[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Let's get summat out the way up front; today's ref was a joke. A parody. A Python-esque satire of every comically biased 'homer' that ever reached our screens. It became clear as early as the opening exchanges that all a Notts player had to do was throw himself to the floor to get a decision. Meanwhile far more obvious fouls on Town players were simply waved away.

I wasn't watching the sending off - from the corner of my eye it seemed nothing more than a defender blocking an attacker as seen dozens of times in every game - but this was an official that'd awarded a throw-in then randomly decided to re-start the game with an in-field drop-ball after (surprise-surprise) a supposed injury to a home player.

It's sickening to think he might walk away from such brazen incompetence without any thought given to the many Town fans suffering as a result.

However.

Given this was my first glimpse of CFC 2017/18 - thanks to Carson and Co's ongoing behaviour - the opening conversations went pretty much like this:

Me: 'Who's that on the left of our back three?'

Mates: 'Wiseman.'

Me: 'So why're we playing a right footer in that position?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Isn't one of our two holding midfielders that lad from Sheffyoo? But I thought he was a creative player?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Why is Dennis in midfield?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'So we've square pegs in round holes after just two games? Despite all the fuss about starting back earlier than other sides?'

Mates: >bewildered shaking of heads<

Me: 'Why not put a Dion Donahue who's done well at left back there, play the right-sided defender Wiseman in that role and at least build from a solid base? Why not play the bloke signed from Northampton (dunno his name) as a defensive midfielder alongside Weir and allow the Blunts loanee more licence?'

Mates: >resigned looks<

What followed can best be described as 'hopeful' play by the two teams. Neither could seem to string together any meaningful passages, neither mustered any real cohesion and both went long-ish to their respective 'big lads' up-front. Sam Hird denied County twice, first with a last-ditch tackle on Ameobi then a goal-line block, whilst Reid shot well wide before Ugwu (?) fired straight at their 'keeper in front of goal.

It also became abundantly obvious that the diminutive Anyon refuses to stray beyond his six yard box and punches rather than catches, whilst the Swindon releasee Barry can't go past a man. Infact the whole Chesterfield line-up lacked any pace whatsoever.

We all know what happened before an otherwise forgettable first half came to a close.

Boos rang around Meadow Lane.

Town actually impressed for the next ten or so minutes, definitely dictating and only a double block preventing 'Double-D' from opening the scoring. Yet then Anyon confirmed his lack of presence by knuckling a ball he really should've caught before allowing what appeared an innocuous header to loop over him despite being on his own line.

I think the abbreviation is 'FFS'.

It all got a bit 'last season' then, us struggling to even do the basics. But whether Notts sat back, are genuinely pants or we finally showed some b*ll*cks it was Town that rallied over the last twenty-ish minutes. Another new face to me, Delial Brewster, demonstrated laudable intent by adopting a 'shoot on sight' policy and the ten pushing for an equaliser deserve credit for effort even if it lacked quality.

As is so often the case that merely opened a gap, though, a 'take-one-for-the-team' trip by Hird giving away a twenty yard free kick which led to a Scotland v England, Leigh Griffiths style strike ending the game. And as then folk can decide for themselves if it was a remarkable shot or just poor goalkeeping.

I guess there'll be those who'll argue Notts could, just maybe, have more to worry about than us. It's true there were times when they were second best to ten men and who knows what might've happened with a different ref.

That can't detract from some very inconvenient truths on our part, mind.

The Manager still insists on pursuing his favoured formation regardless of sense or circumstance. Players he inherited - Evatt, Hird and Dennis - impressed more than his signings. He's fielding players out of position after only two competitive fixtures. We lack any credible creativity and pace. Indeed an O'Shea, maybe even a Gardner might've stood out much more than any of our summer arrivals.

And we're bottom of the entire football league.

Congratulations Gary Caldwell, Guy Branston, Ashley Carson and assorted cronies.

Next week is 'Ernie day'. I want to attend to register my support for a true Town legend, someone that epitomises everything good, wholesome and respectable about Chesterfield FC.

Unfortunately people who aren't fit to breath his name are forcing me to think long and hard about doing so.

This post has been edited by MDCCCLXVI: 12 August 2017 - 09:20 PM

[Vivo]

MDCCCLXVI, on 12 August 2017 - 09:17 PM, said:

Let's get summat out the way up front; today's ref was a joke. A parody. A Python-esque satire of every comically biased 'homer' that ever reached our screens. It became clear as early as the opening exchanges that all a Notts player had to do was throw himself to the floor to get a decision. Meanwhile far more obvious fouls on Town players were simply waved away.

I wasn't watching the sending off - from the corner of my eye it seemed nothing more than a defender blocking an attacker as seen dozens of times in every game - but this was an official that'd awarded a throw-in then randomly decided to re-start the game with an in-field drop-ball after (surprise-surprise) a supposed injury to a home player.

