We draw on Saturday and we could easily be 7 points adrift. None of the top teams play each other and all have pretty decent matchups on paper.We are 5 points behind playoffs now, I don't think we can start getting draws
Yep, agree with this. Would chose Shipley over JMD though.Burge
Grimmer
Stokes
McDonald
Willis
Doyle
Bayliss
Shipley / JMD
Reid
JCH
McNulty
We've got to the point where losing at home can't be shrugged off. Have to win our home games now or we'll see a gap opening up.
Hopefully Doyle will be back. If he is will Robins persist with Kelly.
Doyle and Kelly had worked OK against better teams especially away.
It's when we really need to get on the front foot it doesn't work. Wouldn't be too bothered to see that combo for the next two games, perhaps give Bayliss a rest.
Besides McNulty, I would say Bayliss is our best player and the one player with any creativity in the middle of the park.
For me he has to be one of the first names on the team sheet. Otherwise without him that strikes of negativity.
He might well, but that doesn't mean it is the correct thing to do.I'd rather rest him than stick him out wide and I can't see him not playing Doyle and Kelly if Doyle is fit.
The problem is, when we get to March, and a run of 'winnable' games, Robins will still probably persevere with Kelly and Doyle.
He might well, but that doesn't mean it is the correct thing to do.
I would definitely be looking to play Bayliss on Saturday and would definitely be playing him in the middle.
The creativity level since his inclusion and when he plays in the middle of the park is significant.
Yeah, cos cautious mode has served us well away from home lately hasn't it.I agree about the creativity he adds, though having seen how many problems Mansfield gave us at home it might be worth reverting to cautious mode.
I also think Bayliss looks like he needs a rest.
Yeah, cos cautious mode has served us well away from home lately hasn't it.
Good point.Doyle and Kelly had worked OK against better teams especially away.
It's when we really need to get on the front foot it doesn't work. Wouldn't be too bothered to see that combo for the next two games, perhaps give Bayliss a rest.
Thats definitely an option of playing three strikers, but not quit that desperate just yet.I'd definitely play Reid for crosses to JCH and Biamou in the middle, McNulty just behind!
Agreed with your comments about Bayliss not being creative as in traditional sense.I actually don't think Bayliss is that creative, not in the traditional terms of racking up assists with defence splitting passes anyway. What he does brilliantly is turn defence into attack and put opposition on the back foot with his ability to beat a man and carry the ball over distances that other players would normally need to pass. I think that's why he hasn't looked as effective in those couple of games after his illness - when not 100% fit he didn't have the legs to keep doing that.
He's also highlighted our weaknesses on the wings too, he gets 35 yards out, moves the ball out wide and moves come to nothing as we don't have wingers who can cross a moving ball consistently or regularly beat a man, Vincenti and Shipley often look for passes back inside and our attacks become static and peter out.
This match is one of the few games this season I didn't automatically know my preferred starting line up. As we have struggled with first half goals away all season and given the opposition and we're away, I think I'd start the game with a 4-2-3-1:
Burge
Grimmer, Willis, McDonald, Shipley
Kelly Doyle
JMD Bayliss Reid
JCH
Controversial in not starting McNulty but he's done a lot of running since his illness and I think this is a game to be won by dominating midfield so I'd save him for half time. It also gives us a game changing attacking change if needed, with him coming on for one of the DMs and into a 4-4-2. If we're winning JMD can come off and Bayliss can go wide - he'll have more space to do what he does on the counter attack with Mansfield chasing the game rather than his back to the wall in central midfield.
And now I'll sit back and wait to be flamed for dropping our top goal scorer!
I agree about the creativity he adds, though having seen how many problems Mansfield gave us at home it might be worth reverting to cautious mode.
I also think Bayliss looks like he needs a rest.
