M42Owl

Tough call on the line up as I’d like to see Saturday’s back three rested along with Palmer, but who comes in? So… Dawson Iorfa Henegan Galvin (I’d like to see Agbontohoma get a chance but I’ve no idea if he’s stepped up from a dodgy game v Harrogate last season. And would he suit the left side?) Palmer, FDB, Vaulks Hunt, Brown (Left side looks a bit weak, so maybe put Henegan to the left behind Brown). Paterson, Sow.

Isn’t Wilks cup tied?

Do you think the intention is to play McGuiness primarily on the left, at least until, Famewo comes back? I think it was Ty that said McGuiness is “very right footed”. That was clear on Saturday. He was less happy using his left than Ihekwe was v Portsmouth. Don’t get me wrong, I thought he had an excellent game, but the way we play it slowly across the back often leaves our wide CB needing to make a hasty pass. McGuiness turned in, onto his right foot, and into an opponent several times on Saturday. As long as the midfield three continue to get into space to make themselves available, and as long as McG maintains his composure and doesn’t panic he’ll do well on the left, but I can see him getting caught out and losing possession because he won’t / can’t use his left.

Not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but it does my head in every time, why do refs waste time going to a tv monitor? VAR is not a spotty student on work placement, it’s someone who, on another day, actually referees EPL matches. So VAR is competent (as much as any ref is) and if he says to the pitch ref “I think you’ve got that wrong”, that should be enough. Change the decision and get on with the game.

How can you have clear blue water between a yellow and a red card offence? Fouls cover a complete range of severity: they are not only soft or vicious, they can be every point in between. At some point there’s a grey area. Like it or not, a lot of it is subjective and hence down to the referee: the view he had, how much he’s influenced by the crowd/players, his mood that day, the nature of the game up to that point, etc.

Overall, a deserved win, but it could have gone either way. For the first half hour they looked like they could score whenever they went forward: we were barely hanging on. And going forward, all our key passes were over hit. Then they missed the gifted one on one and the game changed. 30 seconds later, a Gregory header went close, another 5 minutes and we were two up. It was nail biting at times, but Bolton never really threatened after that bad miss. We need to cut out these lapses where we are caught in possession. It’ll cost us points eventually. In fact it already has.

“They won’t stand in his way” as they hike the transfer fee another £100k?

I think Moore deserves some credit for benching Henegan, who I think, despite a few dodgy moments and poor passes, has been generally sound. And for then selecting a player with little form and zero confidence and another who’s only been at the club for 24 hours. Perhaps he was a bit fortunate in that Palmer had to replace Hunt leaving a gap for McGuiness. But still, Iorfa was a big gamble. And it came off. A few dodgy near misses, mainly created by our midfield being caught in possession, but 2nd half in particular, we were rarely threatened. So same defence next week. In fact, probably same 11, although Bakinson for FDB or Adeniran wouldn’t surprise.

11 points

All correct.

9. Lofthouse correct. 30 goals in 33 appearances. 4. Looking at the date of the second win, I guess Bruce was the manager at the time. We’ve had so many I’m losing track. The second scorer though was a Bruce signing. I think, like Sidibe, he’s a one goal Wednesday wonder.

I think McGuinness will be played on the left when he does play (until Famewo is back). Unless we’re after another defender. But I reckon it’ll be Palmer tomorrow.

Everyone gone off line, down the pub, or is the quiz too easy? Correct answers so far. Stan Mortensen. Incidentally, winners Blackpool beat Wednesday at Hillsborough in the 3rd round. The “White Horse” final in 1923 (first at Wembley). Twice. Boxing Day 2012: 1-0 (Sidibe) & 12/3/19: 2-0 (My source suggests Fletcher only got one). Played 9 (2-4-3) including one league cup defeat. Paul Warhurst Sherpa Van. Gary Megson. Kevin Davies. He is the only one not to play for Sheffield United although he was at the club’s academy. I’ll reveal the final three answers before setting off to Bolton in the morning if they haven’t already been identified.

So what do you know about Bolton Wanderers? In 1953 Bolton took part in the FA Cup final which is colloquially referred to after a famous player. Who scored a hat-trick? Which other FA Cup final did Bolton Wanderers appear in that is better known by a unique name? Bolton Wanderers have lost two League Cup finals. Who beat them? How many times have Wednesday won at the Reebok or however it has subsequently been named? By what score, and who scored? Which Wednesday goal scoring sensation later moved to Bolton but failed to score in approx 100 matches. Former Bolton forward Kenny Davenport holds which unique record? Bolton Wanderers are a past winner of the EFL Trophy. Who was the competition’s main sponsor at the time? Bayern Munich hosted Bolton Wanderers in the group stage of the UEFA cup. Who was Bolton’s manager at the time? Which player has scored the most goals for England whilst a Bolton player? Which of these former Bolton players is the odd one out, and why? Nathan Blake, Gary Cahill, Kevin Davies, Gary Madine. I’ll check back in a couple of hours to mark your answers.

Didn’t we once score without touching the ball? I might be imagining it, but 1960s Alan Mullary (Fulham?) own goal straight from the kick-off. Perhaps more to the point, I do feel sometimes that we get pressed so deep that we’re in danger that a defender’s pass across to Stockdale is going to be sliced into the net. At times like that, I prefer a hoof downfield to gift possession in the opposition half.

