I know we are only a couple of games in but I'm finding it really hard to understand how we managed to sign Innis, he has already shown imo that he has the potential to be one hell of a CB. Makes you wonder why some of the Championship clubs didnt pick him up
I agree, there may be times when we need the Mitchell Brothers in there a la Gravesen and Carsley. I could see a need if Aneke, Smyth, Doughty, Maddison /Doughty are all starting further ahead. But I cannot quite see that as you commit to such a formation if it is more likely to breed goals.
Once again, we must give great credit to SG and LB; many of the players that they brought in weren't recognised names and had little match experience - take the defence for instance.....the players that have been brought in at the back have hit the ground running and massively impressed me. We now have a formidable back four that has me full of optimism as a foundation for a very strong team. Once again, they have managed to pick some diamonds from the rough which is so important at this level as proven League One players of excellence are simply not available to buy as they get picked up by teams in the leagues above (and you can't tempt them to jump ship when you are constrained by the wage cap).
Like others, the only real criticism I have is the Pratley/Watson axis. When they went down to ten last night, we should have tried to capitalise on the situation straight away by making the midfield more attacking. This could have avoided the Purrington dismissal by keeping the ball in their half and reducing their goal threat. Fortunately, it worked out for us as his replacement at LB instantly looked a class above and will take his place as a starter without any doubt. When Maddison and Gilbey are back though, we should be a much better creative attacking force. As I reckon that we will currently still be looking for another striker to fill a Schwartz shaped hole in our squad, I have no doubt that we will be a significantly bigger goal threat as the season progresses...not least if Super Chuks continues his great start to the season.
Given the fact that many of the players have only recently started training with us, the signs that we have a team gelling are very positive indeed and two wins on the trot will do very nicely, thank you. I believe LB when he says that 'things are only going to get better'.
Good to hear Bowyer say that about Chuks because he has to be one of the strikers in League 1. His physique demands that he get into the penalty area. Lots of headed goals can come his way. His hold up play can help Washington, Smyth, Bogle and Maddison inside or outside the box.
A good 100 minutes from Aneke in the last two matches.
@Sage, what are your views on Pratley and Watson starting in midfield?
Last season Bows said that Pratley and Field are too similar to play in the same team so will interchange. Im surprised this past concept has not been applied to the current squad?
Perhaps it's a matter of start the season solidly and build up a points tally then move forwards from there in team selection and attacking play.
I was surprised to see it last night to be honest.
But I think the idea was that the defence is new and without Pratley, we wouldn’t have had any continuation of leadership, someone who knows the club, the standard Bowyer sets. It was important that he started as captain last night.
Yes, he came off at half time, but by that point we needed to change it up and make use of the strengths we had, he was the natural change.
Watson, seems like someone who will drop deeper, collect the ball and tell others where to go, where to run, encourage our defenders to venture forward into midfield whilst being very comfortable on the ball. Pratley is slightly different, someone who will happily get up and down the pitch no problem but a little more awkward on the ball.
I actually see Watson as a different type of player to Field.
I think for a game away from home on a Tuesday night, having that initial bit of experience done us no harm. We won’t see them play together too often this season, but we will until players like Gilbey, Williams, Shinnie, and Forster-Caskey are all up to speed, fit, and gelled into the squad.
It might’ve been slightly negative, but I actually think it worked in a way.
Had we started with someone else in the middle and went down to 10 like we did, how would you have changed it? It would’ve been harder in my opinion.
I agree with all of that, I also feel that with Pratley holding at the top of the diamond, it allows our full backs license to push forward more when we attack as Pratley slips in to form a back 3 with the 2 CB's
I think long term, Pratley will be specifically selected for certain games and therefore be fresher - great pro to have in and around the place though and also to come off the bench when required.
It’s nice to get back to back wins and it’s good to hear fans are positive about what’s happening on the pitch, but it’s early days, let’s not carried away, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do if we want to get into a good position in the league by Christmas.
It’s nice to get back to back wins and it’s good to hear fans are positive about what’s happening on the pitch, but it’s early days, let’s not carried away, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do if we want to get into a good position in the league by Christmas.
