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There is no doubt in my mind that we really missed Bartleys presence last night. Many are critical of him but I feel that we look far more solid when he is in the side. I also think that it was a mistake letting Taylor return to Wycombe as he is more of a presence than Holgate. That silly red card that Bartley got is really going to affecte us.
Sadly, quite a few players were off the pace last night including Fellows, Mowatt, Molumby, Wildsmith and Styles with Johnston too finding it hard to make an impact but certainly agree that, for all his faults, we missed the solidity Bartley brings to our defence. TM himself acknowledged this in his post-match interview. Just hope he gave Bartley the b oll ocking he deserved for that senseless red card!Quote:
Originally Posted by Leicesterbaggie
The fact that we have really missed Bartley tells us where we need to invest in the summer. Taylor coming back will be a boost but it?s clear we need another quality centre half.Quote:
Originally Posted by Omegstrat6
Totally agree with players being off the pace, however credit where it is due (same as Plymouth) that they were well organised and good defensively. Didn't give Johnstone or Fellows a sniff and had two or three players round them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Omegstrat6
Oh well, we have Semi returning soon so all problems will disappear! 🤣
As Semi Ajaye was on the bench on Wednesday I think that I would be tempted to play him on Saturday. I realise that he does have a mistake in him but his pace and at 6ft 5 ins. he does have the advantage over Holgate. In this division I think it is important to win aerial duels as those cost us dearly on Wednesday. Obviously, others may disagree.
I'm with you on this-though with the same reservations reference his propensity for silly mistakes. To be fair, Holgate has been better than I anticipated but still rate Ajayi above him. The problem is that we lack another central defender with the "presence" and solidity that Bartley brings and not sure Taylor has this either.Quote:
Originally Posted by Leicesterbaggie
We seem to have sorted out our striker issue (at least for the remainder of this season) and the acquisition of Price goes someway towards rectifying our creative midfielder problem but we haven't managed to get a new Kipre. Mowbray's more attacking style is certainly more entertaining for fans but it is inevitably one that leaves us far more open to counter attacks and surely makes a solid and drilled defence even more important. With both Furlong and Styles committed further up the pitch, this falls increasingly onto the two central defenders especially.
Early days I know but I honestly can't say I've seen much in terms of entertainment from this incarnation of Tony Mowbray Omeg. Some of his selections and substitutions have been mildly amusing in a masochistic sense but there's a distinct absence of entertainment or any kind of systematic joined up thinking currently.
Performance against Portsmouth reserves aside we've gone from having an organisational defence and slow build up to throwing a jigsaw in the air and hoping the pieces fall into place when they land. We have the players. He needs to get more from them and I sincerely hope does it sooner rather than later.
I would echo these sentiments.Quote:
Originally Posted by Albionic68
We know he?s a capable manager but not a lot is making sense at the minute from the team selections and changes. It?s taking him a long time to work out his best squad and how he wants to play.Quote:
Originally Posted by Albionic68
I hope he can pull it together.
I am always pleasantly surprised when Diakite plays. Would be great to see him take a regular place.