Let's talk about the Tranmere Rovers game

[selby]

   Last week I posted the result yesterday was far more important than a performance, we needed a win desperately.
   As we know the inevitable happened, we once again shot ourselves in the foot giving another bad goal away at the death, when we had been the best side really and were looking for a winner in the second half, until our management team decided to tinker with the side on the field, and added substitutes to injuries and changed the make up of the side at a critical time in the game.  I have watched a lot of football in my life and have never liked more than a couple of substitutes in tight games near the end of the game, I have seen it go tits up too many times disrupting the make up of a team its tinkering, its not clever at that time in a game.
  Most of the game I thought we did ok, not great but the new players looked decent, the young defender looks easy on the eye but gets out of position and his defending is questionable, Hartlepool playing around him pulling him out in the first half, thats what he is here for to learn I suppose.
  When we are depending on Anderson to bring the ball forward and be the midfield maestro finding the killer pass its desperate, and no insult to Anderson he was our best outlet and most progressive in that area, but really is that what we have come to, slow  forward movement called technical ability,  I know I am of a certain age and sometimes am seen to be old hat at this football game, but we used to call it farting about with the ball giving the opposition time to organise their defence, and yesterday we saw the 1970's sweeper employed against us and we didn't look once like getting behind him.
  We have wide men at this club who can run past defenders, they are clever with the ball at their feet, but stop with one man in front of them and pass back or inside into traffic, for god sake if we have coaches encourage them to take defenders on and cross the ball into the box more, its what they are good at encourage it.
   Tranmere on Tuesday had a great win against us just standing banks of players deep, let us fart about with the ball in front of them, and when we made a hash of it, which is what we do pounced and gave us a good hiding at their place, and will fancy doing it again if we try playing it slowly and technically from the back, or farting about with the ball whichever label you put on it.
  We could see Olowu with the young lad from Leicester coming off injured v Hartlepool
other than that it will probably be much the same side that started yesterday, and in fairness played decent the second half until our usual mistake was made.
  Getting the first goal, letting and encouraging players to be less rigid and more expansive when in possession, and playing the ball forward quicker and more regularly to give our front lads a break needs to happen soon, again the result is more important than the performance, but one usually goes hand in hand with the other.
   It's time our rookie manager realised some things have not to be so rigid, that there is more than one way to win a game of football, and some times giving players with flair their head and not restrict them to a rigid pattern the players find difficult is the way to go, and get his best players on the pitch, something we haven't done for a while and loans out restrict even now.
   What do you think, please have your say?

[eastender]

Not sure if Nelson is injured , it look like he had a touch of cramp to me.

[Filo]

I’d rather not talk about it to be honest, until the players start showing some pride in the badge why should we bother? I want to see them annoyed at conceding a goal, I want to see them annoyed when missing sitters, I want to see them annoyed when we lose games, we see none of that they just look at each other and accept it, they need a rocket up their arses, not all this nicey nicey stuff, they’re good bunch of lads stuff, I want to see bollockings for a good reason

[Beerseller]

I suppose we could win, its a lot to ask.  We could even win in an entertaining fashion but that feels like wishful thinking.  I'm not going to go into line ups and tactics because its got to the stage where I don't see anything making much of a difference except sheer luck.

We have to be offered a sense of expectation that we will provide solid competition, some excitement and a real chance of success in every game we play even if that’s not the final outcome of every game.  There has to be a change from this apparent apathy that seems to permeate the club at all levels including a lot of us on here.  Sustainability can’t be the only ambition but it sure seems like it at present.

[Bessie Red]

It's about time we acknowledged that we are in Lge 2 not the Premier Lge and start playing like a lge 2 team. DS is another coach off the latest production line being taught that playing out from the back is the only way to play. Well it isn't. In lge 2 all you need to be is solid and well organised at the back and pretty much bypass the midfield and get the ball into the oppos penalty box as quickly as possible. Not pretty to watch I grant you but effective at this level. Steve Evans is a master at it in this league and that's why they are likely to get promoted. Start being realistic about which lge we playing in and we will start seeing an improvement in results.

[Upton Rover]

Pointless talking about the game, simply pointless and a waste of time

[Barmby Rover]

Slow start, Tranmere get some confidence, score after 10-15 minutes, second half Rovers come out playing the better football, but with no shots on target, at 55minutes Tranmere score a second and then a third at about 80 minutes which kills the game off. Seems to be the pattern.

[goalkick]

Will be interesting to see the line up on Tuesday and better still the tactics employed.  We can only hope for changes but doubt it will happen.

[Chris Black come back]

Tranmere another side with fairly questionable league form. Have won only 3 league games in 15 and one of those was against us. Only fair to say the other two were Barrow and Leyton Orient, so can pull out a decent result. Four away league wins all season so far. Have kept 5 clean sheets away from home, which is one more than we have managed home and away all season.

[ncRover]

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

[Chris Black come back]

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

Isn’t Todd Miller injured? Would start Lavery instead otherwise we are just dumping George Miller on his own yet again.

[ncRover]

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

Isn’t Todd Miller injured? Works start Lavery instead otherwise we are just dumping George Miller on his own yet again.

