the games to the Shrews. I'm expecting Moore to have the team fired up for this one, and not be another top 4 scalp for the opposition.

[Lytham Rover]

It is bound to be congested in the middle need to get down the wings and try to get behind and round them

You've got to hold and give
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Defend and attack
There's only one way to beat them
Get round the back

That would be good with a bit of rap, J. I suggest Wolfie and BB to do the honours; I can just see them both in baseball caps the wrong way round, and their trousers hanging below their underpants.

I'd pay f*cking good money to see that.

Or maybe not.

It's already a rap to be fair.

And a bloody good one. Arguably the best thing the singer has done in the last 30 years...

Yeah, for anyone who's not twigged, it's part of the John Barnes rap in World In Motion.

It wasn't intended to be.....

[Chris Black come back]

They’ve kept 4 clean sheets out of their 9 away games in League One. Tight ship.

We’ve managed only two and one of those was against early ten man Northampton Town.

[Alan Southstand]

Agree on the Gomes point, DBR. We just need more bodies for cover, before we start tinkering with the main men in the side. With Tom, it’s probably less of an issue, except Wrighty is on 4 yellows. Putting CJ in the centre will not work, unless you take Butler out and that will not happen.

We could maybe get away with a middle 3 of Gomes, Smith and Richards, but there’s no experience there. I think we need to sort out our 3 major problems of Lumley, Sims and Tulloch as a priority. I know it can’t be done until January, but we have a game v Peterborough on the 3rd Jan, so something has to be sorted for that.

The 3 players who didn’t have outstanding games on Saturday were James, Taylor and possibly Halliday. Taylor we know has only just come back so will improve with games. James may be getting tired and he maybe one to sit out, but who comes in for him, as Lokilo isn’t pulling any trees up and he’s the only like for like replacement we have (no, I havn’t forgot Copps, but he doesn’t play wide anymore and it would need shuffling 2 to accommodate him). JJ could possibly do a job on the left, but would he track back as much?
With Halliday, I thought he was a bit sloppy on Saturday (by his standards) but it might be just a one-off. I think it’s the same side as Saturday again.

[graingrover]

I feel that our need will be to work both flanks well .I would rest Hallyday and play Wright and Jon on the right and CJ and Amos down the left .I would rest Reece for Copps for 70 minutes or  so .

[selby]

Alan,  I don't even look any further than the next game at the moment never mind the 3rd of January with this Covid thing.
  We ourselves have been very lucky up to press to avoid anything within the bubble the clubs precautions working well up to press but who knows what the future holds?
  If the Premiership is hit badly I wouldn't discount the same ending of the season to last year yet, I hope not but would not bet on it.

[RugbyRover]

I wouldn't rest anybody. Teams on a roll. Full of confidence. I'd play 'em until they dropped.

The way things are going this league is going to be decided the same way as last year. PPG. We need to get into that top two asap.

We can worry about player welfare in February...... if we're still playing.

[Alan Southstand]

On ppg, we’re already in the top 2?

[dknward2]

Thought they have said the PPG won't be used again the season must finish or gets null and void, maybe wrong

[selby]

dknward 2, I don't think anyone envisaged how long it would take to sort the pandemic out when the season restarted with the hope by now to have reached something like normal living by now the talk of the time.
   Unfortunately last season they made the decision to end the season the way they did, and now the precedent has been set a Pandora's Box of clubs possibly turning to law if the situation suits them if a similar situation arises could be the outcome, hopefully not, but  don't hold your breath as football clubs are nothing else but self interested and sod anyone else.
  If nothing else it gives a little more interest to our result tonight and in the near future, the quicker we get to the top of the division and if possible open up a points gap the better.
  What odds would you have got that the Doncaster v Accrington boxing day game could have possibly so much significance? as both clubs if the situation did arise now would be lording it over the fancied luminaries in this division.

[tommy toes]

Is it 7.45 kick off?

[eastender]

Is it 7.45 kick off?

Yes

[tommy toes]

Thanks.
No need to warm me computer up til half seven then.

[Spud]

Thanks.
No need to warm me computer up til half seven then.

Mine needs a good 5 minutes to contemplate doing owt after booting up too lol. I wouldn't mind, it's only a few years old & the spec it's meant to have....

[Janso]

Thanks.
No need to warm me computer up til half seven then.

Mine needs a good 5 minutes to contemplate doing owt after booting up too lol. I wouldn't mind, it's only a few years old & the spec it's meant to have....

Reinstall windows. It's easy enough to do through the settings and there's an option to save all your personal files too - speaking of which, also clear out the shite you don't need. Should make a difference.

[EasyforDennis]

Thanks.
No need to warm me computer up til half seven then.

Mine needs a good 5 minutes to contemplate doing owt after booting up too lol. I wouldn't mind, it's only a few years old & the spec it's meant to have....

Reinstall windows. It's easy enough to do through the settings and there's an option to save all your personal files too - speaking of which, also clear out the shite you don't need. Should make a difference.

An even better suggestion is to get rid of windows.