It's sickening to think he might walk away from such brazen incompetence without any thought given to the many Town fans suffering as a result.

However.

Given this was my first glimpse of CFC 2017/18 - thanks to Carson and Co's ongoing behaviour - the opening conversations went pretty much like this:

Me: 'Who's that on the left of our back three?'

Mates: 'Wiseman.'

Me: 'So why're we playing a right footer in that position?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Isn't one of our two holding midfielders that lad from Sheffyoo? But I thought he was a creative player?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Why is Dennis in midfield?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'So we've square pegs in round holes after just two games? Despite all the fuss about starting back earlier than other sides?'

Mates: >bewildered shaking of heads<

Me: 'Why not put a Dion Donahue who's done well at left back there, play the right-sided defender Wiseman in that role and at least build from a solid base? Why not play the bloke signed from Northampton (dunno his name) as a defensive midfielder alongside Weir and allow the Blunts loanee more licence?'

Mates: >resigned looks<

What followed can best be described as 'hopeful' play by the two teams. Neither could seem to string together any meaningful passages, neither mustered any real cohesion and both went long-ish to their respective 'big lads' up-front. Sam Hird denied County twice, first with a last-ditch tackle on Ameobi then a goal-line block, whilst Reid shot well wide before Ugwu (?) fired straight at their 'keeper in front of goal.

It also became abundantly obvious that the diminutive Anyon refuses to stray beyond his six yard box and punches rather than catches, whilst the Swindon releasee Barry can't go past a man. Infact the whole Chesterfield line-up lacked any pace whatsoever.

We all know what happened before an otherwise forgettable first half came to a close.

Boos rang around Meadow Lane.

Town actually impressed for the next ten or so minutes, definitely dictating and only a double block preventing 'Double-D' from opening the scoring. Yet then Anyon confirmed his lack of presence by knuckling a ball he really should've caught before allowing what appeared an innocuous header to loop over him despite being on his own line.

I think the abbreviation is 'FFS'.

It all got a bit 'last season' then, us struggling to even do the basics. But whether Notts sat back, are genuinely pants or we finally showed some b*ll*cks it was Town that rallied over the last twenty-ish minutes. Another new face to me, Delial Brewster, demonstrated laudable intent by adopting a 'shoot on sight' policy and the ten pushing for an equaliser deserve credit for effort even if it lacked quality.

As is so often the case that merely opened a gap, though, a 'take-one-for-the-team' trip by Hird giving away a twenty yard free kick which led to a Scotland v England, Leigh Griffiths style strike ending the game. And as then folk can decide for themselves if it was a remarkable shot or just poor goalkeeping.

I guess there'll be those who'll argue Notts could, just maybe, have more to worry about than us. It's true there were times when they were second best to ten men and who knows what might've happened with a different ref.

That can't detract from some very inconvenient truths on our part, mind.

The Manager still insists on pursuing his favoured formation regardless of sense or circumstance. Players he inherited - Evatt, Hird and Dennis - impressed more than his signings. He's fielding players out of position after only two competitive fixtures. We lack any credible creativity and pace. Indeed an O'Shea, maybe even a Gardner might've stood out much more than any of our summer arrivals.

And we're bottom of the entire football league.

Congratulations Gary Caldwell, Guy Branston, Ashley Carson and assorted cronies.

Next week is 'Ernie day'. I want to attend to register my support for a true Town legend, someone that epitomises everything good, wholesome and respectable about Chesterfield FC.

Unfortunately people who aren't fit to breath his name are forcing me to think long and hard about doing so.

Spot on Chris.
Good to see you today buddy.

[Tha Knows...]

MDCCCLXVI, on 12 August 2017 - 09:17 PM, said:

Let's get summat out the way up front; today's ref was a joke. A parody. A Python-esque satire of every comically biased 'homer' that ever reached our screens.

S
Bald headed b****** dressed in black, a chant back in the day

[Benno Spire]

Good post Chris, nice to see you at the game today

[Bonnyman]

MDCCCLXVI, on 12 August 2017 - 09:17 PM, said:

Let's get summat out the way up front; today's ref was a joke. A parody. A Python-esque satire of every comically biased 'homer' that ever reached our screens. It became clear as early as the opening exchanges that all a Notts player had to do was throw himself to the floor to get a decision. Meanwhile far more obvious fouls on Town players were simply waved away.

I wasn't watching the sending off - from the corner of my eye it seemed nothing more than a defender blocking an attacker as seen dozens of times in every game - but this was an official that'd awarded a throw-in then randomly decided to re-start the game with an in-field drop-ball after (surprise-surprise) a supposed injury to a home player.

It's sickening to think he might walk away from such brazen incompetence without any thought given to the many Town fans suffering as a result.

However.

