Swindon [Home - 23 Jan]

[HeCanDoMagic]

Looking forward to getting back to the Lane, seems like its been an age since we were last there.

Hoping we can start on the front foot like we did against Peterborough, only this time take advantage. Which is why I'd like to see one change to the team.

I'd bring JCR on the left wing - I felt the way we played in the first half could have benefited from having some pace to stretch the game a bit more. Although this does have drawbacks (right footer on left wing), I wouldn't want to break up the Coutts/Beard partnership on the other flank.

I will add that from recent home games it would be harsh on Woolford, but I think the game v Peterborough showed we need to go for the kill early doors and put the game to bed when we have chance - in my opinion JCR would be best suited to this game plan.

Not seen much of Swindon but judging by their results, we could see goals.

Line up:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Long - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Brayford - - - - Edgar - - - - Collins - - - - McEv

Coutts - - - - Hammond - - Basham - - - - JCR

- - - - - - - - - - Done - - - - Sharp - - - - - - - - -

Subs: Baxter, Woolford, Sammon, Flynn, Reed, Adams, Howard.

Thoughts?

 

[Damski]

As I rule I didn't rate Coutts. But the last month or so, he's been playing some great football, and linked up nicely with Brayf. So yeah, good choice on that side.

I'm still not convinced about Woolford, he wasn't specifically a replacement for Murphy but he has become that, and is too negative to play that position IMO. He's styled as a winger but has no pace, and the less said about his shot, the better. Gotta start Adams out on the left. He's out of favour with Adkins, which is unfortunate as I think he's a bright prospect. Folk say he's inconsistent, but it's because he never gets 2 games to string together! He needs to start on Saturday. We need the pace down that side. As you said, at home we need to be putting it to bed before the hour mark, and preferably before half time, especially against Swindon, who are bang average this season and should be cannon fodder for us.

I'd start McEveley if Whispering Bob is still unfit. He's not as good, but has improved over the season. Remember how shite he was in the first few games? He's steadily improved. I find myself saying "Nice one, Jay," "Well won, Jay," "Tackle, Jay," a lot more than "Fuck sake, Jay," these days so he must be getting better.

JCR for me is most effective as an impact player. Has he ever scored a 1st half goal? Bring him on around 70 minutes to stretch out the game and make their tuckered out defenders run for the final few minutes. He's fit enough to keep up his level of play all game, but his bag of tricks is actually quite limited, he just happens to be very good at them, so more often than not, defenders have him worked out over the full 90. Great flair player, but shouldn't start that much, if at all.

I agree with the rest, tho. Adkins appears to have a pretty solid top 17-20 players, and a 1st XI he makes 0-2 changes to game on game. Bring on Baxter for Basham to support the strikers in the 2nd half. He was pretty good against Colchester doing that.

Forwards pick themselves, don't they? I like Sharp and Done together, in spite of what some say on here. There's tons of pace and goals in those two. We need rid of Sammon, so he can warm the bench until then.

We should be going for a solid 2-0 or 3-0 on Saturday, if we're gunning for top 6. Our line up and playing style need to reflect that, in other words, pace and goals. Press them hard from the off, get the crowd worked up, sting the keeper's gloves a couple of times, and before you know it, Sharpy's wheeling towards the John Street stand after volleying one in on 31 minutes. Then we've got it sussed, haven't we? Piece of piss, this management lark.

 

[biggey blade]

I would tend to agree. Especially seen as swindon are good at leaking goals. 6 goals in there last 3 games if I remember rightly all been at home as well. If we can put this game to bed nice and early would be good to see. I feel we have the balance at the min with the defence and the attacking but I think this could be a game to take a risk on and stick jcr in on the left as you mentioned or possibly adams. If we was to go up early on and hold on to the lead till later on in the game possibly around the 60 min mark then I'd swap jcr for woolford to add to the defending aspect. I think you could be right about us seeing goals they leaked 3 against a struggling crewe. We really need to take 3 points in this game if we are going to carry on with the push for the play offs.

 

[diplomat]

Get that lad OG on the bench to come on as a second half sub too.

 

[Bath Blade]

Get that lad OG on the bench to come on as a second half sub too.

I think McCabe is looking to sell him in the January transfer window.

 

[west_yorks_blade]

Adkins has described him as 'an honest and hardworking professional' so u hope not.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I'd have the same team I think. Tempting to give Adams another chance on the left instead but JCR is probably the more reliable whilst still giving Swindon plenty to think about.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Looking forward to getting back to the Lane, seems like its been an age since we were last there.

Hoping we can start on the front foot like we did against Peterborough, only this time take advantage. Which is why I'd like to see one change to the team.

