Capital One Cup

[Kev Gee]

I would play Collins & Doyle in this & Diego.

 

[Blade for Sale]

Never underestimate the power of a win. I genuinely beleive the 7-2 win v Oldham in the Zeneth Data Systems Cup played a massive role in keeping us in the top flight the 1st season there under Bassett (the one where we didn't win for 16 league matches and ended up mid-table). It was as meaningless as competetive football gets played infront of about 1500 fans, but suddenly we remembered how to score goals and win games.

 

[SwissBlade]

Just think McGahey needs an experienced centre half at the side of him and not a rightback that can play there

Yeah that’s a fair comment, thought we lacked a leader on Saturday, so bringing Doyle back on Weds would lift that responsibility and Doyle will plug the midfield gap. The ironic thing with what you’re saying (not saying you’re wrong by the way) is that Alcock was one of the best players on Saturday, that’s not to say that he should stay there of course, but I think giving the McGahey and Alcock the time to form a partnership would be beneficial in the long run. They both look classy, McGahey is inexperienced and whilst he’s not as polished as Harry was when he came in, potentially he looks good. If I was to bring Collins in, then I would bring him in alongside Alcock

 

[wizadry]

The question I have is whether Clough sees Alcock and McGahey as his Centre half duo. By the sounds of it, he decided that these are his best performing pairing from the last few weeks, Alcock (according to the star interview) is happy alongside McGahey. So that was my reasoning, if they’re the current first choice (Since Harry left), then stick with them. I though Davies didn’t do anything wrong at RB, he was solid and steady enough, yes the ideal scenario would be to stick a Brayford/ Harris/ Freeman style fullback in there, but I think it’s more important to develop the Centre Half pairing

For Cloughy to say Alcock was one of his best performing centre halfs in pre season is baffling to say the least,as he didn't play there once in any of the matches.

Now i'm not saying he was bad there because he wasn't,but for the second goal,if you can see it again,he drops about 5 yards deeper than any of the other defenders to play Elliot on side.

Which pairing he sees as his best is yet to be seen,but whoever he plays on weds,he has to play Howard in the net,as the Keeper and back four are vital to have a good understanding,especially the way we play in the sitting back and counter attacking style.

 

[SwissBlade]

wizadry perhaps he meant in training too

 

[wizadry]

wizadry perhaps he meant in training too

Yes i understand that Swiss but come on,some people can look great in training at something,then not as good in a match.He should have been playing him there in a pre season match just to get the players used to it,thats what friendlies are for i thought.

 

[Rossb123]

My team

Willis
Davies
McGahey
Alcock
Harris

JCR
Reed
Doyle
Murphy
Baxter

Higdon

I'd give jcr and Higdon an hour plus see how the back four get on

Scoogs is first choice but knackered himself out on sat so gets a rest.

Flynn also gets a rest, but coming on after 60 mins.

Higdon, needs match time but replace him after 60 to keep him in shape for the weekend. Replacing him with McNulty.

Agree completely with that starting 11, only difference I would probably leave Howard in to continue working with his back four. It is essential we get a settled back four straight away, JCR deserves to start from Saturdays cameo and unlike some I am a big fan of Baxter.

 

[Revolution]

I would do something radical and pick two, yes two, men up front. McNulty and Higdon I think.

4-4-2 might get us up. 4-5-1 will not.

I have little faith in McNulty but I've not seen much of him, so hopefully I'm wrong.

I would also stop messing about in the back and put one of Collins and Butler in to partner McGahey.

