[RPL42YEARS]

If we learn from our experiences and study the Portsmouth games well play 442 (Doyle and Gnan) we'll win 1-2

If we believe our own rhetoric and play Humphries, O'Shea and Smith then don't be surprised - 3-1

[Goku]

RPL42YEARS, on 26 August 2013 - 08:58 PM, said:

If we learn from our experiences and study the Portsmouth games well play 442 (Doyle and Gnan) we'll win 1-2

If we believe our own rhetoric and play Humphries, O'Shea and Smith then don't be surprised - 3-1

Who would you play left back then?

[JonB]

Goku, on 26 August 2013 - 08:59 PM, said:

Who would you play left back then?

Was about to say he seems to have dropped both possible left backs!!

[DIFH]

Cartman, on 26 August 2013 - 04:28 PM, said:

prediction:

Pompey 1-3 Chesterfield

Reasons:

We are a good side in decent form, Cook didn't seem happy about the Southend performance, despite the victory and will demand an improvement

Portsmouth have not started well and have almost an entire new squad with a massive weight of expectation (even more than with us) and a big home crowd who might get mardy if things are not going to plan

We have enough attacking talent to score plenty of goals this season, the best midfield we've had for some time and a solid enough defence, think we'll have too much for Pompey

Too many variables for me and not knowing **** all about Pimpey I go with trepidation. Sure I 'd love us to win in style but I feel a very close game - maybe 1-1.

[h again]

Goku, on 26 August 2013 - 08:59 PM, said:

Who would you play left back then?

I don't see what's wrong with Smith as a left back defensively - probably one of the best in the division. Going forward he's been very poor so far and doesn't seem to know where to go, what to do or when to do it. .
But me being a bit old-fashioned, I'll settle for a full back who takes his opposing winger out of the game and positions himself well to bolster the defence - that's Smith.

[Spire-Heights]

Dave In Footie Heaven, on 26 August 2013 - 09:10 PM, said:

Too many variables for me and not knowing **** all about Pimpey I go with trepidation. Sure I 'd love us to win in style but I feel a very close game - maybe 1-1.

2-2 at both Stanley and Mansfield tells me everything ? We will kill them.

[Wooden Spoon]

RPL42YEARS said:

1377534243[/url]' post='909061']
What's your predictions then? And the underlying reasoning?

I'll post last on this thread

Town will win, because the midfield has some energy, some bite, movement, tanacity creativity and determination. And players who can come off the bench and contribute. How is mark these days

Goku said:

1377550768[/url]' post='909155']
Who would you play left back then?

Well it can't be Griffiths as he is playing at CB at a good level

[Goku]

h again, on 26 August 2013 - 09:15 PM, said:

I don't see what's wrong with Smith as a left back defensively - probably one of the best in the division. Going forward he's been very poor so far and doesn't seem to know where to go, what to do or when to do it. .
But me being a bit old-fashioned, I'll settle for a full back who takes his opposing winger out of the game and positions himself well to bolster the defence - that's Smith.

Fair summary. I just don't understand why he's decided to omit both of our left backs from the starting XI

[Wooden Spoon]

Goku said:

1377552383[/url]' post='909176']
Fair summary. I just don't understand why he's decided to omit both of our left backs from the starting XI

Do you want a list?

[RPL42YEARS]

bluesocks, on 26 August 2013 - 07:19 PM, said:

i noticed that you were sat somewhere different on saturday rob. did u renew your season ticket in the end or are you taking each game as it comes?

B - No season ticket. 2 reasons. I have a lot of travel to do with work over the next 6 - 9 months. It looks like I'll miss at least 7 games at home. A second consideration was I said I'd have an ST if we signed "at least one" creative midfield player - IMO CFC hasn't. I take the opportunity to watch the games from different positions in both side stands.

[RPL42YEARS]

Goku, on 26 August 2013 - 08:59 PM, said:

Who would you play left back then?

Scott Griffiths - a proper footballer that can deliver in the final third

[Sammy Spireite]

RPL42YEARS, on 26 August 2013 - 09:46 PM, said:

Scott Griffiths - a proper footballer that can deliver in the final third

Thats Scott Griffiths, of non-league Luton Town yes?

