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Post by riochforthereebok on Feb 2, 2024 11:50:50 GMT
Cole McAtee Kane = 31 goals between them, Dion Vic and Mag with 29, so we are as equal a threat and we now have Collins
How the hell Exeter beat them is anyone’s guess, bit like when Carlisle beat us I suppose, a real coupon buster
We now have AC / DC with Vic to bring on or JDB and Jerome if we’re winning 1-0 with 15 to go (as it’s not Evatt’s game to go for more goals, rather, play ultra defensive) that might change now as Collins looks to have only one thing on his mind, score himself, or assist one
Going to be a tough one this is but we must surely be winning this to show our real intent and credibility
COYWM Let’s do this And non of those nerves in front of a decent crowd
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Post by whitesince63 on Feb 2, 2024 13:42:26 GMT
Certainly a toughie this with Tykes really coming on strong recently but really with the squad we now have we should be beating them and most other teams around us. I’m just a little concerned that I don’t know what the teams going to be after all the incomings. How many will start and would that really be an advantage when they are unfamiliar with our system? Other than possibly Ogbeta I don’t 5hink I’d start any of them if it’s true that Toal and Forester are fit. Obviously Toal will resume at CH, which to be honest I think is his best position, with Forester to the right of him and Iredale to the left but I’d definitely stick with JDC at RWB who has done nothing wrong and is our main outlet down the right. Obviously we haven’t see enough of Ramsey yet and he hasn’t really had time to work his way into the system or working with other players. I wouldn’t want to be experimenting and risking against a settled team like Barnsley. Up front it would be Dion and Vic to start and then when we are hopefully in front bring on Collins for a cameo. Since I don’t know what Evatt’s thinking on the team will be I can’t calculate a result but assuming he keeps it pretty typical I 5hink we’ll win but too many changes and I fear we may lose this and maybe heavily!! 🙁
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Post by OohMac on Feb 3, 2024 8:42:13 GMT
Certainly a toughie this with Tykes really coming on strong recently but really with the squad we now have we should be beating them and most other teams around us. I’m just a little concerned that I don’t know what the teams going to be after all the incomings. How many will start and would that really be an advantage when they are unfamiliar with our system? Other than possibly Ogbeta I don’t 5hink I’d start any of them if it’s true that Toal and Forester are fit. 🙁 I don't think Forrester is fit. Sure Santos is out and it's whether you run the risk with Toal or not. He'll be up against Cosgrove, as Henry Hewitt reminded me on the buff, will he have the right mindset? No silly reds please though I wouldn't hold a grudge if he did stick one on him. Got a feeling we may see Ramsay JDC Taylor Iredale Ashworth Which would be a huge blow. A lot to ask of these players to play that system. We've seen though through Aimson, and I think initially with Toal and later MJ that those understudy centre backs, when they play bread and butter stuff actually get the attacks going quick, more urgency and we tend to all get a bit of an adrenaline shot until Santos is back and literally stands by the keeper foot on the ball. Like a game of musical statues. Think this is the one week Evatt can make an easy decision and start Collins from the bench with Vic and Dion to stay in place. As time goes though that won't be an easy decision. Then sheehan maghoma dempsey. 3 points and see who's available for Tuesday.
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Post by whitesince63 on Feb 3, 2024 9:30:04 GMT
You could be right OM but why wouldvIE claim Forester and Toal to be fit to play if they weren’t, he surely wouldn’t risk them? To be honest Toal hasn’t been at his best for some time and of the two I think Forester fits in better at RCB and works much better with JDC in an attacking sense. Ogbeta on the left makes sense because neither Ashworth or Iredale impress at LWB but we need to see how he fares over time and I’m not sure a game of this magnitude and importance is the right one to try him. The same goes for Ramsey and Caleb who shouldn’t for me just replace our current starters. Equally I wouldn’t be starting Collins, however much he cost and would use him as a sub later. I have to say though that with Gethin back in a few days and Rico only out for a week or so IE’s going to have a few problems picking not just starters but on the bench too because we seem to have gone to a feast from a famine? 🥴
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Post by chip on Feb 3, 2024 9:41:18 GMT
We are in the driving seat so let’s stay there with another three points today then move on to another small in your face ground at Cambridge 2-0 for me COYWM
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Post by OohMac on Feb 3, 2024 10:39:15 GMT
You could be right OM but why wouldvIE claim Forester and Toal to be fit to play if they weren’t, he surely wouldn’t risk them? 🥴 He's done very similar "mind games" before. Spring a surprise on opponents who may have set up a specific way. Just think it Forrester was fit enough for today he must surely have been fit enough for Tuesday to get some game time. Agree with Toal think on the left side he didn't necessarily feel the need to be a ballplaying CB just do what you need to. On the right maybe he's trying to think about linking up, carrying the ball out more. He seems to be stuck in two minds.