 

[davidpinder]

Porter will play, collins, Doyle, JCR, i also expect to play. Probably put Hidgon on bench and give him 30 mins for fitness. Guaranteed Pens tonight

 

[wizadry]

Porter will start, we will draw 1-1,he will come off to a hero's ovation from the 5,000 fans there because he scores our goal We then win it 4-1 in extra time.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Just think McGahey needs an experienced centre half at the side of him and not a rightback that can play there

Alcock is much more mobile than Collins, Butler or McGahey. He has more pace than any of them.
He's also better on the ball than Collins, Butler or McGahey.
He's also more likely to be able to bring the ball out from the back than Collins, Butler or McGahey.
He's 26 and has made over 200 league appearances. He's not a kid.
He's played centre-back before for Yeovil and Peterborough, so it's not a new position for him.
He played well at centre-back in at least one of the pre-season friendlies (according to reports).
He was voted our best player on Saturday while playing at Centre back.
He wasn't at fault for either of the goals we conceded on Saturday.
Why is almost everybody obsessed with the notion that he can't play Centre back and should be moved to Right Back!?

In my opinion and possibly Clough's, he's currently the best option we have available at Centre back.
If we need more experience then 18 year old McGahey is the obvious player to be replaced NOT Alcock.
If we had managed to sign Brayford at Right Back would everybody still be saying Alcock should be moved across?
Or would they be saying that he should be playing at Centre Back based on his attributes and current form?

 

[SwissBlade]

Yes i understand that Swiss but come on,some people can look great in training at something,then not as good in a match.He should have been playing him there in a pre season match just to get the players used to it,thats what friendlies are for i thought.

In alcocks case Cloughie was right then as he looked decent

 

[wizadry]

Alcock is much more mobile than Collins, Butler or McGahey. He has more pace than any of them.
He's also better on the ball than Collins, Butler or McGahey.
He's also more likely to be able to bring the ball out from the back than Collins, Butler or McGahey.
He's 26 and has made over 200 league appearances. He's not a kid.
He's played centre-back before for Yeovil and Peterborough, so it's not a new position for him.
He played well at centre-back in at least one of the pre-season friendlies (according to reports).
He was voted our best player on Saturday while playing at Centre back.
He wasn't at fault for either of the goals we conceded on Saturday.
Why is almost everybody obsessed with the notion that he can't play Centre back and should be moved to Right Back!?

In my opinion and possibly Clough's, he's currently the best option we have available at Centre back.
If we need more experience then 18 year old McGahey is the obvious player to be replaced NOT Alcock.
If we had managed to sign Brayford at Right Back would everybody still be saying Alcock should be moved across?
Or would they be saying that he should be playing at Centre Back based on his attributes and current form?

A couple of things Sothall blade,Alcock played Elliot on side for the second so he was part of the fault for one of the goals and 2.I don't think people are saying he can't play centre back,they are merely saying he's alot better at right back and alot better at right back than Davies is,thats my view anyway.

As for people saying should Alcock be moved over if we signed Brayford,your answer is, Alcock should play centre back,Brayford right back simple,because Brayford is miles better at right back than Davies,so that discussion doesn't really stand up imo.

 

[cooperblade]

James Shield @JamesShield1 · 14m
NC confirms Michael Doyle and Neill Collins will start tomorrow's Capital One Cup tie against Mansfield Town. #sufc #twitterblades

 

[wizadry]

In alcocks case Cloughie was right then as he looked decent

So your saying,if collins played CB and Alcock RB,cloughie would have made the wrong choice in doing so

 

[Sothall_Blade]

A couple of things Sothall blade,Alcock played Elliot on side for the second so he was part of the fault for one of the goals and 2.I don't think people are saying he can't play centre back,they are merely saying he's alot better at right back and alot better at right back than Davies is,thats my view anyway.

As for people saying should Alcock be moved over if we signed Brayford,your answer is, Alcock should play centre back,Brayford right back simple,because Brayford is miles better at right back than Davies,so that discussion doesn't really stand up imo.

Then you are agreeing with me that Alcock is currently one of our two best Centre-Backs.
The only point we disagree on is whether Davies is a good right back or not.
I think that we can certainly do better but I think he is the closest we have to an attacking right back at the moment.
His crosses and delivery from set pieces are one of our major goal threats at the moment, including the goal on Saturday.
If you leave him out completely, you lose that attacking weapon from our armoury.
If you play him further forward at right midfield, then you lose the attacking threat of Flynn or JCR.

If you play a combination of Collins / Butler / McGahey at Centre-Back, does a lack of pace not worry you?

