rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Nov 7, 2011 14:05:25 GMT
So a rerun of the league combination final where we were well beaten by a very good Brighton reserve side. I'm hoping that we will put out a relatively strong side to give the fringe players a good run out but the main issue will be who can step up and replace Bodin against Chesterfield this Saturday? Former, Chesterfield long term loanee, Ian Morris is now back from injury, having started training last Thursday and will be gunning for a place with Ling hinting he will be in the 18 man squad if fit with the possibility of a start. This will mean Danny switching wings so Ling may prefer McPhee, Macklin or Atieno to start on the right so will be interesting to see who plays there! Of the three, Macklin has showed the best ability on this wing albeit, only in pre-season or reserve matches. McPhee has played there the most. The other option is Halpin to play on the left but due to his inexperience and Danny having to switch I think this is the least likely option. Back to this match and to put out a competitive team, maybe Ling will pick the following:  Rice Leadbitter, Robertson, Youth player, LRT Macklin, McPhee, Halpin, Morris Yeoman, Atieno Robertson wouldn't normally play in this but probably needs a match following his lay off from injury. Spear is now out on loan. McPhee gets to play in his preferred position. Anyone thinking of going, then a match report would be much appreciated!  |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Nov 7, 2011 23:42:38 GMT
maybe Ling will pick the following: Rice Leadbitter, Robertson, Youth player, LRT Macklin, McPhee, Halpin, Morris Yeoman, Atieno I wonder if Kudi might be played as a holding midfielder (it works for the first team) and two of the six (Morris and Atieno?) given 45 minutes each. Having seen Brighton reserves in the title play-off game, they will rip a lightweight midfield to shreds. All of the front six in Rob's team are in the running to take Bodin's place. Of the six, I would say Morris and Halpin are too "wingery" (especially with Danny on the other side) and would leave Howe too isolated. Atieno is too "strikery" and has looked ill at ease stuck out wide - I would keep him as the "give Howe a rest after 75 minutes" option. The other three would probably fit the dual role better. McPhee would be the steady eddie safe option - although his inclusion in the starting eleven doesn't arouse too much excitement. Macklin should be ideal in that role - he has real pace and, like Bodin, can finish. From what I have seen of him though, I'm not sure he has the nous or the self-discipline for such a role. In some ways, I'd love to see Yeoman given a go. He doesn't have the flair or the raw pace of Macklin, but I have always been impressed by his discipline and ability to carry out a given role. In a few reserve games I have seen him play left, right and centre, striker, attacking midfielder and holding midfielder. Is he good enough to make the grade though? I'm not sure he is, but now might be as good a time as any to find out. If you could graft together the good bits of Macklin and of Yeoman, you would have a great player - but how often do we think that about players at this level? |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Nov 8, 2011 10:47:55 GMT
Another good post there Jon and I must admit that I had youth player down in my midfield before belatedly realising that I had missed out Halpin! I suppose there is something to be said to replicate the first team's style of play in these matches to make it easier to make that step up as well as to counter a good passing team. I almost put Yeoman in midfield but remembered Ling saying last week that he wanted to play him as a striker in these matches, but maybe him and Kudi in midfield with McPhee in the hole supporting Atieno up front on his own which is what he has to do when Howe is subbed. I do find Macklin very frustrating as he has shown the ability on occasions to fulfill that role very well but can't even make it on the bench although he may do so on Saturday with the two extra places. He could end up being another Carayol suddenly bursting on the scene after two years of not doing much but it is not looking likely at present. We will find out Ling's thinking this afternoon and then may have some idea who will start again on Saturday. |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Nov 8, 2011 15:21:28 GMT
Half time report now up on dot com. The gulls lined up 4-3-3 with Rice Nardiello MacKenzie, Robertson, LRT Yeoman, Kudi, Morris Macklin McPhee, Halpin Michael Poke is back to Plainmoor as the Brighton goalie! Torquay are leading 1-0 after a Macklin taken corner was headed back across goal for Yeoman to side foot in. |
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Post by rjdgull on Nov 8, 2011 16:13:35 GMT
Torquay lost 2-3 after a Morris strike from a Macklin cross saw us 2-0 up at the start of the second half!
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Nov 8, 2011 20:42:03 GMT
I suppose there is something to be said to replicate the first team's style of play in these matches to make it easier to make that step up as well as to counter a good passing team. Yes indeed. It seems that Kudi was given the Lathrope role with Atieno (who has probably had more on pitch time than the other fringe players) given the day off. Interesting to see how the other five lined up. It seems that Yeoman and Morris were given the Mansell and O'Kane roles, McPhee did his Rene Howe impersonation, with Macklin wide right and Halpin wide left. I wonder if Macklin took advantage of being given the Bodin role to lay claim to the starting berth on Saturday. Or was Atieno being saved for Saturday? I see that Leadbitter did not play. An injury setback? |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Nov 8, 2011 21:26:01 GMT
I did wonder about Leadbitter and hope there is nothing seriously wrong with him following his start to the season.
Reading through the match report again, it did seem that both Macklin and Morris had good games, no doubt spurred on by the possibility of starting this Saturday. Morris has got the experience and motivation to play against his old club but he is just back from injury and would mean Danny swapping back to the right. Macklin on the other hand would slot in nicely to the team on the right wing and has got some pace which he used to good effect today. However, he has not got the experience and is yet to shine in a big match. Over to you Mr Ling. I don't think Atieno will start as he has not produced the goods out wide and really has not played enough to be saved for a game like this.
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