Match Thread Away V Walsall Saturday 27th Feb @ 3.00pm.

He's limited. He's ok when he doesn't have time to think. As soon as he's stood in space with options to run forward, pass or cross he seems to panic and not be sure what to do. Most of those times he punts a cross into the box. He's not that comfortable passing the ball, neither is Paudie really but he may learn.

The two Bolton centre backs were excellent bringing the ball out from the back and that created space further up the pitch when our players had to move towards them. If we do want to pass the ball out from the back then our back four will need to be prepared to take more time with the ball and carry it out at times.

 

I saw Paudie run the length of the field with the ball into the opposition penalty box

 

He did, well nearly anyway. He had no options - had to keep going! It's a rare thing though. He loves a hoof.

 

And there is the issue. Unless the midfield show for our defenders they end up with no options and have to hoof or go backwards. Sometimes there just isn't enough movement in front of them. I noticed something similar on Saturday when AOC seemed to be taking an age with his throwings. We were too static or unwilling to take responsibility.....or having a breather@

 

Reading this thread you wouldn’t think we had just picked up 16 points out of the last 18.

 

I would look to upgrade both full backs in the summer. With AOC we know exactly what we'll get when the results take a downturn. We need strong characters who will step up not retire into their shell. He's playing well at the moment and long may it continue but with the quality we brought in during the January window, I'm hoping this continues in the summer with other positions.

 

Amazing really when they're all tired....

 

Seems the manager thinks that certain players are and Cooke is certainly one

 

It's not just physical tiredness that takes place but mental tiredness kicks in as well, meaning that reaction times are a fraction of a second longer etc. which can mean that hitting the killer pass through the defence takes a moment longer to be seen and undertaken which gives the defender time to stretch his leg out and intercept and the chance is gone.

 

Hi Inspector. I think you are making AOC the scapegoat for the malaise that was running through the whole team, with the possible exception of Connor Wood. Paudie was equally poor during that spell, do you want rid of him too? Yes I know things are easier when you are on a good run of form, but I think at the moment our back 4 seem to have a togetherness and a fighting spirit about about them. Like you I hope it continues. Plus let's not forget what happened when we signed Mellor. He was touted as one of the best full backs in the league before we signed him

 

Certain?

 

I can cap that, I've seen DMH run the length of the field chasing a beach ball then run past it, down the exit at the Bradford End, through the open gates and not stop till a train hit him at Forster Sq

 

He was running after Mark (Mega) Ellis

 

For the first three yards maybe, even DMH had more pace than Mega

 

Mellor scored some good goals when he was playing well. Not one of the best full backs in the league though lol.

 

Not at all @ahar964 he’s been here for over 3 years and only now are we seeing a consistent run of form from him. He’s not strong enough to play centre halve and is certainly better at right back. Paudie didn’t get the amount of game time as AOC and is only just out of the academy, whereas AOC came on a big contract as an experienced player from Aberdeen. If you look back at the youngsters in the squad at the time such as Wood and O’Brien (Hudds), it would have almost been acceptable for their heads to drop during that period, but they didn’t and it’s that type of character I’d be looking to bring in.

I’m pleased with all the squad at the moment and as I said earlier, I hope they can all get us over the line.

 

Whilst until just recently the whole team has been inconsistent and under achieving Aoc whilst in no way being brilliant has been one of the more consistent performers but he is tainted by some for the storm in a teacup armband incident

 

Yes. Difficult to see how he became so bad - like I said the whole team wasn't in a good place

 

I see what you are saying but during that period we managed to turn many a proven quality player into a shadow of their former self