Tonight ....

I thought we did ok. Was impressed with Brown, Treacy, Bree, Bailey and young McHale. Winnall could have had a hat-trick.

Concerned about the keeper and worried that Hourihane is a bit too similar to Bailey. Also why does he take all the corners and free kicks? Think Treacy should take those on now.

Biggest negative - RNL. What has happened to that lad? Looks unfit and seems to have no enthusiasm or interest in playing the game left in him

 

Aye thought we played wi 9 men wi RNL and Lita int side. Another chance passes him by.

 

Yep. He will probably disappear for 6 weeks now. That's what usually happens.

Lita will get us some goals when he gets match fit I think. Got to start him off somewhere and he will get better the more he plays

 

Could have had one toneet if he had bothered to put some leather ont ball rather than looking at Lino. Aye he SHOULD come good but al wait and see him do it first before saying its just match fitness. We`ve been here before many times.

 

It was the only negative for me. It's a shame, but I just don't think he's got it.

 

Therein lies 'a' problem. Another being him playing way out of position.

I can only see it going that one way now though, the fans (after one appearance) are already writing him off. Shame. I think there's at least one regular getting away with ******* murder.

 

He's certainly not a natural left back / wing back. Game against man utd XI showed that.

 

He was poor toneet YT and I was desperate for him to do well but he looked, slow offered very little movement and just had that lethargic air about him.

He had a good opportunity toneet and you would have expected him to work his knackers off but he didn`t seem that bothered.

 

Centre half ? Yep I bet it is !!

 

I think I'm going to step back from threads involving him because I can't be objective I'm afraid. I'll end by repeating my earlier comment and that's that I reckon he should be moved on if indeed we're only willing to play him out of position. Different player in and around the box. Danny ought to know that. He played him there in two of our most recent victories.

But aye, I'm going to stay out of the RNL debate for a while. I predicted he'd be the scapegoat, and after just 70 minutes tonight it seems he's the main lad taking the criticism. Even if justified (is it, really?), it doesn't sit well with me. I doubt Danny Wilson would agree with it. We should be backing all of our lads, especially the younger element. But I've made a stance over the years, I'm well known for bigging him up/defending him/supporting him. So I'm probably better out of these discussions.


In other news, Jordan Clark starred tonight for Shrewsbury, played 90 minutes, man of the match as they beat Blackpool (Perkins, Cywka, Mellis etc) in the cup. Another young lad, a Tarn lad, finally finding his feet. Good luck to him. I feel Reuben would benefit from such a fresh start. Despite my appreciation for him as a footballer and lad.


Night, people.

 

How good/bad was he?

I had a few txts from lads who went (a couple off here actually) and they were very vitriolic regards him. Not seen em state that on here like, but then, he's seemingly bullet proof unlike Reubs etc.

 

I didnt get down , but my lad was texting me and said it was same as usual at the back, every other defender was getting slated , but Crainie stood looking !

 

I honestly thought he'd be much better down a level, but on Saturday's viewing I might be disappointed. Sounds like he's continued in the same vein tonight, mate. And I'm sorry, but as captain and the highest earner (by some margin) I'm going to want more from him in the games/weeks to come. Fingers crossed he can recover his form, but I'll never be dissuaded that he's a midfielder.

 

Whitey I'm not having a pop at RNL. I'm genuinely baffled as to why he hardly ever plays and when he does play why he looks like he's not bothered?

I'm not a big fan of Cranie either. Some love him, some don't rate him, I think he may be one of the reasons we ship so many soft goals. I quite liked the pairing of nyatanga and mvoto towards the end of last season for a few games so it wouldn't bother me if Cranie left

 

Playing him at full back put him on a a hiding to nowt really.

 

Yeah I get that but if I was his age, had been around the first team for 5/6 years without hardly playing I'd be busting a gut to get a start then running my blood to water for 90 minutes. He just looks unfit/not bothered to me. Never wants the ball, never makes a run and when he gets the ball he gets shut of it asap.

I remember when he first played he looked like young McHale did tonight. Compare the two now. World's apart.

 

Reuben shouldn't be playing at left back/left wing back.

He's an attacking player, defending isn't an asset of his.

I can only agree that if we see him as a defensive player he needs to be moved on but I hope he gets a proper chance further forward.

I hoped with Jennings' suspension that he might get a couple of games on the wing but it doesn't look like happening

 

I'm not going into a debate about Cranie. I feel people's issues with his wage cloud their judgement but that's another story.

What I want to know is, who would you or anyone else give the captaincy to? Because from where I'm stood we don't have a leader at the club?

Of the experienced players none of Cranie, Nyatanga, M'Voto & Lita strike me as leaders.

Turnbull's a goalie, maybe Bailey but no idea about his character.

 

I'll remember this next time you claim you only say it as you see it, Andy, whilst claiming you have no agenda with Cranie & Jennings. RNL had a poor game last night, but I don't believe we play him in his best position. I think he'd be far more effective in a more advanced role.
Still, I wait in anticipation of you blaming Cranie for the recent Ebola outbreak at the same time as saying you've no agenda.

 

Grinning.