Wombles

[gazan]

Really worried about this one, especially since Saturday's performance. I'm trying to convince myself that being against better opponents, the Alex will up their game. However, Accrington cut their way through our defence several times in the 1st half and you have to hope Saturday was a one-off.
The worrying thing is the midfield. Apparently people were moaning, after the game, about our forwards but they can only work with they're given and on Saturday that was almost nothing. In the past, overlapping wing-backs contributed to the forward play but their forays have dwindled in recent games. Lee Bell has to work on the midfield to provide something for the forwards otherwise the only other option for getting the ball upfield is Tracy but then nothing will come of his efforts in the end.
Wimbledon have the best defence in the division so just plonking high balls from deep probably isn't going to work.
I fear back-to-back losses. 0-2.

[LordK]

Agree, I just had a disappearing reply??
Holding midfielder required and a stopper in the Paul Green mode (not for ever), but it's need today! Accrington pushed us over.
Lee assessment spot on. This league is all over the place watching Bradford take apart Walsall (he who wants it wins!), bottom, well almost can take apart the top clubs, very little difference in the day. You will see over the next 3-4 weeks the January window changes beginning to move clubs in their league position. Tonight I think correct cannot see a point if we played like Saturday!

[MeForCrewe]

I feel really down after Saturday and struggling to get any kind of enthusiasm for tonight. Very strange I know, we are 2nd in the league after all. I'm going hoping that we are not going to lose and that we pick ourselves up. I'll go for a 1-1 and have a feeling that Tabiner and COR will start. Anything better than that and I'll be a happy man again.

[gazan]

Just hoping that Lee Bell doesn't drastically alter the line up tonight. Just got a feeling he's going toove Conway to accommodate O'Riordan and moving Williams to LWB. Don't think it's necessary. Keep the same starting 11 as Saturday and make sure Cooney and Conway push forward ?nd that Powell gets it together going forward. Please don't start with Tracy. By all means bring him on as fresh legs if necessary in the 2nd half when opposition defenders may be tiring.
I also believe Lunt should be given a chance ahead of Tabs when it comes to subs.

[gazan]

So...he has meddled. Shoehorned O'Riordan into the team. Also no Sanders, Powell or Long. Think that's a mistake.

[gazan]

Well that was dire! Does Bell not rate midfield play? After his initial substitutions there was only one recognisable midfielder on the pitch for the Alex. This cannot go on. People are still talking about Lowery. Whatever, we must get a ball- carrying/creative midfielder in soon or the 2nd half of the season will follow the pattern of last season.
As I mentioned earlier, I fear that the formation was compromised by LB looking for a way to shoehorn O'Riordan into the team and so Conway was pushed into midfield. If he wants someone to make way, I would suggest Williams is the best bet.
I don't accept all the criticism being tossed around about our strikers. They're feeding off very meagre scraps and cannot to be scoring when they are not receiving any kind of service.
So, a new midfielder in by the weekend, please. Or goodbye to realistic promotion hopes.

[jimmyboldon]

Playing Williams as a wing back was a joke.
After 20 minutes it was obvious it wasn’t working.
Williams should have been taken off (will that ever happen?) Conway back to his correct position and Sanders/Powell on.
Bogle, who changed the game away at Morecambe, has been ineffective in his last two games.
Lankester is a big miss, but shouldn’t be relying on one player.
O’Riorden looked good, but we shouldn’t be playing people out of position just to accommodate him.

[Timmy58]

Playing Williams as a wing back was a joke.
After 20 minutes it was obvious it wasn?t working.
Williams should have been taken off (will that ever happen?) Conway back to his correct position and Sanders/Powell on.
Bogle, who changed the game away at Morecambe, has been ineffective in his last two games.
Lankester is a big miss, but shouldn?t be relying on one player.
O?Riorden looked good, but we shouldn?t be playing people out of position just to accommodate him.

I questioned at the time the need to sign COR. I recognise he is a good player but so are all the ones who have played in our back line over the first half of the season. It also pushes Billington further back in the queue which is harsh for him as he has done no more wrong than any other player.

You are right, Bogle has been poor in the last two matches. That doesn't make him a bad player but it should mean the bench awaits him at Harrogate. For some reason I believe he was man of the match against Accrington. God knows how.

I assume the likes of Powell and Long are being protected from playing "too much" football too quickly after lengthy injury spells but I think both should start against Harrogate.