I agree with the sentiment of not getting carried away. Not sure I agree we have a lot of catching up to do. We're only 6 points off the automatics, with a game in hand. Still very early in the season.
Unless you mean fitness and team gelling. In which case, again, I'd agree.
It’s nice to get back to back wins and it’s good to hear fans are positive about what’s happening on the pitch, but it’s early days, let’s not carried away, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do if we want to get into a good position in the league by Christmas.
I agree with the sentiment of not getting carried. Not sure I agree we have a lot of catching up to do. We're only 6 points off the automatics, with a game in hand. Still very early in the season.
Unless you mean fitness and team gelling. In which case, again, I'd agree.
It’s nice to get back to back wins and it’s good to hear fans are positive about what’s happening on the pitch, but it’s early days, let’s not carried away, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do if we want to get into a good position in the league by Christmas.
I agree with the sentiment of not getting carried. Not sure I agree we have a lot of catching up to do. We're only 6 points off the automatics, with a game in hand. Still very early in the season.
Unless you mean fitness and team gelling. In which case, again, I'd agree.
Yeah, we're only 6 games in. I wouldn't say we have any catching up to do other than as stated, fitness and gelling. We will go on a really good run and it's only a matter of time.
Teams at the top have had their squads sorted for a little while or have not had much turnover. We have a whole new team and 40 games of the season left. Loads and loads of time.
A run of say 10 wins out of 13, which is very possible for us in this league, would see us right at the top.
Watson was very tidy. I think the danger is to be wrongly critical of Watson and Pratley, when the issue is not with them at all, but the perceived need for a more attacking midfielder in the side.
I imagine myself as a half decent League One defender (we can all dream!) and I think, I wouldn't fancy playing against Aneke at all. I wouldn't mind playing against say Washington in the same way.
It's a bit like with recent Southgate England teams that have had 2 defensive midfielders, it's not that the likes of Rice, Henderson, Winks and Phillips are bad players, it's more the decision to play 2 of them against teams like Denmark which is being questioned
The problem isn't, as you rightly pointed out, good or bad players. It's static players. I don't mean ones that don't run, I mean ones that stay in rigid positions.
If you have 2 center halves, 2 center forwards and 2 defensive midfielders you have 6 outfield players who stay in the same shape for 90 minutes. You have to have very good full backs and very fit "other" midfielders to make it work. Also 3 of those 4 have to be "on it" else it's turgid, boring and you won't score goals.
When we played well last season we had Taylor, Leko, Gallagher and Williams providing that. The season before we were probably at our best with Williams, Aribo, Taylor and Igor in the team but it just wasn't often enough.
That's one of the reasons Bowyer likes players like Smyth and Leko.
Watson was very tidy. I think the danger is to be wrongly critical of Watson and Pratley, when the issue is not with them at all, but the perceived need for a more attacking midfielder in the side.
I imagine myself as a half decent League One defender (we can all dream!) and I think, I wouldn't fancy playing against Aneke at all. I wouldn't mind playing against say Washington in the same way.
It's a bit like with recent Southgate England teams that have had 2 defensive midfielders, it's not that the likes of Rice, Henderson, Winks and Phillips are bad players, it's more the decision to play 2 of them against teams like Denmark which is being questioned
The problem isn't, as you rightly pointed out, good or bad players. It's static players. I don't mean ones that don't run, I mean ones that stay in rigid positions.
If you have 2 center halves, 2 center forwards and 2 defensive midfielders you have 6 outfield players who stay in the same shape for 90 minutes. You have to have very good full backs and very fit "other" midfielders to make it work. Also 3 of those 4 have to be "on it" else it's turgid, boring and you won't score goals.
When we played well last season we had Taylor, Leko, Gallagher and Williams providing that. The season before we were probably at our best with Williams, Aribo, Taylor and Igor in the team but it just wasn't often enough.
That's one of the reasons Bowyer likes players like Smyth and Leko.
The word ‘static’ in the dictionary has a picture of the Andrew Crofts and Kevin Foley double pivot.
Watson was very tidy. I think the danger is to be wrongly critical of Watson and Pratley, when the issue is not with them at all, but the perceived need for a more attacking midfielder in the side.
