If we are so unconvincing (despite the match stats) against Colchester, then how are we going to beat Wigan? Will we even need to? Will Adkins and his players be playing for their jobs next week? What will the respective morale and motivation of Gillingham and Millwall be? I haven't got a clue. Anyway, here's some random thoughts. Josh Scowen. Would be the first choice on the teamsheet every week for me. He's done very well as fill in right back, but it's not his position and he got caught out a few times yesterday. With our midfield looking unbalanced somehow I'd sooner see him in his natural role, with someone else filling in at right back (Brownhill?). We need to get that midfield looking stronger, because Connor gives me the impression of drifting in and out of the game. Attacking play. We need more variation. It didn't take teams long to cotton on to the fact that they need to send two players whenever Hammill gets the ball. Adam can still do great things, but he's having to battle against more than one defender every time he receives. We need to get Isgrove/Chapman into the game more to give teams more to worry about. And it would be nice to see us attempt some crisp passing through the middle to vary things from time to time. Defence. Mawson and Roberts have shown tremendous development through the season, and we have to build on their partnership going forward. But those around them need to be more alert. Both Colchester goals had a 'soft' look about them yesterday, and the second was worryingly reminiscent of Oxford's second at Wembley. The other defenders have to do their job. Incidentally, am I right in thinking that Alfie will complete the season as an 'ever present' next week? I'm wondering how rare that has been in recent times for BFC?
Had a sleepless night going through permutations. We are not playing well and haven't for weeks now and despite players running on empty I reckon we will draw at Wigan. Where does that leave us? I think Scunny will do the same at Sheffield United and my big worry is a Gillingham win, hope Millwall don't rest players for the play offs.
It's all ifs and buts. Gillingham may be totally shattered and beaten by now or they might just throw all their shackles off and regain their edge. I can't honestly believe anyone at Sheff U is going to roll over to let Scunny win. On our day and showing the form we did a month or so ago we could easily compete with any team in this league. We have clearly, through injuries and fatigue, fallen away performance wise though. Up until yesterday I would have said we were still defending so well that a point at Wigan is well within our range. Hopefully it still is and that might just be enough. That last 30 seconds from yesterday is going to haunt me for a long time to come if it isn't though.
On the other hand is it better having to go for the win than needing a draw and playing cautious? See where that got us yesterday.
Mawson got dropped for a game if u remember? And it seemed to give him a kick up the ass. Think he also lost captaincy at this point too.
Oh, I'd definitely rather see us go for the win. I was just thinking that we had been defending well enough to secure a draw as a fallback. Until.....we backed off and let Colchester score at 5pm yesterday.......see...it's haunting me! It's etched on my eyeballs!
Its been a roller-coaster that's for sure and its not finished yet. I agree that the midfield needs freshening up, Connor is looking to play the ball first time (every time!!) rather putting a foot on it. We have little threat going forward from our midfield players. Winnal is seriously out of touch and doesn't look like he knows where the net is anymore. We should have been out of sight yesterday. One more final push and we can get there................its still in our hands COYR
Wish Conor would take the ball forward and have some shots like he used to rather than try to walk the ball in.
I believe so, Can't remember the last one. Alfie's been fantastic this season, he got my vote in the BBS poll. Can't remember the last centre back we had who went forward with the ball beating players and spraying brilliant 30-yard passes out to the wings and down the middle. The only poor spell he had was when he was captain.
Ah yes - I see now he's on 44 league appearances, whereas we have played 45. Think the lad has done well though - and he's a credit to the club and his profession.
I don't like trying the prediction game, but I will say that we will get at least one point at Wigan. I think that S****horpe will get one at Bramall Lane and Gillingham will get one at home to Millwall, which will leave us in 6th. The biggest doubt in this would be Gillingham against Millwall, now that the Lions are safely in the play-offs. In fact, I think that it better that we are going to Wigan, knowing that we are likely to need at least a point. When motivated, this team can give anyone a game and our recent away record speaks for itself. COYR.