FL2: Torquay United vs Northampton Town - 18th January 2014

I can think of an instance early on in the game when Mansell was beaten so easily it was embarrassing. Someone behind me said he might as well have a traffic cone he was so statuesque! His distribution throughout the entire match was appalling to such an extent that vitually everything Mansell did went wrong e.g. to the opposition or out of touch. For the record, I like Mansell playing in midfield and I used to like him at right back in the Buckle era. But I hope never to see Mansell playing right back again for us, give it to a dedicated right back like Tonge or O'Connor.

To answer the question above, it was Mansell who was captain last night. I think it's time to give the job to Ladbadie as I don't think Mansell should be an automatic starter. And Ladbadie didn't do a bad job at Portsmouth, did he?

Having watched the goals on tv, they don't make for good viewing! Who should line up in defence this weekend? If Cooper was fit I'd put him in at left back but I believe he's likely to be out again? Of the players we have available I would restore Tonge to full back and keep Pearce and O'Connor in the middle. At left back, I don't think there is a lot to choose between Nicholson and cruise. Nico May edge it purely because of his experience? Where does this leave Mansell? The bench? I think there are better players ahead of him in midfield...big decision for CH.

Apparently yes, Rob. Although centre mid preferred.

www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Jack-Rudge.aspx

Goodwin as full back is probably taking things a stretch too far I would think, Pete. If Cooper is fit, he gets the shirt for me, but I would have Cruise and, most likely if experimenting, Rudge, over Nico. Oppositions target our left side for good reason, and it's nothing to do with anything other than Nicholson's performances when in the side.

I was desperate for my Plainmoor fix.

Unfortunately it struck me again that sometimes, in the words of Oscar Wilde (or was it one of Whistler's?), "there's only one thing in the world worse than not going to Plainmoor".

The groundstaff did a great job getting the pitch playable after all the rain we've had. The going was inevitably heavy, add in the two worst teams in the division and a classic was highly unlikely.

In some ways it was back to the worst period under Knill. A 4-4-2 outgunned in midfield, daft mistakes at the back, no cutting edge upfront and a seeming lack of confidence. I'm not saying that we weren't trying (as some claimed when we played like that under Knill) but we were lethargic and lacklustre.

Some have said Northampton were bad, but they did what they had to do. They seemed to be more "at it" than we were and they had a striker who produced two quality finishes. Wasn't there a rumour that Knill tried to bring Sinclair to Plainmoor? It's a lot easier running a club that gets well over 4,000 every game and is conveniently located.

So Chris Hargreaves magically transforming our lot into a team of world beaters through sheer enthusiasm probably isn't going to happen after all. I still hope we can dig in and battle our way clear. We'll put in a few shocking performances between now and the end of the season. As long as we mix that up with some decent ones, we can do it. Two wins and two defeats for Mr Hargreaves. Two good performances and two bad ones. Keep that up until the end of the season and we should scrape to safety. It won't be easy and it probably won't be pretty.

It was a gloomy and depressing night in all respects - devoid of atmosphere and reflected perfectly the grey stormy days of this abysmal winter.
Had a sort of "in the waiting room to see the dentist" feel to it and when I finally made it to the dentist chair he starts by pulling a couple of teeth out - without anesthetic!
Still I have a few teeth left, hopefully enough to see out the season.
And rinse.... a reality check that's all it was and nothing was decided on Tuesday.
Our struggle to get it right has gone on so long now I am beginning to believe we may just not ever get it right again but we must not stop trying, too many poor to average signings have seen us fall from grace is it any wonder that managers keep going back to the tried and trusted players that have done a job for season after season? The Cruises Hardings etc etc and Craig's were gambles cast off by other clubs for good reason no doubt. Occasionally you get a gem, maybe one in thirty or forty signings you get a really good one,the Okanes or Olejnicks of this world are a rare species in these parts they are virtually impossible to replace. The rest we sign usually turn out to be pretty limited in at least one or two aspects of what is vital to be a top level footballer. In a situation such as ours you eventually arrive at a situation where the whole squad is a confused mishmash muddle of limited or unproven talent some devoid of self belief and confidence but a few that will always give you 100% no matter what their own form is. Somebody had to try and pick up the pieces and Chris Hargreaves has been given that responsibility and its no wonder he is keeping faith with the guys he know will always give him 100% no matter what and I can forgive him easily for that.
Two wins and two defeats that's a pretty good record in my eyes far better than four draws and undefeated!
A winning three point formula is what what we should be aiming for and if we take the odd defeat or even hammering in between then so be it wins and wins only will get us to safety.
Whether we get enough three pointers is the big question history and season form would suggest not but one thing is for sure there has been an improvement in the look of the side and how they are performing so I wont be ordering my new dentures just yet!