Match Thread Home V Mansfield Tue 2nd March. 7pm kick off.

Or he's knackered. He's the only one in the squad that's played every game this season.

 

I don’t get this negativity over Wood I think he has been steady away all season

 

I don't think it's negativity so much. We've improved in most areas and to push on every position needs competition. The fact he's played every minute in the league so far, shows we need to give him a break to get the best from him.

 

I thought that's why we brought Foulds in but he can't be impressing much in training as he doesn't even make the bench. Maybe Staunton could come in at left back for a game or two to rest Woods.

 

I suppose finding the right game to rest him will be tougher with the run we're on.

 

He has, I wonder about confidence too.

There's a couple of times where he's been 1 on 1 and didn't really go at the defender with conviction. I'd love to see him really try and dribble or push the ball on and get by the right back. I wonder if he's worried a bit about his defensive side of things because he seems to go then stop then try again at times by which time he's lost the slight advantage he had. Just get yer head down lad and give it a try!

 

TBH there's been that much dross in the side in the last 18 months, Wood was always sought as a shining light.
Now because the standard of the side has markedly improved , some of Woods frailties have surfaced. They've always been there but people were often jumping on other's back's.

He's always been a 6.5-7.5 out of 10 per game IMO. Might have an 8 a couple of times a season.
He just didnt make as many mistakes as others around him.
When you had players of the ilk of Akpan, Wright, Ismail , DMH, Henley, Mellor around you, you would look half decent just by running around , tacking and not giving the ball away as much.
He's just surrounded by better players now (in their right postions) .

 

I’d agree with this in the main, he’s a standard league 2 full back. People got carried away by saying he’s a future championship player and as good as if not better than Meredith which was always nonsense. It set an unrealistic bar for him to hit every week. I’ve criticised him at times this season, but think he’s been better of late and think his best game was against Orient. That said he was at fault for giving the ball away which lead to the corner which Walsall scored from. Things like losing the ball in his own half and them aimless punts up the line are why he’ll struggle to ever go higher than league 1. But he may still improve. The way the team is atm though we don’t need to be bagging individuals out every two minutes, Vernam and Rowe seem to be the new names for people.

 

Even in the present squad, which is performing brilliantly as a whole, there are games when certain players shine and some not so. Getting 11 individuals at our level to produce 100% consistently is a big big ask. Main thing is, at the very least, they all are playing their part in transforming our season. I've been pleasantly surprised by this bunch and I'm totally behind this squad and Management. Have to add that when you believe in the honesty and integrity shown by all connected with our great Club right now ... then it becomes less a need to judge adversely imo.

 

We need to get the ball to him a bit more, once we do that he's got quick feet and can create space for himself to either get a shot off or put someone in on goal, no point in lumping it up to him in the air. When he gets poor service that's when he starts to look disinterested.

 

I've had a look at the team of the week on the EFL twitter feed and three Mansfield players in a 5 man midfield.

 

With Cook not available though shouldn't we be considering playing Donaldson..................

 

Does that mean that because the team of the week played with a five man midfield, that Mansfield will adopt that to allow their players to be in it ? Surely that falls under the heading "McCall's Bizarre Tactics (Pt 3)"

 

Another tough one tonight with the players they have they should be higher up.

 

Dunno I'm not aware of how a player qualifies for their team-of-the-week and who dictates the formation.

 

Time of the month m8.

 

Don't get me wrong I like the lad. My challenge to him would be that when he gets in those 1 on 1's he shouldn't over think it or have second thoughts or doubt himself - just have a go! Whether that's beating the man or looking to cross, just go for it! It sometimes feels like he changes his mind and then he gets blocked or tackled unfortunately.

 

Here we go!

The man that kids himself to be positive.

No, Bradford City should be higher than we are.

Only 3 points will do for us!

 

You are right Fordy three points are there for the taking, however think Park is suggesting they will probably try and do an Orient on us, by stifling us in the middle of the pitch. I agree with him. It’s up to us to break them down to get those three points. “Win ugly” is the favourite term. The times we have said, me including for over half a century “So and so are there for the taking”and ended up falling flat on our mush. We don’t have a given right to win games, you should know that. It’s not being at all negative, but we have seen over confidence in the past , as have many teams, only to see it turn round and bite one up the a***. Here’s to three points but I doubt it will be a cake walk, nor pretty

 

I agree, but I do think that nowadays we have several players who can come up with something to unlock a stubborn defence