Team selection

[fulwoodshrimp]

Am I the only one puzzled by the manager's team selections. In the last two games Toumani has been sat on the bench and ignored. I felt the last 20 minutes of the Charlton game was calling out for someone to slow play down and take control of the game. It was an ideal opportunity to introduce Toumani but nothing... In my opinion he is the best footballer at the club and we need him in action. I am not sure SR has the tactical experience in League 1 as he should be playing Toumani imo. It's not as if there are too many riches in our squad, I feel 3 or 4 of today's team are nowhere near League 1 standard. It's time for an improvement in team selection before things get too desperate.

[Andy D]

Jones who’s on fire is keeping Toums out

although if we went with just 2 upfront we’d have room for Toums.

like i said in another thread i dont think we have class to play 4-3-3.

[Little Shrimp]

The midfield is looking the strongest it has in ages. Jones, McCalmont and McLoughlin are working well together as a unit, providing lots of energy.

I love Toums, he's a brilliant player. But putting him in the team doesn't solve anything. Unless he can magically make Delaney/Wootton better defenders.

Robbo managed for three years in the Scottish Premiership. Coaching staff and players have said he's superb tactically. Very silly comment to say he's not tactically good enough for League One.

It's very very clear what the team is missing - a good CB partner for AOC and a stronger keeper. A grizzly CDM wouldn't go amiss either. A couple of gaps in recruitment that got missed in a very hectic summer with 19 signings. Not helped by Lavelle leaving on deadline day. We've got to keep pushing through till January - we're still 100% capable of picking up a few good results - then fix those problems in that window with the help of our new head of recruitment.

[P/T Indie]

I have a question would AOC get in a Derek team? Even in league 2 if he was still at Bradford I don't think he would he's not physical enough. That back line needs some serious organisation to be fair first 5 games we still did had it then Sam left.

[BerlinWaller]

Would that team today beat the team that started against Newport at Wembley?

[redrobo]

It's obvious that some of the new signings are a long way off EFL1 standard and what makes it even worce is that some of them are on 2 year deals.

Without Cole we lacked a physical presence up front which allowed a talented MK Dons team to snuff out the few chances we had.

All credit to MK for giving us a footballing lesson in the art of how simple the game can be. Their passing and awareness of where their colleagues were was excellent and in particular the their left wing partnership in the first 45 was given far too much to operate doing the same thing time after time.

Why Ayunga wasn't told to operate as a replacement for Cole in the second 45 was a mystery . Out of the wing he is lost. Put him in the centre as an out and out CF and we would see the making of the player

Buxton's game was called off today due to snow on their plastic pitch plus concern for spectator safety which gave their management team a chancre to see us in action. I suspect they went away happy with what they witnessed.

As for Cole's injury. Sounds like yet another training ground accident which begs the questio0n why is this happening far too often. A former Director who sits next to me said that he had been told that Cole would be out for 6 weeks which if the case then we will struggle next week against a very physical Buxton team who despite recent results will be fired up for the game with everything to play for.

The pressure is on us and I wonder if Cole possibly out then SR may risk a first appearance of Obika if only for 60 minutes....

The January window can't come soon enough but I hope SR's signings are 100% better than some of those he signed in the close season.

[P/T Indie]

The only prob with Jan is how do we ship people out I cant see many takers esp for our front three and CBs

[fulwoodshrimp]

Littleshrimp criticises me for questioning the manager's tactical ability in League 1. I would say the proof is in the pudding. His results are in the main poor, some of his signings are poor and yesterday was typical- teams are coming knowing how to play us and basically giving us a good stuffing. What do we do in return- just more of the same. Stockton has dug us out of a few holes this season but that is due to his ability not the manager's coaching. If SR is so good please tell me who he has improved this season and who of Duffus, Delaney, McDonald, Ayunga and Gnanoua have progressed under his coaching. His work at Motherwell is not relevant to life in League 1 and a genuine question Little Shrimp how did his three years at Motherwell end ?

[broadwayshrimp]

Look give the manager some time, he's only been here 6 months. This was never going to be an easy first season in League 1 and I'm surprised it's taken 19 league games for someone to give us a good tonking. I for one expected results like this to happen every other week. Let's all pull together and keep battling on. This season is about survival for me.

[fulwoodshrimp]

I thought Littleshrimp and others would be interested in SR's win record as a manager. At Motherwell his win record was 42%, at Oldham in League 2 was 21.2% and so far with us 28%. Some supporter with a love of statistics would be able to interpret this data better than I can but to me it shows his overall record is no great shakes. He obviously did better in Scotland than he is doing in the EFL but his record north of the border is nothing special and does it suggest the Scottish Premiership has some weak teams as well as the Celtics and Rangers of this world. His record suggests he struggled in League 2 with Oldham and was dismissed. A league higher, his record is a little better but could lead to relegation. If as Little shrimp says he is a superb coach then I would expect his win record to dramatically increase. I sincerely hope this is the case but at the moment after displays like yesterday the jury is out! He has yet to show me that his analysis after games is translated into improvements in the team. At the moment I am not convinced that is the case. I agree with Broadway Shrimp that this season is about survival.