 

[wizadry]

Then you are agreeing with me that Alcock is currently one of our two best Centre-Backs.
The only point we disagree on is whether Davies is a good right back or not.
I think that we can certainly do better but I think he is the closest we have to an attacking right back at the moment.
His crosses and delivery from set pieces are one of our major goal threats at the moment, including the goal on Saturday.
If you leave him out completely, you lose that attacking weapon from our armoury.
If you play him further forward at right midfield, then you lose the attacking threat of Flynn or JCR.

If you play a combination of Collins / Butler / McGahey at Centre-Back, does a lack of pace not worry you?

Alcock is our best defender at the club now,so yes i do agree with that.

Davies is really causing problems as to where you play him or if you play him.If you play him,i would play him instead of flynny atm until he gets his fitness back,then if we keep getting results keep him there if not and he's not producing,drop him.Playing him higher up the pitch means he can cross it in better areas,instead of the areas he was having to cross from on saturday,too deep.

Playing Alcock at RB doesn't mean he won't be able to use his pace to cover,i think it will see him in an even better light,he will be able to see all across the back line and spot the dangers better,so playing 2 of the other 3 at CB doesn't worry me no,just as long as we play them.

 

[SwissBlade]

So your saying,if collins played CB and Alcock RB,cloughie would have made the wrong choice in doing so

It's all about opinions, but I wouldn't personally have been bold enough to pick Alcock and McGahey at CB, I would've probably started Alcock at right back and McGahey and Collins in the Middle... But I'm not sure if we'd still have had the problems on the goals. I'd stick my neck out and say that their first would've been cleared or Collins would've put a firm challenge in. The second I think was down to a huge hole in the midfield and probably Elliott would've got through and tucked it away anyway.

But... Now that we've gone with the CB pairing of Alcock and McGahey, I'd either stick with it for 6-10 games at least or change it now. Personally I'd stick with it

 

[SwissBlade]

A couple of things Sothall blade,Alcock played Elliot on side for the second so he was part of the fault for one of the goals .

I think that's almost incidental. I'd need to see it again and will accept being wrong but the initial ball came over and their winger best Harris in the air, this was followed by a back heel flick into Elliot's path and Elliot had run from deep to latch onto the ball... I'd be more concerned about:

- Alcock and McGahey's positioning when the ball was thumped over to their right wing. They seemed to both be on the right, leaving a huge gap between them and Harris
- Scoogs, reed and Basham didn't track nor fill the gap in front of the two centre halves, leaving a gaping hole for Elliot to run through

That's all stuff which can be worked on though

 

[wizadry]

It's all about opinions, but I wouldn't personally have been bold enough to pick Alcock and McGahey at CB, I would've probably started Alcock at right back and McGahey and Collins in the Middle... But I'm not sure if we'd still have had the problems on the goals. I'd stick my neck out and say that their first would've been cleared or Collins would've put a firm challenge in. The second I think was down to a huge hole in the midfield and probably Elliott would've got through and tucked it away anyway.

But... Now that we've gone with the CB pairing of Alcock and McGahey, I'd either stick with it for 6-10 games at least or change it now. Personally I'd stick with it

Okay dokey pal,get what you're saying and i totally agree that we have to stick with the partnership for a while for it to gel,but i would swap it now and get Collins in with Mcgahey and put Alcock to RB,then move Davies into his proper position until Flynny gets his fitness back.

 

[SwissBlade]

Okay dokey pal,get what you're saying and i totally agree that we have to stick with the partnership for a while for it to gel,but i would swap it now and get Collins in with Mcgahey and put Alcock to RB,then move Davies into his proper position until Flynny gets his fitness back.

Ha ha ok.....


So onto Flynny then, I'd give JCR an hr, Flynn 30 mins, with Morgs telling them both to "run yer bollocks off"

I'd be tempted to leave Davies in at RB to give some continuity at the back

 

[felix]

We need to pick a really strong team and slaughter them. This is Mansfield after all. They are scabs!