Both correct. I thought I’d try a trick question. As you say, when Peterborough entered the league, they did so in division 4. So they spent zero years in div 3 (south).

Correct. Apparently it was a competition initiated by the Cambridge and district (or whatever they called themselves) F.A. Peterborough (and Cambridge United) were also in it in the previous year, 75/76.

I know it’s not Friday, but it is the day before match day, so… Peterborough United Which team was voted out of the football league when Peterborough United was elected in? Which ex-player / ex-manager of Peterborough shares a name with an ex-player / ex-manager of Wednesday? Peterborough United was formed in 1934. Which year was their ground at London Road opened? After Peterborough United we’re elected to the football league, how many consecutive seasons did they spend in Division Three (South)? In 1976/77 & 1977/78 Peterborough United and Sheffield Wednesday took part in which pre-season competition? Who else also took part in both these seasons? Name the player from his appearance / goals record. Wednesday 192 apps 21 goals West Ham 43 / 6 Rotherham 6 / 1 Wednesday 56 / 4 Peterborough 43 / 5 7. Which MOTD pundit managed Peterborough United? 8. Who is DoF at Peterborough United? 9. Who, with the middle names “ Euchuria Cornelius” managed Peterborough United for 5 years and returned for a second stint almost 10 years later?

Bit of a gamble putting Iorfa at RCB. Another gamble with Ihekwe at LCB. I thought he was a key problem v Portsmouth. It all highlights the lack of options at wingback.

Are you suggesting Iorfa at RWB or moving to a 4-4-2?

Are there any rules about the ref “dropping” the ball close to the keeper after a relevant stoppage? If the ref is, for example, in the centre circle, holding the ball, couldn’t he just throw it to the keeper, thus saving those 30 seconds? (Any forward trying to intercept the throw gets booked for unsporting behaviour).

Yesterday’s game throws up some interesting options for team selection at Peterborough. It must have been tough in the heat, especially for those in the engine room, so I’d make a few changes. Defence. Beginning to pick itself now with such limited options, Stockdale Ihekwe Henegan Palmer. But does it? Palmer might be needed elsewhere. Wingbacks Maybe Hunt suffered the heat more than others, but he looked like he needed a week off to recover. So Palmer at RWB and James in at LCB. After an early goal v Portsmouth, Johnson has looked mediocre. He could do with a rest too, but who replaces him? James. Except that he’s in defence. It seems that only one of Hunt / Johnson can be rested at any time. I’d go for Hunt. But then again, at Peterborough, we might want more defensive minded wing backs. Centre Mid. The starting three on Saturday all had off days. The game passed FDB by, Bannan had one of those days where the crosses are feeble and the flicks go awry. Plenty of effort, but no creativity. Vaukes looked like he’s still learning what his role is. Considering their exertions, I’d rest all three. Byers and Bakinson were excellent and should start, although Adeniran might be an alternative to Bakinson. Then I’d add Windass to play behind the front two. When Sow came on and Windass stepped back, he was a different player. The substitutes changed the game, but moving Windass was as important as any other change. I’d keep that formation, although I think Moore will have it in reserve for the last 20/30 minutes if needed. Forwards Gregory has to start. No sign of injury and only 30 minutes played, so he must be raring to go. Who partners him, Sow or Paterson? I’d go with Sow, although I do think Paterson works harder to close down the defenders than Sow. My Team Stockdale Ihekwe Henegan James Palmer Byers Bakinson/(or Adeniran) Johnson Windass Gregory Sow Moore’s Team I think he will go with… Stockdale Ihekwe Henegan James Palmer Byers Bannan Vaukes Johnson Gregory Windass

3 month injury. Is the transfer allowed after three months out or from when a three month absence is forecast? If the latter, what source is to be used to verify the absence? I suggest limit to anything from the relevant club, e.g statement on club website or quote from manager. Ignore press speculation, however we’ll informed. January. Will the player list be updated to reflect players leaving/entering the division? Whatever, I suggest that to allow for consideration of deadline day deals, that our transfer deadline is one week after the actual deadline. January. Three outfield transfer allowed. Is that PLUS any transfers for players leaving the league?

Transfer news Out: Eisa £2m MKD In: Bishop £2m ACC (now PMP) One more outfield transfer remaining. Revised Team Defence: Bolton £8m Outfield Bishop ACC/PMP £2m McCleary WYC £2m Udoh SHR £2m Clarke-Harris PET £3m Leigh ACC £1m Hardie PLY £2m

I don’t think we had a “let them tire themselves out” tactic in the first half. It was us chasing shadows and most likely to be knackered in the second half. Hunt for example could barely stand. I didn’t see the Windass/Paterson incident, but I did see Vaukes and Bannan having a heated exchanged. Hunt delayed a throw in whilst they sorted whatever it was out. There we’re some mediocre performances today, someone decent ones too. Palmer was excellent against a tricky opponent, apart from a 10 minute spell at the start of the second half. Henegan won most of his duels, but his passing was sloppy. But I think half the problem for the back three playing out is the absence of someone to relieve. Bannan o ten does this but he’s playing further forward. Byers on for Vaukes and it all changed. Hopefully, Vaukes will improve. Gregory was the most noticeable improvement from the subs, but Windass was much better behind him and Sow. I agree with others that we could be nearing the end of Bannan as a definite starter. With the heat today, I’d rest the entire middle three on Tuesday, Hunt and Johnson too if alternatives are available.