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Post by stevek192 on Mar 29, 2019 7:40:10 GMT
One of the key things about recent performances is that we have carried too many players for too long from the off. Certain players have failed either when they have started the game or through most of the game. The former I would put Reilly and Jacubiak and the latter Ollie Clarke, Agogo and Sercombe.
Tomorrow is in many ways a bonus game in that we haven't really done anything against any of the top teams and IMO that is down to paying them too much respect at our ground and creating very few chances in many of them. I would go as far as to say that this season has been the worst for both points and entertainment probably at home in my entire time watching Rovers and that is over 50 years. We have lost at home to some terrible teams and for me the main problem has been lack of goalscorers , width and creativity- in fact the three main ingredients of a successful team. There have been many seasons where no matter how bad we have been away from the Mem we have actually feared nobody at home. This season it has been the opposite and apart Tuesday night our away form has been close to the sort of away from which brings promotion.
The problem for me has been the " keeping the shirt" which GC has pretty well followed but probably not in the case of Ollie Clarke, Sercombe and Nichols (for what he is in the line up for) and also playing the same way at home as away- almost a "hit them on the break" style with a selection that lacks creativity and until we signed Clarke-Harris any punch whatsoever- in many ways at home we have been like a flat beer both individually and as a team.
Whilst GC has improved our away performances the home ones have really in truth been little improvement on DCs.
Tomorrow I suggest surprising the opposition by going for it from the start and leaving out the players who have been off their game for too long. My side would be in the 4-4-2 formation and as follows
Bonham - whilst being poor on Tuesday the other options don't bear thinking about.
Partington - Not convinced by him really but for me is a better option than James Clarke going forward.
Lockyer- Neither him or Craig were at the races on Tuesday night but Toms recent performances have been very good
Craig - Same as Lockyer but once we have hopefully got enough points to stay up I would give Kilgour some games with next season in mind.
Kelly - Has impressed me recently and when played with Holmes-Dennis in front of him has been tidy at home.
Rodman - Surely he must be fit now and I would put him straight back in
Lines - Has had a poor season but is still our most creative player and really has not had a proper run in the side under GC. Perhaps he is past it but after recent home performances I would definitely play him with strict instructions that we don't see him constantly just in front of the defence and also leave the corners to HolmespDennis and the free kicks to Upson. You can tell after half hour if he is going to impress and if not then a brave DC substitution.
Upson - has been the best of a poor bunch in recent times and is more than capable of playing the defensive role and then supplying Lines with the ball to take it forward
Holmes-Dennis- The only player we have left capable of playing the wide left position and after Tuesdays nightmare would play him there.
Clarke-Harris- The only attacking player who can really justify his place and I would describe him as our "Andy Rammell with a future"-if we hadn't signed him I really think we would already be consigned to League 2 next season.
Deon Moore- Why not try to two strong attackers approach? None of the other strikers deserve their place and I don't really think he can be any worse striker wise than what we have used so far from the off. Worth a gamble I think.
Subs- Smith -Well we have to have one on the bench
James Clarke(The only one on the bench who can consider himself unlucky to be there.) Can cover all the defensive positions which is why I have left Kilgour out of the squad for a home game
Reilly- Frustrating- he looks a good player at times but when he starts he looks lightweight,
Jacubiak- not really at the races on Tuesday but if Rodman can't make it then I would play him wide right for his pace
Nichols - His goalscoring record does not justify him starting and whilst he has a good number of assists we cannot go on with a striker firing blanks week in week out.
Sercombe - Bring him on if Lines is not doing the business after half hour
Sinclair or Agogo - For the energy they can provide if things aren't working out.
GC- Must be braver with the substitutions if things are not working. That's my view and that of course is all it is and thankfully it is GC and not me who's neck is on the line. UTG
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Post by socrates on Mar 29, 2019 7:58:15 GMT
Got to play Nichols with Harris it’s a partnership that’s worked and the first one we’ve had that’s worked in ages.
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Post by Gas_Quarters on Mar 29, 2019 8:06:42 GMT
I don’t understand why anyone would want a change from the diamond formation. While we played with it our league record has been P5 W3 D2 L0. We changed it on Tuesday night and it went horribly wrong.
As much as THD and Rodman were playing ok on the wings, why would you want to change a formula that was working so well?
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Post by Antonio Fargas on Mar 29, 2019 8:08:08 GMT
DC at the Mem 2-2-7
GC at the Mem 2-4-2
And if you look at the teams we've played, it looks even better for GC.
