If we go up I am more than happy with Mowbray leading us going forward
Promotion with west Brom and Middlesbrough shows he has what it takes
Question is will venkys match the ambitions to push on
Despite their efforts this season I will be shocked if they find the money that will probably be needed to push us further.
Anyway, back to the game. Darren Ferguson says they'll do everything to stop rovers celebrating promotion there tonight. I believe him. I think it'll be tough to win. Draw nailed on for me.
Of course, if shrews don't beat Peterborough though, were there anyway. That's the most likely way we'll celebrate tonight IMO.
As I've said several times, I have no problem with trying that, but neither do I have a problem with TM sticking with something that has worked so well.
What you're failing to take into account is that, with our regular line-up of three in front of the midfield, playing an extra player in the centre in an attacking/creative role does unbalance the team.
It would probably require us to go to three at the back, with Bennett playing wide. Which holding player would you drop, anyway? Smallwood or Evans?
I'd be a bit keener if Payne had made an unassailable case to be included. He's had a couple of good games, but mainly when we've been in control, in the first place. When we've been under pressure, he has disappeared from the game.
It's pure speculation to argue that we would be smashing teams simply by including Payne. Remember: we don't watch the training sessions.
Given the way you've set the players out, above, do I assume your team would look like this:
Raya
Bennett Lenihan Mulgrew Williams
Smallwood Evans
Armstrong Dack Payne
Graham ?
Not much width. And wouldn't some of those players get in each other's way?
The point is aucks you claim Mowbrays line up is attack minded. I'd counter that by saying in our last game, antonsson and Armstrong spent more time deep, than in attack.
We have 2 sitting defensive midfielder, as well as a back 4. There's no need whatsoever for any of that front 4 to be asked to do defensive duties.
I never said once I have a an ST for both. Not once.
But your are wrong. Its not been a solid 23 years.
I spent one year in France.
Then a year in a padded cell.
A year as a Wigan fan
....then after I got banned off every other clubs forum, I came back on here to annoy everyone, and talk ****e.
As I see it, though, the difficulty arises from the fact that Armstrong and Dack are both No. 10s - not wide players. (The same is true of Antonsson and Samuel). Payne too is best suited to being central - although slightly deeper. If we are going to play ALL of them, plus Graham, in their best positions, the team does become unbalanced.
The situation has almost been made worse by the fact that Bennett has done so well at full-back! With him there and Chapman injured, Mowbray's hand has been forced to some extent, because we are left with no natural wide player (even in the U-23s).
If we are uncatchable after the Donny game, I would be happy with an experiment, but why take a punt, now, on changing something that has got us to our current high position?
Sure, against Oxford, let's try:
Raya
Lenihan Mowbray Williams
Bennett Smallwood Payne Bell
Dack Armstrong
Graham.
It might work, but it's just speculation. As things stand, I'm prepared to go with whatever Mowbray chooses. You can hardly say it's been a disaster so far.
Anyway, what have you seen in Payne that means he would transform the team? And how come Mowbray hasn't spotted it?!
Because he fears a team who lost on Sat and drew 3-3 last tues with already relegated Bury.
And has no faith whatsoever in the manager who has put us on a run that has seen us lose just one game in 31. Now is definitely time to change a winning formula with 3 games left and only 2 points needed.
This place is going to painful torture for the next few weeks due to one person,
.....so speak to you all over summer and enjoy the results, and the final few games. Who either way later on, regardless of the result will be intent on looking for bites, causing arguments and generally being an obnoxious twit.
robin you have my number and vice versa so I will be in contact before the Oxford game.
I have an operation in hospital next Monday 01/05. So wont be around for a week. I will check in with you on the Friday before the game, see if you are still coming up with your daughter.
Hopefully tonight we all get the result we want.
COYB