Brayford injury

[LoughboroBlade]

Ultimately changed the game for us after what had been an excellent first half - one that Basham in midfield was key for us.

Had we brought Doyle on rather than Scougall, and still lost, I suspect NC would have been accused of negativity. But his decision to bring Scougs on though, obviously more attack-minded, lost it for us in my opinion. We lost our shape, didn't defend properly, and didn't have enough control in possession.

That said, had Davies scored what looked a perfect chance for him prior to the goal, the above wouldn't have mattered...

 

[Cutbush City Limits]

Key moment...not just losing Brayford, but also losing Basham in the middle. Got to say that having a fit CB watching from the stands doesnt seem such a great decision to me and at worst smacks of Clough's pride being greater than the good of the Club.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Alcock could have been brought into the back 4. Big mistake Mr Clough

 

[Pedro Verde]

I said the same we disturbed mid field which was doing ok
Alcock for Brayford straight swap

 

[Harry's Game]

Alcock could have been brought into the back 4. Big mistake Mr Clough

It's indefensible.

But I am sure the Clough lovers will try to defend it.

 

[Toronto Blade]

His baffling decisions have been there all season only now they are being brought into the spotlight,he really has nobody to blame but himself.
This game has been no different to too many boring home draws or defeats,did we really expect anything different.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

It's indefensible.

But I am sure the Clough lovers will try to defend it.

Indefensible , Clough lovers try to defend it.

You cant defend having no CB defenders. You cant defend the indefensible

Bad tactical decision .

 

[Grappler]

I agree lads, baffling to bring on Scougall, who has done nothing all season, which left Coutts as the only tall midfielder, with Holt and Scougs doing nothing. The CB situation was the talking point in the pub after for me and my friends, a bizarre situation that was not rectified in January.

 

[metalblade]

When Scoogs came on for Brayford everyone around me were asking WTF, that substitution defied logic to many more than just me. Maybe there must be a lot of single cell crayon drawers sat near me though.

 

[DronnieBlade]

While this did have an impact, from where I was sat their #8 bossed midfield for most of the match.

Holt was the biggest let down on the night. Very poor.

If we can get Brayford fit and devise a plan to close down their 8 so he is less effective, we have a chance.

UTB

 

[Groucho Blade]

Close down tight on their midfield, get Done in for Holt and attack down their left.

 

[Blade58]

His baffling decisions have been there all season only now they are being brought into the spotlight,he really has nobody to blame but himself.
This game has been no different to too many boring home draws or defeats,did we really expect anything different.

Clough will blame anything and anyone except himself

While this did have an impact, from where I was sat their #8 bossed midfield for most of the match.

Unless Holt scores, he's very much anonymous most games imo

 

[Blade58]

edit

 

[LoughboroBlade]

It's indefensible.

But I am sure the Clough lovers will try to defend it.

I'm not a "Clough lover", but you can hardly call moving Basham back "indefensible". It's very defensible - Basham has done well there, and the other option (Alcock) hasn't played particularly well there, and is a much poorer all-round player. I frankly would have made that gamble anyway, but that's what it would have been - a gamble. The error is more Clough not getting some proper first-choice centre-halves in way before now, which would have eliminated any need to shift Basham back.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

You cant defend having no CB defenders. You cant defend the indefensible

To sum up then "Clough has no defence and neither does United" - but we've known that all season haven't we.

 

[wizadry]

Just a couple of things, Doyle coming on instead of Scouggs would not have made a blind bit of difference, infact we'd have propably lost by more because their midfield played in nice triangles and played the ball very quickly, Doyle can't cope with this and he'd have just been a passenger, atleast Scouggs nicked the ball a couple of times and got us on attacks.

Also, having Collins on tonight would have given us a real goal threat from our many corners and also help to deal with the big threat from their corners, schoolboy and stubborn shit from Clough cost us dearly last night, lets see if he can redeem himself Monday night

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I'm not a "Clough lover", but you can hardly call moving Basham back "indefensible". It's very defensible - Basham has done well there, and the other option (Alcock) hasn't played particularly well there, and is a much poorer all-round player. I frankly would have made that gamble anyway, but that's what it would have been - a gamble. The error is more Clough not getting some proper first-choice centre-halves in way before now, which would have eliminated any need to shift Basham back.

