The Club saved "Stu" the blushes of a press conference today. And rightly so since it's not his job to explain the financial (Mackintosh) and managerial (Rigg) blunders. During the week however, "Stu" has been giving the odd quote to the local 'exclusive' paper and one, it was almost a throw away remark, that surprised me was that he had played Ream at left back against Bolton. So it wasn't 5-3-2 as I had thought but his favoured 4-4-2 after all. Expect the same system on Saturday. There don't appear to be any new casualties and a stack of first teamers, including LVC and Matilla, had a run out for the U21s the other night. Doubt if any of them will feature in the starting line-up though. I have this hope he won't start with Parker, who simply hasn't got the legs any more for this League, but suspect I'll be disappointed. In fact, expect exactly the same starting Xl as he put out against Bolton. The man in the middle, Scott Duncan please log in to view this image is pretty mild mannered by Championship standards with only 39 yellow cards in his 16 games so far this season. And hopefully he brings good omens having previously ref’d only two of our matches, both 1-0 away wins – against Brentford and Leeds. There again it could be third time unlucky.
.........Lonergan................ Richards Stearman Burn Ream Garbutt .....Cairney Hyndman Williams ........McCormack Dembele...... I'd like to see Williams given a chance instead of Kacaniklic I don't think Hyndman or Williams will play as I think O'Hara and Kacaniklic will be preferred. I guess it's worth stinking with the back 5, just to give them game time together, but I think they will have to do a lot more defending in this game
"Stu" has made a couple of changes, bringing in Fredericks for Richards and O'Hara for Parker. So like for like and no change in system. .....................Lonergan.............. ..Fredericks....Stearman.....Burn......Ream.. ....Kacaniklic..Hyndman..O'Hara..Garbutt.. ...........McCormack..Dembele.. Again awful lightweight in midfield. Cairney and LVC on the bench. Along with Lewis, Hutchinson, Pringle, Woodrow and Smith.
Worrying that we continue to play as individuals rather than as a team. HALLOWEEN >>>>>>>>>>>>>>NO WINS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>BOXING DAY
Following the defeat at Derby Mike Rigg, formerly Chief Football Bloke, who henceforth wishes to be known as No.1 from Planet Zog, has sacked the team coach driver. "The current form is all Gordon's fault," said Rigg. "He's been a good servant but, unfortunately, his driving style has disrupted the teams equilibrium. It is showing on the pitch and affecting our chances of challenging for the title, so we've had to let him go. We shall immediately start a search for his replacement, but I want to make it clear we are not looking for a driver, simply someone who can turn the wheel and press the appropriate pedals of the coach under my directions. I may let them tune the radio and adjust the rear view mirror, this will have to be hammered out during contract negotiations. I anticipate we will have someone in place by the weekend. Not the next weekend, obviously, but definitely a weekend at some unspecified date in the future."
