I see saturdays game very tough and could see us knocked off top spot .id like to see birchall start as looked lively on Saturday and posed a goal threat however I also think ma should stop the rotation and play the strongest team possible . What's everyone's thoughts on this .
A few weeks back and ma was being treated as a genius for changing a winning team, rotating players and having the tea lady do the team talk. These things were crazy of course. This is league 2, players are not travelling around Europe or involved in international duty and league 2 players want to play every match. So at this level it must make sense to take a dozen players who play best as a team, tell them that barring injuries or a need for a major tactical change, they will start the next 6 games, and after that change it if people have failed. The England cricket team is testimony to consistency of selection. A few years ago they chopped and changed and results were awful. These days they stick with the same players and, if not worldbeaters, they are not far off. ma has been around long enough to cope with a few disappointing results, someone just needs to be brave enough to whisper in his ear that he might be self inflicting the problem.
Our best spell off results had Flanagan and wright in the side, changes yes but they were forced sadly.
To be honest In my opinion I think it started to go wrong so to speak when Wright went back to palace and not re signing him us a big miss
Picking up Grumpy's theme, it is interesting to look at performances (in terms of percentage of points gained) with certain key players. We all know Gills have gained 41 out of 60 points a success rate of 68%. For the games that Flanagan started the percentage is 69%. For the games that Wright started the figure is 76%. For the games Kedwell started the figure is 85%. There are lots of possible explanations but statistics are a good starting point for asking questions. Kedwell has not departed the club like Wright and Flanagan but he has been missing from the last five starting lineups of which the team has won one with a 93rd minute goal.
started to go wrong ? we're top. even if the worst possible scenario happens and we go down to 2nd im sure everyone would have taken being 2nd in mid december ?
People say start and stick with the strongest team, but what is it? Last season it was fairly easy, but this year I doubt if anyone would pick the same eleven or even fourteen for that matter. We could probably all pick sixteen, which is what Martin does, but which eleven would/could he choose to start every game? Whoever is picked, you could say so and so is better in that position, and that is why is rotation policy is ok. Very soon now,other teams will pick up injuries and suspensions, and have to bring in players that have hardly had a game, and we won't have that problem because all our players are used to slotting in all the time.
I would agree performances have dipped since Wright went back to Palace and i think he is the one we miss the most. Montrose has done OK but i would prefer Wright there. Would like to see Kedwell start more as i think strikers attain better form by a run in the team. Weston also has had too many starts on the bench. Yes we do have a good squad and MA can not keep them all happy all the time but we need to play our best team now and climb out of this mini slump before we throw away all the good work from the early part of the season. However we are top and none of us could have probably thought we would be at the start of the season.
bristol407, you've started something now. Looking at defenders/defensive midfield in the games where we have achieved a clean sheet. Nelson played in 100% of those games, Fish 100%, Barrett 100%, Payne 62.5%, Wright 62.5%, Flanagan 62.5%, Davies 37.5%, Montrose 37.5%, Frampton 25%. With Wright unavailable it looks like Payne should be a starter.
That is interesting Grumpy but I guess the defensive statistic of importance would be the goals conceded per game started for all those names you mention. i have not calculated the result but I would enjoy seeing it if somebody wants to get their calculator out. My guess is that Payne would have a favourable number because I think he missed the Torquay, Rochdale and Exeter games when the team shipped a few goals.
ok. bristol lets give it a go. Wright 0.43 goals per game, Payne 0.55, Barrett 0.833, Frampton 0.833, Flanagan 0.833, Montrose 0.9, Davies 1.0.
I wouldn't be too upset if I don't see any goals on Saturday - although it would test my sense of humour if the game got called off on my arrival at the ground. edit - no snow expected - Friday night temp to dip to freezing - Saturday up to 4 degrees with light winds.
A draw would be a good result, maintaining the current gap between Rotherham and the other clubs in play off places. I appreciate if P/Vale win we would drop to second on GD, but we should reverse this in forthcoming matches, especially as MA has now stated he expects to make full use of the transfer/loan market in the New Year.
Greetings. Looking like a tough test for both teams. I think we (Millers) are just hitting something close to top form so, you face us at a good time from our point of view. Added to this is the possibility that Arnie could be fit to play. I see Kedwell is top scorer but not a cert to stat and I dont see many sue he should? Your defence seems sound enough. who are your best players at mo?
WillieMiller, Welcome This should be a good match indeed, we are looking to bounce back now after having a flourish of games in a short space of time. Most of us would be happy to see Kedwell start just due to the fact we have never lost when he has started. However Martin Allen imposes a rotation policy so we are unable to be able to guess the team. I would say however look out for Matt Fish at Right Back. He is very quick and is willing to penetrate the defence. Other than that I will keep it tightly wrapped Im afraid. Good luck for the season (after saturday, also hope you get a new manager too)
we have some difficulty at left back and is probably our weakest position. Sounds odd to have a rotation policy that includes you best striker. Then again MA is pretty unique and worth every bit of media time. gotta love him. As for SE, I am afraid we have all fallen in love with him (well not all but, they have gone quiet for now). Sad, I know but, inevitable when he is your manager and the results and the talk start to come together. I think you guys should be nailed on for promotion this year and I now firmly believe we will be top three too. This is the best millers squad for 10 years and is now starting to tick
