Match Thread Mansfield Town v Bradford City (BSMT)

Perfect night, presume no injuries, goals for Oliver and Oduor, more 70+ minutes for players who need them, clean sheet and puts us in with a great chance of qualifying. Alexander continues to be unbeaten in his managerial career in 90 minutes in the group stage of the Trophy.

Most pleasing part of me is Diabate and Shepherd having a strong match after both of them struggling at the weekend. I really like Diabate and apart from Saturday he's looked good in the previous 2 matches and I think Baldwin will struggle to get back in when he's back. I think the more Shepherd plays the better he'll get.

 

Thoroughly professional display, nobody let us down. Diabate was excellent throughout, I hope we can keep him for the whole season (don't know how highly he is thought of down there)
4 4 2 needs to stay.

 

Shepherd played really well.

 

Oh I completely agree, this lot ain't world beaters. It was just nice to watch a performance where i wasn't swearing at the TV watching fundamental problems caused by players not being happy being asked to carry out roles they clearly don't like playing. You could tell the players felt way happier with this set up.

 

Well after last weeks second half and what we've seen tonight Alexander must go 4-4-2 against Wimbledon, bring it on..............

 

Well, I know it was the Mickey Mouse Cup but I hope Alexander can see how much better that system worked for the players currently available. I would keep this team for Saturday except for Walker for Doyle, Halliday for Benn, Wright for Pointon, Walker for Adams and Cook for Oliver. Not that any of those starting played badly, far from it.

 

I think playing Pattison deeper and alongside Smallwood has instantly given us more solidity and as a result the defence looks much better. That, alongside the flat back 4 seems to have yielded the biggest changes in performance.

 

The two at the back allowed Shepherd and Diabete to express themselves. Both looked far more comfortable with the simple things like positioning. Plus with two proper full backs in Richards and Benn no space behind the wing backs down the flanks.

 

First game at football league level apparently.

 

So you wouldn't keep the same side .

 

I did say except for...

 

Yeah, literally half the team though

 

Wait…….What…..

Fans calling for 442 dinosaur football??

That same formation some posters were ridiculed for when deemed this our best formation over a year ago

Hmm

 

Inexperienced refs are the future.

 

I'm not a big fan of Wright but surely he is the most natural winger we have?

 

But the same formation.

 

Sometimes you stumble on a system that works through having your hand forced. GA isn't stupid, if it looks like it suits the players we have he will stick with it.

 

You'd keep this team yet make 5 changes.
It's one or t'ther

 

I hope you're right but I wouldn't be so sure.