Match Thread Home V Bolton Sat 6th March. 3pm kick off.

There's no doubt Maddison can change a game when his head is right but a team can also find themselves playing with the equivalent of 10 men when he's not, Evatt will be a brave man if he starts Maddison,

 

Marcus Maddison is the lad we turned down in Jan in favour of Crankshaw / Vernam isnt he?

 

After seeing Maddison in a head band which looks like it came free with his Mrs’ handbag I hope one out ours snaps him in half. Never liked him and was glad we turned down the offer to take him on loan, despite his obvious talent. He’s probably the best player in the league on his day, but I’m hoping his day won’t be against us.

 

That's not how the bookies see it right now.

 

To me they both look like players that haven't played a lot this season and therefore while keen and eager feel to be not quite sure how or able to impact the game unlike Watt, Sutton, Cooke who all look comfortable in their roles and confident.

May be harsh but they'll get better over the coming weeks.

My main concern now with Pritchard being out is the lack of options to switch things around. Evans seems to be a couple of games in and a couple out. Stevens needs to show more. Team is looking a bit thin to me and the quote in the T&A about fatigue at the end of theast game concerned me a bit.

 

I think both have impacted games already in some of our best performances

 

They drift in and out. Crankshaw seems to overcomplicate things at times. It may be our formation or it may be them, not sure, but both will get better with more games.

 

Disagree I would stick with Crankshaw

 

Was surprised that crankshaft hasn’t played two full matches for any team in his career so far ,he’s been used more as a impact player . Maybe with a bit of experience of playing a few games in a row will give him the composure he sometimes lacks , seems to try too hard to impress and this can lead to giving fouls away in dangerous areas

 

Meant crankshaw

 

Been on the beer watching Liverpool game!

 

Isn't autocorrect brilliant?...

 

He’s been poor so far Monkey but I like the way he’s always positive and looking to go forward when he gets the ball. I’m sure when he’s settled in he’ll be better but I think he’s trying a bit too hard to impress at the moment. I don’t expect him to start on Saturday, more likely to come on after 60 minutes or so as an impact sub.

 

Re-read my post.

Where am I saying we shouldn't "stick with him"?

 

Yep. This was my point. It's almost like he isn't sure how to pace himself during the game so every time he gets the ball he's trying step overs and tricks and turns. Just needs to settle down and do the simple things right sometimes. Playing more games will help him but we shouldn't expect too much from him too soon because although he's come from a higher league, he hasn't played much this season.

 

Is Evans fit? If he is then I'd probably bring him back in and use Crankshaw off the bench if needed.

There's probably also a case for Clarke playing, simply for his defensive work but in a home game I'd still rather retain that attacking intent and put them on the back foot rather than being overly concerned about them.

 

Banker bet for me is a sending off.

 

I think having one of Evans or Clarke in the 3 provides a nice balance in terms of work-rate and structure, assuming the other two are Cooke in the middle and more of an out and out winger like Crankshaw or Vernham.

 

Crankshaw was eager to please on Saturday, he'd said as much in his pre match interview. It was his over eagerness that led to the booking but I don't mind that. Much prefer a player willing to get stuck in than some of the work shy players we've had in the past