Given this was my first glimpse of CFC 2017/18 - thanks to Carson and Co's ongoing behaviour - the opening conversations went pretty much like this:

Me: 'Who's that on the left of our back three?'

Mates: 'Wiseman.'

Me: 'So why're we playing a right footer in that position?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Isn't one of our two holding midfielders that lad from Sheffyoo? But I thought he was a creative player?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Why is Dennis in midfield?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'So we've square pegs in round holes after just two games? Despite all the fuss about starting back earlier than other sides?'

Mates: >bewildered shaking of heads<

Me: 'Why not put a Dion Donahue who's done well at left back there, play the right-sided defender Wiseman in that role and at least build from a solid base? Why not play the bloke signed from Northampton (dunno his name) as a defensive midfielder alongside Weir and allow the Blunts loanee more licence?'

Mates: >resigned looks<

What followed can best be described as 'hopeful' play by the two teams. Neither could seem to string together any meaningful passages, neither mustered any real cohesion and both went long-ish to their respective 'big lads' up-front. Sam Hird denied County twice, first with a last-ditch tackle on Ameobi then a goal-line block, whilst Reid shot well wide before Ugwu (?) fired straight at their 'keeper in front of goal.

It also became abundantly obvious that the diminutive Anyon refuses to stray beyond his six yard box and punches rather than catches, whilst the Swindon releasee Barry can't go past a man. Infact the whole Chesterfield line-up lacked any pace whatsoever.

We all know what happened before an otherwise forgettable first half came to a close.

Boos rang around Meadow Lane.

Town actually impressed for the next ten or so minutes, definitely dictating and only a double block preventing 'Double-D' from opening the scoring. Yet then Anyon confirmed his lack of presence by knuckling a ball he really should've caught before allowing what appeared an innocuous header to loop over him despite being on his own line.

I think the abbreviation is 'FFS'.

It all got a bit 'last season' then, us struggling to even do the basics. But whether Notts sat back, are genuinely pants or we finally showed some b*ll*cks it was Town that rallied over the last twenty-ish minutes. Another new face to me, Delial Brewster, demonstrated laudable intent by adopting a 'shoot on sight' policy and the ten pushing for an equaliser deserve credit for effort even if it lacked quality.

As is so often the case that merely opened a gap, though, a 'take-one-for-the-team' trip by Hird giving away a twenty yard free kick which led to a Scotland v England, Leigh Griffiths style strike ending the game. And as then folk can decide for themselves if it was a remarkable shot or just poor goalkeeping.

I guess there'll be those who'll argue Notts could, just maybe, have more to worry about than us. It's true there were times when they were second best to ten men and who knows what might've happened with a different ref.

That can't detract from some very inconvenient truths on our part, mind.

The Manager still insists on pursuing his favoured formation regardless of sense or circumstance. Players he inherited - Evatt, Hird and Dennis - impressed more than his signings. He's fielding players out of position after only two competitive fixtures. We lack any credible creativity and pace. Indeed an O'Shea, maybe even a Gardner might've stood out much more than any of our summer arrivals.

And we're bottom of the entire football league.

Congratulations Gary Caldwell, Guy Branston, Ashley Carson and assorted cronies.

Next week is 'Ernie day'. I want to attend to register my support for a true Town legend, someone that epitomises everything good, wholesome and respectable about Chesterfield FC.

Unfortunately people who aren't fit to breath his name are forcing me to think long and hard about doing so.

Im going for the great man, its the least you can do he deserves it and last time, not a dry eye in the house.

[jonnythespireite]

MDCCCLXVI, on 12 August 2017 - 09:17 PM, said:

Let's get summat out the way up front; today's ref was a joke. A parody. A Python-esque satire of every comically biased 'homer' that ever reached our screens. It became clear as early as the opening exchanges that all a Notts player had to do was throw himself to the floor to get a decision. Meanwhile far more obvious fouls on Town players were simply waved away.

I wasn't watching the sending off - from the corner of my eye it seemed nothing more than a defender blocking an attacker as seen dozens of times in every game - but this was an official that'd awarded a throw-in then randomly decided to re-start the game with an in-field drop-ball after (surprise-surprise) a supposed injury to a home player.

It's sickening to think he might walk away from such brazen incompetence without any thought given to the many Town fans suffering as a result.

However.

Given this was my first glimpse of CFC 2017/18 - thanks to Carson and Co's ongoing behaviour - the opening conversations went pretty much like this:

Me: 'Who's that on the left of our back three?'

Mates: 'Wiseman.'

Me: 'So why're we playing a right footer in that position?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Isn't one of our two holding midfielders that lad from Sheffyoo? But I thought he was a creative player?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Why is Dennis in midfield?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'So we've square pegs in round holes after just two games? Despite all the fuss about starting back earlier than other sides?'

