[sophocles]

I have no doubt whatsoever that we will win the League this season, but I think we really need a convincing win on Saturday to get the team and supporters firing on all cylinders and for the remainder of our games.
I have been fully supportive of PC and all of our players throughout this amazing season, and I want to see us finish it off in style, because that would give our assault on the L2 promotion places next season a huge positive boost.
It has to be said that our defending in the last home game v Ebbsfleet was way below the standard we have come to expect this season, and, going on the (poor) highlights, our defensive performance at Bromley was atrocious. Of course, you defend as a whole team, and the blame for poor performances must fall collectively on everybody, but I'd suggest that one or two changes might prevent the unnecessary goals we have conceded in the last two games. I like Williams, but he was unusually slack and indecisive when Ebbsfleet scored their very early goal against us, and he looked very dithery for a couple of the Bromley goals, so I can't help wondering if he still hasn't fully recovered from the injury that kept him out recently. On the Bromley highlights, Sheckleford also appeared to get himself caught out and stranded upfield far too often, though those who were actually at the game might have seen it differently.
I'm thinking that Saturday might be a good time to put Mandeville in the RB position because, although it does somewhat waste his attacking threat, it does give us more security in that defensive area. I'm also thinking that, if fully fit, Freckleton could replace Williams, as he has looked very solid when played there.
I'm not wanting us to be too defensive, but after two below-par performances I'd like to see us be really strong at the back, cut out the daft (6) goals we've conceded in the last two games, and build attacks from a more solid base. Anyway, I have no doubt PC will come up with an effective solution to get us flying again.

[azul]

sophocles, on 21 February 2024 - 01:49 PM, said:

I have no doubt whatsoever that we will win the League this season, but I think we really need a convincing win on Saturday to get the team and supporters firing on all cylinders and for the remainder of our games.
I have been fully supportive of PC and all of our players throughout this amazing season, and I want to see us finish it off in style, because that would give our assault on the L2 promotion places next season a huge positive boost.
It has to be said that our defending in the last home game v Ebbsfleet was way below the standard we have come to expect this season, and, going on the (poor) highlights, our defensive performance at Bromley was atrocious. Of course, you defend as a whole team, and the blame for poor performances must fall collectively on everybody, but I'd suggest that one or two changes might prevent the unnecessary goals we have conceded in the last two games. I like Williams, but he was unusually slack and indecisive when Ebbsfleet scored their very early goal against us, and he looked very dithery for a couple of the Bromley goals, so I can't help wondering if he still hasn't fully recovered from the injury that kept him out recently. On the Bromley highlights, Sheckleford also appeared to get himself caught out and stranded upfield far too often, though those who were actually at the game might have seen it differently.
I'm thinking that Saturday might be a good time to put Mandeville in the RB position because, although it does somewhat waste his attacking threat, it does give us more security in that defensive area. I'm also thinking that, if fully fit, Freckleton could replace Williams, as he has looked very solid when played there.
I'm not wanting us to be too defensive, but after two below-par performances I'd like to see us be really strong at the back, cut out the daft (6) goals we've conceded in the last two games, and build attacks from a more solid base. Anyway, I have no doubt PC will come up with an effective solution to get us flying again.

I don’t think he’ll panic and do any of what you said (Frecklington isn’t fit anyway). I expect he might swap some personnel, like for like as he normally does.

[dtp]

sophocles, on 21 February 2024 - 01:49 PM, said:

I have no doubt whatsoever that we will win the League this season, but I think we really need a convincing win on Saturday to get the team and supporters firing on all cylinders and for the remainder of our games.
I have been fully supportive of PC and all of our players throughout this amazing season, and I want to see us finish it off in style, because that would give our assault on the L2 promotion places next season a huge positive boost.
It has to be said that our defending in the last home game v Ebbsfleet was way below the standard we have come to expect this season, and, going on the (poor) highlights, our defensive performance at Bromley was atrocious. Of course, you defend as a whole team, and the blame for poor performances must fall collectively on everybody, but I'd suggest that one or two changes might prevent the unnecessary goals we have conceded in the last two games. I like Williams, but he was unusually slack and indecisive when Ebbsfleet scored their very early goal against us, and he looked very dithery for a couple of the Bromley goals, so I can't help wondering if he still hasn't fully recovered from the injury that kept him out recently. On the Bromley highlights, Sheckleford also appeared to get himself caught out and stranded upfield far too often, though those who were actually at the game might have seen it differently.
I'm thinking that Saturday might be a good time to put Mandeville in the RB position because, although it does somewhat waste his attacking threat, it does give us more security in that defensive area. I'm also thinking that, if fully fit, Freckleton could replace Williams, as he has looked very solid when played there.
I'm not wanting us to be too defensive, but after two below-par performances I'd like to see us be really strong at the back, cut out the daft (6) goals we've conceded in the last two games, and build attacks from a more solid base. Anyway, I have no doubt PC will come up with an effective solution to get us flying again.

