[Skywalker]

Since his arrival we have signed 3 quality players on-loan (Plus an unseen Goalkeeper) and the club appears to be heading in the right direction.

Still early days, but is the departure of Knill and the subsequent non-appointment of the Chief, a blessing in disguise?

[azul]

Skywalker, on Mar 8 2008, 09:38 AM, said:

Since his arrival we have signed 3 quality players on-loan (Plus an unseen Goalkeeper) and the club appears to be heading in the right direction.

Still early days, but is the departure of Knill and the subsequent non-appointment of the Chief, a blessing in disguise?

Far too early to reach any conclusion on Sellars, don't think Knill was a loss and we'll never know about the Chief

[Blueprint]

It would seem that way at the moment.

I bet it's nothing to do with Rico though, or Hubbard though. Given that Sellars was Rico's first choice for assistant back in the summer, my thoughts at the moment are if only we could have had our man then, Sellars has brought us Kerry, while Knill brought us Robertson and since Sellars has been appointed we've definately improved, whether that is co-incidence or not remains to be seen but things don't look to shabby.

What's that three wins on the bounce with one goal conceded, and this time Rico is definately the manager!

Given our defensive record over the season, i wonder if finally we've got a defence capable of conceding less than we score, even Downes has now had 3 decent games with no costly mistakes, the goal we have conceded in the last 3 games was more down to Kerry, but that's about the only thing he's done wrong while he's been here, Kerry gives 110% like Niven but other than that Kerry appears so far to be miles better, what i find!

Can't fault anyone on last night showing, Lowry was probably the most frustrating player, we know he can play better but like i say no one had a bad game, all of the new loan players look the business. Lincoln are still a team on form, but like Brentford we took all three points from them, only this time our performance was a lot better and should make people take note that the club and the board do want us to get promoted this season, it's great to be back in 5th position, if only we could still be there at 5pm today.

With the league leaders to play on monday in front of a worldwide audience, things are looking quite rosy at the moment in the saltergate garden, another 4-1 would do me

[Frank Thacker]

A month ago the suggestion was that Knill was the genius behind the management partnership. Folk pointed to our record here when Richardson was away on more important domestic matters, as well as the fact that Bury went about twenty minutes without defeat when Knill went there.

I hope that Sellars has made a difference but isn't there also a common denominator here? If it is difficult to credit Richardson for leading this promising revival then let's at least big him up for his talent for choosing assistants.

[Skywalker]

Saltergate Stu, on Mar 8 2008, 10:12 AM, said:

A month ago the suggestion was that Knill was the genius behind the management partnership. Folk pointed to our record here when Richardson was away on more important domestic matters, as well as the fact that Bury went about twenty minutes without defeat when Knill went there.

I hope that Sellars has made a difference but isn't there also a common denominator here? If it is difficult to credit Richardson for leading this promising revival then let's at least big him up for his talent for choosing assistants.

Indeed.

Blueprint, on Mar 8 2008, 10:06 AM, said:

It would seem that way at the moment.

I bet it's nothing to do with Rico though, or Hubbard though. Given that Sellars was Rico's first choice for assistant back in the summer, my thoughts at the moment are if only we could have had our man then, Sellars has brought us Kerry, while Knill brought us Robertson and since Sellars has been appointed we've definately improved, whether that is co-incidence or not remains to be seen but things don't look to shabby.

What's that three wins on the bounce with one goal conceded, and this time Rico is definately the manager!

Given our defensive record over the season, i wonder if finally we've got a defence capable of conceding less than we score, even Downes has now had 3 decent games with no costly mistakes, the goal we have conceded in the last 3 games was more down to Kerry, but that's about the only thing he's done wrong while he's been here, Kerry gives 110% like Niven but other than that Kerry appears so far to be miles better, what i find!

Can't fault anyone on last night showing, Lowry was probably the most frustrating player, we know he can play better but like i say no one had a bad game, all of the new loan players look the business. Lincoln are still a team on form, but like Brentford we took all three points from them, only this time our performance was a lot better and should make people take note that the club and the board do want us to get promoted this season, it's great to be back in 5th position, if only we could still be there at 5pm today.

