Match Thread Mansfield v City | League 2 | 17 October

Well that is a matter of opinion I posted on the night we looked better down the right than the left but best player on the night, lets say I disagree, a brave man to select the best player from that shambles against Harrogate.

Monday night was disappointing but anyone who watched the game could see the players seemed uncomfortable with the way they were asked to play, but we saw today once we got our noses in front we seemed to gain in confidence and really never looked like losing, by all means watch your video's of the opposition but I'm not sure matching opposition is a thing we should be constantly doing.
After today's performance IMO it would be very difficult to drop anyone.

 

If you think Liverpool play 4-4-2 then you need to get out of 1980 and get into 2020.

 

Sorry, but you didn't present any facts. Just a statement presented as a fact but actually your opinion. Sorry to point that out to you.

Ok, apologies but I didn't see you write specifically about the left side.

 

Today we found a system that works for the players we have. A good manager would have decided on a system and then recruited players to play it. Unfortunately, we recruited the players and then tried to find a system. That inevitably means there are gaps. We looked good today and should stick with the system but you can bet your bottom dollar with Stuart we won't. That's what is so frustrating about him. He never seems to see the obvious. But fair play to him, today he did. We'll see how he goes on Tuesday.

 

For me its not who played well, they all performed well on the day but more of what it will do to the likes of BRE or DMH confidence coming in and helping get 3 points at what many were saying when they were signing quality was a hard game and then get dropped, we shouldn't be fearing Walsall or Newport at Valley Parade I hope Stuart is thinking the same.

 

Cheer up guys we won 3 - 1, a couple of home wins in our next two home games and were up there.

 

Liverpool mainly play 4-3-3 but as Man City they also have used 4-4-2 They like most top teams use a variation of 4 at the back and then a combination of 4-1-4-1, 4-3-3, or 4-4-2 but often change within a game They rarely if ever play 3 at the back as with better players it is a flawed system as it can leave major spaces top players can take advantage of and punish defences

 

Neither Liverpool or Everton play 442!

 

The problem I see is they played well today but haven't shown to maintain that level of performance YET, they may do though. Let's hope so. At least in the right sided role we have Evans or Hosanah perhaps as well as Dylan. If we focus on our strengths we will be a much better team.

 

Tuesday we play the team with the longest unbeaten run in England - Walsall - then we face second place Newport who are flying.

Beating either will be impressive, 4 or even 6 points will be strong evidence that we're a top side.

 

In an ideal world and under normal global circumstances i would have agreed with you. However, as an average league two team , in the middle of a pandemic, with a capped spending limit, it's impossible to select a system then recruit accordingly. We're a small fish in a small pond feeding off scraps. Getting decent players we can afford is all we can hope to do and hope we can play them in a winning formation.

 

But this is the point, if we keep swapping and changing every week how the hell are we supposed to get a settled side that get better by playing with each other. Today was a good result with some good football played, let the lads keep the shirt for a few games and let the opposition worry about us for a change.

 

A good time to play both, especially at home after two chalk and cheese results. Let's see if today can be backed up and whether it was Bradford playing well or a combination of Bradford playing well and Mansfield being not so good (didn't see first half).

 

YOU ARE DELUDED IF YOU THINK ONE WIN SORTS EVERYTHING OUT. IT DOESN'T.

 

Mike Bassett

 

Not quite. They are fluid and interchangeable. How they appear on the graphic at the start of the game isn’t how they play in reality

 

No, but it makes as much sense as saying one defeat is the end of our season.
P.S. No need to shout.

 

No need to shout. And be patient.

 

We all come to a fixture having a team in our minds that WE would play. The problem is that non of us know if there are players with knocks or illness or simple tiredness. Stuart does.

 

What today tells us if you give players a basic formation 4-4-2 to play. Then most players know it and can organise around it. Keep it simple do not over complicate the game at this level. Mansfield showed why the have started poorly but did have more shots on goal. But we got the opening we needed when their keeper chucked it in. Then we started to play a bit that delivered Wood's deft finish for 2-0. Then it was about sticking to the task in the second half but Mansfield were pressing early on. Donaldson getting the header in for the third gave us game. But also him falling over to get their lad sent off. The Don had a good game today.

I was impressed with Bryce Hosanah he was good on the ball; good with his forward running and passing. He actually made DM look better in front of him. Same with the left Wood arguably MOM with Pritchard in front worked. It meant we won the flank battles up and down. On either side the strikers then had a hope of getting the ball into them.

Novak was involved and did well with The Don as a pair. He had an early chance but it went begging. In the centre of midfield Cooke had his best game of the season and Watt was assured in possession and able to control the play. O'Donnell slipped more than once when clearing but the redeemed himself with a couple of vital stops. BRE and AOC generally dealt with things in the centre of defence. But your always thinking theres a rick in both.

Overall got to be pleased we immediately responded to the Harrogate defeat. Defintely Stuart switching to a 442 worked. I see no reason to change this v Walsall who will be a test being unbeaten so far. The players who have the shirts deserve to keep them injuries apart. Can this be something to build on - absolutely yes.