RodleyRam

I've been thinking for a while that the football under Warne reminds me of the BD promotion season. Not what I would class as pleasing on the eye but mostly effective with some entertaining moments. It's not even remotely in the realms of Paul Jewell or Nigel Pearson for me. I don't think the negativity around Warne is justified but I do wish we set up to let our technical superiority shine through more than it does. For me the highest quality and most entertaining I've seen is as follows: 1. Mac1 2. Bald Eagle 3. Uncle George

Joining the party late on this thread and haven't read any posts, apologies if there's repetition. My view is that the central midfielders we have in the squad are strong for this level. However, playing just 2 is not enough to get control or play to their strengths. I think we should be looking at a 4-3-3 which I think would be better suited to our personnel right now and give us another body in the middle of the park to gain control. We could still have width through the front three and overlaps from the full backs. As it is we don't have numbers to play through the middle so our tactic of 'get it wide' is too predictable and easy to combat.

Rams 5 - 0 Cheltenham FRGS CBT we need a big statement win

How utterly disappointing

I predict a riot Beyond that Reading 0 - 1 Rams NML

Imps 1 - 2 Rams FRGS Collins Another ground out victory

I guess there's more to a youngster making their senior debut to just their skill level. Hughes wasn't physically strong, could have been very immature etc. at 15 and things can change quite quickly on those areas for a lad that age. Guess it just goes to show how tricky it is to really know at that age, there's so many variables and changes yet to come. I used to play with a lad called Eddie Johnson who was one of the hottest prospects in the Man Utd academy at 15/16 and nailed on for stardom by all accounts. Don't think he ever played higher than League 1 kind of level and ended up in the US. So much of it is down to chance and circumstances.

Cash has been getting better and better for me this season, just so composed, positionally much stronger and making better decisions. Distribution has also been excellent. Really good to hear his affection for the club, hopefully it means he will help to make sure we get maximum value from him when we sell. Maybe he'll be convinced to stay if we get promoted.

I heard he has been dropped because he ridiculed Warne's bobble hat / why wall / David Brent impression* *Insert completely made up fact here

I would say CH was the driving force behind the come back at Oxford and on a few other occasions come up with the goods when it counts. I think he's a decent, stable leader who has the respect of the group. He's solid. In League 1 that kind of consistency and staying power over long periods go a long way. Agree with others about the midfield balance, don't think it's dynamic enough, gives us enough control or gets the best out of Bird or Hourihane but we have been the form team in the division for a few months, so my opinion is highly questionable.

Rams 3 - 1 Burton FRGS Birdy

No that's why it was such a rock and roll / hoolie move

I once threw a scotch egg at Jonny Rotten at a festival. Does that count?

I'd be interested to know from a heat map or touch analysis to confirm whether the 'we only play out wide' assessment of our play is correct. I would personally say from my observation that we have quite a mix of styles from slow build up and possession from deep, to more direct, quicker approach. I don't think this has always been appropriate to the in-game situation i.e. sometimes we're slow and cumbersome when we should be quicker and sometimes we need to put our foot on the ball and gain control but I don't think we religiously stick to one style of play. I don't see us militantly smashing it down the channels and get crosses in game in game out but it's just an observation without statistical analysis. I've seen us pass it through there middle, play triangles and create some lovely openings with one touch and movement. We have also scored from crosses and going direct. I don't think Warneball is exclusively one thing... It's too reductive to say so. Perhaps one of our resident stat people could tell us where the ball is in our possession most. I'm also not sure I fully agree with @Ambitiousassessment that we are chaotic, last season I would agree. At times we look exposed in the middle of the park when we play 2 in the middle but I don't know if that's chaos or a result of those players physical deficiencies or a failure to press as collectively as we should. I think it would look less chaotic if we added another CM against the better sides but I also don't think slow control of possession is necessarily the answer. We succeeded at Oxford because we pressed and moved the ball quickly, which exploited gaps and never let them gain control of them ball. It's difficult to maintain that level of energy week in week out though, which is why I think we need to continue to be adaptable and seek to control and dominate games using different approaches.

Using the sausage as a break water there... Textbook Partridge. You'll be telling us you've got a scam going with a big plate next.

Not at all uncommon in lots of industries. You see a lot of first team coaches doing what LR and RB have for us. Steve Mac was always the most visible on the sidelines under TBE and Ferguson. Think Warne has even said as such in early interviews, definitely talks about a coaching team with him making the executive call where necessary.

I dare say you have too much time on your hands @Caerphilly Ram 🤣

Fleetwood 1 - 2 Rams FRGS Bird - doubters silenced for 10 mins or so

We have strength in depth and players chomping at the bit to get in the side, think we should change shape and give a few a rest.

Just pulling your leg, chuckled at how unequivocal you were about it! Old age comes to us all. Up the Rams

NML was so innocuous that it felt like he was subbed off at half time? Might want to check your facts there m'lud. It's almost like you didn't actually watch the game before commenting but I would never suggest such a thing...

I personally think he's better playing deeper in a two or as part of a three that has some real bite. I've said for ages we need a Eustace type player to allow Bird and others to focus on what they're best at. Everyone has a price but I would be holding out to keep him. He can knit things together and has a really good appreciation for finding space and movement. With the personnel we have, I think we have to play 3 in the middle against better sides as Hourihane and Bird are not quick or tough enough to combat pace and runners.

We were way off our best today and Peterborough were allowed to control the game. I thought it was a mistake keeping the same side to be honest, we definitely needed to have an extra pair of legs in the middle to allow us to control possession and stem the inevitable flow of runners. Felt like it was one hand too many in quick succession for a lot of the lads and they just looked a half years off the pace all game. It's a shame we couldn't take the kind of performances from Wigan and Oxford into this one but we were going to lose at some point. They were the better side and comfortably one of the better sides in the league, so it is what it is. We have to respond to this now and bounce back. Lots of games to play and autos now well within reach after this incredible run. I'm very positive about our chances.

Wilson looked absolutely knackered when he came off, wouldn't be surprised if Ward starts against his old club in his place. Otherwise unchanged. Pepper the box to exploit vulnerability of reserve keeper etc. Posh are an unpredictable for me but hopefully we take the energy and confidence from Friday into this one to start 2024 with a bang. Super Derby, Super Rams!

Rams 1 - 0 Posh FRGS Sibley Nervy stuff