The team tomorrow

Roberts

O keefe
Williams
Lopata
Kitchen
Cadden

Kane
Russell
Styles

Cole
Watters

Still pretty strong on paper especially considering our injuries.

We still have

Iseka
Dallas
Jalo
James

On the bench probably

 

Yeah don't know what all the fuss was about.

 

Starting 11 doesn't look too bad at all but the bench is the major worry.

Most of those you've listed are unfit and haven't kicked a ball in pre season. Distinct lack of depth on the bench. Especially in midfield.

 

ackroyd on the bench?

 

Russell is a worry in the middle of the park.

 

No one else Connel sick and Phillips suspended.

 

I'd heard he'd picked up an injury

 

injured

 

If Port Vale have any tactical nous they'll just go over and round the midfield and pound our makeshift downgraded defence.

 

Yet to be convinced by Russell but I couldn't be less worried about midfield as we have Connell and Phillips to come in, plus Benson and Wolfe when they recover from injury.

Still think we need a centre half with a bit of experience.

And up front we have plenty in terms of numbers but most are young and untried in the professional game. I'd say we need a striker with some league goals if we're going to be contenders.

 

Make shift downgraded defence:

O'Keefe. A regular for Forest Green.
Williams. A right back by trade but equally adept at right centre back.
Lopata. An unknown but should be o.k.
Kitching. Ever present probable Captain.
Cadden. Class left back.

I make that one possible weak spot. You're right about the midfield though.

 

More chance I'll make the bench before Iseka.

 

1. Asset #1
2. Asset #2
3. Asset #3
4. Asset #4
5. Asset #5
6. Asset #6*
7. Asset #7
8. Asset #8*
9. Asset #9
10. Asset #10*
11. Asset #11

*Sale pending

 

I would play Ackroyd ahead of Russell . In fact I’d play @Merde Tete ahead of Russell.

 

O'Keefe v Williams = Williams
Williams v Thomas = Thomas
Locpata v Andersen = Andersen

= 60% individual downgrade and probably more as a collective (not to mention the goalkeeper who hasn't played first team in nearly a year). Obvious and massive downgrade.

O'Keefe comes from the worst defence in the league, Forest Green, a team last season who would have struggled in league 2. Even their fans who think he has something going forward have said he can't defend for toffee! He is the only player I saw Josh Martin leave for dead last season - he's probably the only one who Martin has left for dead in his career!

Locpata is stepping up two leagues from one in which he was hardly a shining star and in which his performances on BT Sport (and last week) seemed to show him to be clumsy, ponderous and often out of position.

Williams, one of the best right wing backs in the league is having to be moved to a position in which he's less rarely played (right centre back) - he played left centre back under Struber.

Kitching, who I liked last season but still has a mistake in him, has had one good two-thirds of a season in a defence that was stabilised when the midfield was settled and Thomas arrived - he has looked anything but captaincy material in the games he was captain last season imho. Cadden, who I also like, would I think admit himself that he is better going forward than defensively - you only have to look at the way Wycombe targeted him at their place last season, for example.

 

He obviously has the ability it's if he can be arsed (Russell)

 

I'd rather have Benson or Wolfe ( if fit) for Russell' he's far too immobile and ineffective for me' pretty lightweight up front too i'd maybe give shaw a chance.

 

Sounds like a good call. Especially as I'm currently supping my 3rd 6.9% IPA of the evening. And I'm located about 2000 miles from Oakwell. In fact, if BFC get wind of this I reckon they'll be firing up the fax in a nanosecond.

 

If it's a 60% downgrade, does that mean last season's team would have won 11-0?

 

Kitchen cooked up a good goal.