I imagine myself as a half decent League One defender (we can all dream!) and I think, I wouldn't fancy playing against Aneke at all. I wouldn't mind playing against say Washington in the same way.
It's a bit like with recent Southgate England teams that have had 2 defensive midfielders, it's not that the likes of Rice, Henderson, Winks and Phillips are bad players, it's more the decision to play 2 of them against teams like Denmark which is being questioned
The problem isn't, as you rightly pointed out, good or bad players. It's static players. I don't mean ones that don't run, I mean ones that stay in rigid positions.
If you have 2 center halves, 2 center forwards and 2 defensive midfielders you have 6 outfield players who stay in the same shape for 90 minutes. You have to have very good full backs and very fit "other" midfielders to make it work. Also 3 of those 4 have to be "on it" else it's turgid, boring and you won't score goals.
When we played well last season we had Taylor, Leko, Gallagher and Williams providing that. The season before we were probably at our best with Williams, Aribo, Taylor and Igor in the team but it just wasn't often enough.
That's one of the reasons Bowyer likes players like Smyth and Leko.
The word ‘static’ in the dictionary has a picture of the Andrew Crofts and Kevin Foley double pivot.
Dark times.
Was it Swindon where Jackson played with the above in front of a back 5 🙄🙄
Watson was very tidy. I think the danger is to be wrongly critical of Watson and Pratley, when the issue is not with them at all, but the perceived need for a more attacking midfielder in the side.
I imagine myself as a half decent League One defender (we can all dream!) and I think, I wouldn't fancy playing against Aneke at all. I wouldn't mind playing against say Washington in the same way.
It's a bit like with recent Southgate England teams that have had 2 defensive midfielders, it's not that the likes of Rice, Henderson, Winks and Phillips are bad players, it's more the decision to play 2 of them against teams like Denmark which is being questioned
The problem isn't, as you rightly pointed out, good or bad players. It's static players. I don't mean ones that don't run, I mean ones that stay in rigid positions.
If you have 2 center halves, 2 center forwards and 2 defensive midfielders you have 6 outfield players who stay in the same shape for 90 minutes. You have to have very good full backs and very fit "other" midfielders to make it work. Also 3 of those 4 have to be "on it" else it's turgid, boring and you won't score goals.
When we played well last season we had Taylor, Leko, Gallagher and Williams providing that. The season before we were probably at our best with Williams, Aribo, Taylor and Igor in the team but it just wasn't often enough.
That's one of the reasons Bowyer likes players like Smyth and Leko.
The word ‘static’ in the dictionary has a picture of the Andrew Crofts and Kevin Foley double pivot.
Dark times.
Was it Swindon where Jackson played with the above in front of a back 5 🙄🙄
Our team that day was: Rudd Solly Fox Bauer Pearce Foley Crofts Ulvestad Jackson Ajose Novak
I think gilbey will be key or perhaps maddison in being able to be proper all round midfielders, like gallagher was l. Dont even need to provide the goals but get into positions that provide us with opportunities while not sacrificing the defensive structure.
Too often we have had players who do one or the other in midfield. It's not the worst but you cant build a whole team around it.
the disallowed goal WAS offside and Purrington was unlucky to get a second yellow Bogle looked to be a threat, at least from looking at the brief highlights Doughty put in a very clever and very brave header for the goal
All in all a good performance, no, goals conceded and three more points
Surely by todays laws Bogle is not offside unless he unsighted the goalie, or he actually nudged the ball in. He wasn't in front of the goalie, so the lino must be saying he nudged it in. There is no way to tell from the view on Skysports.
the disallowed goal WAS offside and Purrington was unlucky to get a second yellow Bogle looked to be a threat, at least from looking at the brief highlights Doughty put in a very clever and very brave header for the goal
All in all a good performance, no, goals conceded and three more points
Surely by todays laws Bogle is not offside unless he unsighted the goalie, or he actually nudged the ball in. He wasn't in front of the goalie, so the lino must be saying he nudged it in. There is no way to tell from the view on Skysports.
Yes, but there goalkeeper said he did, so that must be true
Watson was very tidy. I think the danger is to be wrongly critical of Watson and Pratley, when the issue is not with them at all, but the perceived need for a more attacking midfielder in the side.