With the league leaders to play on monday in front of a worldwide audience, things are looking quite rosy at the moment in the saltergate garden, another 4-1 would do me

Very good reply. Pretty much sums up my thoughts.

[h again]

I hate to add a note of caution, but after a decent win is the best time. After we lose it's hard to get a word in edgeways for the "hang the manager" faction.
The defence doesn't look a great deal better then it ever did, except that Picken's return to form has tightened up the right side, if it needed tightening. There are still errors being made - it's just that we've got away with them for a change, instead of virtually every one getting punished as was the case for the rest of the season. If these things even themselves out, then we should be in for a run of not conceding goals, but I'm not holding my breath. The acid test will come against MK Dons, who are a pretty quick outfit and take some handling. A good defensive display against them - with no silly mistakes - would go a long way to proving we've turned the corner, but be honest - who's going to be feeling comfortable when they attack?
I'm disappointed that we haven't signed a bit of quality for central defence.

[dim view]

h again, on Mar 8 2008, 02:32 PM, said:

I hate to add a note of caution, but after a decent win is the best time. After we lose it's hard to get a word in edgeways for the "hang the manager" faction.
The defence doesn't look a great deal better then it ever did, except that Picken's return to form has tightened up the right side, if it needed tightening. There are still errors being made - it's just that we've got away with them for a change, instead of virtually every one getting punished as was the case for the rest of the season. If these things even themselves out, then we should be in for a run of not conceding goals, but I'm not holding my breath. The acid test will come against MK Dons, who are a pretty quick outfit and take some handling. A good defensive display against them - with no silly mistakes - would go a long way to proving we've turned the corner, but be honest - who's going to be feeling comfortable when they attack?
I'm disappointed that we haven't signed a bit of quality for central defence.

True. Last night first half we had a toe end attempted interception from Kovacs which mercifully went straight to Roche when it could easily have gone over his head, and a nice side step and pass by Roche in his own 6 yard box when he decided not to do the brave thing and try to dive on the ball.

Both Downes and Kovacs though are looking much bigger and better than they did before. They also conceded only one corner (I think) and no free kicks in dangerous areas. Perhaps this is Gray's influence.
It couldn't get much easier for them last night though, just having to deal with long hopeful inaccurate long balls.

Our left back will get a severe test on Monday. I hope he comes through.
Also, on the highlights on Sky late on Friday evening, it showed at least 3 MK Dons corners, all of which were met at the near post by one of their centre halves. I hope we have seen the video and take appropriate action.

[Wooden Spoon]

Skywalker, on Mar 8 2008, 09:38 AM, said:

Since his arrival we have signed 3 quality players on-loan (Plus an unseen Goalkeeper) and the club appears to be heading in the right direction.

Still early days, but is the departure of Knill and the subsequent non-appointment of the Chief, a blessing in disguise?

Hard to say.

LR may have been watching the two Sunderland lads for a while, but the 2 kids from the blunts are probably down to Sellars, although, again, we dont know if LR had that type of player in mind as a loanee.

Chief? I think he was too nice a guy to have made any real difference, not `mean` enough.

[Jonno]

h again, on Mar 8 2008, 02:32 PM, said:

I hate to add a note of caution, but after a decent win is the best time. After we lose it's hard to get a word in edgeways for the "hang the manager" faction.
The defence doesn't look a great deal better then it ever did, except that Picken's return to form has tightened up the right side, if it needed tightening. There are still errors being made - it's just that we've got away with them for a change, instead of virtually every one getting punished as was the case for the rest of the season. If these things even themselves out, then we should be in for a run of not conceding goals, but I'm not holding my breath. The acid test will come against MK Dons, who are a pretty quick outfit and take some handling. A good defensive display against them - with no silly mistakes - would go a long way to proving we've turned the corner, but be honest - who's going to be feeling comfortable when they attack?
I'm disappointed that we haven't signed a bit of quality for central defence.

