[Westbars Spireite]

That matches my thoughts on it (certainly have no desire to watch it all again mind you).

I'd also leave out Fleck and Olakigbe for Friday who I thought were our poorest players on the day.

[hilly81]

dart in the crossbar, on 12 May 2025 - 05:08 PM, said:

so, taking out the live emotion and first viewing out of an assessment. I'd now come up with the following:

1. Colclough did better than I thought. He had a decent game.
2. Fleck had a really poor game. Worse than I'd thought (and I wasn't impressed). He did very little to get the ball. He hardly showed at all. When he received the ball he often mis-controlled it and/or gave a poor pass.
3. Metcalfe and Mandeville worked very hard to provide outlets for their teammates. They had a lot of the ball. But usually they then opted to play the ball backwards to out back 5. When they played forwards (passing or sometimes running with the ball) we were a threat. They were unlucky not to get assists.
4. As with '3'. We changed our tactics at the start of the second half. For a period we played the ball forward. It seems odd that it needed a HT teamtalk to start doing this. And odd that we went back to the old ways towards the end of the game.
5. Gordon did ok and contributed a lot. He also made a few errors towards the end of his time on the pitch.
6. Duffy and Sparkes put in some decent crosses in the short while that they were on
7. Olakigbe struggled.
8. We stood off them for most of the game. For a short period at the start of the second half we closed down much better.

We are a better footballing team than Walsall on that showing. We could have scored four or more goals with better finishing / better luck.

As to the next game, presuming that Cook doesn't change the formation... On that showing, Fleck should be out of the squad. Naylor did very little in advanced CM other than work fairly hard. I'd put him alongside Metcalfe with the instructions to put his foot in, compete in the air and play the ball to Metcalfe or our 10s. I'd probably start Sparkes at LB for his crossing. I'd start Dobra in the 'Naylor' position. I'd not start Olakigbe. On that showing the wide 10's should be Colclough and Duffy.

I'd be looking to bring on Pepple as first second half sub to play up with Grigg unless were are level. I'd probably be taking off Naylor. I'd be reluctant to bring on Olakigbe unless we go to 5 up front or something.

Watching the game again on Sky shows that, whilst we lost, this isn't over yet by some way. Walsall were nothing special at all. Bradford City were a much better first half team at ours IMHO

COYB



ah ok thanks. I couldn't see that on the telly.

Good summary. It was Fleck's worst game for us by a distance unfortunately.

[dart in the crossbar]

hilly81, on 12 May 2025 - 05:11 PM, said:

Good summary. It was Fleck's worst game for us by a distance unfortunately.

thanks

I really didn't want to watch it again, but I thought that we did much better in the re-run than I saw live. In the period after half time up to the keeper / objects we were well on top.

Ifs, buts and maybes I know, but had we closed down they wouldn't have got their penno. Had we had the luck that got them their second, Colclough's early shot would have gone in off their lad. And we had more good chances than them. And we were the better football team and so on.

I thought that it was over; I'm more optimistic know.

But Cook will need to make some decisions about his starting line up and tactics. More of the third period without Fleck and Olakigbe and we could easily overturn the 0:2

[Westbars Spireite]

We have to score first (obviously). If we do then it's game on. I have little expectation at this point so taking the game deep with us giving them a scare or two along the way will satisfy me.

[hilly81]

dart in the crossbar, on 12 May 2025 - 05:19 PM, said:

thanks

I really didn't want to watch it again, but I thought that we did much better in the re-run than I saw live. In the period after half time up to the keeper / objects we were well on top.

Ifs, buts and maybes I know, but had we closed down they wouldn't have got their penno. Had we had the luck that got them their second, Colclough's early shot would have gone in off their lad. And we had more good chances than them. And we were the better football team and so on.

I thought that it was over; I'm more optimistic know.

But Cook will need to make some decisions about his starting line up and tactics. More of the third period without Fleck and Olakigbe and we could easily overturn the 0:2

I finished watching the game and didn't think we were anywhere near as bad as a lot of the reactions on here, social media etc. Either of Colclough's chances in the first half go in then it's a different game and all 3 of the headed chances 2nd half we should have done better with. We made plenty of chances! It was just attritional stuff due to well drilled, organised and motivated opponent. Yes, it was a disappointing result but not the end of the world. Still in it.

[60s 70s Spireite]

hilly81, on 12 May 2025 - 05:24 PM, said:

I finished watching the game and didn't think we were anywhere near as bad as a lot of the reactions on here, social media etc. Either of Colclough's chances in the first half go in then it's a different game and all 3 of the headed chances 2nd half we should have done better with. We made plenty of chances! It was just attritional stuff due to well drilled, organised and motivated opponent. Yes, it was a disappointing result but not the end of the world. Still in it.

