Burton (H) - August 21st

And if we beat them we will have twice as many points as them. Would you say that was a good start for us?

 

Playing like we are at the moment, I can’t see where the next goal is coming from, never mind the next win.
Southend’s keeper had the easiest game of his life yesterday.

 

To be fair Petrov if we beat Burton 6 pts would probably have been a start we would accept, but beating them the way we are playing is a BIG if - and even if we do you would have to be totally blinkered not to see how many cracks at the club it is papering over

 

Huge game. 442. Let Miller do all the running for Doyle to do his best work in the box. Payne is a quality player but it’s difficult to fit him in

O’Donnell

Mellor McGowan O’Connor Chicksen

Scannell Wright Akpan Gibson

Miller Doyle

 

Maybe Payne for Wright?

 

I agree @Tennesseebantam. But I can’t see the coaching staff dropping the captain.

 

2 wins from 4 woundnt be the end of the world and a win at home.
Home form is key

 

I am so glad I timed my trip over to take in the Shrewsbury match, and not the next ones... The team was raw, but did show determination and desire. We did ride our luck a bit, but then again we could/should have scored at least 1 if not 2 more ourselves. Even MC made the right changes at the right times. It was a promising start all round. Barnsley may well have been too tough a test this early, but Macclesfield and Southend were certainly winnable. We need to get that promise back, and as you (Jon) said, we don't have the luxury of too much time in which to do that.

RCB

 

For me he’s too lightweight to play in a two. He needs to be playing a lot higher up the pitch than he has been. We could play him as a 10 but it leaves Doyle doing the job of a target man which doesn’t get the best out of him. Could even maybe play him right midfield with him cutting inside.

 

What a mess we're in for this game, we have no one remotely good enough for a CM role, what a mess of a recruitment!!
I'd go 4 at the back with Luca, Akpan and Payne playing in the midfield somehow?...Doyle and Miller up top with a winger either Scannell / Seedorf and prey we can somehow win.

 

I would go with a 442 put scannell on the right wing and play Payne in the Nicky law role as a free roaming left sided midfielder.

 

Yes; even with the number of draws, how good does that undefeated home season of a few seasons ago look now. It has to be a confidence-booster to know that you'll at least get a draw out of a match; similarly, the idea of a fortress VP should mess a little at least with the heads of our opponents.

But there's more to it --- we also were good then at gaining points from losing positions, and not losing too many points from winning positions. Last season, our records when trailing at the half, 1-2-10, or trailing at any point in a match, 1-4-19, seemed particularly poor. Granted, I don't suppose many sides would have great numbers from those positions, but still, gaining points after trailing would demonstrate the determination and steel promotion-winning sides need. (We were good though at holding a halftime lead, 12-2-1, and not too bad when leading at any point in a match, 18-5-3.)

RCB

 

Swap Seedorf for Gibson (hopefully Seedorf isn’t injured).

 

So out of Akpan, Wright, and probably Payne we don’t have anyone good enough for CM? Give over.

(We also has Reeves to come back from injury, who’s a CM).

Also to say it’s a mess of recruitment is laughable, considering the reception of the 15 signings we’ve made in what’s been a busy summer.

 

It's the only way we can utilise Payne to go 2 up front. Collins obviously had a plan to play Payne in the Number 10 role behind a lone striker, but it clearly isn't working..So, we either drop Payne or as you say, try him in the role Law was deployed in.
We had the same problem trying to fit McCarten in the side, admittedly, McCarten is probably nowhere as good as Payne is supposed to be.

 

If Reeves ever gets back from injury he has to be thrown straight in, Wright and Akpan together does not and will not work. Both look ponderous. Payne is not a central midfielder, certainly not as a two, could get away playing him in a three but his best work is in the final third of the field. I would look at bringing a central midfielder in on loan as a matter of urgency.

 

Yes the midfield at the moment do not look like being able to support this system. Are they up to it - a change of formation will answer this - they are not we appear to have then recruited badly or is there a problem with the coaching?? Problem with two top have we enough individuals of a decent calibre to play it? Has the recruitment left us short for an option b. Is there enough quality competition for every position - does not look like it.

 

After that disgrace on Saturday(2-0 wasn't a fair reflection for them imo), it's hard to get inspired to attend, but against my better judgement I will be there. A first half like Saturday(don't know how it was 0-0) and I'll do what I've never done before however and leave at half time.

We have some decent players on paper, but again like a number of times last season it didn't feel we had the fundamental attributes needed at this level. All our successful teams of the past have always had them; determination, desire, willing to win those 50/50 duels across the pitch and a running through brick walls mentality. The players looked like they could just show up, sorry but that's never been the case at any level in professional sport.

We need to see some sort of team out there tomorrow as they all looked lost, I have no problem losing early season, it happens, but at least be competitive and that means not letting teams through at will and actually creating chances our selves.

The coaching team have got a lot of work to do, because they don't look like they have a clue at the moment. For me Payne is the most talented player we have, it's finding out how to play him. I'd consider either playing him as the second striker, ala Robbie Blake or go with a Diamond and have him at in the most advanced midfield role, can't see how he works in a midfield 2. And please play Scannell on the right ffs, it's so obvious he's better on that side. It'd be good to actually give the poor full backs a bit of protection as well, I feel for them over anyone as they are just so exposed constantly.

They need to restore faith with the fans, which is a shame to be saying after only 4 competitive matches, time for them too show some competence.

Personally I can see a dire game however, 0-0 or 1-0 either way hope I'm wrong.

 

I am wobbling, wait until Fleetwood away, or go tomorrow? I feel like I might miss something.....

 

Same here, although ours is due on the 3rd Sep!
I'd rather watch a spot of Cricket on Saturday if I'm honest, plus it's closer to home "IF" anything happens.