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I think you got the match 18 right IFA, I don’t think Beestin Howe or Evan’s will start. Thinking radically ( something AB is resistant to) I would start with Howe rather than Whitehall and look to get as many balls through or over their defenders as possible or round the fullbacks and low into the box. Would have the element of surprise and would suit Dec. It would mean starting Evans and Boyce to add back the height at set pieces from not playing Whitehall. JB and Horton for me as full backs. Obviously Cal Roberts and Pat Jones out wide and I’d start with Rowley, Ewing and Westbrooke in midfield. Definitely would bring on Whitehall, Beestin and Dausch second half to pose questions of the Halifax midfield and defence. That said, I think another 2-2 draw on the cards!
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The “ Jones Factor” applies to both Jones, players brought in this season that have improved the squad. What I’m asking the Forum is “What other gems lurk in the NL or NLN/S that we could afford to sign and would improve our team?”. I agree that we probably need to sign 7 or so players for the overhaul. One of them could be Westbrooke, as he is out of contract at Donny this summer. Here is your chance to Name those players for other clubs who you have seen and thought,”they could do a great job for us” I hope to see a lot of defenders among your nominations!
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I think Saturday’s result depends on which AB turns up to do the team selection and team talk. If it’s the aggressive “I demand a win” AB who plays Robert’s Wide on the right Whitehall and Farrell as a front 2, we will probably get it! If it’s “let’s not lose” AB who plays Whitehall up top on his own with Roberts at the top of a midfield diamond, then we will concede early goals and lose. If it’s “in two minds” AB then a raft of second half subs will ensure a draw or defeat! Renee will set the odds on which AB it will be!
This thread is one of the most insightful I have ever seen on this Forum and SODIron must be congratulated for his leadership in this matter. Now it’s up to the club to read and digest these comments which are a constructive criticism of recent events. Ignoring them or dismissing them as an idle rant would be a drastic error.
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This is an excellent lead post and mirrors my own sport coaching experience, not at an elite a level as SODIron. For my own part in framing the narrative. I confidently predicted last July on this very Forum that we would comfortably finish 16th with 60 points, without being involved in a relegation battle. For that Mea Culpa! I cannot therefore bring criticism to bear on the board or AB and his management team for setting the same narrative! Although I would agree that in Elite sport that one should be constantly refining and reframing objectives based on the current situation/performance levels and this has not been done. It is a strategic learning point ( rather than a tactical point that Robert’s is better as a right winger than a classical 10) and something the club and the team manager will have to address quickly moving forward.
Tahir looks quick, suspect he will be at left back with Farrell in front of him on the left off Whitehall. If he clicks he may move more central when Whitehall departs. It’s a bit risky playing 2 young lads from the off when they appear to have just arrived, or have they been masquerading as Triallist’s A and B all week?
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I was surprised that we scored a couple today. It would be easy to blame Butler,but he can only play the players that are fit and available and those that played today are not play off material. Butler’s only sin ( in my eyes) is that he fails to acknowledge this. In public, this can be put down to defending the “Team” but in private, if he is not aware, then he is a fool. I don’t think we will be in the play off slots in the New Year, and I will have a very nervy time this winter, until we reach 50plus points. My pre season prediction was we will finish 16th, but not be in a relegation dogfight ( and at the time I felt I was being positive!)I think my £10 is looking a safe bet at the moment.
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No Roberts or Ewing today, and no Evans. It’s been agreed many times on this Forum that we need our best 10 outfield players on the pitch to play and win well. Grinding out results when these 3 key players are not available is fine by me!
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At the Turn of the New Year, I think league positions 1-4 will be separated by a gap of no more than 3 points. There will then be a gap of 3/4 points and then positions 5-8 or 9 will also be separated by a small number of points(?3) there will then be a gap of 3/4 points to the rest of the teams in the league. I expect this gap to widen to 6-7 points by the end of March. We need to be in the 1-4 position at the end of the year. For the rest of the year we should strongly attempt to win every game! Home and Away! Didn’t think I would be writing that at the end of July!
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Given today’s lineup , I would be more than happy with a boring, flat 1-0 win!
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Still in Spain so haven’t heard Butler’s pre match interview. I have no idea which of the loanees will be permitted to play tomorrow. I presume the season long loanees will but the short termers? I do think if he plays Beck, I can’t see us getting more than a draw, Brogan and Eze and we will be defeated. However, if none of those 3 get minutes on the pitch zi would be optimistic of a win. By how many will depend on how long, Whitehall, Howe, Roberts and Ewing spend on the pitch!
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