let's talk about the Barrow game

[selby]

  Another side who have come up from the National league relatively recently and have walloped us a couple of times since doing so, playing the style of football that is becoming our Achilles heal.
  We are far from being the side we were at the end of last season, the three loan players we had making a big difference to the class we had in the team, even Faal who attracted criticism when he left one of our better performers in the early season up to Christmas.
  Today for me not one of our midfield would have got in the Chesterfield side on the day, Sbarra showing up the best with his work ethic, but all over the field of play we were second best, and ended up losing our heads.
   Chesterfield used the tactical foul 15 yards either side of the half way line to disrupt our game, and just got rid of it long when we threatened their box, we were out thought, out fought, and tactically out witted, a bad day at the office.
   Changes will have to be made with Molly and Anderson out of the game. and Barrow will want to get back on track after losing 2-0 at   Gillingham and hopefully we have a better attitude to discipline  and keep men on the field of play against a side that will play the style of play the same as Chesterfield if they have any sense.
  This game will be a test of character as much as form, can we pick ourselves up? do we have the players to get back on track quickly after letting in six goals in the last two games? what line up will we field, ?have we the players to come in for two of our main players Molly and his goal threat a big miss.
  Can we mix it with the best without losing our heads like today?
  Lots to discuss after a big disappointment and a knock to confidence, Please have your say

[adamtherover]

Olawu for Tom, no other options, I'd give kyle a start instead of molls, give him at least an hr. Then bring clifton back instead of close who offered nothing today.  Emmanual in for sterry, sharp starting alone up top.  Probably nothing like the starting line up, but I have an amazing knack of calling exact subs when they occur.. we shall see.

[Fal]

Selby, how can you create this thread without a single mention of that unbelievable game last season. That 3rd goal…

[Alan Southstand]

It seems we have a manager who doesn’t know what his best side is. Fortunately, the side today (& a total incompetent) have made it easier for his selections for Tuesday. Hopefully, we’ll not see that midfield combo again this season, or ever.

Hoping for a win, but fearing the worse.

[McCammon egg n chips]

Silver lining to the Anderson red is that surely a start guaranteed for Olowu now. He's been playing well in his cameos so I'm hoping we'll see another strong performance.

[roverstillidie91]

Their striker last season at our place.

Emile Acquah?

Was a real handful last year before going off injured.

[Silkscarf]

After the Chez debacle we need to get focused on this straight away.

Win this one with a decent performance we’re back on track and we’re all happy again.

Olowu, McGrath and Ted start. The other 8 I’m not sure. Yeboah presumably gets a full game for a proper look at him. Maybe Hurst for the same reason!

[selby]

  We are down to the bare bones in central defence so  an easy pick for the manager, the full backs and mid field more difficult, and Bailey is better suited to sitting in front central of the back line where he is more effective, and gives cover for the central defenders who have mimicked training ground manikins when the ball was played straight down the middle at Harrogate and yesterday with strikers in each game just running at and past them.
  Sbarra at least puts a shift in as do Kelly  Broadbent and Clifton, and might be the best suited to the style of play Barrow will try to impose on us, no fancy dans just workers who can play a bit.
  Up front there are opportunities wide with Molly missing and why not two up front as they will like Chesterfield swamp mid field.
  We do need to like others have said put the Chesterfield game behind us, and try and play on the front foot with players gaining confidence and play to keep the shirt.

[Lesonthewest]

Need to go at Barrow from the off, straight on the front foot. While we had chance to change a full side in the Man Utd game, I doubt they could have done that in their 3 games in a week. Two long trips down to Chelsea & Gillingham in 4 days, & us on Tuesday, not ideal journeys to play 3 games in a week. Fatigue may play a part & we need to be on it from minute one.

[Sammy Chung was King]

We need consistency of selection to build understanding.

[Bentley Bullet]

Need to go at Barrow from the off, straight on the front foot. While we had chance to change a full side in the Man Utd game, I doubt they could have done that in their 3 games in a week. Two long trips down to Chelsea & Gillingham in 4 days, & us on Tuesday, not ideal journeys to play 3 games in a week. Fatigue may play a part & we need to be on it from minute one.

I thought we went at Chesterfield from the off, and, as usual, whenever we go at teams from the off it seems an indication that we'll struggle to get anything out of the game.

[dickos1]

It seems we have a manager who doesn’t know what his best side is. Fortunately, the side today (& a total incompetent) have made it easier for his selections for Tuesday. Hopefully, we’ll not see that midfield combo again this season, or ever.

Hoping for a win, but fearing the worse.

That’s not like you Alan! Fearing the worst

[Lesonthewest]

Need to go at Barrow from the off, straight on the front foot. While we had chance to change a full side in the Man Utd game, I doubt they could have done that in their 3 games in a week. Two long trips down to Chelsea & Gillingham in 4 days, & us on Tuesday, not ideal journeys to play 3 games in a week. Fatigue may play a part & we need to be on it from minute one.