Has there been any news on that? I feel a midfield 3 may give the defence a bit more protection

[ncRover]

I don’t think there’s any perfect system for these players. Each different idea throws up an obvious weak area.

[Bessie Red]

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

Isn’t Todd Miller injured? Would start Lavery instead otherwise we are just dumping George Miller on his own yet again.

My team would be
Mitchell

Brown
Oluwo
Anderson
Maxwell

Rowe

Biggins
Close
Lakin

Miller
Lavery

Play TR in CDM to add protection to back 4 when defending.

[eastender]

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

Close looked like he can't wait to get out of Town.

[Donnybax]

I think we’ve got to find a way of dropping Anderson and RSW. Won’t be easy to drop a newly appointed captain but he dropped Clayton who was captain. I know a lot of people have nostalgia toward big Tom but unfortunately he’s nowhere near good enough anymore.

[Campsall rover]

I’d rather not talk about it to be honest, until the players start showing some pride in the badge why should we bother? I want to see them annoyed at conceding a goal, I want to see them annoyed when missing sitters, I want to see them annoyed when we lose games, we see none of that they just look at each other and accept it, they need a rocket up their arses, not all this nicey nicey stuff, they’re good bunch of lads stuff, I want to see bollockings for a good reason

The manager and coaches are too nice. We have no real leader on the pitch
Corporal Jones wouldn’t just stand looking in amazement at the players like Williams after a yet another blunder. 
Some serious leadership is needed but we have no one capable of delivering it.

[Campsall rover]

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

Isn’t Todd Miller injured? Would start Lavery instead otherwise we are just dumping George Miller on his own yet again.

My team would be
Mitchell

Brown
Oluwo
Anderson
Maxwell

Rowe

Biggins
Close
Lakin

Miller
Lavery

Play TR in CDM to add protection to back 4 when defending.

No Hurst?

[ncRover]

I think bringing Lakin and Rowe in to midfield with 4-3-3 will bring more forward runs and drive. If the wider forwards then also get closer to Miller in addition to this (Lavery has good movement as previously mentioned) he will have enough attacking support.

Switching to 4-4-2 doesn’t solve our common problem of being overwhelmed in midfield against strong teams. If it’s a midfield diamond we then lack width.

The back 3 or 5 system is like trying attacking build up with 1 less player in attack, similar to when Clayton would drop very deep. This is why we ended up relying on Anderson somehow to make up the numbers in attack. I think the system only really works for counter attacking - see Spurs.

[Bessie Red]

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

Isn’t Todd Miller injured? Would start Lavery instead otherwise we are just dumping George Miller on his own yet again.

My team would be
Mitchell

Brown
Oluwo
Anderson
Maxwell

Rowe

Biggins
Close
Lakin

Miller
Lavery

Play TR in CDM to add protection to back 4 when defending.

No Hurst?

No not as a starter, but I would certainly have him ready to come on as the oppo were tiring if the circumstances suited. He is still a young pro learning the game, not what we need as starters at the moment  in my opinion.

[Lesonthewest]

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

Close looked like he can't wait to get out of Town.

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

Isn’t Todd Miller injured? Would start Lavery instead otherwise we are just dumping George Miller on his own yet again.

My team would be
Mitchell

Brown
Oluwo
Anderson
Maxwell

Rowe

Biggins
Close
Lakin

Miller
Lavery

Play TR in CDM to add protection to back 4 when defending.

No Hurst?

No not as a starter, but I would certainly have him ready to come on as the oppo were tiring if the circumstances suited. He is still a young pro learning the game, not what we need as starters at the moment  in my opinion.

Correct, good player technically, but a complete lightweight, not what we need presently.

[Prez]

For me in, Olowu, Lakin, Rowe, Molyneuex

Out, Williams, Close, Maxwell, Miller. (been awful lately and he gave away possession, cheaply which led to their goal)

Im guessing not many would agree with these changes.

[drfchound]

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

Isn’t Todd Miller injured? Would start Lavery instead otherwise we are just dumping George Miller on his own yet again.

I saw Todd Miller before kick off jogging across the pitch in front of the south stand on Saturday. He had full training kit on except for a shirt, which showed his stats vest, which seemed quite strange.  I didn’t notice whether he had been warming up with the other players.

[drfchound]

I’ve said we should stick to 5 at the back because of the players we have at our disposal. But after Saturday’s sterile performance I’ve changed my mind.

Mitchell

Brown
Olowu
Nelson
Maxwell

Rowe
Biggins
Lakin

Hurst
Miller
Miller

Close looked tired and half arsed at the weekend. Lakin looked a good player and tried to push us forwards.

I would keep Lavery in the side, in place of Todd Miller,.
I watched Lavery closely on Saturday and thought his movement was quite good.
He was regularly looking to make runs into space but more often than not wasn’t getting the passes he was hoping for.  I thought he linked up well with George Miller too, especially in the second half.