I imagine myself as a half decent League One defender (we can all dream!) and I think, I wouldn't fancy playing against Aneke at all. I wouldn't mind playing against say Washington in the same way.
It's a bit like with recent Southgate England teams that have had 2 defensive midfielders, it's not that the likes of Rice, Henderson, Winks and Phillips are bad players, it's more the decision to play 2 of them against teams like Denmark which is being questioned
The problem isn't, as you rightly pointed out, good or bad players. It's static players. I don't mean ones that don't run, I mean ones that stay in rigid positions.
If you have 2 center halves, 2 center forwards and 2 defensive midfielders you have 6 outfield players who stay in the same shape for 90 minutes. You have to have very good full backs and very fit "other" midfielders to make it work. Also 3 of those 4 have to be "on it" else it's turgid, boring and you won't score goals.
When we played well last season we had Taylor, Leko, Gallagher and Williams providing that. The season before we were probably at our best with Williams, Aribo, Taylor and Igor in the team but it just wasn't often enough.
That's one of the reasons Bowyer likes players like Smyth and Leko.
The word ‘static’ in the dictionary has a picture of the Andrew Crofts and Kevin Foley double pivot.
Dark times.
Was it Swindon where Jackson played with the above in front of a back 5 🙄🙄
Our team that day was: Rudd Solly Fox Bauer Pearce Foley Crofts Ulvestad Jackson Ajose Novak
I just reread the Players Marks thread for that game. Properly bracing stuff
Watson was very tidy. I think the danger is to be wrongly critical of Watson and Pratley, when the issue is not with them at all, but the perceived need for a more attacking midfielder in the side.
I imagine myself as a half decent League One defender (we can all dream!) and I think, I wouldn't fancy playing against Aneke at all. I wouldn't mind playing against say Washington in the same way.
It's a bit like with recent Southgate England teams that have had 2 defensive midfielders, it's not that the likes of Rice, Henderson, Winks and Phillips are bad players, it's more the decision to play 2 of them against teams like Denmark which is being questioned
The problem isn't, as you rightly pointed out, good or bad players. It's static players. I don't mean ones that don't run, I mean ones that stay in rigid positions.
If you have 2 center halves, 2 center forwards and 2 defensive midfielders you have 6 outfield players who stay in the same shape for 90 minutes. You have to have very good full backs and very fit "other" midfielders to make it work. Also 3 of those 4 have to be "on it" else it's turgid, boring and you won't score goals.
When we played well last season we had Taylor, Leko, Gallagher and Williams providing that. The season before we were probably at our best with Williams, Aribo, Taylor and Igor in the team but it just wasn't often enough.
That's one of the reasons Bowyer likes players like Smyth and Leko.
The word ‘static’ in the dictionary has a picture of the Andrew Crofts and Kevin Foley double pivot.
Dark times.
Was it Swindon where Jackson played with the above in front of a back 5 🙄🙄
Our team that day was: Rudd Solly Fox Bauer Pearce Foley Crofts Ulvestad Jackson Ajose Novak
I just reread the Players Marks thread for that game. Properly bracing stuff
It wasn't a back 5 then, just the most one paced 4 man midfield known to man. I do remember it being utter dross.
Watson was very tidy. I think the danger is to be wrongly critical of Watson and Pratley, when the issue is not with them at all, but the perceived need for a more attacking midfielder in the side.
I imagine myself as a half decent League One defender (we can all dream!) and I think, I wouldn't fancy playing against Aneke at all. I wouldn't mind playing against say Washington in the same way.
It's a bit like with recent Southgate England teams that have had 2 defensive midfielders, it's not that the likes of Rice, Henderson, Winks and Phillips are bad players, it's more the decision to play 2 of them against teams like Denmark which is being questioned
The problem isn't, as you rightly pointed out, good or bad players. It's static players. I don't mean ones that don't run, I mean ones that stay in rigid positions.
If you have 2 center halves, 2 center forwards and 2 defensive midfielders you have 6 outfield players who stay in the same shape for 90 minutes. You have to have very good full backs and very fit "other" midfielders to make it work. Also 3 of those 4 have to be "on it" else it's turgid, boring and you won't score goals.
