Home vs Port Vale 22nd October

I'm not convinced it's that. I think he looked at the way the game was going second half and thought we were well on top, the game was played in their half and it looked like only one team would win. Making a personnel change would've meant changing the system and that could've disrupted the performance. I don't think he lacked the balls, I just think he thought it more likely we'd win the game with what we had on. He could've opted for fresh legs in the same system and brought on Anderson but would anyone really want that?

 

I think Vaughan needs more time. We've only looked remotely creative as a side since Cooke came in, and in particular since we changed to a 433. But for that system to work, and for the lone striker to spend more of his time in the box, you need a strong midfield. Our best side would appear to have Connelly and Ismail wide, Pritchard central with Cooke holding and Akpan further forward, or Palmer holding and Cooke further forward. Vaughan hasn't played a single game with that setup.

I'd like to see a run of games with him in something resembling our best side, with quality in midfield and out wide. I think he's been constrained by circumstances around him as much as anything else. If Connelly and Pritchard come back in at the weekend, we should expect better service into him.

 

And that sums up when you know a side is weak !!
When missing just one player (Pritchard) costs you a game, then yes, your team is weak.

Many will have learnt so much from last night ........... The fans may now be more realistic with their expectations, the players now know they need to step up a grade, or two, and finally - Bowyer. He needs to grow a pair. YES - Bowyer ! The team and tactics were HIS choice ..... Not the fans or the players.
Some may notice I didn't post in this thread during the game ..... Simply because I was disappointed with our line up, and tactics. From the off I really felt City were up against it, and GB called it so wrong. Jeeze, WHAT was the man thinking ? City played half decent, but failed where it mattered most, and Vale took full advantage of that, and were rewarded with their first Away win. If anyone has had a reality check, it must be Gary Bowyer !!

 

They weren’t a poor side

 

I don't think missing just one cost us. We were also missing Connelly - either of those in the side last night and I think we win. Ditto, Jamie Devitt - another good player at this level. Then throw into the mix the rest that we're losing - Riley, and I know he still has much to prove but pre season looked promising and looking at how Connor Wood is developing, I think he'd be a very good option (especially given how Mellor is playing). We're missing Reeves and Palmer. I've kind of written Reeves off, but Palmer is a miss, because Devine and Anderson aren't up to it. Donaldson - even as an option from the bench, for fresh legs in a game like last night. Jordan Gibson - not a massive fan, but maybe having him as a replacement for Oteh or Devine in the last 10-15 wouldn't been an option.

We're missing at least 6 players who you'd consider strong options for the first team, and 3-4 who you'd consider squad players. There isn't a side at this - or most - levels that could take that on the chin.

 

Given that Bowyer was severely restricted with available players, not quite sure what else he could have done selection and formation wise?

Seeing as you are so critical of Bowyer, out of interest, what would your starting line up and formation been?

 

More like we’re missing 7 players who would be in the 18 match day squad. What league 2 team wouldn’t suffer Ron? Genuine question, we’d all like 22-23 players all of the highest ability in the league, but football has never been that simple.

 

I fully agree - However, as with Saturday ....... Last night demonstrated just how much ONE player (missing) meant to us.

 

This makes a change from banging our heads together over Chicksen . We were having the same discussion during the second half. We were on top and creating chances, so would we risk making a substitution. I think Bowyer saw it the same. That said I was disappointed he hadn't made a change at half time, but as the half progressed I would have left it too. Now then about Chicksen.......only kidding we've done that to death!

 

Not sure whether we're agreeing or disagreeing...

For me, my point is that if just 1 of the 4 or 5 attacking players we have missing were available, I think we'd have taken 3 points. Not 1 specific player. Any of Pritchard, Devitt or Connelly would have helped. Even just having Palmer in for Devine would have helped.

 

I posted such a number of pages ago.
Place A O'C as a MF Anchor man (Leaving Devine on the Bench), and (last night) Bring in McCartan for Oteh at HT, or there abouts.
Two simple changes, which would (IMO) have changed the whole game.
I had that in mind before KO ....... Why didn't GB spot by HT ?

 

I agree - Fully. However ... we're talking about last night, and options available. Mine differ to those of GB. I'm saying MINE may have worked ....... GB's obviously didn't - And he was reluctant to change it.

 

Regarding last night see @Faithful Bantam lates post, covers my thoughts entirely.

 

Driving mate, but hopefully get on for Carlisle if you're partaking?

 

Read my above post to @Idlebantam ........It's quite clear, and open.

 

Agreed so is it the corner takers, or our central defenders who lose their sense of direction when in the opposition penalty area?

 

Few teams are massively better than the rest at this level which makes it all the more important to get team selection and tactics right and even one player can make some difference, Get it wrong and you will struggle to get the result

 

Why wasn’t Wood taking corners?

 

We've been left exposed a few times when he's been on corners.
Sensible really as he's one of our quickest players

 

Disagree.. I thought a change was required.

We'd plenty of ball but didn't do much with it.

We played with Akpan, Devine and Cooke.

Sorry, but I would of dragged Devine off for McCartan who is more of an attacking threat and played him behind the front two.

We didn't test the keeper enough.

Bowyer is a bottler of a manager in if anything Tuesday night highlighted that. On top in the game and he doesn't want to really go for it.. always worried and if understandable why he draws plenty of games that his teams should win.