Clough knew the impact Bash was having in midfield . Why have Alcock on the bench if you haven't the confidence to bring him on. Hindsight is a great thing i know , but wrong move IMO. It changed the game. The error is , as you say , the CB debacle , which has plagued us all season.

Tactical error which cost us.

UTB

 

[super_pig]

it seemed a bizarre decision to move our best player to centre half when we had one on the bench i have to say.

 

[Trigger Blade]

It's indefensible.

But I am sure the Clough lovers will try to defend it.

Isn't hindsight great?

As Scoogs and Alcock weren't warming up at H/T, we thought it might be Alcock coming on and when it was Scoogs, our reaction was that it was actually a positive substitution (a negative one would have been Doyle), to push for a second goal. I don't think that decision on its own is indefensible.

All in all, a midfield with Holt and Scoogs is to lightweight, but we didn't lose that game last night, we lost it at the point where Clough decided we don't need specialist centre backs.

 

[Harry's Game]

Isn't hindsight great?

As Scoogs and Alcock weren't warming up at H/T, we thought it might be Alcock coming on and when it was Scoogs, our reaction was that it was actually a positive substitution (a negative one would have been Doyle), to push for a second goal. I don't think that decision on its own is indefensible.

All in all, a midfield with Holt and Scoogs is to lightweight, but we didn't lose that game last night, we lost it at the point where Clough decided we don't need specialist centre backs.

Hindsight? It was clear in the first half only Basham was getting to grips with the Swindon Midfield, to replace him with Scougall was obviously not going to work.

Alcock was a Clough signing, he started the season as first choice CB, but now he is behind a full back and centre mid in the pecking order... Complete and utter mess.

 

[Hartley Hare]

It is baffling why he didn't use Alcock and why Collins is still ostracised.

Done is a much better option than Holt, and I am afraid that Davies could be the new Porter.

HH

 

[Dkc]

Any news on the Beard?

 

[Balham]

It is baffling why he didn't use Alcock and why Collins is still ostracised.

Done is a much better option than Holt, and I am afraid that Davies could be the new Porter.

HH

Only on five times the wages and far more injury prone. Davies does have a decent long range shot but he's still not really that much of a threat.

Agree on Collins. We have to win at Swindon now and with Brayford likely to be out that will need a centre half.

Any news on the Beard?

Still not growing, no matter how hard I try. Maybe at nearly 32 it's time to accept that I won't ever be able to sagely stroke the hairs on my chin

 

[Cyprus Blade]

I'm looking for positives - so far I have only come up with "at least Davies is only here on loan".

 

[Revolution]

I'm looking for positives - so far I have only come up with "at least Davies is only here on loan".

Oh, Clough will pick 2 goal Steve up on a 2 year deal - bet on it.

I was furious with that missed header last night. I haven't been so angry with a striker since Forte. We wait 7 months to get that guy in and he misses a chance like that? 2 goals in 14 games? He can f**** off back to Blackpool after Monday.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Clough will pick 2 goal Steve up on a 2 year deal - bet on it.

If we lose on Monday only if his new club can afford it.

 

[SwissBlade]

Key moment...not just losing Brayford, but also losing Basham in the middle. Got to say that having a fit CB watching from the stands doesnt seem such a great decision to me and at worst smacks of Clough's pride being greater than the good of the Club.

I agree with the first statement, but I think Collins needs to be long forgotten.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

From the Stir

"Brayford’s absence in particular could prove a major headache for United given the fact it would cause further disruption to an already unsettled back four. Chris Basham is most likely to deputise at centre-half or, should Clough prefer to keep the summer signing from Blackpool in midfield, Craig Alcock could be recalled. Jose Baxter, who missed Thursday’s match due to illness, should be available for selection."

 

[Guesty]

Oh, Clough will pick 2 goal Steve up on a 2 year deal - bet on it.

I was furious with that missed header last night. I haven't been so angry with a striker since Forte. We wait 7 months to get that guy in and he misses a chance like that? 2 goals in 14 games? He can f**** off back to Blackpool after Monday.

I'm not sure there'll be a Blackpool to fuck off back to! I mean, the town will still be there, but the football club might not be.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Only on five times the wages and far more injury prone. Davies does have a decent long range shot but he's still not really that much of a threat.

Agree on Collins. We have to win at Swindon now and with Brayford likely to be out that will need a centre half.



Still not growing, no matter how hard I try. Maybe at nearly 32 it's time to accept that I won't ever be able to sagely stroke the hairs on my chin