Burton (H) - August 21st

Its gonna take a couple of months before this ship has any chance of turning round. The only thing you will miss is City still looking rudderless and the atmosphere turning quicker than milk if we go behind early on. I'm going for the shits and giggles.

 

You can have a good day out on the west coast, not sure I can sell tomorrow night.

 

In addition to my usual rail journey, a midweek fixture requires an overnight stay in a hotel. All I want from you City is some justification for the extra time and expense. Have not hesitated in the past but now ......

 

I can’t see us scoring. Especially if we only go one up front. Burton will be very organised

 

At home I think we can get away with 4-4-2 with Payne in CM alongside Akpan. He played poorly against Barnsley and Southend but still looks to be our best attacking/creative hope.

O’Donnell
Mellor McGowen O’Connor Chicksen
Scannell Akpan Payne Seedorf
Miller Doyle

Sadly with Robinson out and Jones and Reeves still out our bench is going to look very weak so let’s hope the starting 11 are good enough to win the game.

Despite all the negativity, if we can somehow win the next 2 games (which on paper is possible) then 9 points after 5 games (and 4 pretty tough games) isn’t too bad at all.

 

Can't see MC dropping his captain.

 

Yeah fair comment. Maybe it’s Wright instead of Payne then. Having watched us play a couple of games now, the decision to make Wright captain instead of O’Connor seems a strange one.

 

I'm not so sure about Payne in a flat midfield four myself - I think he'd get lost and/or we'd get overrun. If its Payne in a 442 then it would have to be a diamond for me which would probably look something like:

- - - Akpan - - -
Wright - Colville
- - - Payne - - -

Obviously that results in one of our star summer signings in Scannell being benched. It just goes back to Payne being as much as an issue for us as he is a threat for the opposition, which was perfectly outlined by WOAP. We need to find a system that utilises him in a functional team that can attack. I've never been a fan of it but maybe the diamond with Miller & Doyle up front could do that?

 

Think Payne needs to be starting. Not been impressed with Akpan and Wright so far and I want to see 2 up top.

 

I'm going for the beer in the NBH and a chance to take the piss out of @Bigrod in his 1970's trench coat

 

Has there ever been less enthusiasm, three league games into season? Feels like it.

 

Me neither.
Tactically Clough versus Mickey, my money would be on Clough.

 

Wednesday's headline 'Gone For A Burton'

 

Seasideman said:
In addition to my usual rail journey, a midweek fixture requires an overnight stay in a hotel. All I want from you City is some justification for the extra time and expense. Have not hesitated in the past but now ......

StaffordBantam, Same here rail journey and an overnight stay. Not this time I'm afraid.

Applaud you guys for going that extra mile. Sad, but totally understandable. Hat's off to you both.

 

..oh dear, that is taking the biscuit. Can you offer just a crumb of hope..

 

More like 'Brewer's Droop'.

 

Classic Rod. Especially the scene on the coal blackened beach at the end.

 

.....but Wilsden we were told individuals were recruited because they had the right attributes and bought in to the way Mr Rahic and his cohorts want to take us forward.