[hewittfan]

I?d like to see Madden back in the starting XI, if not tomorrow then on Tuesday.

[Bald magician]

hewittfan, on 24 January 2025 - 12:15 PM, said:

I?d like to see Madden back in the starting XI, if not tomorrow then on Tuesday.

Agreed. Key man up front with 21 games to go

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Madden's inclusion will depend on how many minutes he played in the non disclosed friendly, and how well those minutes went.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Pepple start, though.

Also got a funny feeling Naylor will feature alongside McFadz. We may debate, but Cook seems to favour his pedigree at the back with Oldaker in front...

[Sammy Spireite]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 24 January 2025 - 01:55 PM, said:

Madden's inclusion will depend on how many minutes he played in the non disclosed friendly, and how well those minutes went.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Pepple start, though.

Also got a funny feeling Naylor will feature alongside McFadz. We may debate, but Cook seems to favour his pedigree at the back with Oldaker in front...

I think you're right on Pepple and Naylor/McFadzean partnership, i think Kyle has been brought in as a replacement for Grimes who was drafted in as a replacement for Dunkley.

Only when (if) Dunkley returns this season so i think we will we see Naylor 'released' from the CB role.

[dtp]

Sammy Spireite, on 24 January 2025 - 02:10 PM, said:

I think you're right on Pepple and Naylor/McFadzean partnership, i think Kyle has been brought in as a replacement for Grimes who was drafted in as a replacement for Dunkley.

Only when (if) Dunkley returns this season so i think we will we see Naylor 'released' from the CB role.

It will be interesting to see when Donacien is deemed fit enough to start a game. Tomorrow might be too soon but Sheckleford has done little wrong since returning from injury.

Similarly, on the left side Horton has shown some good form and it could be considered as being quite unfortunate if the man of the match last week loses his place to Sparkes. However, Sparkes has not come to sit on the bench.

Without a doubt Naylor has been missed in midfield and I wonder if he might play as the one in front of our back four in our more recent 4-1-4-1 formation.

I would love to see Madden playing just behind Pepple and the 4-1-4-1 formation might allow that.

Anyway, no doubt, Cook & Co will have tried a few permutations this week so we will have to wait and see.

3 points could kick start our run in.

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Might be in a minority of one here, but Shecks still displays non league tempo and inconsistencies for me.

He allows his oppo's too much space and time and can be profligate in possession.

This isn't a criticism, he's doing okay, but pretty sure the squad's evolving beyond him...

[s42blue]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 24 January 2025 - 02:37 PM, said:

Might be in a minority of one here, but Shecks still displays non league tempo and inconsistencies for me.

He allows his oppo's too much space and time and can be profligate in possession.

This isn't a criticism, he's doing okay, but pretty sure the squad's evolving beyond him...

Yep I?d agree. He?s steady, a good trier. Doesn?t offer too much going forward but better defensively than Horton.

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Perhaps a leader like McFadz can offer Sheck's direction.

It's truly amazing how an experienced bloke at the back can organise those around him (as 'Bonnyman' and the Old 'Un's record in Bob's Board games will testify)...

[Westbars Spireite]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 24 January 2025 - 02:37 PM, said:

Might be in a minority of one here, but Shecks still displays non league tempo and inconsistencies for me.

He allows his oppo's too much space and time and can be profligate in possession.

This isn't a criticism, he's doing okay, but pretty sure the squad's evolving beyond him...

He'll play tomorrow and be replaced by Donacien on Tuesday is my prediction.

[Mr_Pleasant]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 24 January 2025 - 02:37 PM, said:

Might be in a minority of one here, but Shecks still displays non league tempo and inconsistencies for me.

He allows his oppo's too much space and time and can be profligate in possession.

This isn't a criticism, he's doing okay, but pretty sure the squad's evolving beyond him...

I'd agree with this. He's solid but no more, and I'm not entirely sure he is what Cook wants in a full back. He's not a great attacking outlet generally.

It was interesting to me that in the MK Dons game, late on and as we were chasing the game, Naylor had at least one occasion where defensively he had an easy pass to Shecks in plenty of space, and he seemed to stop himself and turn back inside to find a different option.

[Waller is my hero]

To be fair, zero options in right back role..every other right back injured. He?s done a good job but agree with view above

[dtp]

Waller is my hero, on 24 January 2025 - 05:08 PM, said:

To be fair, zero options in right back role..every other right back injured. He?s done a good job but agree with view above

Whatever we may think of Sheckleford he is one of the few players Cook has extended his contract through to 2026. He has done well coming back probably too early from his injury but at the right time for the squad.

