plymouthram

His team Olimpija Ljubljana won the league last season and he is the current club captain. Will be 26 in April, made his debut for his national side when he was 23. Slovenia have qualified for Euro 2024 having only lost 2 qualfiying matches. Some one to look out for on the TV during the summer.

I was dreading this match, no Collins, Stevenage in your face thug football. But having watched it in the East stand and also looked at the highlights, some observations I noticed. First thing to mention, was Steve Evans pre-match moan, that playing in front of a 27-28k crowd that the fans might sway the ref. That's his game plan (reverse psychology), trying to get the ref on his teams side. Then throughout the game, he had his subs warming up down the sideline all through the game (most times 3 or more) and they were bickering at the ref in some of his decisions down that line (more Fatboy Evans cheating tactics).
Out of the top 7 teams currently battling it out for some form of promotion, Stevenage have only scored 46 goals and all their chances against us came from throw ins, corners and free kicks. Not a footballing team, not a nice man, I remember him years ago when he was Boston manager calling Nigel Clough's Burton Albion " A pub team".

Best time to go top of the league this season would be at teatime after winning at Fratton park on April 1st.

Best time to go top of the league this season would be at teatime after winning at Fratton park on April 1st.

Stevenage tried to turn it into many 5 a side games. They crowded the ball quickly with multiple players and kept it boxed in and frantic. You can see how that works for them, especially when they're a short team with no real players above 6ft. Unfortunately for us, that meant the space first half was at full back, and neither Nyambe or Elder are adept with the ball at their feet to use that space.
We looked a little lost at times with what we were trying to do, in particular, Kane Wilson was struggling. He tried hard, just didn't really look like he had a clue what he was doing. The press was so frenetic it saw both teams seeing shadows at times and just ended up with getting rid of the ball thinking a challenge was coming, even if there was actually some time. 
It took Korey Smith to come on, which enabled us to get a better player on the ball in Kane Wilson going into the space at full back and Korey himself having the experience to realise when there was actually time to use for us to really get going in any sense of the word. 
Tough, attritional game which I think we did enough to win. I don't think Collins would have changed things first half, to be honest. I'm glad Hourihane didn't play, as I think he would've collapsed under that quick press in the first half. I think it played out how most thought, we were never going to stroll out and beat these, and it was nice to match them physically. 

Interesting remaining fixtures for the current top 7 teams.
PORTSMOUTH 13 to play, 7 against current top half teams(4 away 3 home) and 5 of them 7 games are against the current top 7.
DERBY 14 to play, 8 against current top half teams (4 away 4 home) and 4 of them against the current top 7.
BOLTON 16 to play, 8 against current top half teams (6 away 2 home) and 6 of them against the current top 7.
BARNSLEY 15 to play, 7 against current top half teams (3 away 4 home) and 4 of them against the current top 7.
PETERBOROUGH 15 to play, 8 against current top half teams (3 away 5 home) and 4 of them against the current top 7.
OXFORD 14 to play, 7 against current top half teams (2 away 5 home) and 4 of them against the current top 7.
STEVENAGE 15 to play, 7 against current top half teams (4 away 3 home) and 5 of them against the current top 7.
Other current stats, Bolton have 9 away matches to play with their fixture pile up and are playing every Tuesday/Saturday right up to Easter weekend (could take it's toll with tired and injured players). Peterborough are still involved in the EFL Trophy and still have a postponed game against Portvale to be given a date. Their last 5 matches are also testing with Orient(A), Fleetwood(H), Oxford(A), Bristol(A) and Bolton(H). Stevenage have the worse home record, having only won 6 at home, Plus they have only scored 46 goals so far. Oxford have lost the most (nine) in the top 7 and have been inconsistent. So with current and previous form, remaining matches I'm now going to stick my neck out and state the Rams will finish in the top 2 places and if we can improve our home form with 8 to play at Pride Park we could finish on top.
 

Got to admit, this guy is awesome. Its the missing link we have needed, lets hope he stays fit until the end of the season. Still got until summer 2025 on his contract with Cardiff though.

Got to admit, this guy is awesome. Its the missing link we have needed, lets hope he stays fit until the end of the season. Still got until summer 2025 on his contract with Cardiff though.

