Match Day Thread vs Mansfield 2nd April 2021

[Rich Tea Wellin]

First time I’ve watched us under Jobi. Not pretty but everyone seems more well drilled than I’ve seen since Justin was in charge. The high press are forcing errors and we look relatively comfortable atm.

[RedDwarf 1881]

Far less confident in our chances of a clean sheet now

I agree . Barring injuries why change a defence that's playing well.

It’s been changed because of injuries

OK , I didn't know that. Thanks

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

First time I’ve watched us under Jobi. Not pretty but everyone seems more well drilled than I’ve seen since Justin was in charge. The high press are forcing errors and we look relatively comfortable atm.

Exactly this.

It’s the style of football fletcher wanted...

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

The level of protection being afforded to Ling is ridiculous. Jobi practically playing behind Kemp to help him out.

[Eat The Rich]

First time I’ve watched us under Jobi. Not pretty but everyone seems more well drilled than I’ve seen since Justin was in charge. The high press are forcing errors and we look relatively comfortable atm.

Exactly this.

It’s the style of football fletcher wanted...

Its a very intensity style though. You can't just demand it of your players. You have to get them to buy in first. You have to make them want to run through walls for you. Fletcher missed that part out. He just came in cold and started instructing them to play an aggressive game. It doesn't work like that. Pochettino had similar issues when he first went to Spurs. There were some players there who didn't buy in but he got the rest of the group totally onside and was able to crowbar the coasters out. Winning the majority of the squad over though is the key. Jobi has so much good will and respect from this squad that they're clearly going that extra bit for him. They definitely didn't for Ross (draw your own conclusions) and Fletcher didn't seem interested in creating a bond with his squad. You can be a terrific coach but the man management stuff is just, if not more so important.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

The level of protection being afforded to Ling is ridiculous. Jobi practically playing behind Kemp to help him out.

At least he’s admitted the weakness and done something about it

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

The level of protection being afforded to Ling is ridiculous. Jobi practically playing behind Kemp to help him out.

At least he’s admitted the weakness and done something about it

^ yeah, not leaving your weakest link exposed as opposed to just hoping everything will be ok as we played under Embleton is smart.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

The level of protection being afforded to Ling is ridiculous. Jobi practically playing behind Kemp to help him out.

At least he’s admitted the weakness and done something about it

I’m taking this as a positive. He’s not got much choice in playing him but he’s aware he’s not up to it. He won’t want to renew his contract.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

First time I’ve watched us under Jobi. Not pretty but everyone seems more well drilled than I’ve seen since Justin was in charge. The high press are forcing errors and we look relatively comfortable atm.

Exactly this.

It’s the style of football fletcher wanted...

Its a very intensity style though. You can't just demand it of your players. You have to get them to buy in first. You have to make them want to run through walls for you. Fletcher missed that part out. He just came in cold and started instructing them to play an aggressive game. It doesn't work like that. Pochettino had similar issues when he first went to Spurs. There were some players there who didn't buy in but he got the rest of the group totally onside and was able to crowbar the coasters out. Winning the majority of the squad over though is the key. Jobi has so much good will and respect from this squad that they're clearly going that extra bit for him. They definitely didn't for Ross (draw your own conclusions) and Fletcher didn't seem interested in creating a bond with his squad. You can be a terrific coach but the man management stuff is just, if not more so important.

Did we even have the players then?

We have with DJ, Kemp, Brophy, Clay and Jobi.

[cymruO]

Good hardworking 1st half. Great to see Johnson score.

[Beradogs]

Kemp is like having two men. Everywhere and never gives the ball away. Defence look really solid. Ling playing well. Middle of midfield still our weakest area but as long as Clay and Cisse participate in the high tempo pressing which they are doing today then it’s enough.

[B.whitehouse+10more]

The level of protection being afforded to Ling is ridiculous. Jobi practically playing behind Kemp to help him out.

At least he’s admitted the weakness and done something about it

I’m taking this as a positive. He’s not got much choice in playing him but he’s aware he’s not up to it. He won’t want to renew his contract.

And if he goes you will turn your hatred to the next player or coach on your list, you seem to be a vindictive individual.

[Thor]

At half time of the clubs above us this is what’s happening. I’ve not included the top two as we’ve no chance of catching them.

Newport are winning
Morecombe are losing
Forest Green are losing
Tranmere are losing
Bolton full time drew

Looking good at half time

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Kemp is like having two men. Everywhere and never gives the ball away. Defence look really solid. Ling playing well. Middle of midfield still our weakest area but as long as Clay and Cisse participate in the high tempo pressing which they are doing today then it’s enough.

