Ghost of Clough

"Unsavable"? You've never seen keepers stop similar shots before? Goal 1 - Vickers' positioning was very good, but was too slow to get down Goal 2 - He was hesitant at closing the attacker down, then too slow when he did. He needed to delay the closing down a bit longer, timing it so that he could instantly be at the attacker's feet as he arrived in the area. He gave far too much space to his right hand side then dived to his left. Both were contributory factors towards making an easy chance even easier.

Going through these... Carlisle - Moxon had a pretty ordinary game, Gibson came off the bench and struggled to make an impact, Lavelle had a solid defensive game Wigan - Humphrys came off the bench and scored his penalty in the shootout. Tickle and Morrison were unused subs Mansfield - didn't play Chesterfield - Dobra got booked and came off after 70 minutes Forest Green - didn't play Newport - Evans scored, McLoughlin got a full 90, Bogle didn't play Doncaster - Ironside came off the bench and scored his goal in the shootout. Bailey scored the equaliser, then scored in the shootout. Anderson wasn't in the squad.

No

The defenders I like are injury prone, so a big no. Wings, Savage and Knibbs are decent mids but wouldn't be a significant improvement on our starting 11 but would add depth. Azeez would be a starter on the right wing. Smith with be strong competition upfront and likely a regualr starters.

Against Oxford and Peterborough only... Saves: 7 Goals Conceded: 5 Goals Prevented: -2.2 (alternative source used) Save Rate: 58% Clean Sheets: 0 Using the same source for individual games, Vickers has had a 'Goals Prevented' of -1.6 over these last 2 league games. He's also conceded 3 goals without making a single save (0% save %) across the two games.

I recall it was mostly Thompson on for John-Jules to help with the control of the game in the middle of the pitch and to freshen our press. Before and after their 2nd, a few wanted Brown on for John-Jules. It wasn't working for him last night, so bringing on the only attacking player on our bench was a sensible suggestion- 5 goals today for the U21s shows he's hungry for goals with a point to prove.

To many, a change at half time was needed. The calls for changes intensified shortly after our 2nd goal as we had no control of the game and were struggling to pass the ball at times. It shouldn't have taken 37 minutes and 2 goals conceded to realise a change was required.

Wildsmith Saves: 52 Goals Conceded: 22 Goals Prevented: 0.6 Save Rate: 75% Clean Sheets: 10 Vickers Saves: 2 Goals Conceded: 4 Goals Prevented: -1.8 Save Rate: 33% Clean Sheets: 0 There's one clear winner

Most teams send both CBs up for corners. Usually, a couple of the smaller/quicker players hang back on the half way line (typically the full backs)

We started with 4 first team players so I'd hope they're close 😅 Sibley and Thompson involved with the first half goals. Ward and Fornah the other two involved. DRobinson and DBrown are the closest from our U21s but would benefit from loans for slightly different reasons. Robbo needs first team minutes now so he can kick on and progress, whilst Brown needs a loan to get over the mental gap between U21 and first team football. I see him as being in a similar situation as Whittaker when he was put in the first team too early - he looked a bit lost and wasn't playing anywhere near to what he was capable of and showed in U21/23 games. On ability, I would put them at L1 and L2 level respectively. Weston and Bartley a little further behind, perhaps NL level. Bartley's physicality means he'd be able handle himself at that level too.

5 goals for Brown. 3 assists for Allen

Still going for more...

Brown just got his hattrick too. 8-1 A 6 minute hattrick for Weston (15 mins on the field) 🤪

"we definitely will not get promotion playing kids." We'll never find out because Warne favours experienced players, even from his loan signings. Thompson, Rooney and Brown are the only players aged 21 or younger to feature this league season and been on the pitch for a total of only 467 minutes (limited by injuries) I'm also not surprised our top scorers are all 30+. John-Jules and DBrown are the only forwards (CFs or wingers) who are under 30 (Wilson is a wing back playing out of position). The two of them have played 300 minutes combined in the league. Perhaps the answer is actually signing younger attack minded players. A confirmed target is 26 year old Blackett-Taylor so it doesn't quite fit your OAP narrative.

These 4 subs were made at half time

Central League Cup. None of these fixtures have been listed on Flash Scores or similar

Ward shot just wide following another Thompson cut back. 3-0 at HT

Below, I've highlighted who I consider to be the three most likely options The top 3 rated players from the 4 clubs I previously mentioned (min 20 games played): Carlisle - Moxon (CM, 7.00), Gibson (RW, 6.86), Lavelle (CB, 6.77) Wigan - Humphrys (RW, 7.05), Tickle (GK, 6.91), Morrison (CB, 6.81) Mansfield - Keillor-Dunn (AM, 7.53), Flint (CB, 7.24), Maris (CM, 7.23) Chesterfield - No Whoscored ratings... Dobra has been loosely linked Bolton and Barnsley are also playing, but I'd be extremely surprised if they sold to us. Other clubs in action (L1 or lower): Forest Green - McAllister (RW, 7.04), Inniss (CB, 6.71), Bunker (DM, 6.66) Newport - Evans (CF, 7.07), McLoughlin (RB, 6.94), Bogle (CF, 6.90) Doncaster - Ironside (CF, 6.85), Bailey (CB, 6.81), Anderson (CB, 6.81)

Sibley's on fire! A few minutes ago, Thompson rounded the keeper, cut back for Brown who had a shot cleared off the line.

Don't believe so

Senior players need minutes. I also mentioned previously that Ward could do with a few u21 games to rebuild his confidence. Based on the subs, it looks like they won't get a full game: Perry (Ward), Gough (Sibley), Hawkins (Fornah), Weston (Thompson)

I'd rather develop someone with more potential. I've said it before, but I consider Robinson to be a lower L1 player so should be getting game time at this level Long ball would be a plan B. Plan A would still be to get it wide and cross. I'd still have Wildsmith starting no matter how we play