Goalkeeper, Jackson Smith to start next week after that mistake from Killip for 3rd goal. No idea what he was doing Defence, i was impressed with Lofthouse when he came on. Styles didn't look too bad, gave a bit more effort than he did last season MDG Roberts Earl is surely our back 3 going into next week Midfield, the Tottenham lad looked very good. Still early but really liked what i saw today, Hourihane and Phillips and Connell shows we have a good midfield. Russell missing a sitter too Strikers, Watters not good enough for me im really hoping he comes good but he dont look upto it. Jalo looked lively again just hope Injury aint bad, Marsh has scores a couple of decent goals so hopw he can take it into league..still need 2 Strikers though
Having watched that, I'm cautiously optimistic. Agreed regarding a striker, Gent should be a good addition. I'd still like another goalie though, think it's a lot of pressure to lean on Smith as the number 1 all year and I just don't think Killip is up to it.
I like Earl, but the only positive tonight was that he got 90 mins under his belt. Enjoyable game though and lots of positives
Earl isn't a left back or quick enough. If Styles is to play on the left he needs protection. I preferred Lofthouse on the left. I thought apart from his miss Russell was excellent along with Craig and Phillips. It's a shame about Jalo. I'd go: Smith. O'Keefe, Roberts, Pines, Earl, Lofthouse. Phillips, Russell, Craig. Jalo (If fit)/Marsh, Cosgrove. No Hourihane or Connell but we looked a more fluid unit second half and Hourihane says he doesn't want to play regularly. Connell was tidy but Craig is better.
We have some high quality players in our squad for league 1 Roberts Pines Earl Styles, Hourihane, Phillips, Connell, Jalo and Craig. We have players like Cosgrove Cotter, Lofthouse, okeefe, Mael, Marsh who I think will run through a brick wall for Clarke. I'm not giving up on Benson, Watters Russell Lopata either. With young lads like Dyer, Bland and Yoganathan coming through. I've no doubt we will see quality additions like the Blackburn lad who has been mentioned and another striker and maybe keeper. We are in for a great season under Clarke and very competent coaching team.
Playing Jon Russell over Luca Connell would be a bold move. And batshit crazy. I think a keeper will come in, maybe this week but certainly before the closing of the window. We have two acceptable number two standard keepers. One of which should leave on loan, probably Killip if anyone will take him. Neither should be our starting goalkeepers. We’ve seen enough through pre-season to suggest that more than strongly.
Earl hasn't been the same player since he gave away that penalty against Bolton many moons ago in league game, 97th minute or whatever it was. 6 games in a row he made a mistake and it directly led to a goal. I do like him but I think his confidence was severely knocked after that. His best games for Fleetwood was at left back/wing back iirc what young lad Knappers said, so if Styles does leave i imagine it may be new lad and perhaps earl as back up and someone goes in centre half. Unless ofcourse Lofthouse or Okeefe is moved over there. I'm quietly optimistic though, especially after tonight. Probably bit naive of me but who cares
Only saw the highlights on Derbys YouTube. Great result, good run out for the lads and a mixture of good and dodgy moments. Funniest moment was when Russell had the ball at feet on the edge of Derbys box, then he didn’t and they broke away and scored. I say funny, because that’s what happens regularly in my dreams. Im back playing football, someone gives me the ball, and they’re shouting for it back, but my legs won’t work and it’s just taken off me.
Watters had a lot more about him than Cosgrove last night.. didn't get much out of Bradley but still should have scored first half.. Mansfield have Aiden Flint so another battle next week. Would start Cosgrove then bring on fresh legs Marsh to nip a winner late on
I tried not to look at individuals last night but I cant disagree with anything that's been said but that was night and day different from last season. We looked fit and the ball went forward much quicker if we can get a bit more quality I don't think we will be finishing 17th. A pivotal few days now the difference between an ok season and us been a factor I think.