Agree. Was impressed last night but do feel that we could do with a quality centre half to supplement what we have. I know Lee Bullen's been mentioned but theres Gregan at Oldham too.

[dim view]

Jonno, on Mar 8 2008, 02:58 PM, said:

theres Gregan at Oldham too.

and long may he stay there.

[h again]

dim view, on Mar 8 2008, 02:53 PM, said:

True. Last night first half we had a toe end attempted interception from Kovacs which mercifully went straight to Roche when it could easily have gone over his head, and a nice side step and pass by Roche in his own 6 yard box when he decided not to do the brave thing and try to dive on the ball.

Both Downes and Kovacs though are looking much bigger and better than they did before. They also conceded only one corner (I think) and no free kicks in dangerous areas. Perhaps this is Gray's influence.
It couldn't get much easier for them last night though, just having to deal with long hopeful inaccurate long balls.

Our left back will get a severe test on Monday. I hope he comes through.
Also, on the highlights on Sky late on Friday evening, it showed at least 3 MK Dons corners, all of which were met at the near post by one of their centre halves. I hope we have seen the video and take appropriate action.

It's certainly set up for the big one, now that MK Dons are off the top of the league for the first time in months and their attempt to get back is on the telly. I really hope it's the one in which Kovacs and Downes come of age, but they'll need to step up a gear in terms of quickness of thought. Strangely enough, Grey had an excellent game at MKDons despite their nippy forwards - I wonder if Rico might be tempted again?

[dim view]

h again, on Mar 9 2008, 11:14 AM, said:

It's certainly set up for the big one, now that MK Dons are off the top of the league for the first time in months and their attempt to get back is on the telly.

This is the one that the fans can really help with.
Their fans have already acknowledged that we have the best fans they have seen. Add to that we have got to give SEVERE stick from the off both to their man who injured Jack, and to their man who punched the ball into the net - cheating bustard. Anybody remember who they were?, we have got to wind them up big style. Jack has got to keep his head. Our worst nightmare is if he gets suspended.

[onlyonefinfolan]

Article on Sellars just appeared on main site - from Green Un

[Skywalker]

onlyonefinfolan, on Mar 9 2008, 12:44 PM, said:

Article on Sellars just appeared on main site - from Green Un

Thanks for that. The part about the players responding well to the new tactical change was quite interesting.

[Bugerov]

h again, on Mar 9 2008, 11:14 AM, said:

It's certainly set up for the big one, now that MK Dons are off the top of the league for the first time in months and their attempt to get back is on the telly. I really hope it's the one in which Kovacs and Downes come of age, but they'll need to step up a gear in terms of quickness of thought. Strangely enough, Grey had an excellent game at MKDons despite their nippy forwards - I wonder if Rico might be tempted again?

Highly unlikely he will change the team

[h again]

latewinner, on Mar 9 2008, 03:23 PM, said:

Highly unlikely he will change the team

I don't see it happening, but it might be an option. As I said above, I'm not getting carried away with the new, tighter defence business - it's the same old mistakes, but we've got away without being punished for a couple of games, as opposed to earlier when we got punished for every single mistake, or so it seemed.
Let's hope that the confidence of the central defence is now sky-high and this cures the lapses of concentration.
I also hope we give some stick to the thug who put Jack out for six weeks. Should have got a red card, as should the cheating so-and-so who punched the ball into the net. That sort of approach should be severely discouraged - it was very lucky for us that the linesman spotted it.

[Bugerov]

h again, on Mar 9 2008, 09:59 PM, said:

I don't see it happening, but it might be an option. As I said above, I'm not getting carried away with the new, tighter defence business - it's the same old mistakes, but we've got away without being punished for a couple of games, as opposed to earlier when we got punished for every single mistake, or so it seemed.
Let's hope that the confidence of the central defence is now sky-high and this cures the lapses of concentration.
I also hope we give some stick to the thug who put Jack out for six weeks. Should have got a red card, as should the cheating so-and-so who punched the ball into the net. That sort of approach should be severely discouraged - it was very lucky for us that the linesman spotted it.

Think it was Swailes ex Rotherham