Match Thread Most liked posts in thread: Mansfield v City | League 2 | 17 October

Tis quiet on here.... everyone in a state of shock?

 

I'm wondering how Evans slots in, because I bet Stuart brings him in as and when he's able.

A lot of jibber jabber about how 4 4 2 is the only workable formation again. We should stick rigidly to it, can't mix it up because we lost to a buoyant Harrogate, etc etc etc

 

Not getting too excited as funny enough I want to see on Tuesday if McCall really learnt his lesson and sticks to a winning team, a formation to suit and stop worrying about teams we play.

However, today was good overall. Excellent win

 

I agree, but which formation is best is anyone's guess.

Best Bolton with 5 3 2 (?), best Stevenage with the diamond, best Mansfield with flat 4 4 2.

That was the best performance of the season, yet we conceded too many chances with Bowery missing two good opportunities, we benefitted from a horrendous error, and the red card made little difference in a positive sense.

Just like with a defeat, it's important not to flip flop all over the place and make ludicrous statements.

 

Another thought. The four players who gave the ball away so much on Monday, Clarke, Sutton, Saunders and French, didn't play today.

 

It was noticeable when we took the width off and went 3 at the back towards the end we lost impetus and conceded, But well done to all the players they worked their socks off,

 

Could be a big week for us to see just how good or not we are against 2 teams currently above us in the table

 

Good bounce back from Monday evening. Need to back it up on Tuesday. Can’t complain about a 3-1 away win.

 

The problem of playing 4-4-2 every match is the lack of wide players unless French and Samuels can make a go of it.

French is said to be pretty fast. Ismail isn't going to play in more than 15/20 ganes this season so we really should be giving French or Samuels a go as well as Dylan

 

I think we might be in a minority at the minute for even contemplating playing anything other than basic 4 4 2.

Our fan base is a bit stuck.

 

Well those predicting 3 0 defeats are nowhere to be seen at the minute...

The forum meltdown exists only in a distinct lack of traffic after an easy win.

 

Stuart needs to make players earn the right to play, When those in the team do well leave them in, That way when players get the chance they know they need to take it rather than just been put in,

 

My mind is whirring at all the received wisdom in this statement.

 

No need to shout. And be patient.

 

We're talking about formations. Obviously if there are injuries changes have to be made. But not to the formation unless absolutely necessary.

 

This all or nothing stuff is stupid.

Those that made their minds up based on recruitment or preseason sentiment, let's reassess already. Decent start.

 

The Harrogate game was more about how they played than us. Yes we lacked a bit of width on this occasion but Harrogate work rate of the ball closings us down for 90 minutes not giving us a minute. Forcing our wing backs deep was the reason for the result. Not the formation in my opinion.
We played some good stuff against Stevenage with a different formation and got a good result

 

This is bang on. On Monday we had a left sided midfielder available and had put in a good performance in the EFL trophy yet was overlooked in favour of a right sided midfielder now out for two weeks injured. No surprise we looked balanced yesterday, due to a system that gave the players confidence.

 

The worry for me is that it was more by accident than design; I'm not convinced Stuart would have chosen that formation or line-up had we not had the injuries we had.

 

How can he play there all the time when McCall has already stated he can play numerous positions? Playing right side midfield and playing right in a diamond are two completely different roles. And midfielders always favour playing either Central, right or left. We wouldn't play Connor Wood at right back or Stephen Darby at left back, it's the same principle with midfielders.