I'd bring JCR on the left wing - I felt the way we played in the first half could have benefited from having some pace to stretch the game a bit more. Although this does have drawbacks (right footer on left wing), I wouldn't want to break up the Coutts/Beard partnership on the other flank.

I will add that from recent home games it would be harsh on Woolford, but I think the game v Peterborough showed we need to go for the kill early doors and put the game to bed when we have chance - in my opinion JCR would be best suited to this game plan.

Not seen much of Swindon but judging by their results, we could see goals.

Line up:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Long - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Brayford - - - - Edgar - - - - Collins - - - - McEv

Coutts - - - - Hammond - - Basham - - - - JCR

- - - - - - - - - - Done - - - - Sharp - - - - - - - - -

Subs: Baxter, Woolford, Sammon, Flynn, Reed, Adams, Howard.

Thoughts?

Right footers playing on the left wing and vice versa hasn't been a novelty since Wenger got Pires and/or Henry doing it at Arsenal 100 years ago has it?

That said, for whatever reason Jam looked less effective on the left last time he played there.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I think McCabe is looking to sell him in the January transfer window.

OG
To Real Madrid
For £52 million

But we won't see a penny bc the Board hate the club. :-(

 

[grafikhaus]

I would tend to agree. Especially seen as swindon are good at leaking goals. 6 goals in there last 3 games if I remember rightly...

...as opposed to our seven in the last 3 League games?

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Almost a year to the day since we beat them 2-0 at Bramall Lane when they were top of the league.

Murphy came on at half time and scored both goals.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Haven't they started banging in hatfuls of goals.

Can't see it being anything-nil.

 

[Damski]

Almost a year to the day since we beat them 2-0 at Bramall Lane when they were top of the league.

Murphy came on at half time and scored both goals.

Great game. A showcasing of Murphy's talent and vitality at this level. We sold him 6 months later.

 

[Harry's Game]

Looking forward to getting back to the Lane, seems like its been an age since we were last there.

Hoping we can start on the front foot like we did against Peterborough, only this time take advantage. Which is why I'd like to see one change to the team.

I'd bring JCR on the left wing - I felt the way we played in the first half could have benefited from having some pace to stretch the game a bit more. Although this does have drawbacks (right footer on left wing), I wouldn't want to break up the Coutts/Beard partnership on the other flank.

I will add that from recent home games it would be harsh on Woolford, but I think the game v Peterborough showed we need to go for the kill early doors and put the game to bed when we have chance - in my opinion JCR would be best suited to this game plan.

Not seen much of Swindon but judging by their results, we could see goal

Line up:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Long - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Brayford - - - - Edgar - - - - Collins - - - - McEv

Coutts - - - - Hammond - - Basham - - - - JCR

- - - - - - - - - - Done - - - - Sharp - - - - - - - - -

Subs: Baxter, Woolford, Sammon, Flynn, Reed, Adams, Howard.

Thoughts?

Wolford will start. Bank on it.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Right footers playing on the left wing and vice versa hasn't been a novelty since Wenger got Pires and/or Henry doing it at Arsenal 100 years ago has it?

That said, for whatever reason Jam looked less effective on the left last time he played there.

I think it depends on the type of winger. JCR likes to drive to the byline and get a ball into the box so being on the "wrong" side has an adverse effect. Whereas someone like pires will look to come in, play one-twos and get shots off so it suited him. I thin traditional wingers are better played on the side of their favoured foot

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Playing that side in the OP we'll end up leaking goals and probably lose, as we have many times this season when we've played a more attacking line up. Unless we sign a proper centre half before Saturday (stop sniggering at the back McCabe) then he's got to go with 2 banks of 4. That at least has been fairly successful although terrible to watch.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I think it depends on the type of winger. JCR likes to drive to the byline and get a ball into the box so being on the "wrong" side has an adverse effect. Whereas someone like pires will look to come in, play one-twos and get shots off so it suited him. I thin traditional wingers are better played on the side of their favoured foot

Are there any traditional wingers left (genuine question)?

I thought this was one of the areas where football had changed: basically everyone cuts inside - don't they?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I would tend to agree. Especially seen as swindon are good at leaking goals. 6 goals in there last 3 games if I remember rightly all been at home as well. If we can put this game to bed nice and early would be good to see. I feel we have the balance at the min with the defence and the attacking but I think this could be a game to take a risk on and stick jcr in on the left as you mentioned or possibly adams. If we was to go up early on and hold on to the lead till later on in the game possibly around the 60 min mark then I'd swap jcr for woolford to add to the defending aspect. I think you could be right about us seeing goals they leaked 3 against a struggling crewe. We really need to take 3 points in this game if we are going to carry on with the push for the play offs.