Kemp has hardly touched the ball.

The midfield is a man down because we’re playing with two right backs, but still beating Mansfield to the ball.

[Thor]

At least he’s admitted the weakness and done something about it

I’m taking this as a positive. He’s not got much choice in playing him but he’s aware he’s not up to it. He won’t want to renew his contract.

And if he goes you will turn your hatred to the next player or coach on your list, you seem to be a vindictive individual.

True he is an idiot that’s for sure.

[POSHO]

Missing a target man, in our case Wilkinson

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

At least he’s admitted the weakness and done something about it

I’m taking this as a positive. He’s not got much choice in playing him but he’s aware he’s not up to it. He won’t want to renew his contract.

And if he goes you will turn your hatred to the next player or coach on your list, you seem to be a vindictive individual.

No. Of the current squad, all of the other players are L2 standard or higher. Ling is the only one who clearly should be playing non-league.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Missing a target man, in our case Wilkinson

True.

Vigaro has had to resort to pumping those long aerial balls to widdowson on the other flank.

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

I’m taking this as a positive. He’s not got much choice in playing him but he’s aware he’s not up to it. He won’t want to renew his contract.

And if he goes you will turn your hatred to the next player or coach on your list, you seem to be a vindictive individual.

No. Of the current squad, all of the other players are L2 standard or higher. Ling is the only one who clearly should be playing non-league.

Not quite. Judd recently showed he should be playing in non league too but sadly he's the alternative to Ling at the moment. Next season we really need to nail down a proper quality starting right back.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

And if he goes you will turn your hatred to the next player or coach on your list, you seem to be a vindictive individual.

No. Of the current squad, all of the other players are L2 standard or higher. Ling is the only one who clearly should be playing non-league.

Not quite. Judd recently showed he should be playing in non league too but sadly he's the alternative to Ling at the moment. Next season we really need to nail down a proper quality starting right back.

Ok, fair point.

I should clarify that comment - I am happy, or at least understand, the role that every other player fulfils within the squad.

[gshaw]

And if he goes you will turn your hatred to the next player or coach on your list, you seem to be a vindictive individual.

No. Of the current squad, all of the other players are L2 standard or higher. Ling is the only one who clearly should be playing non-league.

Not quite. Judd recently showed he should be playing in non league too but sadly he's the alternative to Ling at the moment. Next season we really need to nail down a proper quality starting right back.

It's telling that a loan CM (Marsh) and a loan CB (Akinola) have been better than either of our two RBs on the books. Two new signings required there, plus an LB to compete / cover Widdowson so we never see Brophy wasted back there again

[Thor]

We have decent resilience however, the possession we seem to be conceding is a worry. We need to shorten the play up and keep possession.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

No. Of the current squad, all of the other players are L2 standard or higher. Ling is the only one who clearly should be playing non-league.

Not quite. Judd recently showed he should be playing in non league too but sadly he's the alternative to Ling at the moment. Next season we really need to nail down a proper quality starting right back.

It's telling that a loan CM (Marsh) and a loan CB (Akinola) have been better than either of our two RBs on the books. Two new signings required there, plus an LB to compete / cover Widdowson so we never see Brophy wasted back there again

You ain’t going to sign two new right backs.

One proper right back is what we need - and what we should have signed back in 2018 - with the still young and cheap Judd as cover.

[Eat The Rich]

No. Of the current squad, all of the other players are L2 standard or higher. Ling is the only one who clearly should be playing non-league.

Not quite. Judd recently showed he should be playing in non league too but sadly he's the alternative to Ling at the moment. Next season we really need to nail down a proper quality starting right back.

It's telling that a loan CM (Marsh) and a loan CB (Akinola) have been better than either of our two RBs on the books. Two new signings required there, plus an LB to compete / cover Widdowson so we never see Brophy wasted back there again

Surely one of Sweeney or Ogie needs a try first?

[RedDwarf 1881]

No. Of the current squad, all of the other players are L2 standard or higher. Ling is the only one who clearly should be playing non-league.

Not quite. Judd recently showed he should be playing in non league too but sadly he's the alternative to Ling at the moment. Next season we really need to nail down a proper quality starting right back.

It's telling that a loan CM (Marsh) and a loan CB (Akinola) have been better than either of our two RBs on the books. Two new signings required there, plus an LB to compete / cover Widdowson so we never see Brophy wasted back there again

True. We have to say goodbye to both Ling and Judd in the Summer.