I think we will now have a real test trying to replace Korey who IMO has been our player of the season and who was the one player we didn't want injured. An injured hammy will mean a couple of weeks out at least. I think the majority of people were surprised today by what Cotts decided to do when the need to replace him arose. What are the thoughts for next week? I don't think he will do the same again but it seems he doesn't feel Pack will do the same job as Korey. Maybe he feels he hasn't got the legs. I feel Jordan Wynter has the legs to do the job but is probably lacking in quality. It's a tricky one
You might be right but if anything Cotts does surprise us quite often and seeing its an away game what are the chances of him pushing Ayling forward into midfield and bringing in El-Abd?
i'm not convinced it wouldn't be the best option Or maybe a change of emphasis from attack to defence to compensate for our weakened chin by playing two in front of our defence in Ayling and Pack, with Freeman or Elliott as a rather defensive midfield. That would of course see the end of our 3-2s and 2-2s at least until Smith returns, and would of course mean either Freeman, Wilbs, Agard, Bryan or Elliott having a few weeks off, which is a pain. Like already said, Smith was the one player we really didn't need to lose
I think Ayling did ok when he was put in midfield. However I would revert to our normal back 3 and play Pack.
Let's look on the bright side and believe that whoever replaces Korey and whatever shape SC decides on, we will return from The Ricoh with another three points and continue the long march to promotion!
Yes, a bit scary- It depends how long he is out and what the extent is. I would bring in Pack and consider 4-4-2. Out next games are against Coventry (A) Bradford (H) Barnsley (A) and Oldham (H). It is natural to expect injuries and that is where strength in depth comes in. however, Our 3 games after are Swindon (A),Preston (H) and Peterborough (A), so lets hope he is back by then.
Pack is the only option,however i do not rate pack overated,smith is a massive massive blow. This is where the players need to come in and produce,however as the pitches get heavier injurys will become more.
Even though Dingle is no Smith, I feel that he can do ok in the team. He does have a great range of passing in his locker just needs to toughen up a bit. Remember last season a few was saying Joe Bryan was not that great he's become more bulked and looks like he's going to become better and better for us.
'Pack should come in and I think he will, its time for us all to trust him..' I agree but nobody can second guess Cotterill. His subs yesterday bordered on farcical again but we won so most will disagree. 'Smith was the one player we really didn't need to lose' - almost agree. Wait till you see us without Abraham, you might change your mind.
Willbs has been the main man so far this season,without him we would be no where near where we sit at present. Irreplacible is willbs. How many said, why did we bring him in, when we signed him
'His subs yesterday bordered on farcical again but we won so most will disagree." No. On this occasion I don't disagree.. and I have said so on another thread, however he has admitted in the media that he did get it wrong this time.. I don't share your views regarding Wagstaff but I did think he was poor against Cheltenham in an otherwise positive game.
'I don't share your views regarding Wagstaff but I did think he was poor against Cheltenham' He ran up blind alleys and was defensively inept. He never achieves anything, a tackle, a head, never goes by - nothing. But tbf he did run his nuts off - he's just bloody useless.
I took a bit of a herd mentality when he was appointed particularly after I had read comments by Forest fans on a forum of theirs. They were pretty scathing to be honest. The one that made me chuckle was the comment about how Forest would have won 1-0 if the other team hadn't scored 2. A lot of Forest fans seemed to give up at that point. Funnily enough, I knew what he was trying to say. Sometimes you get a game when you are all over the opposition and the only thing they did all game was to stick the ball in the back of the net twice. Having got to know him being with us, his nature is infectious and his enthusiasm is enormous. I would go as far as saying that he has been the best manager since Dicks and hope he goes on to be the most successful. Personally, I think it wont be too long before a bigger club sacks their manager, and comes knocking on our door.
Massive difference with Cotterill and Wilbs, most of you (as I pointed out in that thread at the time!) were destroying Wilbraham and you knew nothing about him, just that he wasn't a 'name' immediately known to you so he must be ****? People were judging Cotterill (myself included) on his then current form and comments from other clubs fans which were pretty much to a man that he was woeful.. Both have proved to be very wrong.
