Match Thread Home v Cheltenham, Tuesday 1st December 7pm kick off.

He can’t build a defensive team, never has. There should be additional personnel on the non-playing side, down at Apperley Bridge this morning. They don’t need 6 weeks to get fit. Admit your failings and ask for help. That goes for all walks of life.

 

Wonder if anyone will panic if we drop into the relegation zone?

 

The problem is we don’t even have the personnel for a basic 442. No wingers in anyway shape or form, so no outlet. The ball would just keep coming back. Due to his blind loyalty with this lot, were up sh*t creek without a paddle.

 

He is flip flopping. He doesn’t know what to do and is now panicking. We either get freebies in soon or we wait for January and hope we are not cut adrift by time the new recruits are in and on board

 

And there lies the problem. Sparks has made a rod for his own back on his first day on the job.

 

Another depressing defeat tomorrow and a quite convincing win for Cheltenham i fear.

We not have anyone with any flair or creativity, leak goals, and don't have anyone who seems to be in the right place at the right time for a tap in. When was the last time we scored a tap in? Can't even remember.

I'm usually one of the optimistic fans but there's nothing to be optimistic about at the moment.

 

We could quite easily be sat in 22nd place on Wednesday evening if results go against us. That is way too close for comfort if 20th isnt!

 

There's no point in free agents anymore, we've left it too late. It would take a player ~4 weeks to get fit enough to start playing, by which point the window will be open and better players available. You've just got to hope we bring in the players in the first few days as opposed to the last minute panic signings of recent windows although I won't hold my breath.

 

I do agree, but it wouldn't so much be about attacking - more the defensive shape. Anything has to be better than what has been served up with the 3-5-2.
Evans & Pritchard would be my choices for the wings, although I don't think either is fit at present.

 

Cheltenham have beaten Carlisle, leyton orient, and Tranmere away so far. Can’t see anything other than a loss

 

I know Jim O'Brien has been mentioned but even Karl Henry came in under Hopkin, looked nowhere near fit but still did a job sitting there. There has to be someone out there surely.. I just hope McCall's stubbornness does not cut us adrift.

 

I agree there might be better players available in January, but we still have to convince them, and pay them enough, to come here. I see no harm in getting a free agent or two, of the right calibre, in now and hopefully get them fit by the start of Jan. Had we done it a month ago they would be fit now.

I'm still not quite sure how the squad size thing works though? Do we have to get rid of anybody before we can bring someone new in?

 

Team riding high full of confidence versus team low on confidence playing terrible football, with no settled side or formation. Could be a spanking.

Personally I feel we need to go 442 or 451 utilising Clarke in a support role. Employ the spoiler tactics, pack midfield, bank of 4 at the back, and stay disciplined. Evans or Hosannah right midfield. Watt might have to be dropped not sure he can do the physical side and technically gifted playmaker is a luxury right now. Please keep AOC no where near midfield, possibly right back. Ditch this flowing football approach this season for good, it doesn’t work, too many ball watchers and it’s often leaving us wide open.

Good Luck Stu. You’re making a pigs ear of this fella I hope you have balls the size of dinner plates for the battle ahead over the coming months.

 

I might be in the minority here but if we are going to play that I would have Sutton in midfield. I know its a risk because he is a red card waiting to happen, but he brings more energy and closes men down quickly

 

Said it on another thread but Stuart’s quote of “you can lose 10 and still get promoted” means we still have one to go before now and May.Get it out of the way tomorrow and then it’s plain sailing all the way to the play offs.

 

To be fair, I reckon the feel good factor from this will be pretty good.
Cracking plan, the boost of going 32 games unbeaten should see us start next season in confident fashion.

 

Will be a grim defensive 1-0 defeat tomorrow with Cheltenham having 65 % possession. After the defeat Stu will say. Eh how many teams could cope without 5 players. Evo wasn’t fit, Clayts is struggling, no Pritch no Staunts no Noves but I’m so proud of them and what would you do.

 

It’s all about ticket sales.Always has been always will be.