Team v Stevenage

[CreamofSumYungGai]

Brill

Judd Coulson Happe Widdowson

JMD Wright Clay Brophy

Angol Wilkinson

Subs:
Sarge
Marvin
Ogie
Gorman
Dennis
Harold
Ruel

[Rich Tea Wellin]

It’s interesting that on the fans show last night, the Stevenage fan said that they were certain to play 5-3-2. I do wonder if this affects Ross’ decision.

I’d be tempted to stick with it and match them. Imo it’s the best system for home games. It’s just too wide open with the players we have when we are away.

[Red_Army]

I'm not sure you can drop Ling for Judd given Ling had a decent game against Cheltenham and Judd had a stinker against Plymouth, but we know why you've chosen that lineup.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

I didn't see Plymouth so can't comment on how Judd played, but if you say he had a stinker then so be it.

I did see Ling at Macc and I can't believe Judd was any worse than that.

JMD needs a full back behind him who will go past him, Lingy won't do that.

[BiggsyMalone]

Brill

Judd Coulson Happe Widdowson

Wright Clay Gorman

JMD Dennis Angol

[eagwgw]

Formation change would be knee-jerk at this time I feel, we should either work on different things in training or target some new players to come in.

Couple of games in it seems to me that we have a lot of passing around in areas where we aren't going to hurt the opposition. We played a high defensive line but have been done for pace in two of the games so far, I am sure Stevenage might see that as a better way of scoring.

I think we are sorely lacking in transitioning from defence to attack. The wing-backs are not real wing-backs and lack skills to beat a man, or give good crosses consistently. Actually I think Widdowson had decent delivery at times, but he is rarely in a position to do it.

The two holding midfielders can pass it around but aren't the type of players to drive into space quickly and break. Both of them are the type of player who might partner up with another player who could do that (think who Vincelot/Dawson/Chambers partnered with).

That leaves the advanced midielder, probably JMD. If he is shut out of the game or has a bad one, the service to the strikers ends up being quite poor, as we have seen in the League games so far.

I'd be inclined to give Judd another chance to redeem himself, just how Marv will get another chance. I seem to remember when Lingy came back into the team and he also had a poor game, but the club tweeted him on a 'quality' performance.

Out of the two right-backs, both of them played around 20 games last season and Judd had the better performances by a long-way. Yes, it probably helped that Judd played when the team was fresh but it seems surprising how easily this is forgotten.

[Red_Army]

Formation change would be knee-jerk at this time I feel, we should either work on different things in training or target some new players to come in.

Couple of games in it seems to me that we have a lot of passing around in areas where we aren't going to hurt the opposition. We played a high defensive line but have been done for pace in two of the games so far, I am sure Stevenage might see that as a better way of scoring.

I think we are sorely lacking in transitioning from defence to attack. The wing-backs are not real wing-backs and lack skills to beat a man, or give good crosses consistently. Actually I think Widdowson had decent delivery at times, but he is rarely in a position to do it.

The two holding midfielders can pass it around but aren't the type of players to drive into space quickly and break. Both of them are the type of player who might partner up with another player who could do that (think who Vincelot/Dawson/Chambers partnered with).

That leaves the advanced midielder, probably JMD. If he is shut out of the game or has a bad one, the service to the strikers ends up being quite poor, as we have seen in the League games so far.

I'd be inclined to give Judd another chance to redeem himself, just how Marv will get another chance. I seem to remember when Lingy came back into the team and he also had a poor game, but the club tweeted him on a 'quality' performance.

Out of the two right-backs, both of them played around 20 games last season and Judd had the better performances by a long-way. Yes, it probably helped that Judd played when the team was fresh but it seems surprising how easily this is forgotten.

Judd wasn't bought in on Tuesday on merit (or the me-merit of Ling), but as rotation. Ling still holds the shirt- Judd has done nothing to prove that he should take it off Ling.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Are we forgetting all of last seasons performances?

[eagwgw]

If Ling had a 4/10 performance against Macclesfield, and Judd has a 4/10 against Plymouth, that means Ling holds the shirt by default? Not forgetting that Judd's game was against much harder opposition.

In my own opinion Judd had a better season than Ling did last year, so he should have started as first choice this one. That's an opinion based off 20+ games, not just the last one. I would be saying the same thing for any two players in any position.

