TomTom92

Hopefully if Martin has anything about him he'll drop a stinker. Their seasons all but over, so he has nothing to gain from putting in a performance against a team whose fans love him.

Draw would be my preference on Tuesday, followed by a Bolton win then Barnsley win. Barnsley’s fixtures are the nicest of the lot and they seem to be playing with a spring in their step. To finish on 93 points we need 8 wins out of 10, think 90 points wouldn’t be enough. Gonna be tough.

Think the true test of Sibley at LWB will come against better teams. But 343 as opposed to 352 is the way to go for me. May as well go down or up hopefully swinging. Also if we have 3 central defenders and Adam’s on the pitch then that’s 4 solid defenders who should be able to carry the bulk of the defensive responsibility. Next weekend should be a better test. But well done Sibs for yesterdays performance.

Don’t understand the moaning for the team. Yes I’d rather not have 5 at the back, but in PW defence, nobody has looked comfortable at right back other than Nyambe. At least it’s 343 and not 352.

Derby 2 - 1 Port Vale NML

Pros: - Nice guy who cares about the club and the people in it. - Has us currently in the hunt for autos, should get play offs minimum. - Most of his defensive signings have been good or average, not poor. - Authentic interviews, doesn’t give the boring PR answers. Cons: - Tactically doesn’t seem switched on. - Forward signings have been in large garbage. - Style of football is boring. - Doesn’t seem to trust or fancy playing the youngsters. - Could miss out on promotion, despite our wage bill being one of the highest and the league being on paper poor. Of course the above are my opinions not facts. But think my list represents a lot of fans thoughts.

Solid keeper for this level as is Vickers, I don't think we're spoilt having both and somehow most of our fans can't see this. I do think Wildsmith hasn't replicated his form from the first half of last season since. Plus his mistake on Tuesday was infuriating, he would've known before he followed through that he wasn't getting the ball, so why not pull up and hope the forward misses the 1 on 1? That said if we actually looked to kill teams off then maybe an error here and there by him wouldn't be as big.

Should play either 4231 or 433 and go for it. But alas we'll play 5 at the back, probably Wilson as RWB if Nyambe is out and it'll be the same old dross. That said i think even with Warne doing as his pleases we'll win this one.

I’m of the thought that if Warne takes us up then he’s earned the right to manage us in the championship. But if we did go up and we had a manager who’s proven to play ‘good’ football lined up. Then I’d have no issues with us being sly and sacking Warne off. Either way the football is dire and the atmosphere around the club is agitated. Comparisons to Sunderland when they were down in league 1 I’d say.

Wildsmith - 3 Nyambe - 7 Nelson - 7 Bradley - 6 Cashin - 7 Wilson - 5 Adams - 6 Bird - 6 Smith - 6 NML - 5 Gayle - 5

@sage Lets face it CBT was brought in to be the explosive winger which would lessen the burden on NML. For whatever reason he hasn't got going yet so we're stuck with Barkz and Wilson, neither are top end wingers nor match winners. Think Barkz is the more attacking choice but if we played 4-3-3- or 4-2-3-1 then providing the right players were picked ie Sibley in the hole then Wilson as a winger would be fine.

Fair enough it’s a game of opinions. I’d rather have Barnsley’s squad over ours. Think we’re slightly better than Posh which puts us 4th in my book. Don’t think there’s too much between the top 5 though which means the better coached teams will go up.

He didn’t get much a sniff IMO. Probably a victim of Warneball requiring someone more physical and PW seemingly unable to adapt his methods. Made a couple of good flicks and looked interested though, so there’s cause for optimism.

Apart from Exeter our form in 2024 has been so so. Stevenage result was good in context. But most of our other wins have been by the skin of our teethe. Home form is average at best. We have 27,000 most weeks, Pride Park should be a fortress. Instead away matches look our better source of results. Feel almost embarrassed to tell family members that we’re second but not enjoying the football. Being second shouldn’t feel like this.

He’d be correct as well. Think our squad is probably 4th/5th best. Which means you could argue Warne is overachieving. But as the last 3 windows have been on his watch I think any praise for our position gets wiped out when you address the reason why our squad isn’t good enough.

