TomTom92

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.

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.

The thing is, you can't afford to play Nyambe as a wingback (or Elder for that matter), no matter the circumstances, because in a 352, your wingbacks *have* to be a major part of your attack.  If you have any intention of being a top team, you simply cannot go into games with your primary wide players not really wanting to cross the halfway line, and just hoping that NML does some magic or you score from a set piece or something.
The big issue is that despite 3 transfer windows and umpteen signings, we still don't have a single actual wingback.  It's a highly specialised position, where you *need* to be able to contribute offensively and defensively.  We seem to have a ragtag bunch of fullbacks and wingers that can do half the job.

Seriously, you don't understand the moaning. It's par for the course after the line up is announced no matter what (not a pop at you by the way)

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.

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. 
 

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. 
 

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. 
 

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. 
 

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. 
 

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. 
 

Let’s end this season all guns blazing. 433, no 3 at the back, one holding midfielder, two in front who can carry the ball and look for forward runs (Thompson & Fornah), moving the ball with pace and purpose. No more over defensive, side to side tripe. First 15 against Charlton showed we have it in us. 
 
Better to go out with a bang than a wimper.

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 the footballing equivalent of that Willy Wonka experience in the news right now.

Sibley played LB regularly in a defence last season that barely conceded a chance never mind a goal.
But it’s not necessarily about him, can stick anyone who offers any sort of attacking threat there for all I care but breaking up the Nelson and Cashin partnership firstly for 3 at the back and now to shoehorn Bradley in so he doesn’t have to drop his marquee signing again, is crazy. Just no need. The back 4 last night was baffling.

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

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.

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.

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.

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. 
 
 

It's quite simple 
 
Barkhuizen      Gayle           NML
                          Bird
             Smith              Adams
Elder       Cashin        Nelson    Nyambe 
                         Wildsmith
 
Sibley, Wilson, Bradley, Hourihane and Waghorn to sub on