8 point gap suddenly now 5

[PeteBlade]

We've done so well to only be behind FIVE other teams at this stage of the season and only five points behind Burton Albion.

 

[blade too long]

we will beat top 6 sides now Dones back and Brayfords on the way
our win at peterboro gathering more significance

 

[PeteBlade]

we will beat top 6 sides now Dones back and Brayfords on the way
our win at peterboro gathering more significance

It will be a long time before Brayford is back to anywhere near his best.
It's great Done is back but our defence is shambolic, stlll.

 

[blade too long]

its needs tweeking more yet , , but Im sure Nigel has it in hand

 

[PeteBlade]

its needs tweeking more yet , , but Im sure Nigel has it in hand

I wish I shared your blind faith based on nothing.

 

[BushBlade]

Honestly think all we need is one functional centre half (ideally an experienced one, and from a division up), and what passes for a midfield general in div 3--ie a mobile, box to box player who tackles hard but can pass the ball consistently. He could be pretty much any age, or at any stage of his career. We have goals from lots of different parts of the pitch, so he wouldn't even need to be a free scorer.

With everyone fit we've got enough flair to get up, but because there's often a free 30 yards for the oppo to run into between the half way line and our box, we always look like we might ship a goal, at the moment, anytime we lose the ball in our own half. Two functional players is all they have to be. Nothing fancy or stupidly expensive. Just functional and well rounded players who are capable of doing what the team needs of them. Len, were he still around these parts, might have had a short and pithy phrase for this.

Thought. Edgar, if he's been carrying an injury recently, might still prove to be one of them. His first few games for us were very solid, I thought.

I'd say a bit more than functional. In terms of technical ability, yes, they don't have to be world beaters but they need to have good characters; strong, vocal personalities with the ability to both organise and lead by example.
If we could find two of those, as you say, in central defence and midfield, the rest would more or less take care of itself.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

its needs tweeking more yet , , but Im sure Nigel has it in hand

Based on what? He's been saying for weeks he'll sort it, we can't keep needing 3 goals to win games.

 

[blade too long]

Based on what? He's been saying for weeks he'll sort it, we can't keep needing 3 goals to win games.

Nigel has his targets , hes just a bit retisent in settling for inferior players to those hes after , which is a good thing

 

[Fulwood Blade]

A settled solid midfield would be nice too Hartley, once again they played through us to easily.

Indeed - but it is nothing new - teams have done it all season, Rochdale probably more than most, and it is obvious Adkins is searching for a solution.

The solution might have to be get the ball up front quicker, as playing through midfield is not really happening.

Thought yesterday was a bit different - we seemed to try and play numerous killer balls, culminating in Baxter threading the one for Adams first goal.

It does appear as though Adkins and co are "trying" things in training and perhaps we are still very much WIP.

UTB

 

[blade too long]

It does appear as though Adkins and co are "trying" things in training and perhaps we are still very much WIP.

UTB

lest it is forgotten Adkins has only had a dozen bread and butter league games with us under his belt hes still in the primary school stage
I am expecting that by seniors , 38 plus games hes tutored us to grade As

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

its needs tweeking more yet , , but Im sure Nigel has it in hand

Well he's had best part of four months to make progress with the defence, can't be much longer now.

 

[Bladesman]

This division is at its poorest for a while and still we struggle to take advantage.