The Lundstram sub

[AWetFlannel]

I think bringing Duffy on for the last 20 minutes would have caused Villa problems in an area where they were becoming increasingly comfortable. We could have nicked it, yeah we could still have lost, who knows? But I think we would have come away with at least a point. Just my opinion, that's all, not trying to start a war with you.

Opinions are fine, I agree Duffy could have come on and swung it either way.

 

[Slim Man]

You could argue as I have done above, that we didn't need a spark or more momentum. I don't have hindsight armour like you, but surely you can imagine us getting overrun in the middle if we'd have brought Duffy on (not that I'm sure it would, but it could have).

RE: beating ourselves with sticks. Whether you say our manager is lying or not, you have implied it which is very negative. The same defeatism can be found with you being sure our manager and fitness staff are making nonsensical decisions.

I made it clear I was saying we had no right in regards to our wage bill, which is the variable that most closely maps footballing success. What I actually meant is that because we are overcoming this variable, we are doing so much else right (tactics, signings, subs, work rate) and should praise our team rather than insult our managers intelligence.

We didn't get overrun in the middle at Villa Park with Duffy on the pitch against basically the same midfield. Why would yesterday be any different?

 

[sheffielder]

I think the issue with bringing on Duffy last night was that he would have had Donaldson and Clarke in front of him. He needs clever players who drop deep like Sharp, Brooks or Wilson.

Personally I don’t like Donaldson or Clarke playing together as they are similar and al aye seems to be Clarke who pulls wide or deep. I don’t mind Donaldson as a sub when teams are pushing up against us at home or when we are winning

 

[ChemEngBlade]

Can't disagree with you at all.

Doesn't even have to be a Snodgrass either because there are plenty of match winners at this level on less than him and his peers. Wendy picked up the fairy for 3 million a couple of years ago, there's still quality players out there that are affordable but we have to be willing to part with 7 figures to get it.

And if we aren't willing to part with 7 figures the owners need to find us some investment, new ownership, or set up a scouting network overseas - because League One players will only get you so far.

I agree with this totally. There are good players in League one, but as you said, they will only take us so far when they haven't got experience on playing in the highest league. We need a couple of premiership quality players to get us there. With the players we have, playing at the top of their game then I reckon top 10 is reasonable to expect, but we can't expect momentum to take us much further without a couple of top signings. And who's to say it would cause an issue with how we currently play and the team spirit? I'm sure there are top players out there that aren't primadonnas and who would gel with the team really well

 

[Rob86]

We lost momentum as soon as we took Wilson off, and the game was crying out for Duffy to come on as neither Leon or Donaldson were doing a good job holding the ball up. Did anyone also see second half how Villa were targeting Basham as a weak link for the counter ?

Yes RE: Basham ! I did notice that and closing him down quickly, it was plain to see all our players were comfortable on the ball except Bash.

 

[AWetFlannel]

We didn't get overrun in the middle at Villa Park with Duffy on the pitch against basically the same midfield. Why would yesterday be any different?

We did get slaughtered in the first 10 minutes and hung on for a draw. You'd definitely agree we played better last night than at Villa away with Duffy (though that isn't the only relevant factor, we were away ect).

 

[Slim Man]

We did get slaughtered in the first 10 minutes and hung on for a draw. You'd definitely agree we played better last night than at Villa away with Duffy (though that isn't the only relevant factor, we were away ect).

First 10 minutes... I wouldn’t class 10 minutes as a slaughtering and the two goals we gave away were just bad defending and a questionable penalty decision.

 

[Slim Man]

Yes RE: Basham ! I did notice that and closing him down quickly, it was plain to see all our players were comfortable on the ball except Bash.

Might be time to find a Basham upgrade. He’s ok defensively and he’s got a heart of gold, would run for weeks on end, but we just aren’t as threatening with the overlapping centre halves as we used to be.

If JOC was right footed and we had him supporting Baldock up the right flank we’d be incredible. We just need to find a right footed JOC... should be easy enough... gulp.

 

[nopigfansintown]

I see advantages in bringing Lundstram off the bench. Those being, his long range passing being his strength and his mobility his weakness. He hit a few fine cross field passes when he came on (one absolute beauty to Baldock) which could have helped us open them up, if we'd have taken advantage of them. Our other midfield players don't have this type of ability. In theory a field full of tired bodies should suit him down to the ground as it gives him time to pass and less to do defensively against tired bodies.I would have definitely brought Duffy on though and pressed them high. Maybe Don for Clarke, and Duffy for Wilson.If Leonard or Evans had to go of, then Lundstram the replacement.