Williams might be fit but not match fit, as they say. Sometimes it takes a few games to get up to speed after injury. So, a lot will depend on how training this week goes and where Cook and Co see any dangers they may pose will come from. With Freckleton being out for another month it becomes a straight choice between Williams and Palmer.

King has performed reasonably well when chosen and is a more likely contributor in the assists and goals column. As such, I expect him to come in at RB. Our game plan is normally based around scoring goals and controlling the game in the opposition’s half. I don’t think it is in our DNA to defend our way to 3 points more to let the opposition worry about us than us worry about them.

Also, I believe there is a minimum number of games a player has to be in the match day squad of 16 to qualify for a medal at the end of the season. King might be a few games away from that number yet, Hobson & Clements quite short, and poor old Ryan Boot could get a few games eventually to ensure him a medal and for Cook to cast his eyes with a view to a contract extension. Cook wants this squad to complete the job and, possibly, in return he might just ensure every player qualifies for a medal.

[sophocles]

azul, on 21 February 2024 - 02:03 PM, said:

I don’t think he’ll panic and do any of what you said (Frecklington isn’t fit anyway). I expect he might swap some personnel, like for like as he normally does.

I don't think a couple of changes to strengthen defensively after conceding 6 goals in two games can be called 'panic', just a sensible and reasonable response. If Freckleton is still not available we'll have to hope Williams regains his normal composure to ensure we regain some defensive solidity.

[JonB]

Cant see him putting Mandeville at full back, by his own admission he's struggled a bit fitness wise since being ill so playing him full back will be an ask for him. Williams has been pretty good since coming back in the main, only way he would be dropped is to play Palmer and not sure that will happen. Wouldnt be surprised to see Sheckleford, Williams, Grimes then take your pick between Horton and Clements.

[Goku]

Williams has looked impervious this season up until the last 2 games, where he's not played particularly well. Out of the two right sided CB's I prefer him to Palmer so would like to play him into form, but wouldn't be shocked if Palmer starts on Sat. Would probably keep Sheckleford in the team. Fact is, it's much of a muchness when it comes to picking our starting XI given our embarrassment of riches in terms of squad depth and quality.

[StaffsSpireite]

I honestly don't mind what changes he makes(and i expect 4-5) again maybe on Saturday as whoever has come in has generally done a great job. Obviously the odd player has an off day but this is one hell of a squad of players we currently have.

[warfey is a spireite]

We need to get cracking to take wrexhams points tally.

[BreadNoButter]

dtp, on 21 February 2024 - 02:31 PM, said:

Williams might be fit but not match fit, as they say. Sometimes it takes a few games to get up to speed after injury. So, a lot will depend on how training this week goes and where Cook and Co see any dangers they may pose will come from. With Freckleton being out for another month it becomes a straight choice between Williams and Palmer.

King has performed reasonably well when chosen and is a more likely contributor in the assists and goals column. As such, I expect him to come in at RB. Our game plan is normally based around scoring goals and controlling the game in the opposition’s half. I don’t think it is in our DNA to defend our way to 3 points more to let the opposition worry about us than us worry about them.

Also, I believe there is a minimum number of games a player has to be in the match day squad of 16 to qualify for a medal at the end of the season. King might be a few games away from that number yet, Hobson & Clements quite short, and poor old Ryan Boot could get a few games eventually to ensure him a medal and for Cook to cast his eyes with a view to a contract extension. Cook wants this squad to complete the job and, possibly, in return he might just ensure every player qualifies for a medal.