This sounds a bit like panicking coz we lost a game. Never heard of picking anyone on the strength of 'surely he must be fit by now.'
And throwing Deon Moore in would seem a bit desperate, too.
Also, sticking in a defender who's better at going forward for a game against the top team with the most goals on a massive run seems a bit wishful. Also Parts has been pretty up and down, but JC probably our most consistent performer all season.
This sort of stuff is really easy to put forward as ideas, but actually doing it as a manager has consequences.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 8:25:45 GMT
Unfortunately Steve we are where we are and because such a large percentage of the squad have failed to perform all season, we are stuck with what we have.
I to would like to see Lines and Rodman back in the side and bring in Sinclair for Ollie Clarke who has been very poor for a longtime now.
It's clear to all of us a major clear out is required to give us any chance of success in this league and I have no doubt GC has similar thoughts.
Hopefully we stay in league one and this time next season we are looking back at a fortress Mem scenario after this season's dire home form.
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Post by WeAreTheGas on Mar 29, 2019 8:30:13 GMT
I agree we’ve been carrying a few players, but I’d match up Luton’s formation and go back to the diamond system that’s worked so well for us over the last few weeks.
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Post by Icegas on Mar 29, 2019 8:31:40 GMT
I wouldnt consider tomorrow as a free hit due to Lutons league position as after all they are still only a L1 side,and with our fans we should never fear anyone at the Mem and always try to win.
I agree with maybe giving Deon Moore a try tomorrow tho even tho scoring as not been a problem simple JCH has come here as you never know what the kis has.
I would also play Lines in a row where he is to attack and no play in front of the back four all game and as you said after 30mins if he does not do this then swap it in a style that DC use to in his early days.
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Post by Rod1883 on Mar 29, 2019 8:41:52 GMT
We saw what happened without Sercombe and Nichols at Donny - no-one able to keep the ball and/or benefit from the JCH ability to win the first ball, and so it just came back at us.
I don't think this is the game to experiment again - it risks a hammering and a massive dent in confidence and goal difference - both vital to our survival.
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Post by neilv93 on Mar 29, 2019 9:01:08 GMT
Got to play Nichols with Harris it’s a partnership that’s worked and the first one we’ve had that’s worked in ages. I will be thoroughly bemused if they don't start up front together tomorrow, especially after that sh*tshow on Tuesday. We are a significantly better team with Nichols in it. FACT. Also, people suggesting we start Deon Moore... really? Really? Think that's probably a stretch too far in the "why don't we try this" mantras. |
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Post by warehamgas on Mar 29, 2019 9:15:47 GMT
Thanks for that Steve. When you’ve seen as many as you I wouldn’t argue. The only thing now is that we keep our nerve and that means maintaining the tried and tested imo. I’d play JCH with TN up front, his scoring record is awful but he’s ourtechnically best player, able to keep the ball and bring others in to play. Make one change in midfield perhaps and play Joe P but the last thing we need to do now is make wholesale changes with it being so close.
UTG!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 9:20:50 GMT
Making massive experimental changes tomorrow would be a recipe for disaster. Stick with the diamond that has served us well in recent weeks/months. We are in a position of points being everything, trying to be clever at this stage and getting hammered could be massively damaging to confidence and goal difference.
Luton are a superb team and in great form. That said, if we stick to the diamond, get the Mem rocking then why shouldn't we be looking to get something from the game?
Given Ollie Clarke's poor form I would be tempted to bring in Lines to add a bit more creativity and retain possession, this shouldn't leave us open as we would still have two defensive minded midfielders.
Bonham
Clarke, Lockyer, Craig, THD
Upson, Lines, Agogo
Sercombe
Nichols & JCH
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Post by Hudson1883 on Mar 29, 2019 9:22:14 GMT
Very decent post I have to say. But I must disagree on the point about seasons entertainment at the Mem. It has been poor with many defeats, there is no doubt (quite a few games being by the odd goal) but there is no way that this season has been worse than those from 2001-2004.