[Sammy Chung was King]

I would go 4-4-2


                         Mitchell

                 Williams.      Olowu

            Brown.                     Maxwell

                       Lakin.     Rowe

       
            Hurst                         Molyneux

 
                  Lavery.       Miller

Subs Agard, Seaman, Biggins, Close, Anderson, Nelson, Jones

I would take a risk in midfield with Lakin and Rowe, even though neither has many minutes of football at first team level so far.
I think a change of personnel and energy is needed in there. Get sixty to seventy minutes from them hopefully then make the changes necessary.

I would drop Anderson to the bench for Olowu. I would play a solid four at the back. Forget attacking just defend our goal.
Tranmere like to play 4-4-2. Rather than have three on two at the back when our wing backs go forward, I would want them to protect their centre halves at each side and always be a four.
Get the ball early to Hurst and Molyneux and get them having a go at their direct opponent.

The two up front will score goals if the players behind them can give them good quality. George showed earlier in the season what he is capable of, he’s ina bad run at the minute he will come out of it. Lavery can create the movement around him to make him chances and space.
Play the good football but move it quicker and have a purpose to it.

Look to get a good start. Hopefully get in front then use the substitution’s to maintain and add new problems to the opposition.
Forget Saturday it’s gone. Move on and let’s have three points.

[Bailey Vickerage]

I would bring Olowu in to the side and give Anderson a rest although don’t think DS will and will probs keep the same side unless Nelson isn’t fit enough after coming off on Saturday (hopefully not too serious because I’ve been impressed with him so far).

[Bessie Red]

I would go 4-4-2


                         Mitchell

                 Williams.      Olowu

            Brown.                     Maxwell

                       Lakin.     Rowe

       
            Hurst                         Molyneux

 
                  Lavery.       Miller

Subs Agard, Seaman, Biggins, Close, Anderson, Nelson, Jones

I would take a risk in midfield with Lakin and Rowe, even though neither has many minutes of football at first team level so far.
I think a change of personnel and energy is needed in there. Get sixty to seventy minutes from them hopefully then make the changes necessary.

I would drop Anderson to the bench for Olowu. I would play a solid four at the back. Forget attacking just defend our goal.
Tranmere like to play 4-4-2. Rather than have three on two at the back when our wing backs go forward, I would want them to protect their centre halves at each side and always be a four.
Get the ball early to Hurst and Molyneux and get them having a go at their direct opponent.

The two up front will score goals if the players behind them can give them good quality. George showed earlier in the season what he is capable of, he’s ina bad run at the minute he will come out of it. Lavery can create the movement around him to make him chances and space.
Play the good football but move it quicker and have a purpose to it.

Look to get a good start. Hopefully get in front then use the substitution’s to maintain and add new problems to the opposition.
Forget Saturday it’s gone. Move on and let’s have three points.

How can you keep Williams in. He did nothing positive to try and stop the Hartlepool goal, just ran alongside their player, criminal defending. He needs taking out of the side. He has made too many mistakes to warrant a start.

[Donnywolf]

Tranmere sign Pools 39 on loan and it's game over

The bugger took us out almost single handedly

[Sammy Chung was King]

I would go 4-4-2


                         Mitchell

                 Williams.      Olowu

            Brown.                     Maxwell

                       Lakin.     Rowe

       
            Hurst                         Molyneux

 
                  Lavery.       Miller

Subs Agard, Seaman, Biggins, Close, Anderson, Nelson, Jones

I would take a risk in midfield with Lakin and Rowe, even though neither has many minutes of football at first team level so far.
I think a change of personnel and energy is needed in there. Get sixty to seventy minutes from them hopefully then make the changes necessary.

I would drop Anderson to the bench for Olowu. I would play a solid four at the back. Forget attacking just defend our goal.
Tranmere like to play 4-4-2. Rather than have three on two at the back when our wing backs go forward, I would want them to protect their centre halves at each side and always be a four.
Get the ball early to Hurst and Molyneux and get them having a go at their direct opponent.

The two up front will score goals if the players behind them can give them good quality. George showed earlier in the season what he is capable of, he’s ina bad run at the minute he will come out of it. Lavery can create the movement around him to make him chances and space.
Play the good football but move it quicker and have a purpose to it.

Look to get a good start. Hopefully get in front then use the substitution’s to maintain and add new problems to the opposition.
Forget Saturday it’s gone. Move on and let’s have three points.

How can you keep Williams in. He did nothing positive to try and stop the Hartlepool goal, just ran alongside their player, criminal defending. He needs taking out of the side. He has made too many mistakes to warrant a start.

I weighed it up and Nelson was the alternative alongside Olowu, too much inexperience.
One change for me. As bad as Williams has been Anderson has been worse. He needs rest until he’s right. He’s carrying some sort of injury or something, he’s not the same. He’s playing like he doesn’t trust his body to do what he wants it to.

You could keep both those two in and Olowu in front of them as a holding midfielder. I’ve always thought he could play that role.
We need somebody who does the ugly things in front of the defence. We are too nice and easy to bully.

[drfchound]

Tranmere sign Pools 39 on loan and it's game over

The bugger took us out almost single handedly

Wolfie, I had picked him out after 15 minutes as the best player on the pitch. 
He was the leader we haven’t got and just ran the game.