I haven't dropped Bayliss, the whole team is built around him. Right midfield is our real problem area with no-one grabbing the shirt and hanging on to it from the various options we've tried. With 5 in midfield I picked JMD (I am far from convinced has the mental strength for L2) because I want some genuine width and not someone that drifts inside as much as Vincenti clogging up the middle. I also think JMD will look better with more options inside of him. While I think he's been poor, it's very easy to manipulate him into doing what you want when he's got no obvious easy pass inside. He's been very reliant on Grimmer's overlap for support whenever I've seen him. Also with 2 DMs it will lessen the impact of his lack of backtracking while not detracting from attack as Bayliss is still central. It's a formation and players picked to maximise their strengths.A
Agreed with your comments about Bayliss not being creative as in traditional sense.
But to Drop Bayliss and McNulty for this game. And even that to accomodate JMD at Mansfield?
Id be surprised if JMD is even on the bench.
Think we will win this one. Mansfield are still under pressure and there to be got at.
Think we will get a draw. Haven't had one them since Crawley at Home.
It will be a welcome point against one of the favorites away from home.
With easier games to come in March/april we need to turn in a positive performances.
Im going for 2-2 draw.
I agree with you. I agree also hinted on us playing Bayliss and Kelly and Doyle, putting Bayliss in a hole just in front of the other pairing.I haven't dropped Bayliss, the whole team is built around him. Right midfield is our real problem area with no-one grabbing the shirt and hanging on to it from the various options we've tried. With 5 in midfield I picked JMD (I am far from convinced has the mental strength for L2) because I want some genuine width and not someone that drifts inside as much as Vincenti clogging up the middle. I also think JMD will look better with more options inside of him. While I think he's been poor, it's very easy to manipulate him into doing what you want when he's got no obvious easy pass inside. He's been very reliant on Grimmer's overlap for support whenever I've seen him. Also with 2 DMs it will lessen the impact of his lack of backtracking while not detracting from attack as Bayliss is still central. It's a formation and players picked to maximise their strengths.
I agree with you. I agree also hinted on us playing Bayliss and Kelly and Doyle, putting Bayliss in a hole just in front of the other pairing.
Width wise i dont think Shipley has done much wrong. been more than adequate considering hes not a natural wide player since jodis injury, woukd start him any day over the likes of Barrat or JMD or Haynes on the left.I haven't dropped Bayliss, the whole team is built around him. Right midfield is our real problem area with no-one grabbing the shirt and hanging on to it from the various options we've tried. With 5 in midfield I picked JMD (I am far from convinced has the mental strength for L2) because I want some genuine width and not someone that drifts inside as much as Vincenti clogging up the middle. I also think JMD will look better with more options inside of him. While I think he's been poor, it's very easy to manipulate him into doing what you want when he's got no obvious easy pass inside. He's been very reliant on Grimmer's overlap for support whenever I've seen him. Also with 2 DMs it will lessen the impact of his lack of backtracking while not detracting from attack as Bayliss is still central. It's a formation and players picked to maximise their strengths.
You been playing too much fifa.I agree with you. I agree also hinted on us playing Bayliss and Kelly and Doyle, putting Bayliss in a hole just in front of the other pairing.
I've started Reid on the left though, not any of who you've mentioned. Did you read my formation or just looking for an argument because i don't understand why Barratt, JMD or Haynes on the left are getting a mention in response to my post. Shipley has little end product as a winger but is worthy of a place inthe team. Considering he has also had spells on corner and free kick duty he has 1 assist all season but I do think he would do well as a left back supporting a genuine winger, not dissimilar to Grimmer. Reid put in 2 better crosses vs Accrington than we have seen all season from Jones, Nazon, Barratt, JMD, Shipley, Vincenti, DKE, Ponticelli, Haynes, Biamou, McNulty or any of the half a squad we have played in wide midfield roles that I might have forgotten and I have explained above why I want end product from out wide.Width wise i dont think Shipley has done much wrong. been more than adequate considering hes not a natural wide player since jodis injury, woukd start him any day over the likes of Barrat or JMD or Haynes on the left.
Robins to the players hopefully.Anyone said this is a must win game yet!
4-3-3 please
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