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Post by channonite on Apr 14, 2024 7:32:44 GMT
After the euphoria of the 99th minute winner at St.Mary's on Saturday, we have Preston North End at home on Tuesday evening. There is no time to dwell on the results of the three teams above us stumbling and Saints making up ground hand over fist. We HAVE to keep winning to have even a sniff of automatic promotion.
We cannot afford to repeat what we did for the umpteenth time on Saturday: get into a good position early in the game, totally control the opposition, and then ease up. We then spent the rest of the game trying to hold them off, only fighting back when conceding a late equaliser.
I expect that there will be some rotation of players, with Jan Bednarek and Stu Armstrong starting, and Charles needs to be on the bench. Other than that, I suppose we need to see if there are any injuries; certainly, Jo Aribo was crocked a couple of times in the match, leading to his substitution, as was Bree. The much-criticised Manning was excellent when he came on and added to our attacking play.
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Post by choixkoix on Apr 14, 2024 7:58:56 GMT
I've given up asking for / expecting different. We currently dont do comfortable wins or a consistent 90 minutes, and more of the same surely awaits.
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Post by spot51 on Apr 14, 2024 8:58:25 GMT
It is Sky's main match on Tuesday. My week is as full as a bull's arse or I'd volunteer to write the report.
The OS shows our final game at Leeds has been moved to 1230 which indicates it will be televised. Can't find confirmation on Sky or elsewhere but I'm up for that if it is.
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Post by ivangolac on Apr 14, 2024 9:04:52 GMT
Preston are quite an interesting side....
The create almost nothing (23rd best Attack) but are ruthless (2nd best chance conversion in the league)........
Just don't shoot low to the keepers left.....
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earlscourtsaint
International
The days of the Choccy Box may well be over
Posts: 1,298
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Post by earlscourtsaint on Apr 14, 2024 10:31:56 GMT
Why do we take our foot off after 30 minutes or so, why do we tend to start the 2nd half slowly but usually get stronger as the game goes on (Ipswich A & Boro H are obvious exceptions) - whilst we can all look at the number of goals we have scored in the final minutes there are also a high number conceded - so is it a focus issue, is it an experience issue, is it a tactical issue? Stephens moving into midfield yesterday was odd, but then not having Charles on the bench was also odd, I get that RM was prob trying to close off the game when 2-1 up, but Stephens is not the answer to every tactical question!! TF it all worked out in the end, but we were SO close to cocking it up again!
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Post by channonite on Apr 14, 2024 15:23:07 GMT
It is Sky's main match on Tuesday. My week is as full as a bull's arse or I'd volunteer to write the report. The OS shows our final game at Leeds has been moved to 1230 which indicates it will be televised. Can't find confirmation on Sky or elsewhere but I'm up for that if it is. I think all the Championship games are kicking off at the same time. You just know that it's all going to be down to that match, don't you?! |
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Post by dontknowcantremember on Apr 14, 2024 15:58:07 GMT
Why do we take our foot off after 30 minutes or so, why do we tend to start the 2nd half slowly but usually get stronger as the game goes on (Ipswich A & Boro H are obvious exceptions) - whilst we can all look at the number of goals we have scored in the final minutes there are also a high number conceded - so is it a focus issue, is it an experience issue, is it a tactical issue? Stephens moving into midfield yesterday was odd, but then not having Charles on the bench was also odd, I get that RM was prob trying to close off the game when 2-1 up, but Stephens is not the answer to every tactical question!! TF it all worked out in the end, but we were SO close to cocking it up again! I'm wondering if Stephens is being used like Stones at Man City or Alexander-Arnold is at Liverpool. I noticed at the game at Blackburn that he doesn't push up the wing when he is playing full back, but it wasn't until I was watching the highlights that I noticed that he pops up a lot in the space between the centre circle and the opposition's penalty box. Maybe Russ is trying to overload the midfield or free up a midfielder as a tactical ploy and thinks Jack is the man for the job. |
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Post by choixkoix on Apr 15, 2024 10:44:08 GMT
