rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Sept 1, 2011 14:48:33 GMT
As we head into a new month, we will be looking for our first home win having just collected one point from the opening two Plainmoor games. This has been made harder with both Howe out injured - a grade 1 tear only so should be out for just a week and Bodin away on international duty. I see that McPhee is chomping at the bit to play in the striker role and frankly there are not many other options if we are to keep a 4-4-2 formation which I believe we will at home to one of the less fancied sides in the division.
As for other team news, if McPhee isn't played on the wing then that could open the door for Macklin to play, one of the successes from Tuesday night. I don't know if Leadbitter is fit yet but it is likely that he may be introduced into the reserve match next week after only playing one pre-season match for us. I think that Robertson is more likely to go back into central defence after the two match experiment with Ellis and Oastler to start at right back.
Macclesfield almost mirror our situation in that after losing Barnett and Bencherif over the summer, they have just lost their top scorer, Sinclair to Peterborough on the last day of the transfer window. However, they have got a good team spirit and last week got two players (defender Shaun Brisley and midfielder Tony Diagne) into the league 2 team of the week and these may be ones to watch although Brisley was stretchered off last week after colliding with his own keeper!
In the league, Macclesfield sit just a point behind us but on a better goal difference after beating both Wimbledon at home and Hereford away 4-0. Their other point came from a scoreless draw at home to Bristol Rovers and losses to Crawley and Dagenham make up their form and looking at teams we have both played, Torquay just edge it on form.
I think this will be a tight match and with both Howe and Bodin out, a first home win would be a great effort.
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petef
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Post by petef on Sept 1, 2011 17:14:39 GMT
Atenio and McPhee up top I would hazard a guess doesn't do much to inspire any optimism but hey who knows they may both revel in the situation and score a few. Rene in any case has been blowing a bit cold of late, playing two matches a week and being "slightly" above his ideal weight was always going to be a problem and eventually catch up with him. Situations such as our current one with Kees departure and Bodins call up make our forward options look decidedly weak and if the worst were to happen and Atenio got injured what then? Problems with our midfield and defence need to be sorted asap. We are drifting into the second month of the season with nothing nailed on as a reliable back line which is a worry. Oastler, while claiming to be a wing back looks to slow and gets pulled out of position amd for me he looks a better deffensive midfielder, a role he covered for us last season quite well. Leadbetter would have been tried there before now had been if fit, not having seen him play I have no idea if he is going to add any quality or stability to the back line. Midfield hasn't been great and its our failure in this dept that has seen us fail to get out of first gear in so many matches, only coming to life when we need to recover from goal deficits or the manager gives then a rollicking. Eunan has to come up the plate for the ninety and Mans must get them up all up for it from the off, not sixty minutes in! My guess is the team will read, though I do think it may be time to give a few those waiting patiently in the wings a chance. Oli Nico Robertson Sah Ellis Stevens Mansell Okane Maklin McPhee Atenio. Subs Oastler Lathrope Rice Rowe Turner Halpin. Only guessing though  |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Sept 1, 2011 17:35:46 GMT
What about Morris, Pete?
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petef
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Post by petef on Sept 1, 2011 17:44:26 GMT
Did slip my mind Ian Morris maybe because he has done so little when expectations were so high. Ill stick with my choices but would expect Morris to be selected or on the bench. Thanks for highliting it though Rob.  |
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Post by Father Jack on Sept 1, 2011 18:56:08 GMT
Given the last few performances, surely changes must be made?
Ellis / Saah clearly doesnt work so Robbo needs to move back to centre back. If Joe isnt good enough at right back (as some suggest) then Manse is the only other option, despite his energy in midfield.
If Macklin, one of the few brighter spots from Tuesday doesnt start then I would seriously wonder what runs through the managements mind.
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JamesB
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Post by JamesB on Sept 1, 2011 21:18:46 GMT
I'm a bit reluctant to say this but I think we should go back to the tried-and-tested(-and-didn't-quite-work-at-Wembley) Mansell at RB + O'Kane and Lathorpe (or Oastler) at CM formation
In an ideal world, given that it's a good opportunity with limited options up front, I'd like to see us play 4-3-3 - but the modern variety (a la Barcelona or Mourinho's Chelsea - probably more accurate to describe it as a 4-1-2-3 or 4-1-2-2-1), with Mansell, O'Kane and Lathrope/Oastler in the middle, and a front 3 of 2 wingers (I think we're quite lucky to have so many options here at the moment) and a CF - you could have various different combinations. However, it would be a bit naive of me to expect that to actually work with players of this calibre, so 4-4-2 it will probably be...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2011 22:24:26 GMT
The Rene Howe injury has come at an unfortunate time with Billy Bodin being unavailable.
I'm not expecting to see wholesale changes for Saturday, nor do I think our results or league position call for drastic changes as plenty of sides expected to do far better than us currently lie beneath us in the table.
With available strikers thin on the ground for Saturday I can't see the top scorer being moved into defence. Manse thrashed this out in the Summer & I can't see him giving up midfield. A Manse free midfield is considerably easier to get through, as well as appearing worryingly lightweight.