Didn’t know this about having to make certain amount of appearance's for a medal. I assumed it was one, do you know how many they need to get one?

[ash_cfc]

BreadNoButter, on 21 February 2024 - 04:30 PM, said:

Didn’t know this about having to make certain amount of appearance's for a medal. I assumed it was one, do you know how many they need to get one?

They did away with that years ago. Cut off used to be 9 so you’d need 10 appearances. Now the club get issued X amount for players & X amount for staff and it’s up to the club to hand em out.

[BreadNoButter]

dtp, on 21 February 2024 - 02:31 PM, said:

Williams might be fit but not match fit, as they say. Sometimes it takes a few games to get up to speed after injury. So, a lot will depend on how training this week goes and where Cook and Co see any dangers they may pose will come from. With Freckleton being out for another month it becomes a straight choice between Williams and Palmer.

King has performed reasonably well when chosen and is a more likely contributor in the assists and goals column. As such, I expect him to come in at RB. Our game plan is normally based around scoring goals and controlling the game in the opposition’s half. I don’t think it is in our DNA to defend our way to 3 points more to let the opposition worry about us than us worry about them.

Also, I believe there is a minimum number of games a player has to be in the match day squad of 16 to qualify for a medal at the end of the season. King might be a few games away from that number yet, Hobson & Clements quite short, and poor old Ryan Boot could get a few games eventually to ensure him a medal and for Cook to cast his eyes with a view to a contract extension. Cook wants this squad to complete the job and, possibly, in return he might just ensure every player qualifies for a medal.

Didn’t know this about having to make certain amount of appearance's for a medal. I assumed it was one, do you know how many they need to get one?

[sophocles]

As we all know, nobody can predict what starting 11 PC will go with. What I'm also sure of is that he will not have been happy to see us score five goals in two games and still end up with a total of one single point. He will undoubtedly do something to prevent that from happening again, irrespective of the fact that nobody will catch up with us this season anyway.

[dtp]

ash_cfc, on 21 February 2024 - 04:32 PM, said:

They did away with that years ago. Cut off used to be 9 so you’d need 10 appearances. Now the club get issued X amount for players & X amount for staff and it’s up to the club to hand em out.

Didn’t know it had changed but thought it was based on the number of times named in the match day squad and not necessarily appearances.

[Dapets]

Goku, on 21 February 2024 - 03:15 PM, said:

Williams has looked impervious this season up until the last 2 games, where he's not played particularly well. Out of the two right sided CB's I prefer him to Palmer so would like to play him into form, but wouldn't be shocked if Palmer starts on Sat. Would probably keep Sheckleford in the team. Fact is, it's much of a muchness when it comes to picking our starting XI given our embarrassment of riches in terms of squad depth and quality.

Until he got a new deal

[Goku]

Dapets, on 21 February 2024 - 06:59 PM, said:

Until he got a new deal

Cynical!

[born in 1866]

ash_cfc, on 21 February 2024 - 04:32 PM, said:

They did away with that years ago. Cut off used to be 9 so you’d need 10 appearances. Now the club get issued X amount for players & X amount for staff and it’s up to the club to hand em out.

Premier League have same rules as EUFA and I don't know National League rules but the EFL rules state:
Champions will get 30 medals, 25 for players and 5 for staff. The club can distribute as they wish but to qualify a player must have been named on the teamsheet in at least 25% of the teams league games.

[DIFH]

Goku, on 21 February 2024 - 07:13 PM, said:

Cynical!

Nah a bitter soul.

[sophocles]

StaffsSpireite, on 21 February 2024 - 03:30 PM, said:

I honestly don't mind what changes he makes(and i expect 4-5) again maybe on Saturday as whoever has come in has generally done a great job. Obviously the odd player has an off day but this is one hell of a squad of players we currently have.

P C has, in my opinion, assembled a squad to both win promotion this season, and also to mount a strong challenge next season. I have absolutely no doubt he will already have spent a lot of time thinking about our last two results, in particular looking for reasons why we conceded as many goals in those two games as we did in the previous nine games. There must be reasons for such an enormous difference, and I am certain our management team will have discussed what needs to be done to reverse that lapse in defensive efficiency. We will certainly see changes on Saturday.