Most liked posts in thread: Home v Oldham August 17th

Really hope we go with a more regular, simple 4 4 2 formation today with Scannell starting. Dont see the point in over complicating the whole thing given the opposition. If we keep it simple and properly balanced, square pegs and all that, do the basics correctly we should be hoping for 3 points.

If he sticks to a formation with 3 up front or the diamond as some suggest, then I hope McCartan is fit and is given his chance. In addition I hope GB keeps his word and gives those under performers on Tuesday the chop.

My line up:
O Donnell

Mellor POC BRE Longridge

Scannell McCartan Palmer Wood

Vaughan Donaldson

 

Devine for McCartan and Gibson for Wood would be my thoughts on Bowyers starting 11.

 

He didn't seem to be bothered too much by injuries last season at Lincoln. Maybe they don't have a Nandos there.

 

Krispy Kreme donuts and Nandos. I could be off the mark here but I'm guessing we don't have a club nutritionist. (by the way I like the odd Nandos but I'm not a pro footballer)

 

Disappointed Paudie O'Connor or Longridge don't start.

 

Yes Bowyer. Home banker now. Up the Bantams.

 

No Wheater on the Oldham team sheet today either. Which has to be a plus.

 

Better balanced side

 

Wood playing LW shows how bad we need another winger

 

I think we’ve been superb all over the park this half. Can’t knock anyone.

 

Oldham look good attacking and shit defending.

They have caused us lot of problems and hit the post.

We are lucky to be 2 ahead.

With a good midfield general we would create more chances.

Scannell has been poor so far.

 

Oldham were almost running through us at will. A quality DM is an absolute must.

I quite like Wood on the left who put in a couple of very good crosses

 

Brilliant!

Sure we could have done this and that better but we won! For the first time in what feels like forever!!!

Well done City!

 

Great result and a much needed 3 points which will hopefully give the lads a new shot of confidence.

Richards-Everton was my MOTM, he's such a clean tackler and wins everything in the air. So far he looks like a terrific addition.

That goal will do scannell a world of good too, he looked a little scared and lacking in confidence for the most part but hopefully that kick starts his season.

McCartan did ok when he came on too, got himself in some good areas but lacking the finish. Less said about Patrick the better.

Midfield is still weak and needs addressing. Devine was good in patches but he was too slow in releasing the ball and often his defensive work was down to rectifying his own mistakes. Palmer to me looks like he's got another gear to go up to but is being held back as the protection isn't there.

Front two absolutely class as everyone knows, give them chances and they'll score, simple.

 

First home win on a Saturday since March 9th. One before that, December 22nd.

I could grow into this enjoying Saturday evenings.

 

He looked happy enough at full time when he came back on the pitch to applaud the fans.

 

Felt pretty bad for Oldham, they looked like us last season - perhaps we have now handed over the baton for worst club in the entire football league to them?

Positives for Oldham: No 18 Fage. That is all. Defensively they were appalling, and their dominant twenty minutes saw them create very little. No key player ready to score goals from midfield or up front.

Positives for City: Both strikers off the mark in fine style, and Scannell is the other name I want to see on the score sheet regularly. Wood and Devine did very, very well for me, Devine or Mellor outsiders for MOTM though fine with Donaldson getting the nod despite looking like Bambi on ice quite a few times. The back four defended manfully, and corners never looked a threat.

Wasn't impressed with Scannell, the calls for him to come in were just about justified by the goal (good strike), but up until then he was poor. Henley & Wood could not deal with Fage at all for the first half hour, but then their manager had a GREAT IDEA and moved him, from where he then became totally anonymous - well done old chap!

Who is the poster on this thread who is clearly trying to flirt with Akpan? He deserves to start as much as Brunker, absolutely awful all last season except for the Burton game, and typical crap since. What did he do, he got booked, that was all.

Overall, pretty happy with that, beat a bad side who will need to address their over-reliance on poor foreign players and managers to stand any chance. Not sure many teams will be beaten as easily as that, and frankly didn't think the performance against Cambridge was too much worse, we just played a poor defence. Still, stick with the 4-4-2 for now, but need much more from the wingers.

Final negative: WTF, Palmer. He is poor.

 

I called it last week and stated we should go with 4-4-2 with Scannell down one side and the more defensive player, Wood, down the other.

And I’m no master tactician but it’s amazing how easy the game is when you play players that come alive with deliveries into the box..!