Reasons for our upturn in form

Clearly there's more than one - players starting to gel and come into form, Clarke getting his ethos across, the side looking more balanced. But I don't think it's any coincidence that it's happened since Cosgrove has been injured.

I'll start by saying that I really want Cosgrove to do well for us. His attitude is first class and he comes across as an absolute top bloke in interviews - very bright and articulate, who clearly understands the game on a deep level. But unfortunately, he doesn't seem to be able to translate that into performances. He can't hold the ball up very well, so doesn't really bring others into play, he's not particularly quick, and his nuisance value is negated by the fact that he's constantly giving away free kicks. When he's on the field, we often tend to lump it in his general direction, when he'll then miscontrol it or foul the defender, and we've lost possession and are immediately under pressure.

DKD, Humphrys and Watters are all much better footballers, and Humps also brings that physical presence. We can play it into their feet, confident that the ball won't bobble off their shins for a throw to the opposition. I feel really bad writing this, but I really don't think Cosgrove should be playing moving forward. He doesn't just miss chances and give the ball away - he's detrimental to the whole dynamic of the team.

 

Agree 100%

Perhaps best if he moves on as I am not even convinced he is great at giving us another (good) option.

would wish him all the best but I think a January move is in everyone’s interests and we use the wage for some backup at left back, balance is key.

 

Disagree, I don’t think he should be wrote off just yet.. he should be perfect in this formation with Phillips & DKD playing just behind him.

He needs to work his way back into the side but it’s another option we have.

 

Jon Russell.

Swapping him in for Craig has been the difference for me. It's allowed Luca to play his more natural game, and balanced out a midfield which went missing too often.

George Gent has been a big difference as well. I was critical of both wing backs as I thought they didn't offer enough offensive threat to make up for their defensive liabilities. Both Gent and O'Keeffe have stepped up in recent games and helped balance out the formation. The CBs also seem to have developed an understanding, no doubt helped by the improvement of the wide players.

 

In theory I agree with you. He SHOULD fit in well. And that's the disappointing thing. Because apart from a sprinkling of games - both playoff matches and Lincoln away last season come to mind - we've generally looked much worse with him on the field. Really hope you're right and I'm wrong btw.

 

Fair enough, I just don’t see what he adds?


Hold up play ? Not brilliant at that as falls over a lot and gives away a lot of fouls

pace? Nope

good in the air? Absolutely not. I move seen Darren Sheridan win more headers

finishing ? Pretty erratic

good with his feet? We have much better options


So sorry but I’m struggling a bit

 

Me and @Jimmy viz were discussing Russell last night. Clarke is the first manager who's worked out that you need to use Russell in a more attacking role. Russell has a lot of talent and isn't afraid to try things - but that does mean from time to time he gives the ball away. By making sure that only happens inside the opposition half, it means he's got far more freedom to attempt stuff that's out of the ordinary, with far less risk of something detrimental happening. I think Jon Russell is going to be a key player for us if we're to do anything this season.

 

Agreed with the points raised Russell, Cosgrove for me the biggest single thing is fitness, our substitutions last night were on 77min and 92min, Clarke isn't having to make wholesale changes at half time or 60mins and unbalancing us.
That's the sharpest and most hungry I've seen us in a long time, as bad as Rotherham were last night we forced so many errors by closing down and being disciplined in our shape.

 

A lot of it is just time. Just be patient. After a few bad results don't jump down the manager's throat.

He knows the players more now and has made a few changes.

 

Who would want him though? Unless maybe a Scottish side given his record at Aberdeen.

 

Reasons for upturn:
Giving people (coaches and players) time to connect and get to know each other; on and off the field.
It's not rocket science.

 

Not a Craig fan you could say it’s Russell although I don’t think he was great last night.
Maybe Cotter not being in which is maybe harsh as he was arguably our best player the first 10 games

 

Cotter has largely played well this season but credit to O'Keefe as he had a very good game last night.

 

Having a commanding goalkeeper between the sticks.

The partnership Earl and Gent have with one another down our left.

Dunn not hogging the touchline as often because he's more central.

Humpreys now being up to full fitness after playing catch up being a late signing.

Scrapping for most part the idea that Connell and Craig should be in the same team.

 

Russell has been the Catalyst imo obviously under the control of Carke. The midfield now looks the quality it should be.
The backs have got there act together.
Humphries looking a great acquisition.

Killip proving more than able. The comments he received on here re where he came from is irrelevant. Goalies have to be at the right club at the right time. Most difficult position in football to achieve a regular spot. Dozens if not hundreds throughout europe alone, very good goalies having to bide their time. (Beyond reasonable to their careers or move on to inferior clubs to get maximum game time. Obviously money is a consideration.)

Take Adam Davies. Played less than a quarter of the games he played at Barnsley. 184 in 5 seasons. After he left, 42 in last 5+ seasons.

As for Solina. I wish the lad well. But he will have to improve vastly if he wants to carve out a career at the top level. Regardless of his price tag.

 

We never played as well as that under Biden.

 

Yep, you’ve nailed it.

The team looks far more balanced now and the players are bringing the best out of each other. Long may it continue.

 

Was thinking exactly the same myself about the fitness aspect. Keillor-Dunn playing 90 minutes most weeks is very impressive considering the amount of ground he covers. I also thought Gent would probably need replacing after an hour or so the way he was playing.

 

What about when we beat the dee dars 4-2?

 

I think there’s a few things.

I think Slonina made the defence nervous.

I don’t think Connell & Craig are effective in the same team.

The manager didn’t deem Gent ready early in the season which meant we were playing with an unbalanced team as he’s the only left footed wing back. This isn’t a criticism of the manager. If you sign a 19 old he’s unlikely to be the finished article. I’m sure there’s plenty of coaching gone into him before this run in the side.

Humphrys was signed late & wasn’t fit enough to start until well into the season.

Watters also got injured just as he was starting to look decent.

DKD didn’t look fit when he first joined & was regularly having to come off after an hour. Clarke let slip that he’d not been able to train between games.

Unlike some on here I think the Russell things more luck than judgement. He was out in the cold & he tried to play Connell, Yoganathan & Benson in that role before he ended up playing Russell there at Blackpool. Either way it’s working a treat & he’s looking a top player in a more advanced role.

And probably most importantly we lost 6 regular starters in the summer in Roberts, Williams, Cadden, Kane, Cole & McAtee. If any club at any level loses 6 key players then there’s bound to be a settling in period after replacing them.