Mates: >bewildered shaking of heads<

Me: 'Why not put a Dion Donahue who's done well at left back there, play the right-sided defender Wiseman in that role and at least build from a solid base? Why not play the bloke signed from Northampton (dunno his name) as a defensive midfielder alongside Weir and allow the Blunts loanee more licence?'

Mates: >resigned looks<

What followed can best be described as 'hopeful' play by the two teams. Neither could seem to string together any meaningful passages, neither mustered any real cohesion and both went long-ish to their respective 'big lads' up-front. Sam Hird denied County twice, first with a last-ditch tackle on Ameobi then a goal-line block, whilst Reid shot well wide before Ugwu (?) fired straight at their 'keeper in front of goal.

It also became abundantly obvious that the diminutive Anyon refuses to stray beyond his six yard box and punches rather than catches, whilst the Swindon releasee Barry can't go past a man. Infact the whole Chesterfield line-up lacked any pace whatsoever.

We all know what happened before an otherwise forgettable first half came to a close.

Boos rang around Meadow Lane.

Town actually impressed for the next ten or so minutes, definitely dictating and only a double block preventing 'Double-D' from opening the scoring. Yet then Anyon confirmed his lack of presence by knuckling a ball he really should've caught before allowing what appeared an innocuous header to loop over him despite being on his own line.

I think the abbreviation is 'FFS'.

It all got a bit 'last season' then, us struggling to even do the basics. But whether Notts sat back, are genuinely pants or we finally showed some b*ll*cks it was Town that rallied over the last twenty-ish minutes. Another new face to me, Delial Brewster, demonstrated laudable intent by adopting a 'shoot on sight' policy and the ten pushing for an equaliser deserve credit for effort even if it lacked quality.

As is so often the case that merely opened a gap, though, a 'take-one-for-the-team' trip by Hird giving away a twenty yard free kick which led to a Scotland v England, Leigh Griffiths style strike ending the game. And as then folk can decide for themselves if it was a remarkable shot or just poor goalkeeping.

I guess there'll be those who'll argue Notts could, just maybe, have more to worry about than us. It's true there were times when they were second best to ten men and who knows what might've happened with a different ref.

That can't detract from some very inconvenient truths on our part, mind.

The Manager still insists on pursuing his favoured formation regardless of sense or circumstance. Players he inherited - Evatt, Hird and Dennis - impressed more than his signings. He's fielding players out of position after only two competitive fixtures. We lack any credible creativity and pace. Indeed an O'Shea, maybe even a Gardner might've stood out much more than any of our summer arrivals.

And we're bottom of the entire football league.

Congratulations Gary Caldwell, Guy Branston, Ashley Carson and assorted cronies.

Next week is 'Ernie day'. I want to attend to register my support for a true Town legend, someone that epitomises everything good, wholesome and respectable about Chesterfield FC.

Unfortunately people who aren't fit to breath his name are forcing me to think long and hard about doing so.

Chris. You're far too verbose! See PM.

[dim view]

MDCCCLXVI, on 12 August 2017 - 09:17 PM, said:

Let's get summat out the way up front; today's ref was a joke. A parody. A Python-esque satire of every comically biased 'homer' that ever reached our screens. It became clear as early as the opening exchanges that all a Notts player had to do was throw himself to the floor to get a decision. Meanwhile far more obvious fouls on Town players were simply waved away.

I wasn't watching the sending off - from the corner of my eye it seemed nothing more than a defender blocking an attacker as seen dozens of times in every game - but this was an official that'd awarded a throw-in then randomly decided to re-start the game with an in-field drop-ball after (surprise-surprise) a supposed injury to a home player.

It's sickening to think he might walk away from such brazen incompetence without any thought given to the many Town fans suffering as a result.

However.

Given this was my first glimpse of CFC 2017/18 - thanks to Carson and Co's ongoing behaviour - the opening conversations went pretty much like this:

Me: 'Who's that on the left of our back three?'

Mates: 'Wiseman.'

Me: 'So why're we playing a right footer in that position?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Isn't one of our two holding midfielders that lad from Sheffyoo? But I thought he was a creative player?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Why is Dennis in midfield?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'So we've square pegs in round holes after just two games? Despite all the fuss about starting back earlier than other sides?'

Mates: >bewildered shaking of heads<

Me: 'Why not put a Dion Donahue who's done well at left back there, play the right-sided defender Wiseman in that role and at least build from a solid base? Why not play the bloke signed from Northampton (dunno his name) as a defensive midfielder alongside Weir and allow the Blunts loanee more licence?'

Mates: >resigned looks<

What followed can best be described as 'hopeful' play by the two teams. Neither could seem to string together any meaningful passages, neither mustered any real cohesion and both went long-ish to their respective 'big lads' up-front. Sam Hird denied County twice, first with a last-ditch tackle on Ameobi then a goal-line block, whilst Reid shot well wide before Ugwu (?) fired straight at their 'keeper in front of goal.

