Firstly let me say that I did go to the game knowing that AR would be fielding a total reserve side. Positives: Michael Coulson Everything else awful, just awful I wish I'd not gone now as I paid £12 for the definite knowledge that the second string are pretty average (League 2 standard) and apart from Coulson there isn't anyone who stood out or who you could say was of Championship standard. THAT knowledge worries me alot. What is Ritchie playing at? Those players last night can't make the step up, why does he build them up and say they can? The fans there last night aren't fools! Healey was knackered after the first 30 mins, what use can he be and how long for him to get fit?, no way can he challenge Togwell. Wright had no service but rarely got himself in the right position to score apart from a couple of times when his weak header was cleared off the line. McParland just awful Tonge - kept faling down at every opportunity Austin tried hard but all at sea for their winning goal as the whole defence conspired to make an absolute balls up of the ball in the box, it was laughable really if it hadn't been so serious as to how they defend as a unit. Jarman - awful. cocky and swaggered about but kept losing possession and both his shots were way off target - how long for him to come good? - he won't make it in my opinion Pretty dire really, but now I have summat else to worry about knowing that the players who played last night are not good enough. AR had to bring on McIndoe to change the game, it was so desperate. I fear for us if we get any injuries or suspensions which we will. I hope AR saw what the rest of us did last night. Sorry to be negarive here, I really am.
100% right That's all I came out with yesterday - a real concern that the understudies aren't up to it if the first teamers are injured/suspended. God they were poor. I mean really awful - that poor lad in the nets looked like he'd never kept goal before, and I don't think I've ever seen a back four play with so little mutual understanding. Bright spot - McIndoe. What a player. Instantly started to tear into the Dons' defence, just running rings round them. Pity he was only on when it was pretty much too late.
as a team poor but add one or two young ones to the first team squad over a season , ease them into the first team gently and things will be ok , remember 9 out of 10 apprentice players fail to make the grade , its up to AR to get the one maybe two and turn them into winners.
For me the major disappointments were 1. Atkinson didn't start. 2. Hayes and Howard, who were ready to come on, did not come on with 8 minutes to go. 3. The fact that the players didn't seem bothered that they had lost a chance to easily progress in the competition.
Plus Point Kay apart, none of the team that started last night should be playing at Preston on Friday.
Bit Harsh on Jarman Considering he was out of position, thought he was one of the very few who applied himself and showed a will to win.</p> After that though, 100% agree with everything you said.</p>
RE: Bit Harsh on Jarman Tries too hard to be a Devaney-clone for me. He's not good enough to try the clever flick-ons at this level yet.
RE: Bit Harsh on Jarman To be fair he was pissing in the wind last night. His team mates offered nothing in the way of support.</p> Agree about Atkinson though. Austin was pathetic for the full 90 mins, so why we didn't give Atkinson at least the 2nd half is beyond me.</p>
RE: Bit Harsh on Jarman Jarman strikes me as one of those players that thinks he is better than he actually is. Did brilliantly at one stage in the middle of the park to win the ball and then decided to shoot from almost the half way line. Completly misplaced confidence. What he shoudl be doing is getting his head down and doing some graft. I appreciate that he was out of position, but what I have been told about his attitude looked true last night. A spell at some hard club would do him good imho.
thats all fair enough..... but its a more or less FULL second string side, which to be honest all clubs will more or less have the same problem. the way you have to look at it is by placing one of the 2nd string in the full strength side wouldn't deteriorate the side that much. for example, placing McParland in the first team game, wouldn't knock the team out so much, as opposed to playing the complete 2nd string with him in. (if you can make sense of that) we can't have a 11 strong first team with strong bench and also a 2nd string that is equally as strong.... That wouldn't keep all the squad happy for not getting 1st team action, and also, we would go bust with the wages... Unless you Man Utd or Chelsea etc with the financial clout, your going to get this from the midway point in the championship downwards at least.
Mcparland playing would significantly weaken our team It means that we have no right wing, no support for the defence on the right hand side. It would be like playing with ten men.</p>
On last night's display If you were one of our first XI watching that, you have absolutely no one challenging you for your first team place.</p> God forbid an injury to one or both of Howard and Togwell.</p>
"no support for the defence on the right hand side" first of all, I was giving an example, not stating that he should be in the side, but with your comment, lets clear something else up, which ever side Devaney is on, suffers the same thing, he does not provide support for the defence unless its within 5 yards of him. ie, does not track back.