Bit harsh saying Naylor could have done better with his header. Ball floated in from midway in their half, met on the penalty spot and well directed in the circumstances. Pity Naylor wasn’t on the end of Duffy’s cross that was met by Pepple.

[Days in europa]

My thoughts are that it was really hard to take the low of the result after the high of last weeks and our entry into the play offs
There not special but did what they had to do well if colcloughs effort hit the back or the other half chance it would have been different story but we will see on Friday if we can give it a go I really hope so something like TL s goal is needed

[dim view]

60s 70s Spireite, on 12 May 2025 - 05:36 PM, said:

Bit harsh saying Naylor could have done better with his header. Ball floated in from midway in their half, met on the penalty spot and well directed in the circumstances. Pity Naylor wasn’t on the end of Duffy’s cross that was met by Pepple.

Pepple hasn't learned the skill of heading a ball yet.

[h again]

60s 70s Spireite, on 12 May 2025 - 05:36 PM, said:

Bit harsh saying Naylor could have done better with his header. Ball floated in from midway in their half, met on the penalty spot and well directed in the circumstances. Pity Naylor wasn’t on the end of Duffy’s cross that was met by Pepple.

Same rule applies as in schools football - head it down. Bounce it on the goal line and the keeper struggles. Just be sure it doesn't bounce quite as high as Ash Palmer's effort though.

[Misnomer]

 JonB, on 12 May 2025 - 10:18 AM, said:

So people think Sparkes best attribute is his attacking play and crosses into the box so you stick him at left centre back in a back three?

No, Jon. I'd stick him there because he's quick and will offer some cover. Their outlets were virtually none existent; am I the only person who could see that? They got a pen, and then our midfield left them a free hit. BUT we still couldn't get through them. Yes, their keeper made a couple of decent saves, but we didn't score and created little. We're 2-0 down - as the Yanks say, do the math.

So why not go with a three? The problem lies with us breaking them down; hence, going three at the back. Sparkes is Quicker than anyone in our defence. However, if folk want Gordon there, great; put Sparkes left of the four.

[60s 70s Spireite]

h again, on 12 May 2025 - 07:02 PM, said:

Same rule applies as in schools football - head it down. Bounce it on the goal line and the keeper struggles. Just be sure it doesn't bounce quite as high as Ash Palmer's effort though.

Yet Palmers only headed goal this season went straight into roof of the net.
Since when did all scored headers be headed downwards?
Naylors task would have been far easier was he at the far post or the cross come from much nearer the goal line.
Remember Jamie Hewitt’s last minute goal at Old Trafford? Roof of the net.

This post has been edited by 60s 70s Spireite: Today, 07:58 PM

[SpireRam]

Banks straight into the XI if passed fit? Think we’d benefit with him in the CAM role.

I’d be tempted to go 4-1-4-1 tbh, Metcalfe as the holder.

If we’re to stick with 4-2-3-1 I’d play Metcalfe alongside DJ and bin Fleck off. I know most would disagree with the DJ sentiment and he’s probably played his last game for us but if there’s ever an opportunity to go out with a bang…
Us not having a CM on the bench on Sunday killed us really as I think fleck would have been hooked much earlier otherwise.

[Bonnyman]

The only way we win is if we are as unpredictable as they are predictable, which means scrapping playing 4231 for this game , if you keep playing the same way hoping for a different result then your pretty foolish, we have not beaten them in 3 and they are not that good

[dtp]

Any thoughts about playing Pepple wide with permission to drift in at times making the 3 behind Grigg - Pepple, Dobra & Colclough?

He’s shown pace before and an ability to cross the ball whilst not being easy to knock off the ball.

[dim view]

dtp, on 12 May 2025 - 09:01 PM, said:

Any thoughts about playing Pepple wide with permission to drift in at times making the 3 behind Grigg - Pepple, Dobra & Colclough?

He’s shown pace before and an ability to cross the ball whilst not being easy to knock off the ball.

I got the distinct impression listening to Cook post match on 1866 that Dobra isn't fully fit. It's a big call.

[Westbars Spireite]

 dim view, on 12 May 2025 - 09:07 PM, said:

I got the distinct impression listening to Cook post match on 1866 that Dobra isn't fully fit. It's a big call.

He's not likely to be. But it's a risk we can take given we aren't likely to play again for 3 months.

[h again]

60s 70s Spireite, on 12 May 2025 - 07:52 PM, said:

Yet Palmers only headed goal this season went straight into roof of the net.
Since when did all scored headers be headed downwards?
Naylors task would have been far easier was he at the far post or the cross come from much nearer the goal line.
Remember Jamie Hewitt’s last minute goal at Old Trafford? Roof of the net.

It's hardly controversial, it's standard coaching and always has been. At the most obvious level it means the 'keeper has further to travel to reach the ball.
Not sure what you're trying to say.