I thought we went at Chesterfield from the off, and, as usual, whenever we go at teams from the off it seems an indication that we'll struggle to get anything out of the game.

There have been a few games where we start well & then pass the initiative to our opponents, misplaced passes, slow build up play, don't know wether it's a case of confidence or even belief, that can only come from the players, & Tuesday is another home game & an opportunity to take the game to Barrow.

[mushRTID]

An early goal would do us the world of good here.

[ForsolongaRover]

When Molyneux is not on song and there is nothing coming down the left flank we are a very blunt (excuse the word) instrument.

So, as someone suggested, if Moly is getting no joy down the right, we might try a switch - it might help him into being more flexible too - and obviously we can’t carry Close in the midfield. We have to get some strength and dynamism up the middle. Kelly and/or Clifton.

Emmanuel is a powerful runner with the ball which seems to work in this league given the reluctance to tackle and risk a foul, so he ought to be starting or on the bench.

The longer it takes to get back into winning ways the more difficult it becomes, whatever the opposition. So really this match must be won. A draw and only 2 points from 4 games is relegation form and considering where Barrow are it would be a very bad pointer.

[rich1471]

I would play 352 as with close in that midfield he needs help to cover the ground as he plods around

[selby]

  We have enough midfielders not to be bothered about covering up for Close's inadequacies.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Very much back to basics for me, although choices somewhat limited.

I'd go Broadbent, Bailey and Clifton in midfield. Of all the combos tried so far, I think this one is the most reliable so far.

Sterry, McGrath, Olowu and Senior back four. Fleming 's struggled a bit of late.

Stick with Ironside up front, supported by Gibson (although he needs a rocket up his arse) and Sbarra or Hurst.

We need to be disciplined, patient with the objective of keeping things tight to start of with to give us a platform to work from. If we go too gung ho, they will just pick us off with the holes we leave behind

[Nudga]

Ditch the bloody fashionable 4-2-3-1. It's clearly not working with the personnel we have.

[Prez]

I just want to see Sharp and Ironside start together.

[rich1471]

  We have enough midfielders not to be bothered about covering up for Close's inadequacies.

I would drop him from the team and release him but Grant likes to play him for what ever reason

[DearneValleyRover]

I’d like to see 3-5-2 but can we trust Senior as I wouldn’t want to see Bailey drop into defence. Play Emmanuel, will Maxwell be ready? Drop Close, play Kelly and Clifton, more energy and Sharp and Ironside up top together

[DearneValleyRover]

We’ve appealed Tom’s red and feel pretty confident we have a case apparently

[NickDRFC]

We’ve appealed Tom’s red and feel pretty confident we have a case apparently

Unless we play 3 at the back he wouldn’t be in my team anyway.

[ncRover]

I’d like to see 3-5-2 but can we trust Senior as I wouldn’t want to see Bailey drop into defence. Play Emmanuel, will Maxwell be ready? Drop Close, play Kelly and Clifton, more energy and Sharp and Ironside up top together

Bailey was decent in defence last year, is currently replaceable in midfield and we look better with 3 at the back. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in defence tonight.

[Campsall rover]

If it’s a back 4 then I would go with
Sterry, Olowu, McGrath, Fleming. Assuming Maxwell is not ready yet.
Midfield of Bailey, Kelly, Clifton.
Hurst and Gibson wide try kyle on the right.
Ironside up front

Think though it’s worth changing  tonight to 3-5-2 from the start

Olowu, McGrath, Senior.
Hurst, Clifton, Bailey, Kelly, Gibson.
Sharp, Ironside.

Interesting to see what GM actually does.  Big kick up the arse needed that is for sure whatever formation and personnel he plays.

[NickDRFC]

If it’s a back 4 then I would go with
Sterry, Olowu, McGrath, Fleming. Assuming Maxwell is not ready yet.
Midfield of Bailey, Kelly, Clifton.
Hurst and Gibson wide try kyle on the right.
Ironside up front

Think though it’s worth changing  tonight to 3-5-2 from the start

Olowu, McGrath, Senior.
Hurst, Clifton, Bailey, Kelly, Gibson.
Sharp, Ironside.

Interesting to see what GM actually does.  Big kick up the arse needed that is for sure whatever formation and personnel he plays.

I’m not sure about Hurst and Gibson at wing back, horrible flashbacks of Sotona at MK Dons last year. Molly can get away with it because of his work rate, but you wouldn’t get any protection from Hurst or Gibson.

[ravenrover]

In his interview he says he's already told the 2, if Toms appeal fails, players who are in

[ncRover]

Broadbent has done the pre-match media that means he’s playing

[andysly]

It’s not in GMc’s make up but we really need to avoid getting beat again tonight. 1 point from 9 is bad, 1 from 12 takes us back to last seasons form.