The sheer lack of quality throughout our squads and the ease in which we were beaten in the majority of those 23 home league matches, was staggering. This doesn’t even include the away trips on the road!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 9:24:33 GMT
Got to play Nichols with Harris it’s a partnership that’s worked and the first one we’ve had that’s worked in ages. I will be thoroughly bemused if they don't start up front together tomorrow, especially after that sh*tshow on Tuesday. We are a significantly better team with Nichols in it. FACT. Also, people suggesting we start Deon Moore... really? Really? Think that's probably a stretch too far in the "why don't we try this" mantras. Totally agree. I'm quite hopeful Moore could be good prospect going forward but throwing him in now would be ridiculous, especially when he has recently failed to shine several divisions below for Bath City. i would be equally bemused if James Clarke, possibly our most consistent player this season and player of the year contender, was left out for Partington who has only shone in a few of his appearances. |
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Post by glengas on Mar 29, 2019 9:27:00 GMT
I don’t believe in this free hit business. You can’t assume that because we have games against lower placed teams after Luton we will win them. That was the mistake the 82rs made last season. I believe confidence makes a huge difference and can make an average team into world beaters and vice versa so we need to come away from tomorrows game with it in tact even if we lose. Another stuffing could really damage us. I would go back to the team that was serving us well pre Doncaster. No need for massive changes. Perhaps GC got a little over confident going into the Doncaster game so he will hopefully have leant that whilst we might be a different beast now we need to work hard to maintain it.
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Post by markczgas on Mar 29, 2019 9:48:27 GMT
Making massive experimental changes tomorrow would be a recipe for disaster. Stick with the diamond that has served us well in recent weeks/months. We are in a position of points being everything, trying to be clever at this stage and getting hammered could be massively damaging to confidence and goal difference. Luton are a superb team and in great form. That said, if we stick to the diamond, get the Mem rocking then why shouldn't we be looking to get something from the game? Given Ollie Clarke's poor form I would be tempted to bring in Lines to add a bit more creativity and retain possession, this shouldn't leave us open as we would still have two defensive minded midfielders. Bonham Clarke, Lockyer, Craig, THD Upson, Lines, Obogo Sercombe Nichols & JCH Agree Eric, I don't understand the criticism here of Ogogo ( been a revalation since joining with his energetic and combative play) and Sercombe ( he isn't a battler, he's there because he creates goals and scores them). Have we forgotten Blackpool where he scored one and was heavily involved in 2 goals). Watch the extended highlights of Charlton game and again you'll see his quality on show. However, Ollie C, I'd agree, has looked laboured and probably needs a rest. Agree Eric, if Upson and Ogogo are playing then maybe we can risk Lines to add a better passer - a risk cos Linesy has not done it so far this season. So I'd pick your side Eric. Hope Gasheads show a bit of belief on Saturday and get at the Luton players. GC's record W 7 D 7 L 4. Let's ave 'em ! |
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Post by Marshy on Mar 29, 2019 9:50:11 GMT
One of the key things about recent performances is that we have carried too many players for too long from the off. Certain players have failed either when they have started the game or through most of the game. The former I would put Reilly and Jacubiak and the latter Ollie Clarke, Agogo and Sercombe. Tomorrow is in many ways a bonus game in that we haven't really done anything against any of the top teams and IMO that is down to paying them too much respect at our ground and creating very few chances in many of them. I would go as far as to say that this season has been the worst for both points and entertainment probably at home in my entire time watching Rovers and that is over 50 years. We have lost at home to some terrible teams and for me the main problem has been lack of goalscorers , width and creativity- in fact the three main ingredients of a successful team. There have been many seasons where no matter how bad we have been away from the Mem we have actually feared nobody at home. This season it has been the opposite and apart Tuesday night our away form has been close to the sort of away from which brings promotion. The problem for me has been the " keeping the shirt" which GC has pretty well followed but probably not in the case of Ollie Clarke, Sercombe and Nichols (for what he is in the line up for) and also playing the same way at home as away- almost a "hit them on the break" style with a selection that lacks creativity and until we signed Clarke-Harris any punch whatsoever- in many ways at home we have been like a flat beer both individually and as a team. Whilst GC has improved our away performances the home ones have really in truth been little improvement on DCs. Tomorrow I suggest surprising the opposition by going for it from the start and leaving out the players who have been off their game for too long. My side would be in the 4-4-2 formation and as follows Bonham - whilst being poor on Tuesday the other options don't bear thinking about. Partington - Not convinced by him really but for me is a better option than James Clarke going forward. Lockyer- Neither him or Craig were at the races on Tuesday night but Toms recent performances have been very good Craig - Same as Lockyer but once we have hopefully got enough points to stay up I would give Kilgour some games with next season in mind. Kelly - Has impressed me recently and when played with Holmes-Dennis in front of him has