Promotion watch (now with Poll)

No it isn't but I worry about the psychological impact a defeat like that could have

 

It’s the level of defending that worried me. Defend like that against Chesterfield, Donny and Notts County and we’ll lose.

 

Not a tough game IMO, I think Vale will win comfortably.

 

Without Smallwood to marshall them they looked lost at the back. That's my worry for the next three games, Smallwood knitted it all together. Huge ask for young Khela to step up and grab the mantle.

 

Who else can we play there? Maybe Sarcevic.

 

He probably could but we would lose so much of the benefit of having him back

 

Baldwin?

 

Possibly Baldwin. But again, not ideal

 

There is no ideal solution. We simply do not have another player who does what Smallwood does.

 

They'll simply have to get on with it. Let's remember Notts, Chesterfield or Donny - won't be relishing playing us either.

 

I do worry that we are going to panic and decide to go for experience so we put Sarcevic in from the start alongside Pattison on Thursday which would be a huge risk. For me it's got to be Pattison and Khela in the middle and go back to the old fashioned way with a middle 2 when teams played 442, when one of them goes the other one sits which will take a lot of communication and understanding between the 2 of them but I can't see any other way as I'm not sure if either are disciplined enough to sit for 90 minutes.

 

I think if its Pointon, them two and Sarcevic then there's enough guille and discipline for us to survive. I honestly wouldn't rule Baldwin out eitherc - he's an excellent ball carrier and passer, who could sit in front of the back three. Certainly it could be a Plan B.

But yes, even I can't happy clap this one - Smallwood missing is a big blow.

 

I don't. The fact they kept going and were somewhat remarkably leading in the 90th minutes, shows us that this a team far different to past ones.

Plus they've not lost two on the trot all season. Yes. Smallwood been out is a big blow - but there is enough skill in the squad to cover that. I think Kella could be disciplined enough to play that sitting role.

 

We've defended well all season.
Don't let one game put doubt in you.

 

Look at the remaining fixtures for the top 8.
This season is going all the way.

 

Could just do with plenty of draws.

 

Don't worry, 3 wins on the spin are coming. Promotion away at Donny, then Fleetwood is a 90 minute party!

 

Didn't we once try Oduor there?





Sorry.....

 

So much at stake in the next 3 weeks. If we go up we’re playing Huddersfield, Bolton ,Barnsley and Rotherham. If we stay in this division we can look forward to Cambridge, Barnet, Shrewsbury. Today’s result and the Smallwood brain dead moment has just flattened me.

 

You and a lot of others as well. Bizarre decision.