Okay so I didn't watch the game, I played footy so poor on my part. I cannot comment on patterns from us etc. I did listen to Mr Blooms lovely Blue Monday podcast and he told me it was better than QPR ( Not difficult ) so that is something ( straws clutched ) Appears Mr Hurst is going to get this game ( good luck fella ) and with Preston winning 4-3 last night, that doesn't make the league table any better reading as a town fan right now. I'm not even going to attempt to guess the side. * 5 changes v Hull * 6 v Norwich * 7 v Leeds All we need is 8 v Millwall, and we've been influenced by Steps late 90s hit 5 6 7 8. Yes, I did just say that. Perhaps refer me to a mental health specialist. I wouldn't be offended if you did. As for Millwall, crest of a wave last season and a poor start this. Won their last 2 home games, so warning signs..... As mentioned before, we've got a recipe of - * As much chance of getting a clean sheet vs 11 as ............. pigs flying, and a strikeforce who couldn't.......... score in a brothel = YAY. However, for whatever reason I've got a slightly upbeat vibe about this one. We've not scored in out last 2 so lets say we're due a goal, and perhaps we could concede 1 as opposed to 2. Lets go 1-1 draw - which would usually be reasonable at Millwall, however would put us up to a maximum 23rd depending how Hull do. Dizzy heights indeed. Just a car crash right now. Any rays of lights v Leeds? What I will say - is we WILL have a spell v Millwall. Maybe the game will for the most part be 5050, however we don't score when on top........... and at any given point in a game can say ' here you go opposition, have 1-0 ' which is frightening.
Listened to Benjamin Bloom talking about Hurst possibly losing the dressing room after the Exeter defeat. His post match was pretty damning listening back to it. I’m imagining there’s a weight lifted in that dressing room and we’ll see a better performance at Millwall with Klug in charge. COYB
This is complete and utter nonsense. The players gave everything on the pitch until the QPR match. The reasons we didn’t win games were apparent in the games before Exeter and it never changed. People like Benjamin Bloom just need a story and an angle to make themselves interesting. If it were the case though, it flies in the face of what a lot of critics have been saying about the players being not Championship standard. The only person whose weight has lifted is Paul Hurst who is probably disappointed but relieved. It’s going to be a fascinating time now to see whether these players have it in them with the right coaching and tactics. Anyone can get the players creating and putting away chances in just two days it’s Bryan Klug. I do question the ability of Kayden Jackson though. It feels to me like a long term project to coach him to score goals. I think we may need to draft in youth / free agents or try attacking midfielders up front. I think the defence will look more solid but struggle on set pieces and we will struggle to create and put away chances. 2-0 Millwall.
A gallant 2-1 defeat.. But nothing too different from us, except a new man in the dugout and more patient fans less likely to furiously type into their keyboards after the match.
A 0-0 draw is a possible result, I don't think a draw is beyond us and if Hurst was unpopular with some of the players (and by some accounts, he clearly was), then I'd like to think the players will be fired up to impress the new boss. The worrying thing is that Millwall have improved over last few games, since they reverted back to their aggressive, high-pressing 4-4-2 set-up.
Woah I can essentially disregard that preview!!!! Lets see what team ends up being picked tomorrow, any predictions!?!?!? I'll go 2-1 defeat still. I think it's a poor squad.
I'd like to think Klug would keep it simple and go: Bart Donacien / Chambers / Pennington / Knudsen Edwards / Skuse / Dozzell / Rowe Sears / Jackson
I honestly do not think we've got a strong enough base to play 4-4-2 unfortunately, let alone an away game. Although we might be better going forwards, we're a leaky bucket at the back and think if we go 4-4-2 with 2 wingers at the moment, 2 strikers the white flag could go up. Perhaps that's defeatist just not sure.
Westy, I'm not a massive fan of 4-4-2, but I'd like to think we could match this Millwall side and do something with the 'new manager' bounce. We could go five in midfield and control the centre, as that's an effective way of negating a 4-4-2, but my main concern is that our strike-force is not firing. Jackson and Sears appear to struggle up top by themselves, so I think it's worth playing them together with some service from two actual wide-men (Nolan and Edun did not cut it in those positions against Leeds). What would your ideal line up be?
Maybe- Bart Donacien Pennington chambers Knudsen Skuse n dozza sitting Edwards chalobah further up Edun Jackson
I don't think it matters greatly what formation we play, be it 4-4-2 or 5-3-1 or 3-5-1...at the end of the day, as i was taught playing the game as a youngster, we defend as a team, and we attack as a team. As long as the wide men tuck in when we are defending, and then spread out nice n wide when attacking. Our problem has been we were too pedestrian, no one supporting the forward/s and being easily stifled. We need to be sharper in our movement, and drag their cb's out of position. Do we have the players to do that? Possibly not at the moment, but i'd like to think that can be trained into them. Exciting (yes, believe it or not) 2-2 draw (Sears and Jacko)
Desperately need three points today to not be stranded when Lambert comes in and to give him a positive to get off on the front foot. COYB.
New manager, bit of a bounce,fresh feel, more enthusiasm, similar team, but Bart must start, a few howlers to put Lamberts head in his hands and think wtf, but overal a much improved perfromance and going for a well deserved 1-1 draw. Not ideal but promising for the man to take-over. Always liked and admired Klug. So lucky to have him.
I want to see us build on Hurst's transfers and start to assemble a team. If we can avoid relegation with a settled XI and add one or two creative / attacking players in the January window as well as getting Woolfenden and Morris back that will be a successful season from our current situation. Today is an opportunity for some players to stake their place for that starting XI.
Interesting team selection. Hope Ward pushes up. Glad Bart between the sticks. Hope Edwards gets a look in. Come on Ipswich!
Who knows, we will find out soon! It looks like 3 - 5 - 2 with Ward and Knudsen wing backs but it could be Pennington / Chalobah / Chambers / Knudsen in a back four.
