Matchday Thread: Mansfield v Rams

[Andy_Faber]

you should have replaced old rooney with new rooney as your avatar AF

thanks but I'm considering changing to Statler and Waldorf in tribute to two of the forum's most prominent posters

[ramAnag]

thanks but I'm considering changing to Statler and Waldorf in tribute to two of the forum's most prominent posters

Which one are you?

[Geoff Parkstone]

Andy: you and Swale could be Tweedledum and Tweedledee, always arguing!

[MadAmster]

Might have hammered them, could have lost as well. Cracking Cup tie. 2nd string XI looked reasonable. Wildsmith is looking better, still needs to improve his distribution. Rooney looked good in all aspects, passing, tackling, covering. Probably won't start this weekend but, if he keeps playing that way he'll get a start sooner rather than later. Stearman made a few too many errors for my liking. Having said that, it was his first start of the season so he could be somewhat excused. Cover will be his role this season, again. Cashin was again good. James Chester won't unseat Cash on this form and Davies has the armband. Chester will need to be patient, if he ever gets fit as it's rumoured he could be out a while. Oduroh is one for the future, potential but needs to grow into senior football IMO. Thompson will be cover. Fozzy will be a bench warmer although neither let themselves or the team down. Good cross from Foz for the first goal. Smith looks steady without being outstanding. As a newbie he can grow into the team. So far he's been replaced by Sibs on 55 to 60 minutes. We may see the reverse of that on Saturday. Sibs had another good game. Dobbin will improve and offers IMO, 3 possibilities. I think he could be the perfect partner for Collins in a front 2. From the bench he offers a plan B (or plan B with Collins on the bench). He can also play out wide. It will be hard to keep him out of the matchday squad. Knight was very good but will be RB again on Saturday.

I'm slowly getting confidence in the strength in depth we have. Wildsmith is getting there, loach is decent cover and young Foulkes is a reasonable shout for the 3rd spot although we might go for another senior keeper. New RB wanted with Oduroh as backup. CD we have Rooney, Davies, Cashin, Chester, Stearman and Fozzy. LB Roberts and Foz. holding MF Bird, Tommo, Hourihane. AM x 3, Knight, Sibley, Barkhuizen, Mendez-Laing, McG, Smith and a choice between Collins and Dobbin up top.

Add in a fair few young guns who can fill in as and when needed. Strength in depth. Sounds good.

[DCFCArmy]

Still think another striker and right back are key

But I wouldnt mind us building slowly and hitting our straps after the world cup break

Barnsley at home on Saturday is a nice game in terms of seeing where we are, I think theyll be just a bit to much at this time personally and a draw would be a decent result despite it being at home

I think Sheff Weds are the team early doors, similar position to ourselves last year as well so shows what can be done with a couple of transfer windows

[macstheman]

Barnsley are used to the rigours of L1 and will be thereabouts next spring, as DCFCa says it will be a good litmus test. We are still building and developing the squad and this takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day and Mansfield proved good opposition to gain more game time and confidence.