Let's talk about the Plymouth Argyle game

[selby]

  A game that seems to now take on the mantle of a really important game against a team that has a worse goal difference than ourselves, started the season off terribly, but have picked up and will leave us behind if they win the game, and in deep doo doo.
  While celebrating the fact we played well at Cardiff, unfortunately  the result and the loss due to poor defending means we are now fighting with our backs to the wall to stay afloat in Division1.
  Lots of teams in my lifetime have been deemed too good to go down, we are by no stretch of the imagination one of those sides and have to look inwards at how we actually can become more competitive at this level.
  One step forward yesterday was the fact we looked dangerous going forward just five days after we looked like a damp squid against Stockport. we got the ball forward quicker we were adventurous and a little more composure could have had a couple of more goals.
  The down side was it exposed completely our lack of defenders who are Division1 class, lacking pace and positional sense  and behind a midfield ok in possession but can be played through.
  Every game the impression is with a better back line we could be half decent, and that's the frustrating thing,
  Now we have Plymouth who started the season getting mullered when everyone expected them to be in the top half of the division but have won three of their last four league games 1-0  losing only to Bradford City 1-0 and beating Leyton, Wycombe and Rotherham all 1-0 and if you add their game v Port vale they have won all their last three away games 1-0, so begs the question can we break them down as well as keep them out.
  I can't see much leeway in our squad for wholesale changes, myself I would take a lesson from last season and play Pearson and Bailey at central defence, with Broadbent coming back in and despite any set up of the team would start Sterry on our right flank whether called a four or a three.
 Lorent Tolaj on 10 goals is their main danger man and with their recent low scoring wins of 1-0 Plymouth will prove a hard team to break down and really start the game favourites in a game we  need points from or deny them a victory.
  The last thing this game looks is a repeat of the gung ho football we saw yesterday, looking more aligned to the slug fest against Stockport, the type of game we are not that great at, as we are in every game prone to making mistakes at the back, even if it means we need to be more agricultural to clear our lines  that is the main concern and the old saying if they don't score we can't lose comes to mind.
  What do you think? lots to talk about, can we get the win we desperately require the main topic, and how?  Probably our most important game recently when we cannot afford to lose easily, what do you think? please have your say.

[Usher wide.]

The same application needed that we showed yesterday.

Get Broadbent in instead of Crew.

Start with Gibson & Mols wide.

This is absolutely a must win game.

[Fal]

The same application needed that we showed yesterday.

Get Broadbent in instead of Crew.

Start with Gibson & Mols wide.

This is absolutely a must win game.

The next 2 are must win games against teams below us in the league, before that on paper awful run of Stockport, Bolton, Luton, Southampton

[selby]

 I watched part of the Norwich v Southampton game yesterday, their three front runners look like sh*t off a stick fast, a nightmare for our plodders.
  The one bright spot they missed a penalty. the fourth of the last five they have been awarded. take it to pens if we can't win.

[selby]

We looked potent up front yesterday with runners causing trouble running direct at defenders from deep at pace,  We need to do more of that while being more aware of our limitations of pace at the back.
  That puts a lot of emphasis on our mid field to as well as support the front runner if not the one themselves somebody has the discipline to cover the space in front of our back line.
  Apart from Bailey Flint is the only one i have seen here with the all round ability to play that position which demands good positional play and passing ability.

[Chris Black come back]

Plymouth despite being in the very bottom reaches of League One, have quite a strong away record. It is tenth best in League One, while their home record oddly is second worst. They've won their last two away league games and kept two clean sheets in the process. This isn't going to be easy.

[Jersey Rover]

I’d stick with the shape we had yesterday for sure.Offensively we looked far better. Again I’d swap out the defence TLT McGrath and Grehan can have a rest for me and stick with the rest

[GazLaz]

Certainly not a must win game.

[Barmby Rover]

A really good chance to push away from the bottom 4, play with freedom, press high and punish mistakes by Plymouth. 3 - 0

[scawsby steve]

The reason we attacked so well yesterday was because of the open, expansive way that Cardiff play.

Plymouth will play nothing like that. It will be hard.

[selby]

  I agree Steve, but we are a better side playing more positively going forward and at a quicker tempo.
  Just go for it now, our players are more fitted to that style and the failure to pick up points in this run means just that little adjustment to the pace of our play cannot be any more of a failure to pick up points than we have been doing.
 

[Padge_DRFC]

I watched part of the Norwich v Southampton game yesterday, their three front runners look like sh*t off a stick fast, a nightmare for our plodders.
  The one bright spot they missed a penalty. the fourth of the last five they have been awarded. take it to pens if we can't win.

I'd recall Faulkner and Flint for this game

[Chris Black come back]

Faulkner injured for another few weeks yet.

[GazLaz]

Just been watching Plymouth. If we are prepared to sit in, let them have the ball and then hit them pretty directly (as we did Cardiff) we will beat them comfortably.

The only way we get beat is by having too much sideways and backwards possession in their half and getting caught out on the counter.

