Chester40

Agreed. Crazy defending for their 2nd. Warne didn't react to the way the 2nd half was going, disappointing. Game management was poor.

You've posted some rubbish tonight...this is the best 🤣

And break her concentration whilst she's ironing my shirts??

Bird has been quiet...but we are deliberately avoiding the middle of the park where they the numbers and are attacking at will down the flanks. Seems like a tactic that's working to me.

NML is such top quality when he's on it...Barks points where he wants it and taps it in. One-sided...can we put them to the sword now!

Great run by NML, looked rapid. Slightly scuffed shot that Barks can't react to the save quickly enough. Then we press and break only for Barks to try and turn inside when there was a clear shot on his left foot he didn't fancy. Dominating the game. Need a goal.

Decent start. Look busy and at it.

Loved it initially but felt each series got a bit worse...but I'm going to give it another go. On that theme, I'm determined to finish Ted Lasso - but it's not easy. It was always a bit naff...but also funny and warm. This last season is taking me a few goes, as it's just clunky and has boring storylines (with lots of painful moralising)...and ultimately much worse - its just not funny.

He's a ball of controversy for me, I'd explain but I think it could take a long time, although who knows ... I think this thread is in the wrong place too...

Possibly... all I know is he is our most potent attacking threat, looks fitter than last year ...and there would have been a huge outcry if he'd been 'let go'. Great news. Shows some planning and that we arent going to wait til the summer and end up in the cart.

Personally, Bird is a player that's hard to rate. NML..you see the driving runs, ball carrying, crosses. Wilson, the tricks and dribbles. Nelson, the headers, the brushing players off the ball. Collins, the work rate, energy...occasional missed chances. Bird... he's neat, tidy. Elegant almost. Doesn't seem to get about the pitch - but that may be unfair perception, doesn't score many. Never one for a ferocious tackle.. I don't notice him that much in games. Doesn't take free kicks. No towering headers. That dribble yesterday seemed almost out of character as he almost drove with the ball. Certainly isn't especially pacey... So I kinda feel we wouldn't miss him. But every manager has rated him and they know more than me!

I agree..... But...we do seem to really 'sit in' deliberately, bring everyone back, lump it clear. And we eg bring on Bradley, it does feel like there's an element of choosing to invite pressure.

Totally agree. Horses for courses... Against P'Boro they were too pedestrian.

Keeper did nothing wrong...keeps his spot for me. Cashin had a great game. Bradley was ok but still a bit nervy. Worst performance from Nelson for a while, back 3 doesn't suit him at all. Wilson was game and Forsyth solid again. Collins just playing so much better recently. NML was great again. Bird looks classy but him and Hourihane is pretty un-atheletic as a pairing. JJ didn't feature much. Barkhuizen scored but he's another who doesn't get around the pitch enough eg got turned and just jogged back. Characteristic Derby/Warne performance. High energy, got the points but when we drop below our levels we look really likely to concede. Goal was similar to the P'Boro first goal, just flipped cross in and no one competes. Bench looked strong and players to come back. However for a few minutes we looked like we may throw away a very winnable game. We don't go for the jugular and do concede ground and make life difficult. Fresh legs and even more options in the window and push on.

Lot's of possession but looked a bit suspect at the back on the break. Could have conceded but we didn't...the gamble is paying off and we should comfortably win this now. Would possibly do the same v Burton but against P'Boro they would have torn us a new 'un. JJ not featured really, just shows you it's not easy but NML and Collins look great. Had a lot of dead balls and not looked dangerous but that Collins goal was very clever.

Its a back 3 spreading when we have the ball. Wilson and Forsyth wide. Hourihane and Bird. Think it's JJ as a 10, NML and Collins as a 2?

More lazy offsides..

Haven't you answered your own question?? Yes he does...so he's gone with the option of getting as many attacking options on the pitch as possible. Against P'Boro I'd agree it was a risk but we are going for all 3 points.

Poor man's David Beckham?

In any league 5 games- 10 points is 'decent-ish' form. And has that important 2 points a game outcome. So - minimum is 3 wins, a draw and a defeat. Anything less and we can kiss automatics goodbye. To possibly gain ground, 12 points would probably be needed, 11 points (3 wins and 2 draws) keeps the positive vibe going. Really shows there is very little room for error.

Its definitely more a Mrs Chester programme than mine...but she has seen all the recent hype and wanted to watch. I reminded her that we watched maybe 10mins twice during last season and thought it looked rubbish. Unperturbed she pushed on, and we watched 5mins of it this week and promptly agreed it still looked cheap and rubbish. Only thing I could compare it to, was like watching 'Deal or No Deal' maybe. Lots of aimless, over excited chat from people I didn't care about, regarding a really basic childish game. Obviously I'm missing a lot, but it wasn't interesting me at all.

Haven't read all the thread but the last few pages seem pretty realistic and fair. On the way home we all agreed that aside from the result/last minute, we much preferred watching that game than the Lincoln game. Really was a great game to watch I felt. Lots of goals, decent spirit, end to end, effort, tackles, chances, saves... Credit to P'Boro ...they look a team of young athletes. Just over ran our midfield first half especially at times. Even their centre backs were decent on the ball but relatively quick. Looked like an academy team almost. Cashin was my MoTM but he looked at fault for the goal at the end. Wilson was a real threat at times. Thompson worked his backside off. Collins never stopped, unbelievable engine today. Hourihane and Bird looked really pedestrian and out matched at times. Niambe struggled manfully in a real tough game. NML looked shattered and lacking in zip. Barkhuizen looks a bit lost at times, I'm not sure what he brought to us after the first 2mins. Elder was quality and Sibley worked hard but couldn't get into the game going forward, likewise JJ. No shame in yesterday, just gutting to throw away all 3 points to them. Good atmosphere, end to end football. Need to move on quickly.

Agreed. But omg it was a terrible looking mistake. If I'd paid him good money to throw the result and held his family hostage in case, I'd have demanded my money back after 2mins for being too bloody obvious. 🤣 Game kicks off, at the first opportunity with Nelson obviously shepherding the striker out wide...he just went for it. Then hesitated to make sure he made contact but didn't get the ball. Also stuck his leg at a right angle to make it especially obvious. Then went still and looked at the ref with a horrendously guilty expression, before telegraphing his dive the wrong way for the penalty.

Is that true?? Blimey.

If we miss out having finished 3rd and are unlucky in the play offs then I'd see little point starting all over again personally....but yep, promotion is my expectation and anything less will be a tough pill to swallow agreed.