Squad strength - the difference between last season and this

[ZoneManWilf]

Let's conveniently ignore the Barnet match, but I think one of the biggest differences with how we have kept up the pace this year, when we'd dropped away last season, is much better strength in depth to the squad. Wilder deserves a huge amount of credit for building this on a relatively limited budget for this division compared to some.

Today was a real case in point, we've rested Sharp, McGoldrick and not rushed back O'Connell, ready for the 2 huge away matches coming up. I thought the line-up was a risk pre-match, but it does show the belief Wilder has in each member of the squad and their ability to fit into the system.

Today reminded me a fair bit of the win away at Millwall in the Warnock promotion season when we rested Shipperley and Kabba, but still comfortably won 4-0.

The depth is especially true up front with the additions of Madine and Hogan. We now have some great options in the forward line to approach games differently if we want to, and change games late too.

We can basically field 2 sides playing the same formation.

-----------------------Hendo
---------Basham----Egan----O'Connell
Baldock------Fleck-------Norwood----Stevens
------------------------Duffy
---------------Sharp----------Madine

------------------------Moore
-----------Cranie----Wright----Stearman
Freeman---Lundstram----Coutts-----Johnson
-----------------------Dowell
---------------Hogan---------McGoldrick

The squad is well set for the rest of the season, we've got a number of players playing right at the top of their game (Sharp, Egan, Stevens to name but 3) and Fleck's turned his form around and is back towards his best. It was such a positive feeling walking away from the ground tonight. To turn around and get 2 results like that within a week of the Villa kick in the 'nads, shows a great strength of character in this squad.

In the Ched debacle season, we lost 3-2 at home to Oldham in ridiculous fashion, and it lead to a real wobble and lost points in the games after that which ultimately kept us down. Villa could have been similar, but not with Wilder at the helm and we have such a stronger character in comparison.

If we maintain our home form then it will be down to getting some key results away, and we could be on our way... Absolutely love following this club at the moment with this squad and management team, we need to savour it whilst we can, but I would love Wilder to get a crack at the Premier.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Its certainly been test these last two games with injury and suspension.
Hope Freeman & Madine will be ok after today's game.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Its certainly been test these last two games with injury and suspension.
Hope Freeman & Madine will be ok after today's game.

I don't know why Madine made that challenge, we were 4 up and to charge back and dive in like that seemed unnecessary.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

I seem to remember CW saying he wanted 2 players for each position.
Looks like he has achieved what he set out to, although I doubt he will see it that way!!

 

[Broomhall Blade]

I don't know why Madine made that challenge, we were 4 up and to charge back and dive in like that seemed unnecessary.

I agree it was stupid.
I did laugh though when just before his number went up Wilder telling him to go to the far side of the pitch, Madine looked bemused walked part there then walked straight back probably wasting about an extra 5 seconds.
We was 4-0 up, Reading wouldn't have scored 4 even if we was still playing now.

 

[stringer]

I agree it was stupid.
I did laugh though when just before his number went up Wilder telling him to go to the far side of the pitch, Madine looked bemused walked part there then walked straight back probably wasting about an extra 5 seconds.
We was 4-0 up, Reading wouldn't have scored 4 even if we was still playing now.

Allowed him to milk his standing ovation.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

We can basically field 2 sides playing the same formation.

-----------------------Hendo
---------Basham----Egan----O'Connell
Baldock------Fleck-------Norwood----Stevens
------------------------Duffy
---------------Sharp----------Madine

------------------------Moore
-----------Cranie----Wright----Stearman
Freeman---Lundstram----Coutts-----Johnson
-----------------------Dowell
---------------Hogan---------McGoldrick

I think the only role where we’re unable to have a full replacement is LCB, as it always has been. Wright’s had his last game in my mind, and Bryan though intended to be JOC’s backup isn’t up to scratch yet. Stevens though has done admirably in the role, and I’ve no issues with him filling in again.

Perhaps the most pleasing surprise is that following a defensive disaster shipping 3 with our first choice lineup at Villa, with made substantial changes and kept two clean sheets.

While Wilder’s opening to his post-match interview might have come across a little chip-on-shoulderish, he is right – he has the info at hand to determine what’s the best lineup on a particular day to win a game, and he will always select players based on that. I’m quite relaxed about whatever we decide to go with, more so than I was before the transfer window. I thought Duffy was a must-start – I’m fine with Dowell starting, and in some situations he’s probably preferred. Similarly with Madine displacing the obvious options up front. It’s no longer just depth we have, but genuine competition across the squad.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Allowed him to milk his standing ovation.

He could have just walked slower from his original position which was the centre of the pitch applauding all four sides of the ground. The Ref wouldn't have done anything anyway, they don't do anything when its 1-0 let alone a game over 4-0.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

I think the only role where we’re unable to have a full replacement is LCB, as it always has been. Wright’s had his last game in my mind, and Bryan though intended to be JOC’s backup isn’t up to scratch yet. Stevens though has done admirably in the role, and I’ve no issues with him filling in again.

Perhaps the most pleasing surprise is that following a defensive disaster shipping 3 with our first choice lineup at Villa, with made substantial changes and kept two clean sheets.

Agreed, felt a bit forced doing that bit. Stevens is our backup LCB and Stearman is really better suited to the central role