Ghost of Clough

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cheers. Love your academy contributions - they are much appreciated by others too I'm sure.

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)

5 goals for Brown. 3 assists for Allen
 

Seems like some of them are very close to the matchday 18 as they were in it last night! 

It's worth remembering it was only Elder's first league start since September. It'll take him a few games to get up to speed but I thought he was very solid up until the mistake for their equaliser. Elder and Sibley will be good enough until Forsyth is back. By which point, we can judge if he deserves to keep a starting spot over Forsyth.

Cheers GoC. Against Notts County I assume.

These 4 subs were made at half time

It's worth remembering it was only Elder's first league start since September. It'll take him a few games to get up to speed but I thought he was very solid up until the mistake for their equaliser. Elder and Sibley will be good enough until Forsyth is back. By which point, we can judge if he deserves to keep a starting spot over Forsyth.

It's worth remembering it was only Elder's first league start since September. It'll take him a few games to get up to speed but I thought he was very solid up until the mistake for their equaliser. Elder and Sibley will be good enough until Forsyth is back. By which point, we can judge if he deserves to keep a starting spot over Forsyth.

I agree with that, I didn’t last night think it was all Elder’s fault and I still feel the same today. He’s made an error, for sure, however I don’t know why we needed to leave him as the only man back when we were in the lead at that point. It’s a moot point now I guess, I just don’t think he’s as bad as some make out. His cross played a part in the second goal we scored, his clearing header led to the counter in which NML nearly scored then he made up the ground to get on the rebound and hit the target himself with a defender or the keeper blocking it on the line. I’m happy to give him more time.

Blimey Eddie - you seem to be comparing our team with some untrained Second World War heroes who took on the Nazi's with a spade and a fork.
I accept the team are gutsy and of great character. Management too. However, when you describe them as a bunch of shoestring-budget journeymen and kids you lose me.  We are in League 1, which consists almost entirely of shoestring-budget journeymen and kids.  In my opinion our bunch (squad) of shoestring-budget journeymen and kids are the strongest in the league. I can't personally think of another squad I would swap with. Peterboro or Bolton perhaps, but I really doubt it.
I said at the start of the season that with our squad, in what is a weak league, we should and must finish top two. I also said that in spite of Warne we should achieve it. I still think we will, but I really can't say the team has improved much in terms of playing controlled football this season.  I opt to watch less these days, and my last 3 watches have been Stevenage, Peterborough and Burton. In none of those games have we shown any decent game management. We just seem so open at times in a desire to go toe to toe. It'll probably work if we pick up a couple of decent players this window, but will we get them? Of the 12(?) players we bought in the summer how many have been useful, and improved the team and its footballing quality. Nelson, Nyambe and perhaps Wilson. 
Overall I am happy we have another 3 points, and I can't wait for promotion, which I will celebrate like everyone. But lets not think we are achieving results as some plucky underdog. We are better than that, and Warne needs to cut out the mistakes he is making - see @Caerphilly Ram's viewpoint on his weaknesses above. He should also ensure he buys/prioritises a good midfielder to support Bird and Hourihane.

Don't believe so

For reference, we paid £350k for Ben Davies over 10 years ago and felt it was reasonable value for money.

Wildsmith
Wilson   Nelson   Cashin   Elder
Bird   Hourihane   Thompson
Barkhuizen   Collins   Mendez-Laing

Subs: Vickers, Bradley, Ward, Sibley, DRobinson, DBrown, John-Jules
Vickers hasn't done enough to prove why he should be in the team ahead of Wildsmith.
Elder needs to build on his first start.
Out current version of 442 lacks balance, hence a change to 433. If Forsyth was fit, I would be starting Sibley at AM. However, he'll be needed at LB to finish the game so a place on the bench it is.

Wildsmith
Wilson   Nelson   Cashin   Elder
Bird   Hourihane   Thompson
Barkhuizen   Collins   Mendez-Laing

Subs: Vickers, Bradley, Ward, Sibley, DRobinson, DBrown, John-Jules
Vickers hasn't done enough to prove why he should be in the team ahead of Wildsmith.
Elder needs to build on his first start.
Out current version of 442 lacks balance, hence a change to 433. If Forsyth was fit, I would be starting Sibley at AM. However, he'll be needed at LB to finish the game so a place on the bench it is.

For reference, we paid £350k for Ben Davies over 10 years ago and felt it was reasonable value for money.

Brannagan wouldn't dominate in a midfield 2 against a 3 like Posh have.
He's a younger Hourihane