[Spire-Power]

RPL42YEARS, on 26 August 2013 - 09:44 PM, said:

B - No season ticket. 2 reasons. I have a lot of travel to do with work over the next 6 - 9 months. It looks like I'll miss at least 7 games at home. A second consideration was I said I'd have an ST if we signed "at least one" creative midfield player - IMO CFC hasn't. I take the opportunity to watch the games from different positions in both side stands.

You can always carry on doing player ratings for the games you dont attend, if you've a bit more time to fill in

[Goku]

RPL42YEARS, on 26 August 2013 - 09:46 PM, said:

Scott Griffiths - a proper footballer that can deliver in the final third

Please answer seriously - who would you play at left back seeing as you believe we will lose 3-1 if we start Humphreys or Smith there on Saturday.

PS Scott Griffiths is currently playing in non-league...

[RPL42YEARS]

Sammy Spireite, on 26 August 2013 - 09:48 PM, said:

Thats Scott Griffiths, of non-league Luton Town yes?

SS - correct. Situations can change very quickly

[h again]

RPL42YEARS, on 26 August 2013 - 09:51 PM, said:

SS - correct. Situations can change very quickly

Seriously - I'm interested in why you don't rate Smith. Humphreys can also do the job, better going forward, though I wouldn't play him if the opposition have a real flyer on the wing.

[RPL42YEARS]

h again, on 26 August 2013 - 10:00 PM, said:

Seriously - I'm interested in why you don't rate Smith. Humphreys can also do the job, better going forward, though I wouldn't play him if the opposition have a real flyer on the wing.

ha - because I believe that full backs have to be able to deliver at both ends of the pitch and especially in the current CFC system. My view of Smith as a defender is that he's OK as long as the opposition winger isn't especially quick. Smith lets wingers/strikers cut across inside him far too easily. Going forward he's not very good at all. Re Humphries - I'd say he's past it. To play him LB then he has to have cover in front of him which will serve to restrict the current system. In short, we have 2 flawed LB's in my opinion combined with no specialist RB.

[h again]

RPL42YEARS, on 26 August 2013 - 10:07 PM, said:

ha - because I believe that full backs have to be able to deliver at both ends of the pitch and especially in the current CFC system. My view of Smith as a defender is that he's OK as long as the opposition winger isn't especially quick. Smith lets wingers/strikers cut across inside him far too easily. Going forward he's not very good at all. Re Humphries - I'd say he's past it. To play him LB then he has to have cover in front of him which will serve to restrict the current system. In short, we have 2 flawed LB's in my opinion combined with no specialist RB.

Fair enough. I can't disagree about Smith's attacking credentials, question is, just how good an attacker does a full-back have to be. I guess Talbot supplies some of the answer to that one - he has at least to be positive and know how to link with attacking players.
So coach Smith in attacking play and fit him into a system. Shouldn't be too difficult for a Coach who's managed to turn Gnanduillet into a decent header of the ball in just a few months. As for Humphreys, his lack of pace could get shown up, but he's shown the old Pros' talent for overcoming slowing legs with added positional guile - and the extra height is useful.
We've certainly had better full-backs, but realistically, for a club in our position, I'll settle for what we've got.

[Goku]

Goku, on 26 August 2013 - 09:50 PM, said:

Please answer seriously - who would you play at left back seeing as you believe we will lose 3-1 if we start Humphreys or Smith there on Saturday.

RPL please confirm who you would play at LB on Saturday against Portsmouth seeing as you have already ruled out Smith and Humphreys.

[Sammy Spireite]

h again, on 26 August 2013 - 10:21 PM, said:

Fair enough. I can't disagree about Smith's attacking credentials, question is, just how good an attacker does a full-back have to be. I guess Talbot supplies some of the answer to that one - he has at least to be positive and know how to link with attacking players.
So coach Smith in attacking play and fit him into a system. Shouldn't be too difficult for a Coach who's managed to turn Gnanduillet into a decent header of the ball in just a few months. As for Humphreys, his lack of pace could get shown up, but he's shown the old Pros' talent for overcoming slowing legs with added positional guile - and the extra height is useful.
We've certainly had better full-backs, but realistically, for a club in our position, I'll settle for what we've got.

??

Smith is taller than Humphreys!!