If a squad player has to play a blinder the very first game he comes into the side in order to keep his place otherwise we revert back to the status quo, we aren't gonna have much competition, especially as it looks like we may be one of the weaker sides.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

Formation change would be knee-jerk at this time I feel, we should either work on different things in training or target some new players to come in.

Couple of games in it seems to me that we have a lot of passing around in areas where we aren't going to hurt the opposition. We played a high defensive line but have been done for pace in two of the games so far, I am sure Stevenage might see that as a better way of scoring.

I think we are sorely lacking in transitioning from defence to attack. The wing-backs are not real wing-backs and lack skills to beat a man, or give good crosses consistently. Actually I think Widdowson had decent delivery at times, but he is rarely in a position to do it.

The two holding midfielders can pass it around but aren't the type of players to drive into space quickly and break. Both of them are the type of player who might partner up with another player who could do that (think who Vincelot/Dawson/Chambers partnered with).

That leaves the advanced midielder, probably JMD. If he is shut out of the game or has a bad one, the service to the strikers ends up being quite poor, as we have seen in the League games so far.

I'd be inclined to give Judd another chance to redeem himself, just how Marv will get another chance. I seem to remember when Lingy came back into the team and he also had a poor game, but the club tweeted him on a 'quality' performance.

Out of the two right-backs, both of them played around 20 games last season and Judd had the better performances by a long-way. Yes, it probably helped that Judd played when the team was fresh but it seems surprising how easily this is forgotten.

Judd wasn't bought in on Tuesday on merit (or the me-merit of Ling), but as rotation. Ling still holds the shirt- Judd has done nothing to prove that he should take it off Ling.

Ling done plenty on Saturday to show he shouldn't retain it.

[Story of O]

I'm not sure you can drop Ling for Judd given Ling had a decent game against Cheltenham and Judd had a stinker against Plymouth, but we know why you've chosen that lineup.

Not even put Ling on the bench.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

I'm not sure you can drop Ling for Judd given Ling had a decent game against Cheltenham and Judd had a stinker against Plymouth, but we know why you've chosen that lineup.

Not even put Ling on the bench.

Not sure there's any point in having a player who can only play RB on the bench, is there? I went for Ogie who can play multiple positions but also to give him some experience around the first team squad.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

People have short memories...when Judd had a bit of a run in the team there were calls to extend his contract, he was getting 7/8 in the ratings threads and people loved his hard work and good defending. A few injuries and now we should keep bang average Ling in the team.

[eagwgw]

Can't imagine Sotiriou beating Alabi to the bench, big old James might be useful if we are winning and need to hold the ball in the corner (!)

Ling also did play midfield at times in pre-season, I wouldn't be against him getting a go there if Wright or Clay got injured, as part of a three. Seems more suited to him.

[Lucky7]

In the pre season games I saw Ling was far more useful as a midfielder

[Omygawd]

Against a team with no points....hmmmm

Brill

Alabi Harrold Trialist A (Mooney) Brophy

JMD Ling (Snr) Ruel S

Dennis Wilkinson Angol


We lose 14 -9

[O my gawd]

I'm not sure you can drop Ling for Judd given Ling had a decent game against Cheltenham and Judd had a stinker against Plymouth, but we know why you've chosen that lineup.

& drop Ekpiteta for a much lesser player in Judd.
That after all is the main reason JE went with 3 Centre Backs.
Unless you played Marvin as a defensive midfielder

[F*ck The Poor & Fat]

No changes to the last league team 11 and 352. More of the same and fingers crossed for a better performance.

Brophy ahead of Widdowson at home even if Joe is fit

No changes. That’s how I see it.

[Red_Army]

If Ling had a 4/10 performance against Macclesfield, and Judd has a 4/10 against Plymouth, that means Ling holds the shirt by default? Not forgetting that Judd's game was against much harder opposition.

In my own opinion Judd had a better season than Ling did last year, so he should have started as first choice this one. That's an opinion based off 20+ games, not just the last one. I would be saying the same thing for any two players in any position.

If a squad player has to play a blinder the very first game he comes into the side in order to keep his place otherwise we revert back to the status quo, we aren't gonna have much competition, especially as it looks like we may be one of the weaker sides.