It also became abundantly obvious that the diminutive Anyon refuses to stray beyond his six yard box and punches rather than catches, whilst the Swindon releasee Barry can't go past a man. Infact the whole Chesterfield line-up lacked any pace whatsoever.

We all know what happened before an otherwise forgettable first half came to a close.

Boos rang around Meadow Lane.

Town actually impressed for the next ten or so minutes, definitely dictating and only a double block preventing 'Double-D' from opening the scoring. Yet then Anyon confirmed his lack of presence by knuckling a ball he really should've caught before allowing what appeared an innocuous header to loop over him despite being on his own line.

I think the abbreviation is 'FFS'.

It all got a bit 'last season' then, us struggling to even do the basics. But whether Notts sat back, are genuinely pants or we finally showed some b*ll*cks it was Town that rallied over the last twenty-ish minutes. Another new face to me, Delial Brewster, demonstrated laudable intent by adopting a 'shoot on sight' policy and the ten pushing for an equaliser deserve credit for effort even if it lacked quality.

As is so often the case that merely opened a gap, though, a 'take-one-for-the-team' trip by Hird giving away a twenty yard free kick which led to a Scotland v England, Leigh Griffiths style strike ending the game. And as then folk can decide for themselves if it was a remarkable shot or just poor goalkeeping.

I guess there'll be those who'll argue Notts could, just maybe, have more to worry about than us. It's true there were times when they were second best to ten men and who knows what might've happened with a different ref.

That can't detract from some very inconvenient truths on our part, mind.

The Manager still insists on pursuing his favoured formation regardless of sense or circumstance. Players he inherited - Evatt, Hird and Dennis - impressed more than his signings. He's fielding players out of position after only two competitive fixtures. We lack any credible creativity and pace. Indeed an O'Shea, maybe even a Gardner might've stood out much more than any of our summer arrivals.

And we're bottom of the entire football league.

Congratulations Gary Caldwell, Guy Branston, Ashley Carson and assorted cronies.

Next week is 'Ernie day'. I want to attend to register my support for a true Town legend, someone that epitomises everything good, wholesome and respectable about Chesterfield FC.

Unfortunately people who aren't fit to breath his name are forcing me to think long and hard about doing so.

Great write up for us exiles.

From the very short clip I've seen, I think the ref rightly or wrongly interpretted Wiseman's action as an assault. We'll see wor happens.
This formation debate is a red herring. If DD plays LB in a four then we still have no left footer to play in front of him. Carson has to decide whether to support Caldwell with a signings/loanees whilst waiting for his key man Williams to recover.

In my opinion the key to all this is whether Sam Hird plays. Wiseman's best position is right CH. Barry's best position is right WB. I would play them both there and bring in Clint Hill with DD in front of him.
He's also got to drop either Ugwu or COG and put an extra man in midfield.

[trickytrevsfanclub]

Pretending you don't know the names of some of the players is taking fake indifference a bit too far don't you think?

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

dim view, on 13 August 2017 - 07:15 AM, said:

Great write up for us exiles.

From the very short clip I've seen, I think the ref rightly or wrongly interpretted Wiseman's action as an assault. We'll see wor happens.
This formation debate is a red herring. If DD plays LB in a four then we still have no left footer to play in front of him. Carson has to decide whether to support Caldwell with a signings/loanees whilst waiting for his key man Williams to recover.

In my opinion the key to all this is whether Sam Hird plays. Wiseman's best position is right CH. Barry's best position is right WB. I would play them both there and bring in Clint Hill with DD in front of him.
He's also got to drop either Ugwu or COG and put an extra man in midfield.

Hird twice prevented us going behind before we actually did, Dave.

The idea a consistent talent like him should be dropped whilst the bang ordinary Barry plays is bizarre.

I'll say it again - why not play the proven Hird/Evatt partnership in central defence. Why not play Wiseman, who's experience at right back, at right back. Why not play Donahue, who's done relatively well at left back, at left back. Why not play Weir and McCourt, who were signed as defensive midfielders, in the Morsy/Ryan holding role. Why not play O'Grady at the point of an attacking 'four' with Reid, Dennis and A. N. Other (not seen enough of any of the new lads to judge whilst Mitchell has never really caught my eye) around him.

That's the formation that won this league three years ago.

This post has been edited by MDCCCLXVI: 13 August 2017 - 07:59 AM

[dim view]

MDCCCLXVI, on 13 August 2017 - 07:57 AM, said:

Hird twice prevented us going behind before we actually did, Dave.

The idea a consistent talent like him should be dropped whilst the bang ordinary Barry plays is bizarre.

