Must-win games are something of a cliché, I suppose, but you'd have to think that anything less than 3 points today would be a serious dent in any aspirations towards the auto slots. Not just from a points perspective, but perhaps more importantly for the morale of the entire club and its fanbase. It's hard to understand or accept the way we have capitulated from bright starts over the last few games and I think the players and the coaches have to be putting down a clear marker today. I also think we've been very lucky indeed in that those immediately around us have underperformed too and the pack who were way back even a few games ago, are now right on our heels and we need to show vastly more character today than has been the case of late. The gaffer must lead the way in terms of how he sets up and what message he conveys to the players, likewise the lads themselves, who simply must be braver. I can't accept that experienced pros who routinely fail to execute the even basics, do so solely because of the coach.
As for the team selection, I'll admit I'm finding it hard with the injury list still substantial and some players looking short of match sharpness. It's very clear to see how much damage the absences of both starting FBs has done and still it goes on with Ryan now crocked again and Fozzy only just back in training. My finger in the air selection with suggested alternatives / subs would be...
The formation would be a not uncommon variation on a 4-3-3, but with a focus on deploying players where they typically play best and with the aim of providing some balance whereby we have our lefties deployed on the left where possible, likewise the righties on the right. This means I have the mildly controversial pick of Joe Ward at RB, but I don't believe we've seen anything like the best of him as yet and I'd be reasonably confident that he is the best cover for the absent Nyambe, with Korey Smith starting in MF.
For much the same reason, I'd have Elder at LB. He's the nearest to like for like with Fozzy and like Fozz, he can whip the ball in early and at pace and that may well play to Gayle's strengths more than floated balls delivered from out wide. Nelson and Cashin pick themselves and Wildsmith retains my slightly diminished confidence in the 1 spot. Bradley drops from the starting line up as he looks best in a back 3 and I'm hoping that's not our preferred route today. Bradley has become a hate-figure for some, but he's shown he's a decent player. Sadly, the system he seems to need to prosper seems to suit him far more than any other current personnel. I don't mind a back 5 as an attacking set up, I just don't like it for us when we're trying to keep things tight and if I had to play one formation, it wouldn't be a back 5.
Midfield is an even bigger quandary and while I'll doubtless get pulled up over it, I've plumped for Bird and Smith either side of Ebou. Hourihane seems to wander too deep to make use of his passing ability and I think Korey and Max could do some damage today with Ebou screening the back four to give them the required freedom.
Up top, Barks starts on the left with doubts in my mind as to CBT's fitness. Neither has looked great in recent games, though CBT has clearly had an issue of some sort. I'd look to give him 30 minutes to show what he can do against tired legs, assuming that's not beyond him.
Gayle to start at 9 and notch his first goal for the Rams today, with Nate restored to the flanks where he most often prospers. Wags and Wilson to provide energy when Gayle and Nate tire, with Sibs a wildcard depending on how things stand. Louie's been trying hard to improve his team-play of late and I'd hope he'd continue to get gametime. He must show more than last time out though, as he won't get many more chances if he doesn't.
As it is, I'm going with a 3-0 win and Gayle to net first today, but in truth we simply must secure the win today, however we play. Anything less, is nowhere near enough, now we've squandered our advantage with back-to-back losses. A huge step up is then the order of the day and a resounding win with a clean sheet the aim.
So that's my pointless attempt to pick a team, which will doubtless resemble PW's selection not one iota 😂
COYR
We need 5 at the back, a sweeper and 3 defensive midfielders for this one. Port Vale are a really good team and have athletes all over the park and good players at this level. 3 months ago they passed the ball through midfield so we’ll need to avoid that area at all costs. Make it into a battle and get it wide and whip it in for the big man up front. Keep this tight and hope to nick one late on then add another defender. It’s a tough game and they’ll have some fans there so we are probably the underdogs and must approach the game with caution.
COYR - #Believe
So can I be bothered to fight my way through rush hour traffic, struggle to find a parking space followed by a long walk to the stadium. And then spend another £30 or so pre-match to watch the team trying to play while wearing their Paul Warne-designed straight jackets and throw away another chance to advance our promotion chances and then trudge back to the car disappointed, frustrated and angry?
Damned right I can. On my way right now!
COME ON YOU RAMS!!!!
PS my Amazon order of full stops and commas arrives in the morning!
Excellent. A vital 3 points. For me it's a win despite of rather than because of the manager, but at least we got over the line. Sibley should have been on the field 81 minutes earlier, but at least he was finally brought on with a whole 9 minutes to score the goal. Come on you Rams!
We're already not the team with the worst ever top flight points total in one of the 5 big leagues, Tasmania Berlin only got 8 points in the 1965-66 Bundesliga. Even adjusting to 3 points per win, they would have only had 10 points.