Why do we take our foot off after 30 minutes or so, why do we tend to start the 2nd half slowly but usually get stronger as the game goes on (Ipswich A & Boro H are obvious exceptions) - whilst we can all look at the number of goals we have scored in the final minutes there are also a high number conceded - so is it a focus issue, is it an experience issue, is it a tactical issue? Stephens moving into midfield yesterday was odd, but then not having Charles on the bench was also odd, I get that RM was prob trying to close off the game when 2-1 up, but Stephens is not the answer to every tactical question!! TF it all worked out in the end, but we were SO close to cocking it up again! I'm wondering if Stephens is being used like Stones at Man City or Alexander-Arnold is at Liverpool. I noticed at the game at Blackburn that he doesn't push up the wing when he is playing full back, but it wasn't until I was watching the highlights that I noticed that he pops up a lot in the space between the centre circle and the opposition's penalty box. Maybe Russ is trying to overload the midfield or free up a midfielder as a tactical ploy and thinks Jack is the man for the job. It begs the question, can you take a tactic that works with some of the best players in the world and reproduce it with Jack Stephens in that role. At best, the jury is out. |
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Post by Sir B3na1i on Apr 15, 2024 15:37:14 GMT
Preston are quite an interesting side.... The create almost nothing (23rd best Attack) but are ruthless (2nd best chance conversion in the league)........ Just don't shoot low to the keepers left..... Sounds like our keeper is tailor made for them then, joy. |
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Post by Sir B3na1i on Apr 15, 2024 15:45:55 GMT
Martin has said there will be changes
Personally this is what I'd like to see
GK - best CM in L1, but probably not the best keeper there
RB - Goal (feck was that Ches)
CB - firm of Lawyers
CB - how has he not been in the team for that other bloke!
LB - deadball Wand
CDM - Flynniesta
CM - Irish Zidane
CM - Spandau Ballet
RW - Goal "Contributions" leader
LW - Fandab
CF - The only one we have!
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Post by Willshakes. on Apr 15, 2024 16:24:45 GMT
"Winning isn't everything. It's the ONLY thing !"
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Post by choixkoix on Apr 16, 2024 2:59:35 GMT
Interesting presser:
- Russ sees us as being in good form (1 loss in 7, and the loss was our best performance)
- Watford game highlights how we need to stay playing the way we play, e.g. before 2-0 and at 2-2. Seems to be saying we are at our best if we attack for 90 minutes... Players need to slow and speed up game to our needs though.
- Openly admits there is no chance of KWP (and likly a few others) being here next season without promotion.
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Post by Sir B3na1i on Apr 16, 2024 7:38:58 GMT
Interesting presser: - Russ sees us as being in good form (1 loss in 7, and the loss was our best performance) - Watford game highlights how we need to stay playing the way we play, e.g. before 2-0 and at 2-2. Seems to be saying we are at our best if we attack for 90 minutes... Players need to slow and speed up game to our needs though. - Openly admits there is no chance of KWP (and likly a few others) being here next season without promotion. Yeah, watched that this morning. Interesting that he's so open about KWP, but I guess that's obvious we will need the money and he is far too good for this level (despite RM saying that's a disrespectful thing to say - he effectively said it with his next sentence). We're also going to lose Downes, THB, Adams, Stu, probably Bednarek - going to be a very different side next season |
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Post by saintsfan73 on Apr 16, 2024 8:26:40 GMT
It begs the question, can you take a tactic that works with some of the best players in the world and reproduce it with Jack Stephens in that role. At best, the jury is out. Isn't that just Rusty-ball full stop? We are trying to play in the same way Man City do but with vastly inferior players who obviously make more mistakes. (albeit we are in a lower league). |
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earlscourtsaint
International
The days of the Choccy Box may well be over
Posts: 1,298
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Post by earlscourtsaint on Apr 16, 2024 8:28:54 GMT
I know RM suggested there might need to be some changes during his press conference, guess Aribo might be the obvious omission after getting a couple of whacks and being subbed on Saturday, apart from that I hope we stick with the team that looked SO good for 35 minutes, accepting Stephens is now above Bednarek in the pecking order;
Baz
KWP Stephens THB Bree
Smallbone Downes Stu
Brooks Adams AA
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