Walsall Away 23rd February

I’ve said the last three weeks, but I’d like to see Christmas Tree formation return.
O’Donnell
Caddis. O’Conner. NKP. Chicksen
Butterfield Akpan. O’Brien
Payne Clarke
Doyle

I’d actually rather see a 4-2-2-2 with Clarke and Payne operating behind the front two but from a wider position. But since we haven’t played this way all season it’s not going to happen.

Christmas tree allows Butterfield and O’Brien to push on but have Akpan in cover. Hopkin said himself Butterfield is more suited to further up the field and we know what O’Brien is capable of. Issue is it leaves the full backs exposed and where Chicksen could become exploited. We don’t have any width so we need to start to dominate the middle of the park. It’s clear everyone is targeting Payne, so Clarke, Butterfield and O’Brien have the potential to exploit any space left.

 

Drop Ball?

 

Depends, was the stoppage due to an unintentional incident?

 

Didn't see O'B, Butterfield or Clarke exploit any space against Plymouth.

Ball was our best attacker and he needs to start.

Payne is getting closer down because our tempo and pressing is too slow.

 

Ball for Clarke and I agree.

 

I think O'B may need a rest, but he probably won't get one. On that basis I hope he proves me wrong and plays a blinder.

 

Perhaps Ball for Clarke, however do that and we’re faced with the same issue and is Ball the type of player who naturally finds space and creates like Payne and Clarke? Harsh call I agree, not reflective on his form but more considering how the formation may best work.

 

Perhaps they didn’t, but were they set up or encouraged to do so? Who knows....?!

Agree dropping Ball in theory doesn’t make sense given recent form, but trying to consider how best to use a formation I think could be most effective. The ironic part of it all is that if we only had a target man, I wouldn’t consider anything but 3 behind one up top. We have all the tools for that formation.........bar the target man!

Agree, tempo has to pick up. I was at Wycombe and Fleetwood (can’t speak for Plymouth) but only glimpses of it at Wycombe. Fleetwood non existent. Got to go at Walsall tomorrow. If we concede still don’t change the plan, keep going at them.

 

Do we know if Calum Woods is now back fit? I got to say Chicksen had a cracker last week so can't really drop him as such.

Be interesting if he changes the team from Saturday, I thought we lacked some balance through out the game until the last 25 when we was actually on top of them.

Hopefully Anderson gets a bit longer game time too.

 

Doyle has been poor in front of goal and missed chances plus his movement is poor, We should put him on the bench and move Ball up front and play a dedicated midfielder in his place, This would both strengthen midfield and put a more mobile forward up front who is a good finisher

 

Agree with that. Plus balls hold up play is much better.

Doyle has been shocking

 

think we need to give some serious backing to the boys tomorrow, Walsall are always poorly attended and we need to make the most of any advantage we have. they see it as much of a 'must win' as we do and will be desperate for 3 points, we need to go into that crappy tin box/ industrial unit of a ground and just do what needs to be done

 

Ooo,you’re hard!

 

Setting off in an hour can't wait for this one a good breakfast once we get ther and pre match drinks with the "locals"
Bookies have Walsall as slight favorites which suits me
Can see a scrappy 1-0 win for us starting a gradual climb to safety
This is the biggest game we have had for quite some time just hope Mr Hopkin gets his tactics right

 

Good one, I wanted to go but I have been a bit of a Jonah this season, so staying at home. Lovely weather as well in total contrast to the last time we played them. How many will be there do you think?

 

I’ve gone 1-1 draw in my prediction. I will not be logging on here at 5pm if that is the result

 

I bet you will

 

Yes we are desperate for a scoring win, but I don’t give up hope until the numbers don’t add up. It will make it very difficult if we don’t win, but who knows!

 

Plenty of City fans on the M62 already.
Bescott Stadium here we come.