When we played well last season we had Taylor, Leko, Gallagher and Williams providing that. The season before we were probably at our best with Williams, Aribo, Taylor and Igor in the team but it just wasn't often enough.
That's one of the reasons Bowyer likes players like Smyth and Leko.
The word ‘static’ in the dictionary has a picture of the Andrew Crofts and Kevin Foley double pivot.
Dark times.
Was it Swindon where Jackson played with the above in front of a back 5 🙄🙄
Our team that day was: Rudd Solly Fox Bauer Pearce Foley Crofts Ulvestad Jackson Ajose Novak
That's half a really good L1 team. The back 4 and Rudd were all Championship quality. Unfortunately the rest of the ream...
A bit unlucky as we were missing Holmes, Lookman and Magennis (international callups didn't help) but removing Slade was one Roland managerial chop which was the correct decision as Robbo did improve things a bit
Comments
Once again, we must give great credit to SG and LB; many of the players that they brought in weren't recognised names and had little match experience - take the defence for instance.....the players that have been brought in at the back have hit the ground running and massively impressed me. We now have a formidable back four that has me full of optimism as a foundation for a very strong team. Once again, they have managed to pick some diamonds from the rough which is so important at this level as proven League One players of excellence are simply not available to buy as they get picked up by teams in the leagues above (and you can't tempt them to jump ship when you are constrained by the wage cap).
Like others, the only real criticism I have is the Pratley/Watson axis. When they went down to ten last night, we should have tried to capitalise on the situation straight away by making the midfield more attacking. This could have avoided the Purrington dismissal by keeping the ball in their half and reducing their goal threat. Fortunately, it worked out for us as his replacement at LB instantly looked a class above and will take his place as a starter without any doubt. When Maddison and Gilbey are back though, we should be a much better creative attacking force. As I reckon that we will currently still be looking for another striker to fill a Schwartz shaped hole in our squad, I have no doubt that we will be a significantly bigger goal threat as the season progresses...not least if Super Chuks continues his great start to the season.
Given the fact that many of the players have only recently started training with us, the signs that we have a team gelling are very positive indeed and two wins on the trot will do very nicely, thank you. I believe LB when he says that 'things are only going to get better'.
Here's hoping for a great season.
COYA!
Seems player-wise we've turned out alright...
His physique demands that he get into the penalty area. Lots of headed goals can come his way. His hold up play can help Washington, Smyth, Bogle and Maddison inside or outside the box.
A good 100 minutes from Aneke in the last two matches.
I think long term, Pratley will be specifically selected for certain games and therefore be fresher - great pro to have in and around the place though and also to come off the bench when required.
Unless you mean fitness and team gelling. In which case, again, I'd agree.
Of course, it's not a true palindrome either, it has to read forwards or backwards, Madam.
Teams at the top have had their squads sorted for a little while or have not had much turnover. We have a whole new team and 40 games of the season left. Loads and loads of time.
A run of say 10 wins out of 13, which is very possible for us in this league, would see us right at the top.
If you have 2 center halves, 2 center forwards and 2 defensive midfielders you have 6 outfield players who stay in the same shape for 90 minutes. You have to have very good full backs and very fit "other" midfielders to make it work. Also 3 of those 4 have to be "on it" else it's turgid, boring and you won't score goals.
When we played well last season we had Taylor, Leko, Gallagher and Williams providing that. The season before we were probably at our best with Williams, Aribo, Taylor and Igor in the team but it just wasn't often enough.
That's one of the reasons Bowyer likes players like Smyth and Leko.
Rudd
Solly
Fox
Bauer
Pearce
Foley
Crofts
Ulvestad
Jackson
Ajose
Novak
Too often we have had players who do one or the other in midfield. It's not the worst but you cant build a whole team around it.
He wasn't in front of the goalie, so the lino must be saying he nudged it in.
There is no way to tell from the view on Skysports.
A bit unlucky as we were missing Holmes, Lookman and Magennis (international callups didn't help) but removing Slade was one Roland managerial chop which was the correct decision as Robbo did improve things a bit