Absolute chaos

[alexmick]

I have concerns about the midfield for the Vale game, not so much footballing abilities, as discipline.
Evans has been seen to be a bit hot-headed and emotional, and Grant makes the stand shudder when he is knocked off the ball and falls to the ground. This is a derby game against a physical side that is not averse to cheating (Pope). We cannot afford to lose a man.
Therefore, I'd start with Evans and, as soon as he is Yellowed, sub him with Osman.
We are playing the Vale: form books go out of the window.

I don't think that I would even consider using Osman at all at this point of the season, as his form has sadly dipped. He has been largely anonymous in the games he has played this season. Perhaps the captain's armband has had a negative on his form, as it did when Westwood was first given the position. Not all players can cope with the added responsibility. Osman was a good edition to the squad when he joined us and was

[lukcour]

Hey Renegade DS it would appear that I missed that game where he played well. Could you remind me which one it was, and I will try to get a cd of it. Confident that you are impressed with his running all over the pitch.

Shame you don`t have the button. Delete, delete

[RenegadeDS]

Hey Renegade DS it would appear that I missed that game where he played well. Could you remind me which one it was, and I will try to get a cd of it. Confident that you are impressed with his running all over the pitch.

Shame you don`t have the button. Delete, delete

Despite the fact that a large part of our solid start and contribution to us staying up came from games where he played - you can check those stats yourself if you're going to be pathetic - he also played a massive role in winning the JPT with outstanding performances against Doncaster and Coventry.

[AstonAlex]

I would have to support Renegade; we seem to have completely forgotten how well Abdul and Murphy played together last season. Luke was a cut above any of this season's remaining midfielders, but his assurance and leadership seemed to allow Abdul to do what he does best - break up play and give the ball to someone who can pass it.

Sadly, we haven't had anyone remotely like Luke this season (let's face it they don't come through every season) and Abdul just hasn't been able to adjust to being the main man. I agree that he should be 'rested' (let's be kind) and the pair that seem to gel - Evans and the much improved Grant - start as many matches as possible. I would also agree that Nolan is the obvious alternate to Evans and that Walters should be seen as understudy to Grant; what little I have seen of him suggests he may play in a similar manner.

Abdul hasn't played well this season but, like Kelvin and Byron, it really isn't either fair nor accurate to say he has always been rubbis

[ALEXKNOWALL]

Its all about the lack of balance! Regardless of which 2 are playing well or not, the midfield on Saturday was just set up to try toavoid us getting a hammering. Those 3 midfielders together has just never worked! It also left Chuks to do a job he cannot do against a good team because he needs a runner near him (even if its Ajay!) Whichever of our midfield 3 gets in front of the play he never looks comfortable. I would like to see Inman tried centrally if we need to pack midfield - but on Saturday we needed another forward to give us an out ball. I like SD but his clear weakness is his unwillingness to make changes - did anyone not believe we needed to bring a forward on when we scored the penalty with 20 minutes to go? SD did it but 10 minutes too late. Another recent example - at Tranmere no-one present could believe Ajay should have come out for the second half but subs at 45 minutes are just not considered

[lukcour]

Have read all of your comments with interest. It is admirable the way that many of you have stuck up for one of our players. Also pleased that the thread generated some interest, and do not dispute that my comments were not very complimentary to Abdul Osman.

I stand by everything said. My reasons are simple, my loyalty is to the team (CAFC) that I support. Not to an individual player. If that upsets posters so be it. In my opinion Osman is largely responsible for the position we are in today. I am angry that my team is in a position that IMO they should not be in.

For the majority of the season Osman has been captain. We are once again in the relegation zone. During the time that he has been captain we have conceded 2.11 goals per game. He is the weakness in the team. He has had an awful season. In the games that he has not played we have been a far better side, playing much more attractive football. The players have also looked a lot happier with the balance being much

[Crewebeedoo]

Agree to some extent we look a different better and more balanced team without Osman. I have started to notice how slow and hesitant he can be when he really needs to be quick and decisive. He is obviously going through a bad patch -as are others - but when points are so ***** Steve really needs to be picking players who are in form.Tootle makes a far better captain. On Saturday he was noticeably trying to motivate his team mates when it mattered.

So far as Steve's late substitutions are concerned, I have been saying this for months! So frustrating he waits 70 minutes plus to take any action when changes are needed. Against Brentford the match was already lost at 2-0 so we should've just had a go and tried something different. Would really like to see Oliver given another chance to show what he can do.