I'll say it again - why not play the proven Hird/Evatt partnership in central defence. Why not play Wiseman, who's experience at right back, at right back. Why not play Donahue, who's done relatively well at left back, at left back. Why not play Weir and McCourt, who were signed as defensive midfielders, in the Morsy/Ryan holding role. Why not play O'Grady at the point of an attacking 'four' with Reid, Dennis and A. N. Other (not seen enough of any of the new lads to judge whilst Mitchell has never really caught my eye) around him.

That's the formation that won this league three years ago.

Both Sheridan and Cook always had balance on the LHS.

The debate about SH will never abate, but the fact remains he has fought his way into the side despite not being in the original plan. Barry may or may not prove good enough, but he's got competition for his slot with McGinn. Hird's presence forces them both out of position. I've seen enough clips of previous matches to suggest Hird is not consistent and I'd argue against the Hird/Evo partnership being proven.

[Webster]

Pretty fair assessment though we did start with a back 3 with Wiseman left CB not a LB

I am amazed Anyon's had career in football with his clear limitations and Evo is clearly frustrated and of things continues in a similar vain it wont be long before he's spending more time in the stands

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

dim view, on 13 August 2017 - 08:09 AM, said:

Both Sheridan and Cook always had balance on the LHS.

The debate about SH will never abate, but the fact remains he has fought his way into the side despite not being in the original plan. Barry may or may not prove good enough, but he's got competition for his slot with McGinn. Hird's presence forces them both out of position. I've seen enough clips of previous matches to suggest Hird is not consistent and I'd argue against the Hird/Evo partnership being proven.

There's no debate about Sam Hird, my friend.

His consistently won POTY awards say all that needs saying.

And his partnership with Evatt can't get much more 'proven' than winning the L2 title and reaching the L1 play offs.

Neither Sheridan or Cook played a defensive left sided midfielder, the first relying upon the quality of his LB and simply outscoring opponents whilst the second used his holding 'two' as cover.

But then all this is moot whilstever we've a manager who refuses to acknowledge there's a problem.

[Tora Tora Tora]

MDCCCLXVI, on 12 August 2017 - 09:17 PM, said:

Let's get summat out the way up front; today's ref was a joke. A parody. A Python-esque satire of every comically biased 'homer' that ever reached our screens. It became clear as early as the opening exchanges that all a Notts player had to do was throw himself to the floor to get a decision. Meanwhile far more obvious fouls on Town players were simply waved away.

I wasn't watching the sending off - from the corner of my eye it seemed nothing more than a defender blocking an attacker as seen dozens of times in every game - but this was an official that'd awarded a throw-in then randomly decided to re-start the game with an in-field drop-ball after (surprise-surprise) a supposed injury to a home player.

It's sickening to think he might walk away from such brazen incompetence without any thought given to the many Town fans suffering as a result.

However.

Given this was my first glimpse of CFC 2017/18 - thanks to Carson and Co's ongoing behaviour - the opening conversations went pretty much like this:

Me: 'Who's that on the left of our back three?'

Mates: 'Wiseman.'

Me: 'So why're we playing a right footer in that position?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Isn't one of our two holding midfielders that lad from Sheffyoo? But I thought he was a creative player?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Why is Dennis in midfield?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'So we've square pegs in round holes after just two games? Despite all the fuss about starting back earlier than other sides?'

Mates: >bewildered shaking of heads<

Me: 'Why not put a Dion Donahue who's done well at left back there, play the right-sided defender Wiseman in that role and at least build from a solid base? Why not play the bloke signed from Northampton (dunno his name) as a defensive midfielder alongside Weir and allow the Blunts loanee more licence?'

Mates: >resigned looks<

What followed can best be described as 'hopeful' play by the two teams. Neither could seem to string together any meaningful passages, neither mustered any real cohesion and both went long-ish to their respective 'big lads' up-front. Sam Hird denied County twice, first with a last-ditch tackle on Ameobi then a goal-line block, whilst Reid shot well wide before Ugwu (?) fired straight at their 'keeper in front of goal.

It also became abundantly obvious that the diminutive Anyon refuses to stray beyond his six yard box and punches rather than catches, whilst the Swindon releasee Barry can't go past a man. Infact the whole Chesterfield line-up lacked any pace whatsoever.

We all know what happened before an otherwise forgettable first half came to a close.

Boos rang around Meadow Lane.

Town actually impressed for the next ten or so minutes, definitely dictating and only a double block preventing 'Double-D' from opening the scoring. Yet then Anyon confirmed his lack of presence by knuckling a ball he really should've caught before allowing what appeared an innocuous header to loop over him despite being on his own line.

I think the abbreviation is 'FFS'.

It all got a bit 'last season' then, us struggling to even do the basics. But whether Notts sat back, are genuinely pants or we finally showed some b*ll*cks it was Town that rallied over the last twenty-ish minutes. Another new face to me, Delial Brewster, demonstrated laudable intent by adopting a 'shoot on sight' policy and the ten pushing for an equaliser deserve credit for effort even if it lacked quality.

