IT can occasionally work to your benefit. It can force the hand of a manager reluctant to make a hard choice. 1986 World Cup - Bryan Robson injured and Ray Wilkins sent off. Enter Glen Hoddle and Peter Reid and a great cup run.
This year we only found out what EMC was capable of because Haji...
Yes: Dovin, Grimes, Rudoni, Haji
On a good day: MVE, Sheaf, Kitching
Probably good Championship Torp, EMC, Tats, Thomas
After that they are average Championship
Have you not seen the list above? And they are good for retaining. See callum and Vik who were both loans originally and have been the two best players over the last 5 years bar possibly Hamer
It's insane not to consider loans. We are lumbered with JDS when a good Premiership young left back...
Doyle McNally O'Hare Walsh Gyokeres Maatsen Sterling in 4 seasons
If we do get promoted we will need them because at least they are off the books when we get relegated the next season
Looking at the full game you can see how he worked himself into good positions to receive the ball. But he was helped by midfield dominance behind him. But I doubt if Simms would have got number 1 and 3.
Repeating my comments on the Ratings thread. At a personal level getting Saka back to his best has been one of Lampard's big achievements. Much more willing to take his man on, use his right foot (see Rudoni goal at Oxford) and cover for MVE
No more hugging the touchline and just passing it...
It's all been said (and it's dead easy when you have just had a good win) but in no particular order
1. At a personal level, getting Saka back to his best and Torp's emergence have been the big achievements of Lampard's regime. They've got Saka to trust himself more
2. Ball retention...
This will be tough. Have to play like the first half against PNE, but without Rudoni. Any kind of win would be fantastic. Play defensive with 5 at the back but fast on the break
Always thought our win against Bristol was undervalued on here. They looked a strong side. Them and us were my tips for the to 6 a couple of weeks ago when there was a thread on it
Two options:
1: Frank: The conservative option: Stay 4-3-3 as he prefers: JDS and EMC come in while Bidders and Wright drop out. Frank clearly prefers Eccles to Allen
2: Gibbo: Stop leaking stupid goals: 5-3-2: Binks in for Wright, shifting one person from attack to defence. I'd play Allen...
Two goals a game in three games on the bounce since we reinstated four at the back and against bang average opposition. The stats don't lie. And three really soft goals from set pieces. This run was built on 3 central defenders. It ain't pretty but it works. K and T are just not good enough to...
Fans seem desperate to rest and rotate - presumably in a desire to appear strategic - but until you reach the top end of the Premiership, managers seem to always prefer the 'best team' regardless.
If MVE is fit he will play - we have no quality cover
If EMC is fit he will play - if there is a...