I suppose what the game tonight shows is that a true 'squad system' could work, as much as this way of selecting, rotating and refreshing a side confounds fans and divides opinion. It's certainly gone some way to answering the question "Can Yado Mambo live with the big boys?" It proves that Jason Euell's still got it (as if that were in doubt) and probably never lost it. It definitely shows we can live without loan players. But what does Chrissy do now? When we had the tremendous start a couple of seasons ago, things were going great, the side was unchanged for game after game, then suddenly, the side and the system got sussed, big time. Bury got clobbered finally tonight, but that man was there again and he'll definitely be in our face on Saturday. Does Chrissy stick or twist? I'd be interested to hear your views.
Tewkes, I think everyone will have a different opinion. Thats the beauty of where we are now compared to previous seasons. Ultimately, it will prove the making or not of CP - the art of "managing" his players and playing the right team, right tactics, right substitutions etc to suit each individual game. One lesson I hope he does take on board is avoiding the errors made against Scunny. Doesnt really answer your question, but ultimately he should twist a bit, bearing in mind the situation for Bury, who incidently were 2-1 up against Leics till 20 mins to go.
Also shows the fact that we should not sell Paul Benson and Simon Francis... Francis, had a good game, much better than any game he played last season.
francis was excellent tonight to certainly my surprise, i have no idea what powell does from here, but what a problem to have compared to the carp we've had in recent times!
I base the following team on the last two matches - Elliott Wiggins Morrison Taylor Solly Green Pritchard Hollands Jackson BWP Euell Hamer Stephens Waggy Hayes Mambo I wasn't impressed with Hughes, and Mambo can replace Doherty on the bench. Pritchard will add bite to the midfield for the Bury game and Francis can count himself very unlucky not to make the 16 - as should Benno. Evina still needs to find full fitness in my opinion.
For me the Cm positions are nailed on with Stephens and Hollands; BWP and JJ are also certs to starts - GK will depend on Elliot's impending transfer and the back 4 will revert to the previous league matches. The debatable positions are Green or Wagstaff on the right and Hayes or Euell up front - I think Green and Hayes will get the nod for the weekend with the others on the bench.
Jesus christ... I think the earth has started spinning the other way... I actually 'almost' completely agree with you for once Ponders... . My team would only differ from yours in two areas. Id bring Hamer in for Elliott. If he don't want to sign a contract he can jog on as far as I'm concerned. I would also bring Benson in for Hayes, leaving Euell on the bench. I feel we carry much more of a threat with two out and out front men. With Green and JJ on either side I can see Benno and BWP having it off big time with the right supply...!! Pritchard is an exciting find for me. He reminds me of a slightly more athletic Keith Jones. If he can be half the player for us that Jonesy was we could have a really influential player on our hands...!!
Hamer Evina Morrison Taylor Solly Green Jackson Hollands Wagstaff Benson BWP (Sullivan, Wiggins, Stephens, Pritchard, Euell) Hayes was off for me last game - only reason he is out, and for me Stephens didnt impress vs. Scunny. Agree that Elliot shouldnt play until the contract thing is sorted. Havnt been toooo impressed with Wiggins, and though Evina was excellent tonight. I'm being harsh on the players and Powell needs to get man management perfect this season. COYR!!
The "Never change a winning team" fetishists were out in force here earlier refusing to accept that Waggy should make way for Green. They are very silent now. They are probably confused about which of our winning teams shouldn't be changed. Other Division One clubs should be afraid, very afraid. If their team gives us any trouble in the first meeting (like S****horpe) we will field our RESERVES in the return leg and our RESERVES will have them for breakfast.
I agree I think these 2 positions are the only ones open to change at the moment and I would probably start with Green and Hayes against Bury.
... Sod him... Charlton comes first mte...!! Dale stephens is a quality player but he went missing big time against Scunny. Pritchard on the other hand absolutely bossed it by all accounts against Reading, a top Championship side. For me he has earned his crack...!!
I think the Keeper may change subject to whatever happens with Newcastle, though Hamer looked like he pulled something last night so might not be 100%. The Doc and Benson both went off with problems so maybe Mambo will come onto the bench, but Euell will surely stay on the bench; if Green comes in Waggy will be on the bench; and I can't see Chrissy dropping Hughes (captain for last night) from the bench, even though Pritchard put in an excellent performance. I very much doubt that there will be significant changes to last Saturday's team.
You don't make radical changes to a winning team. But then you don't make a substitution when you're defending a corner...
We have a big squad this year that's full of quality. We must therefore reward those on the fringes of the first team with a start when they perform well. If you don't reward those who perform well when they're given the chance to they may become dispondent at their lack of opportunity. For me Pritchard simply must be given a chance...!!
Several players put down a marker and gave CP the type of headache a manager wants. Dare he put Green back on the bench? Pritchard showed the type of hunger in midfield we didn't have on saturday.Mambo can replace Doc on the bench. Benson's guile and intelligence or Hayes' industry? Waggy had his best game for ages, playing in the middle, keep him there. And Evina is another option on the left. Definitely all about the squad now, not the first 11.