Conceded 6 in their last three - and scored 8 in their last two. They'll be as dangerous as anyone else. I can't see anyone putting a game to bed early against a team like that.

 

[Old Skool]

No idea what the result will be. Based on current form an argument can be made for all three outcomes. I will however stick my neck out and say that this match will be one of my goals galore fixtures...... !!!

 

[wizadry]

Haven't they started banging in hatfuls of goals.

Can't see it being anything-nil.

No shit, Sherlock!

 

[biggey blade]

William Henry Foulkes agreed they have scored 8 in there last 2 and might be a bit high on confidence now but 4 was against a struggling crewe. Where they also went 3-1 down i would like to think if we was in this position we wouldn't go on to loose the match as crewe did. I believe we have better striking force than crewe meaning if we can get 3 goals like they did or more I believe we should be able to put the game to bed.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

William Henry Foulkes agreed they have scored 8 in there last 2 and might be a bit high on confidence now but 4 was against a struggling crewe. Where they also went 3-1 down i would like to think if we was in this position we wouldn't go on to loose the match as crewe did. I believe we have better striking force than crewe meaning if we can get 3 goals like they did or more I believe we should be able to put the game to bed.

How many did we score against 'struggling Crewe'

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Are there any traditional wingers left (genuine question)?

I thought this was one of the areas where football had changed: basically everyone cuts inside - don't they?

I'd say it's on a scale. Wingers do cut in more than they did but there will always be wide players who are better going round the outside than on the inside and vice versa. I'd say the likes of JCR are better on the outside. Pires was better coming inside. Someone like Murphy is approximately evenly good at both.

 

[BushBlade]

I'd say it's on a scale. Wingers do cut in more than they did but there will always be wide players who are better going round the outside than on the inside and vice versa. I'd say the likes of JCR are better on the outside. Pires was better coming inside. Someone like Murphy is approximately evenly good at both.

It should depend on your striker really but it doesn't always. If you've got a Carroll type it makes sense to take it to the bye line and get crosses in but if you're playing one or two mobile ball playing strikers it doesn't work as well so cutting in makes more sense.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

It should depend on your striker really but it doesn't always. If you've got a Carroll type it makes sense to take it to the bye line and get crosses in but if you're playing one or two mobile ball playing strikers it doesn't work as well so cutting in makes more sense.

True. Also depends on the full backs too. Coutts comin inside suits Brayford's overlapping. A more pacey, direct winger on the left goes better with McEveley tending to stay deeper.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

William Henry Foulkes agreed they have scored 8 in there last 2 and might be a bit high on confidence now but 4 was against a struggling crewe. Where they also went 3-1 down i would like to think if we was in this position we wouldn't go on to loose the match as crewe did. I believe we have better striking force than crewe meaning if we can get 3 goals like they did or more I believe we should be able to put the game to bed.

What I mean is in their last couple of games it looks like they've gone for a freescoring/freeconceding approach.

We could be 3 up and not win, or 3 down (again) and not lose.

It may just be that the game will not very controlled.

When they went 3 up in the play off game it seemed pretty clear to me they couldn't sustain it as there was no way they were that much better than us.

If anyone goes goals up against us I still think we are in with a chance in this division because they must be taking risks.

Incidentally some of the noisier elements in the crowd don't seem to have this belief, fortunately the manager and players do.

Basically, given their last two games it looks like it might be hard to put a game to bed against them as they look like a team willing to take risks, and because of that they might well be dangerous - even if we go 2 or 3 up.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

It should depend on your striker really but it doesn't always. If you've got a Carroll type it makes sense to take it to the bye line and get crosses in but if you're playing one or two mobile ball playing strikers it doesn't work as well so cutting in makes more sense.

But afaict wingers getting to the byline are just not a big part of modern football - are they?

Are there any high profile wingers racing to the byline?

 

[BushBlade]

But afaict wingers getting to the byline are just not a big part of modern football - are they?

Are there any high profile wingers racing to the byline?

No because the top teams don't tend to have strikers like Carroll. Bale can do it if he wants, so could Ronaldo. Matt Jarvis did it for Carroll at West Ham. Not strictly a winger but I've seen Kone do it for Lukaku.

As Dane has said, attacking full backs are in vogue so often they make the overlapping run and cross.

 

[coaxingstar71]

5-3 to us - Billy hat-trick.

 

[Ricky]

It's time to get Adams back onto the left wing now, at least at home. We can't carry on without any pace, it's like only playing with one attacking player (Sharp) when Done's up front, the other three in midfield enable a more dedicated attacking player on the left, he should be motivated after missing out recently and if he does well he's more likely to attract interest in this window. Swindon tend to be quite open too so he should get quite a bit of space. Which he needs to be effective.