Westbars Spireite, on 16 February 2025 - 09:37 AM, said:
He's brought in Olakigbe to play right of the three, that much is clear. A vastly different sort of player and one that shows promise but he doesn't necessarily fit the mould of a Cook player in the way Mandeville does. With Dobra drifting left it does leave space on the right that can be exploited. Unless there's a tweak of the system again, I don't see Mandy in the starting XI now unless it's in the middle where he did well. Would we have coped better with their second half shift up the pitch and press with him there instead of Oldaker? Instead of Naylor? Perhaps.
Cook has certainly made subtle changes bringing in Olakigbe, Sparkes, Duffy as they are more direct and like an early cross. Whether it is a change for the best remains to be seen.
dtp, on 16 February 2025 - 10:24 AM, said:
First of all, let me say, Mandeville should be offered a deal beyond this season.
Then, I will admit I was less than impressed with his performances during his first 2 seasons with us and felt he was inferior at times to the likes of Joe Rowley.
Disappointingly, he has had a relatively poor season this time round and so far has failed to score a single goal which, quite simply, is not at all good enough when he is part of the attacking 4.
Importantly, though, he does not hide, has become a bit of a utility man, can play in a number of positions, etc which is very important when the squad is limited in size.
Mandeville is already contracted until 2026 so hopefully he is still in Cook's plans
This post has been edited by azul: 16 February 2025 - 11:01 AM