[BerlinWaller]

I am not convinced by SR tactically. We were caught out for their 1st goal yesterday because we were playing a high line and we were done by a through ball and a good run. His only alternative to his favoured 433 is a switch to a pretty basic 352. Gibbo looks good on the left of the 3 but McDonald is a very weak wing back. I felt Robbo gave up after the third went in. He had a sub left but opted not to bring Toums or Phillips on. Robbo has been unable to tighten us up at set pieces despite it being an obvious weakness. The press that we hear so much about is poor and MK played through it with ease yesterday.

He does seem to be able to get a response after a poor result so hopefully he can get us firing for Saturday.

[Posh]

After one bad result allied to a few signings that aren't working out I'm staggered that people are now doing a hatchet job on the manager. No offence Fulwoodshrimp but your comments about Stephen Robinson's time at Motherwell and Oldham shows a real lack of understanding of his time at both clubs and of football in general.

Everyone knows what's been going on at Oldham under Lemsagam and the conditions under which managers have operated. As for Motherwell your comment that, "his record north of the border is nothing special" is Trumpian in nature. First Scottish Cup and League Cup finals in a season since 1951; qualified for Europe; and did it through having to constantly keep selling players to raise funds, which cleared the club's entire debt. In the end he resigned, which the board tried to get him to change his mind over as they didn't want him to leave.

[Posh]

I am not convinced by SR tactically. We were caught out for their 1st goal yesterday because we were playing a high line and we were done by a through ball and a good run. His only alternative to his favoured 433 is a switch to a pretty basic 352. Gibbo looks good on the left of the 3 but McDonald is a very weak wing back. I felt Robbo gave up after the third went in. He had a sub left but opted not to bring Toums or Phillips on. Robbo has been unable to tighten us up at set pieces despite it being an obvious weakness. The press that we hear so much about is poor and MK played through it with ease yesterday.

He does seem to be able to get a response after a poor result so hopefully he can get us firing for Saturday.

I agree with most of your points but is this tactics or players not capable of delivering it? At half time he made two changes and we looked better for it. We had the same amount of shots on target but our defence gifted them the goals and we weren't sharp enough to finish ours (or thwarted by keeper). Where I agree tactically is persisting with 4-3-3 when the personnel up front isn't there to deliver it effectively.

[fulwoodshrimp]

Thanks for the information about SR's time at Motherwell, Posh. I did realise he had taken Motherwell to two finals but with respect his overall win record of %42 is still disappointing. I am hopeful he can turn things around here but at the moment I don't see it happening. His big test will come in the transfer window.

[Keith]

Our best move resulted in an amazing save from McCalmont when we were 0-1. McDonald could/should have had a penalty in the first half. Had he been 'street-wise' he'd have gone down and made the decision for the ref, but he stayed on his feet, but off balance and the opportunity went.

I agree, we're not good enough, but a squad put together in a fortnight was always going to have challenges. Some people calling for the manager's head already, are also saying the players aren't League Two standard! Can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Equally, leaving Tooms on the bench, yet agreeing that the midfield is the only bright part of the squad... Jones definitely doesn't deserve to be dropped, so the shirt is his while his form remains good.

Frustrating yesterday, and like others, I think I'd rather see two up front. Gibson back in the starting line up too.

[Little Shrimp]

Posh: Absolutely spot on about SR's time at Motherwell. Couldn't have put it better myself!

Fulwoodshrimp - While you've acknowledged Posh's excellent points to an extent, you've then tried to undermine them by looking at win percentage. Firstly, looking at win percentage is a really bad way to judge a manager as it has no context to it. Secondly, 42% win rate is actually really quite good for a manager who isn't in charge of a big club going for the title/automatic promotion etc. For further context, Derek Adams' career win rate is 41.6%, and with us it was 43%.

On having the personnel up top to play 4-3-3, I think it's worth breaking down player by player. Stockton is pretty much perfectly suited to it. Gnahoua works well in it too and while he hasn't consistently set the world alight, he has shown himself to be a competent player at this level. Ayunga had been excellent and his tracking back was slowly improving, but his form has gone over these last few games. It's frustrating, but people are too easily forgetting the form he showed up until a few weeks ago. McDonald suits it positionally, but he's clearly struggling with the jump to L1 level. I'd be tempted to recruit a new winger with a bit more quality in January dependent on how much of an impact McPake can make when/if he's able to return from injury.