Last night was dreadful. How can a professional manager set us up like that? I think the biggest problem we have is attack. I look at our attacking options and I genuinely struggle a plan or signs of optimism. Hate to compare to Mac1 but we had Ward, Russell, Dawkins and Bamford who all were dangerous in their own right. Now we have the below; Gayle - Looked to have a few nice touches in his locker, but is 5ft9 and has very little physical presence. Not suited to Warneball but I acknowledge it’s needs must. Waghorn - Just come back from injury. Erm will probably score you the odd goal and probably cares about the club. Would I get excited seeing his name on the team sheet? No. NML - Player of the season. Has been class. But is starting to look tired and hasn’t been helped in the last 3 matches by being forced to play up top. If he has a bad match, we do. Barkhuizen - Solid 6/10 player. Gets on the scoresheet which can’t be underestimated. But does he ever leave the pitch with his opposing full back a quivering mess from playing against him? No. Will he single handedly win us a match? No CBT - Signed to great fanfare. Hasn’t really shown any class in his few short chances. Doesn’t look a Warne ball player to me. Doesn’t seem fussed about doing the dirty work. Too early to judge. Wilson - Love the guy, think he’s been a breathe of fresh air. But ironically is the anti Barkhuizen in the fact he doesn’t get on the scoresheet. Probably a solid option to start if we have 3/4 other good forward options on the pitch. When we set up like last night, he’s never going to grab the match by the balls and win us the match. Ward - Can’t play right back. Has a good cross on him. Doesn’t seem the most intelligent player. Not had enough of a chance to properly be judged. But a very underwhelming pool of resources. Add in that our brand of football isn’t one were attackers thrive, how do we expect to put in the nerve calming performances to get us over the line? Think losing Collo will prove to be the final nail in Warne ball this season. If he’s back for the play offs, then our chances of promotion do increase.

Can’t play 5 at the back with Nyambe as the right wing back. We literally had Gayle, NML and Bird who offered a goal threat in the starting line up. For Warne getting it right against Stevenage he’s got it very wrong the last 2.

I’d go Wildsmith Nyambe, Nelson, Cash, Elder Adams, Bird, Thompson NML, Gayle, Barkhuizen Cant see Warne going for the above though. Harsh on Bradley who’s looking decent in recent weeks but I don’t see what a back 5 offers. Our wingbacks aren’t potent enough to justify having the extra central defender.

Think you’re the team to keep any eye on. Seem to be timing your charge perfectly and don’t seem to be playing with nerves. Think your leaky defence is the only thing that could cost you. Personally I’m manifesting Phillips getting a 3 month injury to knacker your chances.

1-1 FRGS Gayle

Feel talking about Warne is a bit of a pointless exercise yet I’ve been drawn in to day my bit. Failure to go up and he needs to go. I’m sure if we had him as manager for the next 10 seasons come what may, he’d get us up eventually. But next season will be a bag of snakes in league 1, so it could be two more seasons before we go up. Think a revamp is required if we don’t go up. Clearly we aren’t going to settle for win at any cost football, we want to be entertained as well. If Warne gets us up then fair play to him. Think the underdog tag would suit us fine for the first couple of years back in the championship.

Yep tend to agree for the rest of the season. Against Stevenage it was a case of needs must. But Barnsley showed that we can’t look to poo house our way up. We’re gonna have to play some football.

Draws best result for us. Wouldn’t have Bolton getting a win on Tuesday down as a banker though, so we need to capitalise if they don’t.

Worth noting that Evatt IMO is the best manager in this league and has a better squad than ours IMO. Yet currently Bolton are below us. We’re clearly doing something right. I can’t see the performances getting better or the results getting smoother. The pressure is on, we’ve got 1 fit striker and our exciting Jan signing has been abducted by aliens. Charlton will be tough, they’ll play percentage football. Gonna be a slog but that’s the nature of the beast now.

It is what it is. If we do go up we’re gonna do it playing this industrious version of football. If we lose then obviously the style of play opens Warne up for criticism. Had Barnsley down to beat us today and that’s exactly what they did. Bit concerning as their run in is easier than everybody else’s but maybe they’ll stutter once they feel the pressure. A win on Tuesday will be nice whether it’s by hook or by crook.