been tidy at home. Rodman - Surely he must be fit now and I would put him straight back in Lines - Has had a poor season but is still our most creative player and really has not had a proper run in the side under GC. Perhaps he is past it but after recent home performances I would definitely play him with strict instructions that we don't see him constantly just in front of the defence and also leave the corners to HolmespDennis and the free kicks to Upson. You can tell after half hour if he is going to impress and if not then a brave DC substitution. Upson - has been the best of a poor bunch in recent times and is more than capable of playing the defensive role and then supplying Lines with the ball to take it forward Holmes-Dennis- The only player we have left capable of playing the wide left position and after Tuesdays nightmare would play him there. Clarke-Harris- The only attacking player who can really justify his place and I would describe him as our "Andy Rammell with a future"-if we hadn't signed him I really think we would already be consigned to League 2 next season. Deon Moore- Why not try to two strong attackers approach? None of the other strikers deserve their place and I don't really think he can be any worse striker wise than what we have used so far from the off. Worth a gamble I think. Subs- Smith -Well we have to have one on the bench James Clarke(The only one on the bench who can consider himself unlucky to be there.) Can cover all the defensive positions which is why I have left Kilgour out of the squad for a home game Reilly- Frustrating- he looks a good player at times but when he starts he looks lightweight, Jacubiak- not really at the races on Tuesday but if Rodman can't make it then I would play him wide right for his pace Nichols - His goalscoring record does not justify him starting and whilst he has a good number of assists we cannot go on with a striker firing blanks week in week out. Sercombe - Bring him on if Lines is not doing the business after half hour Sinclair or Agogo - For the energy they can provide if things aren't working out. GC- Must be braver with the substitutions if things are not working. That's my view and that of course is all it is and thankfully it is GC and not me who's neck is on the line. UTG Blimey, one bad game and the knives come out! Well, more of a machete I would say. FFS! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 9:58:48 GMT
One of the key things about recent performances is that we have carried too many players for too long from the off. Certain players have failed either when they have started the game or through most of the game. The former I would put Reilly and Jacubiak and the latter Ollie Clarke, Agogo and Sercombe. Tomorrow is in many ways a bonus game in that we haven't really done anything against any of the top teams and IMO that is down to paying them too much respect at our ground and creating very few chances in many of them. I would go as far as to say that this season has been the worst for both points and entertainment probably at home in my entire time watching Rovers and that is over 50 years. We have lost at home to some terrible teams and for me the main problem has been lack of goalscorers , width and creativity- in fact the three main ingredients of a successful team. There have been many seasons where no matter how bad we have been away from the Mem we have actually feared nobody at home. This season it has been the opposite and apart Tuesday night our away form has been close to the sort of away from which brings promotion. The problem for me has been the " keeping the shirt" which GC has pretty well followed but probably not in the case of Ollie Clarke, Sercombe and Nichols (for what he is in the line up for) and also playing the same way at home as away- almost a "hit them on the break" style with a selection that lacks creativity and until we signed Clarke-Harris any punch whatsoever- in many ways at home we have been like a flat beer both individually and as a team. Whilst GC has improved our away performances the home ones have really in truth been little improvement on DCs. Tomorrow I suggest surprising the opposition by going for it from the start and leaving out the players who have been off their game for too long. My side would be in the 4-4-2 formation and as follows Bonham - whilst being poor on Tuesday the other options don't bear thinking about. Partington - Not convinced by him really but for me is a better option than James Clarke going forward. Lockyer- Neither him or Craig were at the races on Tuesday night but Toms recent performances have been very good Craig - Same as Lockyer but once we have hopefully got enough points to stay up I would give Kilgour some games with next season in mind. Kelly - Has impressed me recently and when played with Holmes-Dennis in front of him has been tidy at home. Rodman - Surely he must be fit now and I would put him straight back in Lines - Has had a poor season but is still our most creative player and really has not had a proper run in the side under GC. Perhaps he is past it but after recent home performances I would definitely play him with strict instructions that we don't see him constantly just in front of the defence and also leave the corners to HolmespDennis and the free kicks to Upson. You can tell after half hour if he is going to impress and if not then a brave DC substitution. Upson - has been the best of a poor bunch in recent times and is more than capable of playing the defensive role and then supplying Lines with the ball to take it forward Holmes-Dennis- The only player we have left capable of playing the wide left position and after Tuesdays nightmare would play him there. Clarke-Harris- The only attacking player who can really justify his place and I would describe him as our "Andy Rammell with a future"-if we hadn't signed him I really think we would already be consigned to League 2 next season. Deon Moore- Why not try to two strong attackers approach? None of the other strikers deserve their place and I don't