Tomkinson & Kavanagh

3 but I don't think we would be allowed to postpone the Notts County game as it is an already postponed match so a risk we took when agreeing to rearrange it for then. Only other player who might be at risk of being called up is Oduor if he's done enough to get back into their squad as they play 1 game on the same day as we play Harrogate.

Got to hope that at least 1 of the 3 injured CBs are back ready for then or it will be interesting to see who we play RCB.

 

Watkins went off injured for Villa last night.
That must move Cook’s England call up at least 1 place.

 

Ha ha spat my tea out after reading that

 

I bet RS is delighted. It could turn out to be just the excuse he needs to deflect away from the real issues come the end of the season.

 

We have enough centrebacks and options up front to get something from these games

 

They have both been dreadful for us last few games. Won't be missed in my opinion

 

Platt must be close to a return, well I hope because I don't want Oyegoke playing centre back and kavanagh won't be missed on his recent form.

 

Tomkinson does not count towards the 3 missing/unavailable as he is a loan signing

Only players registered with their parent club are included

 

Loan signings count, last season Crewe postponed the game against us and 2 of the 3 players were loan players

 

Talk of Kavanagh being delayed so he can play on Tuesday.

 

Weird one isn't it? GA mentioned how he will rotate the squad after Saturday and how he needs to use the squad more..... then wants to delay Kavanagh, who has been a bench player anyway lately, when he could give Wilson or Pointon a run out? Kind of publicly tells you how far ahead he sees some over others.

 

After being so open in the middle of the pitch for the last 3 home games I wouldn't be surprised if we changed back to 352 so looking to play Kavanagh in his more natural position as a striker which the likes of Wilson and Pointon don't play.

 

I thought we were playing that? Well, it was more a 541 with Gilly and Richards wide, Rides Kelly and in CB and Odour and Wright helping Cook. Certainly had 5 at the back until McDonald came on during Saturday. I think it's a real problem, especially with the amount of people still under contract for next season that needs addressing. Until Platt and Stubbs are ready, we are a bit stumped. We tend to either go some form of 5 at the back or a 4231 and dont have the players for either.

I think he tried a 433 with a sitting DM after McDonald came on, but again just had the people in all the wrong positions. If you play a sitting DM, it needs to be one of McDonald or Smallwood, it doesn't seem either can play together. You need Gilly in there as the legs to cover space but he was RB and if he likes Walker as the bridge going forward, so be it. But he seems to juggle around and end up with square pegs in round holes.

For me, if he wants a back 4 again he needs a sitter, i'd go McDonald and drop Smallwood, Gilly and Walker fill the other CM roles. Although at this point i'd be using Pointon more and seeing what we have in guys like Wadsworth or other youths around the place, rather than giving time to players who wont be here next season. But I cant see it happening.

 

We've been playing 343/541 but before Walker got injured it was a 352. Oneo the issues with a 343 which happen with Hughes and happened on Saturday when we are under pressure the wingers get forced back to where the wing backs are which pushes the wing backs into full back. When McDonald came on it changed to a 4231 with Walker as a number 10 but as we kept being outnumbered in midfield Walker dropped deeper.

The 352 worked really well but once Walker and Pattison got injured against Doncaster we didn't have anyone else to play as left number 8 which is why we ditched it for the 343. In the summer we need to decide what formation we are going for and get the back ups to suit that. We started this season as a 352 then once Smith got injured we didn't have a partner for Cook so we went 343 and 4231 but barely had any wingers. Whatever formation we go for we've got to cut down the number of wingers we've got as I make it 5 plus Kavanagh and Walker who can play on the wing which is far too many.