Changing the style to try and contain the best team in the league is an easy thing to do, will Grant be prepared to do it against one of the lesser teams to possibly get the tactical edge?

I’d keep the same shape as Cardiff but we don’t necessarily have to, just adapt the approach from wanting to maintain possession and a mid block to being prepared to relinquish possession in the oppositions half and sitting a touch deeper.

I think we are likely to win however we play, it will be disappointing if we get caught by the counter attack sucker punch in this one as they have little all else to offer.

[Usher wide.]

Certainly not a must win game.

Oh yes it is….

Lose or draw & we will be in the relegation zone.

Win & we could move up the table 4 or 5 places.

Psychologically the first scenario would be very damaging going into two tough away games straight after.

Win & that gives the team a ‘block to build’ a run on.

[ncRover]

Just been watching Plymouth. If we are prepared to sit in, let them have the ball and then hit them pretty directly (as we did Cardiff) we will beat them comfortably.

The only way we get beat is by having too much sideways and backwards possession in their half and getting caught out on the counter.

Changing the style to try and contain the best team in the league is an easy thing to do, will Grant be prepared to do it against one of the lesser teams to possibly get the tactical edge?

I’d keep the same shape as Cardiff but we don’t necessarily have to, just adapt the approach from wanting to maintain possession and a mid block to being prepared to relinquish possession in the oppositions half and sitting a touch deeper.

I think we are likely to win however we play, it will be disappointing if we get caught by the counter attack sucker punch in this one as they have little all else to offer.

You’d like to think Broadbent instead of Close would add a bit more security too.

It’s been the case for a while now that we’ve been better for having a bit less of the ball hasn’t it?

Not sure if you’ve noticed this, but we’re averaging more possession so far this season sat in 20th in L1 (53.1%) than we did for the whole of last season finishing 1st in L2 (51.7%).

[selby]

 Is more possession the reason for more mistakes and goals against then?

[Chris Black come back]

Probably a more accurate proxy for slowing down our game and reducing our goal threat. We win when we hit sides quickly from wide areas. Holding possession and playing around while opposition gets back into their shape, is deadly for us. Not only does that nullify our A Game but we have exactly the wrong type of midfield set up to then try and play through or break down sides. That’s not the profile of our midfielders.

[Draytonian III]

Broadbent will come straight back in, he was on a 1 match suspension for last week

[In the box]

Broadbent looked at fault for their equaliser but I think the whole team was at fault for the defeat . We have L2 players who are  playing L1 teams and we haven’t got upto the level need to of even showing that it’s where we can stay and build . I  Doubt if McCann has got any where near playing the way he thinks we should be , but as this IS his team, it has to said that he is conning himself,  but know one else ,  if he thinks we are only small margins away to make the difference from playing at this level  . Back to the drawing board .

[Spilsby Red]

It wasn’t broadbents fault. Shocking pass from McGrath. Should have accepted that offer.
Are the loan players saying there are not happy here. Hence why they prob will be recalled

[sedwardsdrfc]

McGarth and Grehan were awful today and often are to be honest.

Not sure McCanns plan of playing Bailey and Clifton so high up as to not be able to effect the games works. Just leaves Broadbent on his own in acres. Feel bad for him not his fault he’s been put in a stupid position.

Oh and if I have to see another short goal kick to a centre half who just aimlessly clears to a wide open pitch I’ll be sick. Never has that ever worked as far as I’m concerned

[Wiltshire Exile]

How on earth can we score 3 goals against Cardiff away, League leaders a week ago, and yet get stuffed at home by Plymouth A, near the bottom of the League a week later?

Explanation, please.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Someone needs a talking too about corners too. How many did we have today and they are all useless. We’re in a battle now we can’t just neglect a good scoring opportunity like this

[grayx]

Broadbent will come straight back in, he was on a 1 match suspension for last week

Wish theyd given him a 2 match suspension. He was awful today.

[grayx]

It wasn’t broadbents fault. Shocking pass from McGrath. Should have accepted that offer.
Are the loan players saying there are not happy here. Hence why they prob will be recalled

Whilst it wasnt the greatest pass my mcGrath Broadbent DID make a proper balls of it.

[Spilsby Red]

Everyone was

[curley]

We did create  4 goals in the first half. It's time to defend properly they will not score if the ball is hoofed up to the half way line no more playing the ball across the penalty area.

[drfchound]

It wasn’t broadbents fault. Shocking pass from McGrath. Should have accepted that offer.
Are the loan players saying there are not happy here. Hence why they prob will be recalled

Whilst it wasnt the greatest pass my mcGrath Broadbent DID make a proper balls of it.

Agreed, George had a yard and a half of space to receive the ball but for some reason his first touch was a shocker.
Nothing wrong with the pass to him by Jay.

[ForsolongaRover]

How on earth can we score 3 goals against Cardiff away, League leaders a week ago, and yet get stuffed at home by Plymouth A, near the bottom of the League a week later?

Explanation, please.

What does the manager say? How can the coaching staff fail to build on the momentum established ar Cardiff?