Shrewsbury Away

[CAMiller]

Despite some optimism we actually have a losing record overall against Shrews (W23 D17 L29) but we haven't lost at their place in 5 visits since 2012.

I thought one of our occasional 'nightmare' games was against them where we lost, had lots of bookings/red cards, ref had a 'mare (Mr. Leake) and Blist captured it all in a wonderful cartoon. However I can't seem to find it on 11 v 11 (not helped by the fact that the link to us is broken as we are aptly called Rotherdam United on their index page ) so maybe I'm thinking of another game/team?

[wrinkly]

I went to that game Cam.
Vance Warner sent off after 21 minutes with one of their players (Steele)
Glover sent off after 45 minutes.
Neil Richardson sent off after 83 minutes. They went 2-0 up after the penalty.
Rotherham fans were shouting at the team to get another sent off - thinking that if we went down to 7 players the game would have to be abandoned.
Jason White (White White) actually made it 2-1 on 89 minutes .That was the final score.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/r...ate=1997-10-04

League 3 click on the"i" for match details

[CAMiller]

I went to that game Cam.
Vance Warner sent off after 21 minutes with one of their players (Steele)
Glover sent off after 45 minutes.
Neil Richardson sent off after 83 minutes. They went 2-0 up after the penalty.
Rotherham fans were shouting at the team to get another sent off - thinking that if we went down to 7 players the game would have to be abandoned.
Jason White (White White) actually made it 2-1 on 89 minutes .That was the final score.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/r...ate=1997-10-04

League 3 click on the"i" for match details

Thanks Wrinkly, that's the one.

[Derbymiller]

well looks like we could be without two more on Saturday with JCH and Wilks having an injury. So will SE just do a like for like replacement and bring in Hugill and Hungbo or will he strengthen the midfield and only play 2 upfront. A number on here have said we need our best 11 on the pitch to turn this around, it could be that 3 of our biggest players won't be playing.

[grundy]

Early days i know but what is our best chance of getting points home and away ?

I think we have to play a back four as Rafferty and James can never be played as wing backs with a back three behind them. I also believe it looks like Evans does not trust Hungbo or Holmes to play as wide men in a midfield five. As Derby says his hand might be forced this Saturday as Wilks could be out.

We have to strngthen the midfield because the gaps in it without Kelly knitting it together is alarming imo. Warne would play a 4.5.1 set up,keep it tight and try and score via set pieces. I do not see us having the players to play that style and up to just the set pieces have been very poor. JCH cannot play as a lone striker and neirher can Nombe. What about a 4.4.1.1 set up with the team as below

Dawson
Rafferty Ragettt Humphreys James
Hungbo Oddoffin Tiehi Powell
Nombe
Hugill

You could play a 4.2.3.1 with Tiehi and Odoffin as holding midfielders. I am just not convinced they play well together as holding midfielders. Kelly will be missed for the next two games and i think four points would be a great return. I do fear we might struggle on Saturday though.

[RU66]

Hungbo Holmes Powell not a fan of any. Like I've said many times Odoffin he's a centre back. Play McCart left of a midfield 3. In training sort out whose taking free kicks corners. 4-3-3

Dawson

Rafferty Odoffin Humphreys James

Mcwilliams Teihi McCart

Nombe Hugill Osong

[CAMiller]

Hungbo Holmes Powell not a fan of any. Like I've said many times Odoffin he's a centre back. Play McCart left of a midfield 3. In training sort out whose taking free kicks corners. 4-3-3

Dawson

Rafferty Odoffin Humphreys James

Mcwilliams Teihi McCart

Nombe Hugill Osong

Not that I thought you ever had any marbles but if you did I think putting McCart in midfield might suggest you have finally lost them

[RU66]

Not that I thought you ever had any marbles but if you did I think putting McCart in midfield might suggest you have finally lost them

No McCart don't think it would inconvenience him playing left of midfield. Powell he's not convinced me in one game yet he can do a job there.

[Derbymiller]

Assuming they don't play I expect Evans to do like for like changes, he will play Hugill. You never know he might actually turn up to work and knock in a couple of goals. I expect Humphries to miss out as Evans is all full of himself in discovering McCart also he plays on the left side.
My starting 11 would be
Dawson
Rafferty, Humphries, Raggett, James
Tiehi, Odoffin
Mcdonald, powell, Hungo
Nombe

This brings the midfield close to the defence, allows us to be 4-3-3 when we have the ball and 4-2-3-1 when we don't. Width comes from Hungbo and Macdonald (best we have unfortunately)

On the bench would be Hatton, Holmes, McWilliams, McCart, Phillips, Osong, Hugill

[grundy]

I think one of the problems with the gaps in midfield is the back four sit too deep thus dragging the two holding midfielders with them and creating space for the opposition to play in front of them.Birmingham exploited this with Iwata having all the time and space to run the game.A defence sitting deep is usually a lack of pace in it.

Derby, i would have major worries about McDonald,Powell and Hungbo as the forward three of a midfield five.If we continue to lump it high from deep i would also worry about Nombe up top. Unfortunately i cannot see a formation that can work with the players we have and the style we are playing.