Walsall Ratings

[matt_magpie]

A controversial one which i am sure will get some abuse, This being McGoldrick. last season we played with just Macca up front, Ruben played in midfield along side Palmer, O Brien and later Bostock. This season we now have McGoldrick playing in a position created for him, which to be honest was not a necessity. The only real change should have been Crowley moving into Rubens slot. But because of where McGoldrick is playing , Crowley has been pushed out wide, which is a complete waste. Instead of signing McGoldrick we should have spent that money on a decent defender... And in any case, we had Scott for that 2nd striker roll if needed, (unfortunately now injured) who had a far better understanding with Macca, and was more athletic and mobile..

We played the box midfield last season, Ruben where Crowley plays and Scott/Austin where Mcgoldrick plays?

[1955pie]

I have been reflecting (perhaps too much) on Saturdays game.
We looked like a very poor National League team.
Under what circumstances, apart from injury, could it be right to replace (admittedly below par) Bostock, Austin and Crowley with Gosling, O'Brien and Morias? Especially, given the state of the game at that time.
Our plan A wasn't working so Macca was being massively underused (and has been for several matches already this season). We were effectively playing with ten and a half men for the entire match. We need a plan B that amongst other things involves Macca more and have the ability to switch during a game. But we don't have a plan B.
Out of interest does anyone know the circumstances that led to LW's departure from Swindon after their relegation in 2017? I know his win percentage was only 27%.
As others have said on this thread, we had a paper thin squad to begin with this season and responsibility for that lies right at the very, very top. OK we were alright last season but we were lucky. We were naive in the extreme and who is to say it couldn't yet get worse? I know LW says he likes a small squad because it is easier to keep players happy - but other managers manage to cope. If we had more resource in the club right now then I think that the players (and fans) would be a lot happier than they are. We didn't need to go for the full 25 players but to start the season with a 19 man senior outfield squad was far too small.
Posters have talked about budget and consolidation and that is fair enough but what will it mean. Macca and Jodi will be gone and they would certainly deserve their move. They may well both go anyway at the end of the season no matter what the outcome. However, if the clubs' hierachy have effectively given up on promotion (remember Richard Montagues 2% comment) it wouldn't surprise me to see one, or both, go in January to help shore up other parts of the team.
I have not totally given up on this season but it all depends on January.
Having been a Notts fan for such a long time I have seen it all before ( or variations thereof ) and am currently on a real downer.
This is what you get with supporting the Pies.
Come May, if we have somehow turned it around and find ourselves in League 1, I want you all to come on here and ram this post down my throat. Nothing would make me happier.

[durhampie]

I have been reflecting (perhaps too much) on Saturdays game.
We looked like a very poor National League team.
Under what circumstances, apart from injury, could it be right to replace (admittedly below par) Bostock, Austin and Crowley with Gosling, O'Brien and Morias? Especially, given the state of the game at that time.
Our plan A wasn't working so Macca was being massively underused (and has been for several matches already this season). We were effectively playing with ten and a half men for the entire match. We need a plan B that amongst other things involves Macca more and have the ability to switch during a game. But we don't have a plan B.
Out of interest does anyone know the circumstances that led to LW's departure from Swindon after their relegation in 2017? I know his win percentage was only 27%.
As others have said on this thread, we had a paper thin squad to begin with this season and responsibility for that lies right at the very, very top. OK we were alright last season but we were lucky. We were naive in the extreme and who is to say it couldn't yet get worse? I know LW says he likes a small squad because it is easier to keep players happy - but other managers manage to cope. If we had more resource in the club right now then I think that the players (and fans) would be a lot happier than they are. We didn't need to go for the full 25 players but to start the season with a 19 man senior outfield squad was far too small.
Posters have talked about budget and consolidation and that is fair enough but what will it mean. Macca and Jodi will be gone and they would certainly deserve their move. They may well both go anyway at the end of the season no matter what the outcome. However, if the clubs' hierachy have effectively given up on promotion (remember Richard Montagues 2% comment) it wouldn't surprise me to see one, or both, go in January to help shore up other parts of the team.
I have not totally given up on this season but it all depends on January.
Having been a Notts fan for such a long time I have seen it all before ( or variations thereof ) and am currently on a real downer.
This is what you get with supporting the Pies.
Come May, if we have somehow turned it around and find ourselves in League 1, I want you all to come on here and ram this post down my throat. Nothing would make me happier.

You would end up relegating us if we replaced Crowley with Morias or Bostock with Gosling..

[1955pie]

You would end up relegating us if we replaced Crowley with Morias or Bostock with Gosling..

But that is what he did on Saturday.

[durhampie]

But that is what he did on Saturday.

And we lost....

[Elite_Pie]

I have not totally given up on this season but it all depends on January.

That's about where I'm at. We've done really well so far, but now the squad is stretched to the limit and needs good additions in January if we are to maintain the good start. We are at a crossroads, and the direction we take is heavily dependant on the radar.

[SmiffyPie]

We are at a crossroads, and the direction we take is heavily dependant on the radar.

Very clever!

[durhampie]

I think this would be the answer to our problems..

New keeper
Macari.........Baldwin.......New CB........ Chicksen

.........Jones ....... Bostock.....New CM.....Toby

..........................Crowley................. ........

......................... Macca...................

[durhampie]

[QUOTE=matt_magpie;40406511]We played the box midfield last season, Ruben where Crowley plays and Scott/Austin where Mcgoldrick plays?[

Crowley does not play in that roll played by Ruben. He has only played that roll on a couple of occasions, after which many were saying "Ruben Who" When McGoldrick plays Crowley is more out wide... Thats the problem.....