Back from the game - Preston

[ZacNaloen]

I think Manset and Church next year could be a Star partnership if we do lose Shane

[Kitson12]

Feds, Hunt and Mills playing for the reserves today - so we *might* have a much strengthened squad to choose from for our run-in!

Cummings, Pearce and Church too. Even if it's against N'ton reserves would do Church a world of good to score.

4-0 now, Church with the goal

[ZacNaloen]

But I do remember Brian saying in an interview that he'd had a talk with Harte about how best to do his job. This was after that run of dodgy games he'd had. Good management again?

It assumed it was more along the lines of being told that he can't coast games, and he will be dropped if he doesn't perform. Gets dropped and we win, point proven. Harte plays out of his skin for remainder of season.

[facaldaqui]

People keep mentioning Mills coming back but has everyone forgotten that Pearce has now been on the bench for the last couple of games. If he's anywhere near fit and sharp enough I can see him coming in for Ingimarsson on Saturday, even if it's a big game to throw him back in for.

Brian has to balance loyalty against ruthless team selection, which was probably why he started with Howard, not Leigertwood. Howard had his chance to shine, didn't, and so now Leigertwood has his place. I think Brian should maybe do the same with Ingimarsson and Pearce: start Ingimarsson out of loyalty, because he's been playing in a winning team, but bring Pearce on for him if he looks dodgy. Pearce would then transition into starting with Kish. It's good management to demonstrate that everyone can hold a place in the team through performance and results rather than having a fixed place in a pecking order.

[Kitson12]

I worry about Ivar against Forest's pacy forwards. Pearce and Zurab would be best, and they're our best CB partnership in my opinions.

[Irvinchangeyaname]

No it's not,

I think they take in turns. Manset one game, Church the next.

I'd like to think McD's substitutions are a little more thought out than that.

[ZacNaloen]

It's the pattern I've noticed so far, I have no real idea the reality of it.

[facaldaqui]

I think Manset and Church next year could be a Star partnership if we do lose Shane

I'd prefer Manset and Hunt. But we'd need to buy someone else too.

[brendywendy]

It's the pattern I've noticed so far, I have no real idea the reality of it.

except its gone manset, church, church, church, church, manset

shit patttern recognition

[ZacNaloen]

quiet you

[facaldaqui]

We could play 4-5-1 with leigertwood in there, problem is that with leigertwood in there we may as well play 4-4-2

Yes, he in effect came on for two midfielders and did better than them put together.

[facaldaqui]

Feds, Hunt and Mills playing for the reserves today - so we *might* have a much strengthened squad to choose from for our run-in!

If Feds gets brought back in as soon as he's fit I will go absolutely ballistic!

Everyone one seems so sure that McCarthy is better than Feds, but I think they're about the same. McCarthy deserves to keep the jersey, but Feds experience would be a bonus during this run in.

[bcubed]

People keep mentioning Mills coming back but has everyone forgotten that Pearce has now been on the bench for the last couple of games. If he's anywhere near fit and sharp enough I can see him coming in for Ingimarsson on Saturday, even if it's a big game to throw him back in for.

Brian has to balance loyalty against ruthless team selection, which was probably why he started with Howard, not Leigertwood. Howard had his chance to shine, didn't, and so now Leigertwood has his place. I think Brian should maybe do the same with Ingimarsson and Pearce: start Ingimarsson out of loyalty, because he's been playing in a winning team, but bring Pearce on for him if he looks dodgy. Pearce would then transition into starting with Kish. It's good management to demonstrate that everyone can hold a place in the team through performance and results rather than having a fixed place in a pecking order.

IMO Howard could hardly have done more in the last few games and was unfortunate to be taken off. Clearly a change was needed and it was the right one bringing on two bigger and stronger players. This was probably obvious before the game though and maybe it was loyalty and reward to Howard for previous good performances that he stayed in the team, when logically a return for Leigertwood made more sense. But I wouldn't write off Howard and in the right game he offers a good alternative

[facaldaqui]

People keep mentioning Mills coming back but has everyone forgotten that Pearce has now been on the bench for the last couple of games. If he's anywhere near fit and sharp enough I can see him coming in for Ingimarsson on Saturday, even if it's a big game to throw him back in for.

Brian has to balance loyalty against ruthless team selection, which was probably why he started with Howard, not Leigertwood. Howard had his chance to shine, didn't, and so now Leigertwood has his place. I think Brian should maybe do the same with Ingimarsson and Pearce: start Ingimarsson out of loyalty, because he's been playing in a winning team, but bring Pearce on for him if he looks dodgy. Pearce would then transition into starting with Kish. It's good management to demonstrate that everyone can hold a place in the team through performance and results rather than having a fixed place in a pecking order.

IMO Howard could hardly have done more in the last few games and was unfortunate to be taken off. Clearly a change was needed and it was the right one bringing on two bigger and stronger players. This was probably obvious before the game though and maybe it was loyalty and reward to Howard for previous good performances that he stayed in the team, when logically a return for Leigertwood made more sense. But I wouldn't write off Howard and in the right game he offers a good alternative

I agree, and starting Howard yesterday would have given him encouragement, whereas not starting him would have seemed blatantly unfair after his recent performances and might have demotivated him. As you say, we may need Howard--for example, what if we can't afford Leigertwood this summer?

[brendywendy]

agreed- howard was decent last night, and thats his 3rd good game in a row

[Hoop Blah]

My concern was more with Pearce being ready to come back in.

I think McDermott would be well within his rights to drop Ingimarsson now, but he'll only do it if the player coming in is close enough to match sharpness for it to be a positive step.

Doing it in a game of Saturdays importance just increases the gamble on changing it.

[ZacNaloen]

Feds, Hunt and Mills playing for the reserves today - so we *might* have a much strengthened squad to choose from for our run-in!

If Feds gets brought back in as soon as he's fit I will go absolutely ballistic!

Everyone one seems so sure that McCarthy is better than Feds, but I think they're about the same. McCarthy deserves to keep the jersey, but Feds experience would be a bonus during this run in.

I think Mccarthy is a more dependable, less big error prone goal keeper.. on current showing. But his kicking isn't even in the same ball park as feds

[facaldaqui]

I worry about Ivar against Forest's pacy forwards. Pearce and Zurab would be best, and they're our best CB partnership in my opinions.

I think Mills is better against pace than Pearce, but I don't think he'll be available. Never underestimate Ivar, though: Preston had pace too.

[facaldaqui]

I think Mccarthy is a more dependable, less big error prone goal keeper.. on current showing. But his kicking isn't even in the same ball park as feds

McCarthy's not error free, though. There was that preliminary flap on Saturday; and would Feds have let last night's goal in? I'm a fan of both of them; but it might make sense to sell Feds.

[Rex]

I think Mccarthy is a more dependable, less big error prone goal keeper.. on current showing. But his kicking isn't even in the same ball park as feds

McCarthy's not error free, though. There was that preliminary flap on Saturday; and would Feds have let last night's goal in? I'm a fan of both of them; but it might make sense to sell Feds.

How many howlers has Fed had. The ball hit him after coming off the post. Slightly unfortunate. Twice last night McCarthy has bad positioning for the corner kick. Nothing came of that fortunately but he has started so much better than Feds. I hope he's not pushed aside for Feds to come back into the team as McCarthy would not warrant this.