As is so often the case that merely opened a gap, though, a 'take-one-for-the-team' trip by Hird giving away a twenty yard free kick which led to a Scotland v England, Leigh Griffiths style strike ending the game. And as then folk can decide for themselves if it was a remarkable shot or just poor goalkeeping.

I guess there'll be those who'll argue Notts could, just maybe, have more to worry about than us. It's true there were times when they were second best to ten men and who knows what might've happened with a different ref.

That can't detract from some very inconvenient truths on our part, mind.

The Manager still insists on pursuing his favoured formation regardless of sense or circumstance. Players he inherited - Evatt, Hird and Dennis - impressed more than his signings. He's fielding players out of position after only two competitive fixtures. We lack any credible creativity and pace. Indeed an O'Shea, maybe even a Gardner might've stood out much more than any of our summer arrivals.

And we're bottom of the entire football league.

Congratulations Gary Caldwell, Guy Branston, Ashley Carson and assorted cronies.

Next week is 'Ernie day'. I want to attend to register my support for a true Town legend, someone that epitomises everything good, wholesome and respectable about Chesterfield FC.

Unfortunately people who aren't fit to breath his name are forcing me to think long and hard about doing so.

Absolutely spot on chris. Really good to see you yesterday mate.

[Rudeboy spireite]

Great post Chris, I haven't been yet this season due to other commitments but what you have said is being said by others that I have spoken too. We are playing in division 4 and should play a 4 4 2 system with a big powerful goalkeeper a big powerful centre half ( that we have) a plymaking midfielder with a target man up front for someone to play off. The other positions should be filled with players that are comfortable in their positions. But no GC knows far mor than us mere mortals so he plays 3 5 2 with players out of position ?. If GC is left till Xmas then we shall be battling relegation playing awful football.

[Search & Destroy]

4-2-3-1

McCourt and Wier as the 2 makes perfect sense doesn't it?

[Wooden Spoon]

dim view said:

1502608540[/url]' post='1320758']
Great write up for us exiles.

From the very short clip I've seen, I think the ref rightly or wrongly interpretted Wiseman's action as an assault. We'll see wor happens.
This formation debate is a red herring. If DD plays LB in a four then we still have no left footer to play in front of him. Carson has to decide whether to support Caldwell with a signings/loanees whilst waiting for his key man Williams to recover.

In my opinion the key to all this is whether Sam Hird plays. Wiseman's best position is right CH. Barry's best position is right WB. I would play them both there and bring in Clint Hill with DD in front of him.
He's also got to drop either Ugwu or COG and put an extra man in midfield.

I couldn't disagree more.
Playing 3 right footed players in a back 3? Your seriously saying formations don't matter?
Losing JBW but persisting with 3 at back with no wing back. Effectively making DD a full back with no LM. Your seriously saying formations don't matter?
Pulling Dennis into an advanced midfield role to,accommodate the back 3/weakness in midfield? Your seriously saying formations don't matter?


Then we have Sam Hird. Playing in a L2 championship winning CB pair? Is it a coincidence that on his return from injury, Cooks side went from a top 10 place to a top 6 place? A man who won player of the season?

A man who's reading of the game and positioning is excellent for L2, who's ability on the ball is, for a L2 defender, second to none. G

[dim view]

a kick in the balls, on 13 August 2017 - 09:44 AM, said:

I couldn't disagree more.
Playing 3 right footed players in a back 3? Your seriously saying formations don't matter?
Losing JBW but persisting with 3 at back with no wing back. Effectively making DD a full back with no LM. Your seriously saying formations don't matter?
Pulling Dennis into an advanced midfield role to,accommodate the back 3/weakness in midfield? Your seriously saying formations don't matter?


Then we have Sam Hird. Playing in a L2 championship winning CB pair? Is it a coincidence that on his return from injury, Cooks side went from a top 10 place to a top 6 place? A man who won player of the season?

A man who's reading of the game and positioning is excellent for L2, who's ability on the ball is, for a L2 defender, second to none. G

course the formation matters. We cannot field 2 left footers in defence/midfield due to injury/lack of funds, so complaining about players playing out of position is rather futile, somebody has to. Perhaps your post presents a solution. Field the versatile, multi talented SH at LB?

[CFC91]

You know you've got an issue when you look at the line up, think we could be playing 1 of 3 formations and when the team emerges they're playing something totally different and half the players out of position. If GC is still here come October I fear for our future in the FL. relegation would be a nail in the coffin for us in my eyes, can't let that happen

[ozspireite]

MDCCCLXVI, on 12 August 2017 - 09:17 PM, said:

Let's get summat out the way up front; today's ref was a joke. A parody. A Python-esque satire of every comically biased 'homer' that ever reached our screens. It became clear as early as the opening exchanges that all a Notts player had to do was throw himself to the floor to get a decision. Meanwhile far more obvious fouls on Town players were simply waved away.