Look I think right back is our weakest area. I don't rate either of our options there to be honest. I'm just calling it how it is. Judd was rotated in for a cup game, and didn't do enough to warrant keeping the shirt. I guarantee that Ling will start on Saturday, if fit.

[O my gawd]

People have short memories...when Judd had a bit of a run in the team there were calls to extend his contract, he was getting 7/8 in the ratings threads and people loved his hard work and good defending. A few injuries and now we should keep bang average Ling in the team.

Maybe those ratings were inflated by the rose tinted brigade who looked at him with affection as one of the bright lights from the Beshitty era.
Judd is slightly better defensively, but doesn't have the quality going forward. Ling is better header of the ball, has a long throw & is slightly better going forward. He edges it for me, oh to have to have a 1989 version of Terry Howard in the squad though.

[O my gawd]

I'm not sure you can drop Ling for Judd given Ling had a decent game against Cheltenham and Judd had a stinker against Plymouth, but we know why you've chosen that lineup.

Not even put Ling on the bench.

Not sure there's any point in having a player who can only play RB on the bench, is there? I went for Ogie who can play multiple positions but also to give him some experience around the first team squad.

Ling played in midfield in pre-season, so would be an asset on the bench & his long throw might be needed if we needed to go more direct.
You didn't include him because you have Lingphobia

[CreamofSumYungGai]

I'm not sure you can drop Ling for Judd given Ling had a decent game against Cheltenham and Judd had a stinker against Plymouth, but we know why you've chosen that lineup.

& drop Ekpiteta for a much lesser player in Judd.
That after all is the main reason JE went with 3 Centre Backs.
Unless you played Marvin as a defensive midfielder

That's not the reason we went to 3 at the back. It's because of deficiencies in midfield, not because of our 3 CBs. (Two of whom, as good as they are going to be, are still learning and prone to the odd gaffe).

It was a tough call between Marvin and Happe - the only reason I went as I did was to have Coulson next to Judd, a bit of experience to help him out.

Absolutely no way should marv go into CM.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

If Ling had a 4/10 performance against Macclesfield, and Judd has a 4/10 against Plymouth, that means Ling holds the shirt by default? Not forgetting that Judd's game was against much harder opposition.

In my own opinion Judd had a better season than Ling did last year, so he should have started as first choice this one. That's an opinion based off 20+ games, not just the last one. I would be saying the same thing for any two players in any position.

If a squad player has to play a blinder the very first game he comes into the side in order to keep his place otherwise we revert back to the status quo, we aren't gonna have much competition, especially as it looks like we may be one of the weaker sides.

Look I think right back is our weakest area. I don't rate either of our options there to be honest. I'm just calling it how it is. Judd was rotated in for a cup game, and didn't do enough to warrant keeping the shirt. I guarantee that Ling will start on Saturday, if fit.

Judd could have played a 10/10 starring role, scored a hat trick, but we'd still get a tweet from the club showing Lingys highlights from last season followed by him retaining the shirt this saturday.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

Not even put Ling on the bench.

Not sure there's any point in having a player who can only play RB on the bench, is there? I went for Ogie who can play multiple positions but also to give him some experience around the first team squad.

Ling played in midfield in pre-season, so would be an asset on the bench & his long throw might be needed if we needed to go more direct.
You didn't include him because you have Lingphobia

Fair point on throw ins (Although to be fair, they ain't that long, nowhere near Charlie Lee level). Didn't realise he was still being utilised as a cm either.

Given I've already included Ruel from the kids, I've no issue with Ogie being replaced by Lingy.

[eagwgw]

It would be quite harsh to say that Dennis has done nothing to earn a shirt, and therefore Wilkinson starts against Stevenage, as we were outplayed all game. Up against Scott Cuthbert, I think he might be more effective despite doing nothing against Plymouth.

Losing Koroma was a big blow, and the player most likely to make something out of nothing like he did, is probably Dennis.

Isn't really saying much that Ling starts, I know he will. Just think his treatment seems fairly different to Judd.

For example, Ling had a bad time against Blair Turgott away at Maidstone in the FA Cup. He also was at fault for the goal against Brackley in the FA Trophy and bad against Maidenhead... all times he kept his place for the next game.

On its own this isn't wrong, it could be strong management to demonstrate to a player that you have faith in him and a message to prove you wrong, Just seems that the management have plainly less patience with Judd despite him being playing better overall (IMO) last year.