really think he can be any worse striker wise than what we have used so far from the off. Worth a gamble I think. Subs- Smith -Well we have to have one on the bench James Clarke(The only one on the bench who can consider himself unlucky to be there.) Can cover all the defensive positions which is why I have left Kilgour out of the squad for a home game Reilly- Frustrating- he looks a good player at times but when he starts he looks lightweight, Jacubiak- not really at the races on Tuesday but if Rodman can't make it then I would play him wide right for his pace Nichols - His goalscoring record does not justify him starting and whilst he has a good number of assists we cannot go on with a striker firing blanks week in week out. Sercombe - Bring him on if Lines is not doing the business after half hour Sinclair or Agogo - For the energy they can provide if things aren't working out. GC- Must be braver with the substitutions if things are not working. That's my view and that of course is all it is and thankfully it is GC and not me who's neck is on the line. UTG Blimey, one bad game and the knives come out! Well, more of a machete I would say. FFS! More a case of running them over with a combine harvester, rolling the bits with a steam roller and then feeding them through a shredder |
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Post by neilv93 on Mar 29, 2019 10:02:23 GMT
I will be thoroughly bemused if they don't start up front together tomorrow, especially after that sh*tshow on Tuesday. We are a significantly better team with Nichols in it. FACT. Also, people suggesting we start Deon Moore... really? Really? Think that's probably a stretch too far in the "why don't we try this" mantras. Totally agree. I'm quite hopeful Moore could be good prospect going forward but throwing him in now would be ridiculous, especially when he has recently failed to shine several divisions below for Bath City. i would be equally bemused if James Clarke, possibly our most consistent player this season and player of the year contender, was left out for Partington who has only shone in a few of his appearances. Yeah I completely agree, eric. I don't want to be a Parts hater but I just don't rate him at all, nor Leadbitter anymore (at this level anyway) and JC is consistent, solid defensively and doesn't actually do that badly on his occasional adventures into the final third. Based on performances this season, he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet. And for those that might argue that by playing a narrow diamond we need width from the FB and JC doesn't get forward etc. then I'm not having it because Parts offers nothing. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2019 10:11:51 GMT
Totally agree. I'm quite hopeful Moore could be good prospect going forward but throwing him in now would be ridiculous, especially when he has recently failed to shine several divisions below for Bath City. i would be equally bemused if James Clarke, possibly our most consistent player this season and player of the year contender, was left out for Partington who has only shone in a few of his appearances. Yeah I completely agree, eric. I don't want to be a Parts hater but I just don't rate him at all, nor Leadbitter anymore (at this level anyway) and JC is consistent, solid defensively and doesn't actually do that badly on his occasional adventures into the final third. Based on performances this season, he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet. And for those that might argue that by playing a narrow diamond we need width from the FB and JC doesn't get forward etc. then I'm not having it because Parts offers nothing. I don't particularly rate Parts either but he is a good squad player, can cover a couple of positions and seems a great pro. I like Leads and think he's fairly reliable in defence and his pace can be a real asset covering in behind. However, he is seen as an attacking fullback and despite finding himself in good attacking positions his final ball and attacking decision making is very poor. For me James Clarke should be one of the first names on the team sheet based purely on his performances this season. I don't think we could have asked much more of him this season. He's also not as bad as some people suggest in terms of his attacking play, he chips in with the valuable odd goal and assist. I would like to think a few who wanted him bombed out in preseason will now be giving him the respect he deserves. |
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Post by socrates on Mar 29, 2019 10:19:27 GMT
Yeah I completely agree, eric. I don't want to be a Parts hater but I just don't rate him at all, nor Leadbitter anymore (at this level anyway) and JC is consistent, solid defensively and doesn't actually do that badly on his occasional adventures into the final third. Based on performances this season, he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet. And for those that might argue that by playing a narrow diamond we need width from the FB and JC doesn't get forward etc. then I'm not having it because Parts offers nothing. I don't particularly rate Parts either but he is a good squad player, can cover a couple of positions and seems a great pro. I like Leads and think he's fairly reliable in defence and his pace can be a real asset covering in behind. However, he is seen as an attacking fullback and despite finding himself in good attacking positions his final ball and attacking decision making is very poor. For me James Clarke should be one of the first names on the team sheet based purely on his performances this season. I don't think we could have asked much more of him this season. He's also not as bad as some people suggest in terms of his attacking play, he chips in with the valuable odd goal and assist. I would like to think a few who wanted him bombed out in preseason will now be giving him the respect he deserves. James Clarke would be my player of the season so far. The most consistent. |
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