YorkshireRam

v Port Vale (OPTA stats). Much higher pass accuracy. Also our 343 formation is the attacking variant of the traditional back 5, so between those 2 metrics, it's fairly easy to establish who's the 'cloggers'.

Yes, all utilise low blocks and look to pack the midfield to prevent overloads in defensive positions, often at the expense of fluid offensive movements. Don't just take my word for it though, let's have a look at a recent game featuring 2/3 teams mentioned: Stevenage's formation especially here shows what I'm alluding to: 541. Not one Stevenage player had a pass accuracy % above 70% in this game, with most below 50% which quantifies the 'cloggers' statement as it proves this defensive setup restricts offensive cohesion. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

They probably don't have extensive media training, it's not exactly a vital part of their job. I also don't really expect footballers to be eloquent speakers, they're obviously going to stick to the vernacular for the most part. Also, have you ever been on camera or interviewed at all? You do end up repeating yourself and getting stuck on phrases a lot, it's just a thing that happens, even when you have a pretentiously extensive vocabulary like myself 😉

Stevenage, Shrewsbury, and Wycombe all fit this brief

I'd honestly sort of hoped this had already happened. We're in a really solid position for the run-in and it's been nice to see that the last couple of months the home atmosphere and support seems way better. I think this is because the majority of those on the fence have decided to just get behind the team and see where we end up, which is spot on. I think it's mainly just a small bunch of pessimistic posters online creating a bit of an echo chamber now. They post and catastrophise when we lose and often don't comment much until that's the case again. It's a strange mentality and one I don't quite understand, but I actually think it's more of a gaggle than a brigade at the moment. But it's nice to report that from what I've seen recently, most are backing the lads and hoping for the best 🤞

You're right, and given he's not looked capable of stepping up to League 1 level yet, sending him to the National League was an absolute masterclass by Warne. I'm glad you've shone a light on the brilliant decision-making by our manager when it directly contributes positively to the development of our youngsters, good to see! 👏

I'd field the same team, but CBT in for Barkhuizen. A front 3 of: CBT Gayle NML, is genuinely terrifying at this level if we can get them all playing well together!

A big part of the reason I've got a soft spot for the Blades 🙌

In which case he's also solely the reason we've signed Nelson, Nyambe, Adams, yes? I've not seen many comments crediting him personally for their success this season. Just seems like a desperate stretch to hold what is clearly a complex process that involves multiple parties and use it as a stick to bash Warne with.

You're totally right, 2nd looks horrible now I think about it. God forbid we finish the season in this position! 😂 I like that you wanted to try and insinuate we should be more nuanced than simply observing and drawing conclusions from league position, only to then finish your comment with a personal insult for seemingly no reason haha.

Really does feel that way. I suspect the club will be very glad to see the back of these restrictions.

How have you come to this conclusion? From what I've perceived, I believe the exact opposite to be true- Warne is often vocal about what he wants ie. a striker in January. When that's not delivered, how are you coming to the conclusion that he's ''completely responsible'' for our recruitment- surely that proves the exact opposite?

Given the amount of NDAs and secrecy attached to the whole debacle, how do you know this for sure? By being CEO of the company led into administration, Pearce is complicit in what happened, that's indisputable. The level of complicity is what needs to be established to rebuild trust, but due to NDAs and seemingly sheer unwillingness to even try talk around the issue publicly, we can't even get a handle on his level of involvement. So you're left with a figure who fans associate with arguably the worst period of this club's history, still in a notable position of power- that leaves a sour taste. Meanwhile trust can't even be started being rebuilt because he can't or won't do anything to alleviate the inherently logical mistrust hanging over him... That's how I see it.

I have a feeling they announced it before the press pack was ready to try calm all the talk blaming the EFL for blocking it, pure speculation on my part though. I suspect they'll release the video tonight or in the morning.

That's what I was agreeing with haha, it's a stance I always try to take- said the same with Elder after his errors, just needed time to get fit and readjust. Same way I'm not going to bash Gayle if he doesn't instantly hit the ground running, as he may take some time. I think there's obvious differences between a dearth of talent, and rustiness/lack of form. Judging players early just gives them plenty of time to prove the dissenters wrong, ultimately.

Agreed 😏

The instinctive nature of the finish was so sharp that I've been genuinely wondering about trying him as a false 9 with NML and CBT either side, a la Liverpool with Firmino... 👀 Outlandish notions aside, I think he's the perfect replacement for the advanced midfield role Bird's currently playing, after Max departs. If we could consistently get Sibley in the gaps between the opposition's midfield and defence, I think he could be a menace going forward for us.

Kinda like this-

To play devil's advocate: in hindsight and based on current standings, what proved to be the rational course of action was patience. So there is an argument that those wanted Warne gone earlier in the season were irrational in their views. However, the danger for anyone self-aggrandising and saying they were ''correct'', is that position in the league table doesn't matter until the end of the season. If we fail to get promoted, I think most will admit this season wasn't a success, and I think even the most ardent Warne supporter would struggle to argue against his tenure being classed as a failure. FWIW i'm hoping Warne takes us up, by hook or by crook- I suspect that'd give everyone more faith in Mr Warne and we could go into next season more united as a fanbase?

If Collo is out for Saturday, and considering CBT, Elder, and Hourihane are apparently doubts too, there's only 2 XIs I can think of fielding: Wildsmith Nelson Bradley Cashin Wilson Sibley Adams Bird Thompson Barks NML OR Wildsmith Nyambe Nelson Cashin Sibley Adams Bird Thompson Wilson Barks NML Downside of the first is back 5 at home may seem negative, however a fluid front 2 may suit the personnel better. Bottom is more offensive but requires NML to play the traditional striker role in which he may get isolated by Stevenage's centre halves and we may lose a focal point up-top.

Well, at least you've given him a fair crack of the whip before making your mind up 😂 Nothing like 135 minutes of football to form a complete assessment of a player

Yeah sorry didn't mean to add to the dialogue pigeonholing you, just more of an example of how nuance can get lost when it becomes a case of people taking sides. I'm guilty myself, I've definitely defended Warne at times more than I feel he deserves, simply because I disagree with the extremity of criticism being levelled at him. I got very similar about Cocu as well, the issue there being the doubters ended up being correct. I try and use that as perspective for how even if the criticism is OTT at the time, in the long-run there may be validity in there. As in some may be more negative in response to some being overly positive/defensive about Warne? That's interesting if true, but does further show disagreement often just entrenches people in their existing opinion, rather than serve as a constructive dialogue that leads to more moderate stances on all sides.

The crazy thing is, I fully regard you as pro-Warne. I know you're not and it's interesting thinking about it now that your sheer common sense stands at such odds with the rhetoric of the 'Warne Out' brigade that it makes you seem directly opposed to them... When I think about it, there's very few posters I would say are out and out 'pro-Warne', it's almost like the moderates have been radicalised into backing the manager more than they feel naturally, because of the ridiculous amount of negativity from the other side?

You get a proper rage boner for Collins don't you? 😂