[Keith]

Would that team today beat the team that started against Newport at Wembley?

Delany for Wooton [much of a muchness]
McLaughlin for Phillips [an improvement]
Duffus for Stockton
McDonald for Gnahoua [much of a muchness]

The rest of the starting line-up is the same as the team that beat Newport three weeks ago. If we couldn't beat Newport, then it is glaringly obvious where the problem is.

[fulwoodshrimp]

You will be shocked Little Shrimp to hear I agree with you about the need for a wide man in the transfer window. I also believe a new central defender and a goalkeeper would be on my shopping list! I know we both want the best for our beloved shrimps and League 1 survival is our priority.

[sandgrown]

I too couldn't believe that losing at home with Toums & Phillips sat on the bench instead of stepover McDonald who IMO is a passenger

[BerlinWaller]

Would that team today beat the team that started against Newport at Wembley?

Delany for Wooton [much of a muchness]
McLaughlin for Phillips [an improvement]
Duffus for Stockton
McDonald for Gnahoua [much of a muchness]

The rest of the starting line-up is the same as the team that beat Newport three weeks ago. If we couldn't beat Newport, then it is glaringly obvious where the problem is.

At Wembley

[BerlinWaller]

I am not convinced by SR tactically. We were caught out for their 1st goal yesterday because we were playing a high line and we were done by a through ball and a good run. His only alternative to his favoured 433 is a switch to a pretty basic 352. Gibbo looks good on the left of the 3 but McDonald is a very weak wing back. I felt Robbo gave up after the third went in. He had a sub left but opted not to bring Toums or Phillips on. Robbo has been unable to tighten us up at set pieces despite it being an obvious weakness. The press that we hear so much about is poor and MK played through it with ease yesterday.

He does seem to be able to get a response after a poor result so hopefully he can get us firing for Saturday.

I agree with most of your points but is this tactics or players not capable of delivering it? At half time he made two changes and we looked better for it. We had the same amount of shots on target but our defence gifted them the goals and we weren't sharp enough to finish ours (or thwarted by keeper). Where I agree tactically is persisting with 4-3-3 when the personnel up front isn't there to deliver it effectively.

Totally agree Posh, the players aren't up to the job being asked of them. Pressing is hard work, not every team can do it as it asks a lot of the individual fitness and the teams discipline. I know i harp on about Derek but he brought in players to do a specific job for the greater good. Jim used to try and shoe horn players in to a system and I think SR is going down that path a little. His next transfer window is massive and I really hope signings are considered rather than the panic button being hit.

[Posh]

Would that team today beat the team that started against Newport at Wembley?

Delany for Wooton [much of a muchness]
McLaughlin for Phillips [an improvement]
Duffus for Stockton
McDonald for Gnahoua [much of a muchness]

The rest of the starting line-up is the same as the team that beat Newport three weeks ago. If we couldn't beat Newport, then it is glaringly obvious where the problem is.

He did say Wembley.

Letheren Vs Jokul - I'd still have Letheren but injured
Cooney vs McLaughlin - Either he or Ryan McLaughlin are fine
Lavelle vs Delaney - Lavelle
Knight-Percival vs O'Connor - O'Connor
Gibson vs Leigh - Either
Songo'o vs McLoughlin - Songo'o for his workrate and defensive role but McLoughlin is good
McAlinden vs McDonald - McDonald
Wildig vs McAlmont - McAlmont because he's not as injury prone
Diagouraga vs Jones - Time will tell if it's one or the other
Mendes Gomes vs Duffus - Mendes Gomes, although think he would still have struggled
Stockton vs Ayunga - Stockton

Weird comparison but thought I'd do it anyway.

[Keith]

He did say Wembley.

I appreciate that, but the point I was making is, Newport are a decent League Two side and we beat them a few weeks ago. I think this side would be a decent League Two side, but the gap between L2 & L1 is much larger than most of us expected, and so we're being found wanting if we don't concentrate 100% in every game. Would this side beat Newport's Wembley side? Quite possibly. Is it good enough to stay in League One? As it is, it would be by the skin of our teeth.

[sandgrown]

for me i'd like to see Toums, Phillips, Cooney, Letheren and Gibson play.

why has SR slowly axed nearly all our Wembley hero's

and look how wev'e ended up

[redrobo]

for me i'd like to see Toums, Phillips, Cooney, Letheren and Gibson play.

why has SR slowly axed nearly all our Wembley hero's

and look how wev'e ended up

He will stand or fall by his decisions.

Interestingly nearly all of DA's squad other than those above including Cole. O'Sullivan and Sango are now languishing in non league football.

Every manager has his preferences.

Agree with you about Letheren and Toums but our midfield is operating OK just need a defensive midfield stopper BUT no sure who he would replace.....