Yes, I know Lati isn't quick but his mentality is very good. Wolf deserves another start as well.
It wasn’t easy to judge based on the opposition and our domination of possession. I thought they looked fine yesterday and didn’t give the ball away as much as BT and LK but I do think Thomas in the opposition box gives us another dimension.
I think the result against Boro will be more down to our being a threat in front of goal. We scored some crackers at their place.
I think the result against Boro will be more down to our being a threat in front of goal. We scored some crackers at their place.
I hope he was just sending them a message, saying buck your ideas up because I have alternatives.
Try and get them focused , and playing like they did when they thought Wolfendon was here to replace one of them.
Try and get them focused , and playing like they did when they thought Wolfendon was here to replace one of them.
Would have Lats over Kitching if were expecting to be on the defensive. Thomas we need as he’s the only player who even tries to win headers in their box.
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I think frank will go for a 3 at the back against boro with lati missing out and kitch and thomas back in. Grimes and onyeka to hold that midfield down
Nothing to do, so I’m confused how Woolfenden has been judged as awful. They’d be going from being up against the poorest, least attacking team we’ll see all season to one of the very best next Monday. Not sure I’d keep them in. But Thomas and Kitching absolutely have to be better than they have been. MvE another one who has to be doing better. There’s no way KKH is that bad that we can’t drop MvE.
They didn't have anything to do, you have to factor that in. However, in so many games, the opposition score because we make a catastrophic mistake, not because they were busy anyway.
I'm not opposed to the two yesterday keeping the shirt, for now.
I'm not opposed to the two yesterday keeping the shirt, for now.
Sometimes you post some really really weird / out there opinions.
Lati and Thomas for me. Would like the pace of KKH AND MVE alongside them to cover what Lati lacks, but does read the game well.
We certainly were not tested, but to suggest Woolfenden was “awful” is definitely a bizzare take away from that game.
Whether he is our weakest CB is defo up for debate though.
No idea, Thomas and Kitch are hot heads. Let their emotions rule their actions, you might want them in a scrap but not when it calls for calm and clear heads.
That said would be a huge call to play Lati and Woolf for one of the biggest matches in recent history when they have been on the bench for most of the season
That said would be a huge call to play Lati and Woolf for one of the biggest matches in recent history when they have been on the bench for most of the season
He played then onside in the first half at least 3 times including the big chance they had. Hes slow and pondorous on the ball
The one and only decent chance they had yes. Also, he’s barely played, let alone in this defence so I think forgivable.
I do agree he was a detriment to our build play at times though.
Still think awful is a stretch - similar to your criticisms of Esse, who definitely did have a poor game / was awful, but he has been decent in others.
Dunno about the slow and ponderous but definitely played them onside.
I thought after the sending off Thomas might’ve come on for Lati.
He didn’t.
On the ball he was a bit too cautious imo and had some sloppy moments. Defensively, Oxford weren’t a threat to meaningfully rate Lati and Wolfenden.
On average one hand, you shouldn’t change a CB partnership on the back of a clean sheet but on the other, don’t be lulled into a sense of false security because the opposition was just not a test for them.
Oxford are awful.
Lati and Woolfenden had nothing to do and what they did do was ponderous and slow. I actually want Woolfenden to come good, simply because it seems like we have paid silly money for him and I'm fearing it was an absolute waste.
A clean sheet in a game like that is "meh", Oxford came for a 0-0 and got one.
We had a way of playing early in the season that caught teams out but they are all wise to it now and we have no solution or plan B. It's that simple, you can even see players on the pitch doing the same things, game in, game out and they seem baffled as to why they can't score goals anymore.
It's a problem and one I don't see being solved and that is why we won't go up.
Lati and Woolfenden had nothing to do and what they did do was ponderous and slow. I actually want Woolfenden to come good, simply because it seems like we have paid silly money for him and I'm fearing it was an absolute waste.
A clean sheet in a game like that is "meh", Oxford came for a 0-0 and got one.
We had a way of playing early in the season that caught teams out but they are all wise to it now and we have no solution or plan B. It's that simple, you can even see players on the pitch doing the same things, game in, game out and they seem baffled as to why they can't score goals anymore.
It's a problem and one I don't see being solved and that is why we won't go up.
I would be tempted to try Thomas and Wolf as a pairing.
I also think that this is what he will do. It's probably a "must win" match now but it's definitely a "do not lose" game.
It would be just like us, after some very poor performances many of which were against lower-ranking teams, to actually play well against Middlesbrough and win. I certainly hope so
My preference if we're playing 2 at the minute
Thomas - 1st choice still for me, might not be on form but he's our best defender. Also gives us a big option with set pieces
Woolfy - Just edges it over Lati. Not convinced us he's PL quality but has the experience of getting a team out of this division and feel that's what we need now
Lati - Really hasn't done anything wrong when called upon. A fantastic backup to have, but if we want to go up then I think he needs to be backup
Kitching - I think he gets back into the team soon, but I feel like he needs a few games out to re-group and get back to basics. He's a good strong defender and clearly a good leader as he wouldn't have been given vice captain, but I think that's where he needs to get his head back to
Thomas - 1st choice still for me, might not be on form but he's our best defender. Also gives us a big option with set pieces
Woolfy - Just edges it over Lati. Not convinced us he's PL quality but has the experience of getting a team out of this division and feel that's what we need now
Lati - Really hasn't done anything wrong when called upon. A fantastic backup to have, but if we want to go up then I think he needs to be backup
Kitching - I think he gets back into the team soon, but I feel like he needs a few games out to re-group and get back to basics. He's a good strong defender and clearly a good leader as he wouldn't have been given vice captain, but I think that's where he needs to get his head back to
Need to go back to our best team. And hopefully they will all play their best
rushworth
Mve
Jds
Thomas
Kithching
frank
Grimes
Torp
Emc
Esse
wright
rushworth
Mve
Jds
Thomas
Kithching
frank
Grimes
Torp
Emc
Esse
wright
That's not far off the team that I would select, although I'm tempted to start with Woolfendon or Lati as a third CB. That does of course beg the question as to who misses out and what formation we play. I would probably drop Torp - who I like but needs must - and, with Onyeka in the team and hopefully our full backs not being overly adventurous, allow Grimes to venture further forward.
I can see the formation and personnel changing as the game progresses, particularly if we find ourselves in need of a goal.
We really need to win this one but we absolutely can't afford to lose it.
Lati and Wolf were solid with what they had to do but Wolf was ending up with the ball around the half way line and couldn’t swing it in - even Grimes was looking to find the wingers rather than put it in the box which in the last 10 mins with Simms on was what was needed
I think that Lati was fantastic defensively on Saturday and Woolfenden didn't do much wrong either. We won a lot of headers from long balls which for the last 6 weeks have caused us some issues especially with the ball being recycled and put out down the wings. We have been putting in weak headers and letting the ball bounce for a while and Saturday that didn't happen.
We would have looked a bit more wobbly at the back with Kitching and Thomas there again on Saturday and really hope that Lampard doesn't drop Lati and Woolfenden again for next Monday.
We would have looked a bit more wobbly at the back with Kitching and Thomas there again on Saturday and really hope that Lampard doesn't drop Lati and Woolfenden again for next Monday.