In honesty, I see him more of a squad player but a good member of the squad. When he arrived he had to be very patient as Jeff King was playing very well. In the long run perhaps he will be regarded as just that - a squad player but decent cover at RB. Whether or not Donacien becomes first choice remains to be seen but he comes with a good CV and was clearly highly thought of at Ipswich.

The other RB on our books will be one who will be moved on I hazard to guess. In a squad of 22 I do not see that we need 3 RBs and the expected quality of Donacien, the performances of Sheckleford, along with Mandeville providing extra cover, suggests that Daley-Campbell will be allowed to move out.

The position at LB is little different at present and much depends on the expected return dates of both Lewis Gordon and Harvey Aroujo. Until one or the other is fully fit I struggle to see how we can allow Brandon Horton to move out. Horton might get a loan to the NL once Gordon has proved his fitness. Depending on the state of his injury Aroujo might be allowed to return to Fulham but then we might need to consider further cover Grimes. I doubt we are paying much for young Harvey and because of his age he has no impact on the squad of 22.

The only other defender I envisage moving on is Ash Palmer. Because of injury he has never made the squad this season and returning from injury he needs games. If Williams is going to be match fit soon then we should be amply covered at RCB with the recent signings of MacFadzean and Donacien along with Naylor.

[Fit as a Nelson]

Bald magician, on 24 January 2025 - 12:26 PM, said:

Agreed. Key man up front with 21 games to go

Absolutely agree, we?ve not seen anywhere near the best of him but we will.

[dim view]

dtp, on 24 January 2025 - 06:05 PM, said:

The only other defender I envisage moving on is Ash Palmer. Because of injury he has never made the squad this season and returning from injury he needs games. If Williams is going to be match fit soon then we should be amply covered at RCB with the recent signings of MacFadzean and Donacien along with Naylor.

I think Tyrone is in a very similar position to Ash. Both would prefer to move on now rather than wait for the mass exodus in June. Hasn't Ty opted to forego an operation? That's because he wants to play as many games as possible before the season ends, preferably at a club where his contract extends in to next season and perhaps beyond. Solihull?

I'd be looking to move them both on and get a new young prospect in at CH to learn the ropes. We've plenty of cover.

[dtp]

dim view, on 24 January 2025 - 06:14 PM, said:

I think Tyrone is in a very similar position to Ash. Both would prefer to move on now rather than wait for the mass exodus in June. Hasn't Ty opted to forego an operation? That's because he wants to play as many games as possible before the season ends, preferably at a club where his contract extends in to next season and perhaps beyond. Solihull?

I'd be looking to move them both on and get a new young prospect in at CH to learn the ropes. We've plenty of cover.

If both Ash and Ty move out who makes up the “plenty of cover”

This post has been edited by dtp: 24 January 2025 - 06:17 PM

[Hibbo98]

Fit as a Nelson, on 24 January 2025 - 06:08 PM, said:

Absolutely agree, we?ve not seen anywhere near the best of him but we will.

We need to get him playing off Pepple though. He?s not been an out and out CF for years now and his best form has been playing off a big striker. (Evans at Fleetwood, Wootton/Oloafe at Stockport).
I?m not sure we?ll see the best of him up top on his own

[dim view]

dtp, on 24 January 2025 - 06:16 PM, said:

If both Ash and Ty move out who makes up the ?plenty of cover?

You are quite capable of speculating. I'd add to your list by signing a prospect.

[Fit as a Nelson]

Hibbo98, on 24 January 2025 - 06:17 PM, said:

We need to get him playing off Pepple though. He?s not been an out and out CF for years now and his best form has been playing off a big striker. (Evans at Fleetwood, Wootton/Oloafe at Stockport).
I?m not sure we?ll see the best of him up top on his own

If we?re going to do that, then we need another striker through the door.

[60s 70s Spireite]

dtp, on 24 January 2025 - 06:16 PM, said:

If both Ash and Ty move out who makes up the ?plenty of cover?

We would still have McFadzean, Grimes, Araujo, Donacien and of course Naylor.
I am with DV, Williams to go one way or another.

[Dapets]

Can see grimes and macc tomorrow given how much of a battering ram Stockton is.

Would take a draw