I think Robbo will partner Saah in the centre of defence & Oastler will stay as right back. As many have said, Macklin probably deserves a run out on Saturday for a decent proportion of the game. Whether than will involve actually being in the starting 11 I'm not so sure, be I would expect him to feature at some stage.
It would be disappointing to lose two home games on the trot so I hope we keep it tight & pick up a point at the minimum. A clean sheet would be nice as well & do wonders for the confidence of the defence.
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Post by aussie on Sept 2, 2011 7:15:18 GMT
Anyone considered playing 4-4-1-1 with Eunan in the hole and Tiawo as the target man, using Morris, Manse, Macklin and McPhee across the middle!
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Post by Ditmar van Nostrilboy on Sept 2, 2011 8:42:25 GMT
Anyone considered playing 4-4-1-1 with Eunan in the hole and Tiawo as the target man, using Morris, Manse, Macklin and McPhee across the middle! I certainly havnt though I would expect Lingy to give it some thought. CMP scored well playing as 2nd striker in the hole at Kiddie. If we were to play that formation, he should be the man in the hole. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2011 8:55:48 GMT
What a MMMMidfield that would be  I've seen a lot worse suggestions Aussie & I'd be happy to see Ling give it a try. He does give the impression of favouring a traditional 4-4-2 but with Kee gone & Bodin & Rowe unavailable he can quite legitimately claim that he has to be a bit experimental, as tried & tested options aren't possible. We brought Morris in with people thinking he'd be some kind of raiding winger. Macklin & McPhee also attacking minded, I do wonder whether too big a proportion of the defensive side of the job would be heaped on Manse's shoulders. That's why some want to see Oastler pushed up as a defensive midfielder,although I expect him to start as right back. Has anyone seen Tiawo head the ball ? I only mean that jokingly, but with Macklin being a more traditional winger who can beat a man for pace on the outside, would crosses into the box be worthwhile ? Particularly if it's just Tiawo in there against maybe 3 big defenders. Yes, Eunan wouldn't be far away but his aerial threat is as yet undiscovered Plenty for Lingy to think about & he won't please everyone with his line-up & tactics. We'll have to wait & see whether the 4M midfield becomes a reality. |
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Post by aussie on Sept 2, 2011 9:11:57 GMT
What a MMMMidfield that would be I've seen a lot worse suggestions Aussie & I'd be happy to see Ling give it a try. He does give the impression of favouring a traditional 4-4-2 but with Kee gone & Bodin & Rowe unavailable he can quite legitimately claim that he has to be a bit experimental, as tried & tested options aren't possible. We brought Morris in with people thinking he'd be some kind of raiding winger. Macklin & McPhee also attacking minded, I do wonder whether too big a proportion of the defensive side of the job would be heaped on Manse's shoulders. That's why some want to see Oastler pushed up as a defensive midfielder,although I expect him to start as right back. Has anyone seen Tiawo head the ball ? I only mean that jokingly, but with Macklin being a more traditional winger who can beat a man for pace on the outside, would crosses into the box be worthwhile ? Particularly if it's just Tiawo in there against maybe 3 big defenders. Yes, Eunan wouldn't be far away but his aerial threat is as yet undiscovered Plenty for Lingy to think about & he won't please everyone with his line-up & tactics. We'll have to wait & see whether the 4M midfield becomes a reality. I thought you might like the 4M theory! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2011 9:30:27 GMT
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Post by aussie on Sept 2, 2011 9:36:32 GMT
Can`t say`s I`ve ever been to Vancouver but if it`s compared to Melbourne then it can`t be that bad! Not bias at all!  |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Sept 2, 2011 15:03:32 GMT
Looking at dot com, Ling is indeed thinking of playing either O'Kane in the hole or McPhee / Macklin up front with Atieno. Come to think of it, McPhee likes to be in the hole as well but three central midfielders that all like to get forward might make for an exciting match but probably won't do too many favours for our defence.  It would probably be better for Lathrope (Oastler could do this but probably will be at RB) to occupy a defensive midfield position and let Eunan and Manse have the freedom to go forward. However, as in the opening post, I think McPhee will partner Atienio up front with Macklin on the wing as the reverse has too much of a square peg in a round hole look about it even though it would make a very pacey forward line. I think Macklin would give their left winger and full back a lot more to worry about and take a lot of pressure off Oastler compared to McPhee playing on the wing. |
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Post by alunmeerkat on Sept 3, 2011 13:31:56 GMT
Look its time for the boy Mcphee to step forward. He clearly isn't a winger so he should be able to do less damage stuck up front.
Afterall he has been telling us how he is a much better player since he has been away. Anyone seen any evidence of it.
Ling has continued to get results which is a feat in itself - especially when you consider his bloody awfiul signings of Mcphee,Saah and Morris.
Our team looks pretty bad on paper to so here is to a mcphee goal, getting outplayed and winning one nil.
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It would probably be better for Lathrope (Oastler could do this but probably will be at RB) to occupy a defensive midfield position and let Eunan and Manse have the freedom to go forward.