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Post by davidm on Feb 3, 2024 11:02:28 GMT
A real tough test today.
But a test we need to pass if we are to win the title.
For the first time for a long time, we have a surplus of players and that is taking into account the absences of Santos and Jones.
Defence is an interesting area.
If fit, Toal will play. I presume with Taylor and Iredale.
With the wingbacks, Dacres-Cogley 100% deserves a starting place and, after last Saturday, maybe Ashworth does also.
It looks like our new guys may start on the bench.
Midfield – I think Sheehan, Maghoma and Dempsey automatically pick themselves.
Upfront I would play Charles and Collins but maybe, again, our new signing might start on the bench.
Talking of the bench, I hope Coleman is included. We do not need to take risks. There is then an excess of players to fit the places. It looks like Jerome may have lost his “finisher” position for this one.
Onto the match. A difficult one. Barnsley have only lost 1 away all season and will be a tough nut to crack. People are expressing concerns about “difficult” matches coming up but we are the best team in league aren’t we? So we need to embrace these matches and win them.
It will be hard work but, as long as the defence stands firm, I will go for a 1-0 win.
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Post by whitesince63 on Feb 3, 2024 14:23:56 GMT
Definitely a tough one and even more so with Kane and Connolly returning to the Tykes midfield. I was hoping they wouldn’t be fit enough but sadly they are. I’m never really concerned about sides previous results like only one loss away, they haven’t played here yet so if we just play to our strengths we should be too good for them but as you say David, our defence must stand firm against a quality attack at this level. Hopefully Dion is over his missed sitter spell and can return to form although looking at the Barnsley threads they seem more concerned about Victor returning to haunt them. I hope he does. I’d also like to see both stay on for the full game unless we’re well ahead and bring on Collins in the No 10 role to support them in place of Paris which I think could work well. What a strike force that would be? Can’t judge this one, two good sides going for it but I’ll take Wanderers to just sneak it 2-1.
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Post by riochforthereebok on Feb 3, 2024 15:09:00 GMT
Bloody awful defending Awful
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Post by chip on Feb 3, 2024 15:09:03 GMT
Ohh dear ohh dear 1-0 inside five minutes not good COYWM
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Post by riochforthereebok on Feb 3, 2024 15:15:30 GMT
Surely, if you do the simple things (like what Barnsley have just done) it would be easier to get the ball in the net
Far too much passing when a shot is on Iredale and Toal at fault with easy chances
Barnsley are ruffing us up as well, something we’re not that good at in return
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Post by OohMac on Feb 3, 2024 15:18:41 GMT
Pompey 2 up. Terrible start to the day.
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Post by riochforthereebok on Feb 3, 2024 15:23:03 GMT
So far Vic & Dion making life easy for Collins to take one of their spots
Why do I feel no that this is not going to be our day and be one of them games!!
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Post by chip on Feb 3, 2024 15:31:29 GMT
I’m not sure what’s wrong today or is it that Barnsley are just better than us 🤷♂️COYWM
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Post by whitesince63 on Feb 3, 2024 15:34:33 GMT
Well I’m only listening not seeing but it sounds like we’re well on top but as usual have no cutting edge and with a bit of composure they could be two up. Dion desperately needs a goal to boost his confidence but he just doesn’t look like getting it. Collins on at half time??
Pompey winning, Derby winning and Barnsley winning, we just must turn this around.
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