I wasn't watching the sending off - from the corner of my eye it seemed nothing more than a defender blocking an attacker as seen dozens of times in every game - but this was an official that'd awarded a throw-in then randomly decided to re-start the game with an in-field drop-ball after (surprise-surprise) a supposed injury to a home player.

It's sickening to think he might walk away from such brazen incompetence without any thought given to the many Town fans suffering as a result.

However.

Given this was my first glimpse of CFC 2017/18 - thanks to Carson and Co's ongoing behaviour - the opening conversations went pretty much like this:

Me: 'Who's that on the left of our back three?'

Mates: 'Wiseman.'

Me: 'So why're we playing a right footer in that position?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Isn't one of our two holding midfielders that lad from Sheffyoo? But I thought he was a creative player?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'Why is Dennis in midfield?'

Mates: >shrugged shoulders and rolled eyes<

Me: 'So we've square pegs in round holes after just two games? Despite all the fuss about starting back earlier than other sides?'

Mates: >bewildered shaking of heads<

Me: 'Why not put a Dion Donahue who's done well at left back there, play the right-sided defender Wiseman in that role and at least build from a solid base? Why not play the bloke signed from Northampton (dunno his name) as a defensive midfielder alongside Weir and allow the Blunts loanee more licence?'

Mates: >resigned looks<

What followed can best be described as 'hopeful' play by the two teams. Neither could seem to string together any meaningful passages, neither mustered any real cohesion and both went long-ish to their respective 'big lads' up-front. Sam Hird denied County twice, first with a last-ditch tackle on Ameobi then a goal-line block, whilst Reid shot well wide before Ugwu (?) fired straight at their 'keeper in front of goal.

It also became abundantly obvious that the diminutive Anyon refuses to stray beyond his six yard box and punches rather than catches, whilst the Swindon releasee Barry can't go past a man. Infact the whole Chesterfield line-up lacked any pace whatsoever.

We all know what happened before an otherwise forgettable first half came to a close.

Boos rang around Meadow Lane.

Town actually impressed for the next ten or so minutes, definitely dictating and only a double block preventing 'Double-D' from opening the scoring. Yet then Anyon confirmed his lack of presence by knuckling a ball he really should've caught before allowing what appeared an innocuous header to loop over him despite being on his own line.

I think the abbreviation is 'FFS'.

It all got a bit 'last season' then, us struggling to even do the basics. But whether Notts sat back, are genuinely pants or we finally showed some b*ll*cks it was Town that rallied over the last twenty-ish minutes. Another new face to me, Delial Brewster, demonstrated laudable intent by adopting a 'shoot on sight' policy and the ten pushing for an equaliser deserve credit for effort even if it lacked quality.

As is so often the case that merely opened a gap, though, a 'take-one-for-the-team' trip by Hird giving away a twenty yard free kick which led to a Scotland v England, Leigh Griffiths style strike ending the game. And as then folk can decide for themselves if it was a remarkable shot or just poor goalkeeping.

I guess there'll be those who'll argue Notts could, just maybe, have more to worry about than us. It's true there were times when they were second best to ten men and who knows what might've happened with a different ref.

That can't detract from some very inconvenient truths on our part, mind.

The Manager still insists on pursuing his favoured formation regardless of sense or circumstance. Players he inherited - Evatt, Hird and Dennis - impressed more than his signings. He's fielding players out of position after only two competitive fixtures. We lack any credible creativity and pace. Indeed an O'Shea, maybe even a Gardner might've stood out much more than any of our summer arrivals.

And we're bottom of the entire football league.

Congratulations Gary Caldwell, Guy Branston, Ashley Carson and assorted cronies.

Next week is 'Ernie day'. I want to attend to register my support for a true Town legend, someone that epitomises everything good, wholesome and respectable about Chesterfield FC.

Unfortunately people who aren't fit to breath his name are forcing me to think long and hard about doing so.

Well said 👏

[ELTON 2020]

CFC91, on 13 August 2017 - 12:20 PM, said:

You know you've got an issue when you look at the line up, think we could be playing 1 of 3 formations and when the team emerges they're playing something totally different and half the players out of position. If GC is still here come October I fear for our future in the FL. relegation would be a nail in the coffin for us in my eyes, can't let that happen

Tbh - He has to let McGuire, Wakefield and German out on loan - along with the other youngsters- I'd say for the whole season and free up some cash. These guys are not ready yet. Get that 48 year old in from Rangers and a bit of height in the team around the middle of the park. It's no coincidence we keep fouling and getting cards - there's no pace anywhere that includes Hird who makes up for it with his exceptional reading and tackling.