I still feel Portsmouth will falter towards the end once pressure hits. Bolton still look vulnerable. Peterborough are showing with young squad the last week I think they will bottle it and finish in the playoffs. If we can stay fit and get Washington and waggy back by the end of the month and Collins scan is fine I think we will catch Portsmouth. The experience should help us with promotion winners and a manager who knows what it takes. The top two won’t be decided on quality for me it’s that tight I think it will come down to the two who mentally keep it together 

I was at the match, he did loads of tracking back and chasing down. Never gave their back line including the keeper time on the ball. Create space for others, I think this game saw what he does off the ball that made his team mates lap up the freedom they got. And there was a few fouls on him that the ref never gave that were stonewall bad tackles.

I was at the match, he did loads of tracking back and chasing down. Never gave their back line including the keeper time on the ball. Create space for others, I think this game saw what he does off the ball that made his team mates lap up the freedom they got. And there was a few fouls on him that the ref never gave that were stonewall bad tackles.

Interesting remaining fixtures for the current top 7 teams.
PORTSMOUTH 13 to play, 7 against current top half teams(4 away 3 home) and 5 of them 7 games are against the current top 7.
DERBY 14 to play, 8 against current top half teams (4 away 4 home) and 4 of them against the current top 7.
BOLTON 16 to play, 8 against current top half teams (6 away 2 home) and 6 of them against the current top 7.
BARNSLEY 15 to play, 7 against current top half teams (3 away 4 home) and 4 of them against the current top 7.
PETERBOROUGH 15 to play, 8 against current top half teams (3 away 5 home) and 4 of them against the current top 7.
OXFORD 14 to play, 7 against current top half teams (2 away 5 home) and 4 of them against the current top 7.
STEVENAGE 15 to play, 7 against current top half teams (4 away 3 home) and 5 of them against the current top 7.
Other current stats, Bolton have 9 away matches to play with their fixture pile up and are playing every Tuesday/Saturday right up to Easter weekend (could take it's toll with tired and injured players). Peterborough are still involved in the EFL Trophy and still have a postponed game against Portvale to be given a date. Their last 5 matches are also testing with Orient(A), Fleetwood(H), Oxford(A), Bristol(A) and Bolton(H). Stevenage have the worse home record, having only won 6 at home, Plus they have only scored 46 goals so far. Oxford have lost the most (nine) in the top 7 and have been inconsistent. So with current and previous form, remaining matches I'm now going to stick my neck out and state the Rams will finish in the top 2 places and if we can improve our home form with 8 to play at Pride Park we could finish on top.
 

I was at the match, he did loads of tracking back and chasing down. Never gave their back line including the keeper time on the ball. Create space for others, I think this game saw what he does off the ball that made his team mates lap up the freedom they got. And there was a few fouls on him that the ref never gave that were stonewall bad tackles.

When I started coming to matches again in November, Collins was the player that stood out for me. There was a good run of decent football, but then it feels like the whole team has got a bit lost. Collins is getting goals in but his performance isn’t standing out as it was a few months ago. I like him though and think his dedication is a good example to some of the younger players. 

I never seen a fan hate a player so much, a question for you have you ever played the game, or coached, his work rate off the ball last night was excellent, and he was a handful for there defence, but I can see whatever Collins did, would never be good enough for you, last time i have a conversation with you about Collins, as you bore me. 

Collins pass into Barks was pure class, he was as influential as any player on the pitch getting the result.
 
We often have this discussion with our team, your contribution off the ball is just as valued as on it, unfortunately you will always get the uneducated however who will never see this.

I gave him 7.0, as per @Ellafellarating, but @Comrade 86description was fitting IMO. He had close attention from 2 defenders at all times and took an absolute pounding at times with no protection from the referee. I was amazed he lasted 90 minutes, but with no other forward on the bench, he had to stay out there and did a good job for me.

You'll realise if he isn't there one day, because he's injured. 
I'm not his greatest fan but the work he's doing at the moment is so important to what we're achieving.

P.S. Don't buy an old wine, it could be sour grapes!!!!!

46 miles for me, driving up shortly, will take me about 70 mins

P.S. Don't buy an old wine, it could be sour grapes!!!!!

Get your bottle bought then RoyMac, the invite could be in the post.

Thats a little bit out of the city, but yes a good real ale pub.

Didn’t work Saturday. Never will.
Even if Ward or Sibley get into wide areas, who can they cross it to?
Collins on his own against two defenders or NML who can’t head it?
Need to go 4-3-3 and let them worry about us.
Two central defenders is enough at this level. Three get in each other’s space.

Got mine at 10.05am and stated at the time there was 121 tickets left and that was all in the standing area behind the goal. Just waiting now for the ticket to arrive in the post.