Match Thread Away V Exeter City Saturday 6th February 1.00pm (with Poll)

Clearly come in as backup to Rowe and probably would've started yesterday so its bad luck for him he was injured.

 

They are different types Cooke is an out and out targetman whilst Rowe is similar to Novak who can play deeper

 

when donkeyson comes on its like we’re down to 10 men, he never wins a header, gets out jumped by Frodo Baggins, doesnt have a clue what to do.. usueless.. id rather have Huffer up front

 

A lot of fans on here just don't rate Clarke any more but the fact is that when he isn't playing FCD is very exposed. There have been games where people have said 'Clarke was poor today ' but the game I watched Clarke was doing a lot of work tracking back and helping FCD out.

 

Two totally different types of player.

 

Yes, but that doesn't tell me what they're going to do with Cook. Callum is going to keep his spot, so is Rowe, the wings are irrelevant to Cook, and Novak will be back at some point.

So what are we going to do with him?

 

Very strange view point, I thought when Clayton came on and we went 3 at the back their full backs who up to this point had been given the freedom of the pitch suddenly had to tuck in and guard against the possible flick on’s. It makes little difference that he didn’t flick on anything of note, his presence was enough! Pritchard also kept their defenders honest when he came on.
Sorry I know a forum is about different view points but I can’t take anyone seriously who would rather play a reserve keeper up front than a tried and tested striker who’s best years might be behind him but always gives his all AND follows a game plan

 

Totally disagree with your last paragraph.
The only communicating ROD does is scream at players when he is picking the ball out of his net, passing the buck.
And as for commanding his area, REALLY !!

 

Each to their own and I'm not suggesting ROD is perfect in any way but if he'd have been in net I'd be very confident we wouldn't have conceded that sloppy 3rd goal against Exeter.

Don't forget, in the home game against Cambridge Hornby was also massively indecisive about coming out and we were very fortunate to get away with it that time.

 

Hornby’s distribution is better as well . OD has the experience though which counts as a keeper

 

Wow! The same Hornby who consistently puts it into touch under the slightest bit of pressure?

To avoid being seen as completely negative Hornby looks a good shot stopper but his kicking has been horrendous for the most part.

 

Just to add balance, I have to say I totally agree with you on these aspects.

 

To be fair Hornbys kicking has improved game by game. He's only just started a run of games after a year on the bench so he's bound to need time to get fully up to speed. We've been unbeaten until last Saturday under his watch so he hasn't done that bad. I prefer him to ROD because any high balls into the box he claims, his distribution is way ahead of ROD and I think he's the one who could claim that spot for years to come. Cut out the rash decision making and I think he's done OK.

 

Obviously no real comparison, but City last night v Liverpool, played without a dedicated striker, similar to how we set up on Saturday. The difference, and it was pointed out by the commentators, was that they dropped their high press and looked for Liverpool to come at them, then catch them on the break. This ensured there was always bodies in midfield.

On Saturday, it was apparent we took the opposite approach, and were really trying to close down their back line as soon as they got the ball. Granted, it got us a goal (our second), but what I do think it created, was a lot of space and time for Exeter's midfield to control play and tempo (and pick and choose which flank to exploit). I think we'd have had better control of play, if we'd have sat back a bit, and looked to break when our midfield got the ball. The whole tempo of ours seemed a bit rushed. Our forwards were charging at their centrebacks, leaving gaps behind them, and our defence were never really on the ball long enough to feed Watt, Sutton etc, because they were hoofing it up the park.

Let's see how we set up on Tuesday (if it goes ahead) with hopefully Rowe and the others who were out, back in the team.

 

ROD does left in a few soft ones but he's calmer and has more of a presence. With Hornby now it is always at the back of your mind that he has a rash moment in him given what happened against Port Vale and Exeter. I think he is proving he is a solid enough back up and he is much better than the likes of Sattelmaier and Raeder (or whatever he was called) but I dunno if I'd be comfortable with him being no. 1 next season. O'Donnell is the better, on balance, for me.

 

Over 3000 watched the game Saturday.

 

What!! He won each of his first three in the air and was fouled for the next two, played two good through passes and won a third free kick on the touch line when Exeter decided fouling was the way to stop him. What game were you watching?

 

Glad some body was watching the same game as me. Ok Donaldson is well past his best but for 20 minutes he gave us a target in the middle of the field and caused them to back off which gave room to our other attackers.

 

In what way is Hornbys distribution better than ROD's? I'm only asking because it looks to me like a major weakness in Hornbys game with the amount of times he finds touch.

Does he throw it early and accurately? No.
Does he knock 60 yard balls to feet like Pickford used to? No.
Does he at least always keep it in a good area? No.

So whilst not proclaiming ROD has amazing distribution, just what is it that Hornby does well to make his "way ahead" of ROD's?

 

That's what happened to Guthrie in his final appearance - everyone just tuned out, stopped watching, and assumed he played poorly.