It might seem harsh but the situation as I see it is this

On the plus side we have a very likeable manager who believes in us playing good football and a side who are very attractive to watch and prepared to work for each other.
On the negative side our defending as a unit is abysmal at times with repeated scoolboy errors costing us goal after goal,and our forwards are incapable of taking a big enough percentage of the numerous chances that we create for ourselves.Whoever is responsible for the lack of recruitment in the areas we have needed for sometime (depending on whose side of the story you believe)has potentially now left us in the ****,we would have been able to recruit a lot easier when we were on the up rather rather than firmly rooted at the wrong end of the table.

 

I think what concerned me most today was when Howard was replaced. However, Jock says that Healy did OK but needs a run of games. Similarly, Devaney sounds like he needs a rest and McParland or Hayes could step in for a game

do we know that the replacements are not up to it or is it because they are brought on too late to make a difference.

Heres a concept - lets start with the replacements and bring the first choice players on with 5 or 10 minutes to go to see if they can turn games around

 

yeah, give mcparland a burst in the side

 

RE: yeah, give mcparland a burst in the side

mc parland is appalling

 

RE: yeah, give mcparland a burst in the side

had his chance against MK Dons. Needs putting on the same bus back to Scotland Alex Neil went back on

 

RE: yeah, give mcparland a burst in the side

i watched mc parland against mk dons and after that display he would struggle in a pub team

 

was he that bad?

 

RE: yeah, give mcparland a burst in the side

but is he though, or is it because he comes on late in the game, chases round like a blue arsed fly to try and make a +ve impression and ends up looking inept

I dont know as I cant get to reserve matches but unless the squad is strengthened with players of equal drive and ability as the current first choice team, we will have to rely on the replacements sooner or later. Give some of them a run and let them show whether or not they have got what it takes - rather than being thrown on at the end of the game

 

Fair point...

so who to drop. Upfront do we try Wright and Nardi with Hayes on wing for Devaney?

 

i think we should move Hayes from up front

and try Nardi/Wright alongside richards only because we seem to base al our play around Richards (i.e. hoof it to him and hope he batters enough defenders to let Disco and Mac run riot). not usre we'd know how to play if Rico wasn't there

 

RE: Fair point...

fact is none of the reserve team players come remotely near championship standards

 

RE: Fair point...

youve got me there because I dont know and any suggestions that are discussed on here lead to 'strong' opinions - however, if we are strapped for cash and cant strenghthen, we have to use what we have got and provided the team spirit is maintained, I cant see it being any greater risk than sticking with the first 11