M42Owl

Jeff Johnson Jermaine Johnson Simon Stewart(?) Chris Carr Alman Abdi (?)

If all the teams behind us win all their games, which is a bit unlikely, we can afford two defeats and one draw to be guaranteed second. The sooner it gets to more defeats allowed than games left the better. I can’t say I’m enjoying this run as much as I should be.

Anyone think McKenna could be next to go? Decent team, plenty of quality in the squad, expectations high and being met until… Underperforming, fans a bit restless, are the players happy? Are the bosses? Has the owner the balls to do a Milan Mandaric and bring in a new man for a late unbeaten promotion run in?

Flint was rested last midweek. Could he be given another break, perhaps as sub? What about Iorfa? Seen a few comments that he was struggling at Ipswich. If both are out, the defence is looking weak. Without risking players that are carrying a minor issue, I think we should play our best 11. We don’t want to risk dropping stupid points against Morecambe or MK.

Wasn't that where their keeper got injured?

If it's passing from full back to centre back to full back and repeat and repeat, or keeping it in the corner: it's game management. As is kicking it into row Z. If it's feigning injury or taking 30 seconds over a goal kick: that's time wasting. I don't think we do a lot of the later, especially in the absence of Stockdale and Paterson.

Bit of a tonking for my side today: cheers Derby.🍺 0:3.

Considering Derby’s loss, a draw is a decent result. Still effectively 9 points above play offs and a difficult game chalked off. Just need to be on our game for the two home games.

Not sure to be honest. I set up an account years ago and had issues with accessing my account. Didn’t lose any money, but thought this is too much hassle: f*ck ‘em. Maybe a case of cutting off my nose to spite my face, but I cba to sort it out or set up a new account.

That’s a difficult poll to answer. The straightforward reply is “none, I’m happy as it is”, but if it’s a means to help run the site, then I’m happy to put in a few quid, with the proviso that suitable payment terms are available (I.e. something other than PayPal).

In that case, I’ll just reconfirm my proposed change. Out Brown EXE £1.5m In Shodipo LIN £1.5m Revised Team Defence: Derby £8m Outfield Bishop ACC/PMP £2m Chaplin IPS £2.5m Collins BRI £1.25m Clarke-Harris PET £3m Shodipo LIN £1.5m Adeboyejo BUR/BOL £1.75m Total £20m

Twat. Brown not Reesh.

As I brought in naughty boy Brown the day before Exeter dropped him for non-footballing reasons, I’ll transfer him out again, if that’s allowed. Out Brown EXE £1.5m In Shodipo LIN £1.5m Revised Team Defence: Derby £8m Outfield Bishop ACC/PMP £2m Chaplin IPS £2.5m Collins BRI £1.25m Clarke-Harris PET £3m Shodipo LIN £1.5m Adeboyejo BUR/BOL £1.75m Total £20m

I believe my scored yesterday should be 2-0 (Bishop, Clarke-Harris), not 1-0.

On the disallowed goal: I was on the North, towards the kop and, although Gregory jumped to avoid the ball hitting him, it passed between him and the keeper. In no way was Gregory impeding the keeper’s view, and it’s a hard push to say he prevented a dive. A clear goal for me. But my celebration was muted as I saw the linesman stood still. I thought that he was sure LG was beyond the last defender, but unsure whether he was interfering with play. So I think he did what he should do, and got the ref to decide. Can’t say I noticed either looking at the replay on the screen. Something else happened in the match that I don’t think hasn’t happened for some time. We scored from a throw-in. Usually, our throw-ins result in rapid loss of possession, but wow, we scored from one. When was the last time? Has there been any word on why Famewo didn’t play? He’s going to be needed until James comes back.

I’d like to make the following changes please. Transfers Out Leigh (ACC). £1m Ironside (CAM). £2.25m Transfers In Brown (EXE). £1.5m Adeboyejo (BUR/BOL). £1.75m Revised Team Defence: Derby £8m Outfield Bishop ACC/PMP £2m Chaplin IPS £2.5m Collins BRI £1.25m Clarke-Harris PET £3m Brown EXE £1.5m Adeboyejo BUR/BOL £1.75m Total £20m

Will he? I think he’s more than a bit tarnished after Chelsea and Everton and a modest time at Derby. I think his next job will be championship. Somewhere like Sunderland or Millwall if they start badly next season.

For me the Ihiekwe signing has been the reverse of the Henegan signing. Henegan: thought he would be a modern Guy Branston, but turned out more Rob Jones. Ihiekwe: I had high hopes but he’s been a bit of a let down. As @HappyOwl said in relation to Richard Wood, he doesn’t seem confident as the main man. More Lees than Loovens. And he’s no better than Iorfa with the ball at his feet. If he’s receiving the ball, it’s to be hoped there’s no opposition within 20 yards of him. But he has shown commitment in the tackle and block and won his fair share of headers. “Solid” is the term I’d use to describe him. However, I’m not convinced that we are desperate for him in the starting 11 (definitely needed as cover on the bench though) against most L1 sides that present limited attacking threat. Playing Ihiekwe will add little to the defence but will take away Palmer’s attacking threat. But we probably will need Ihiekwe’s greater defending when up against the better sides: unfortunately he won’t be back in time for Plymouth / Ipswich.

We currently only have three players out injured (assuming B&B are as good as ready to return) and have lost two returning loanees. Yet we are down to bare bones in defence. If the 11 that started on Saturday plus B&B are fit and available for the rest of the season, then I think we’ll be champions. Possibly a few points clear. But another defensive injury, e.g. Iorfa, and that solid base of clean sheets can soon become a liability. I don’t expect Ihiekwe back until late Feb at best, James is anyone’s guess, and I’m not overconfident in Hector. So unless, until, reinforcements come in, I’m as pessimistic as ever. Its not so much that I think we’ll “fuck it up”, more that luck and circumstance will go against us.

Bit of an odd moan. There’s been few more clear cut penalties all season. And it hardly affected the outcome, anyway.

Wing?

Three matches postponed today. Does that mean that the FF comp is off (I’m sure I read something about three games off triggering cancellation)?

It’s Bakinson OR Adeniran for me. Vaulks +1 behind Windass.

I don’t think there’s much scope for DM to overthink this one. Johnson in for James. Adeniran or Bakinson in for Byers. Only discussion points are: Gregory for one of the front two? Wilks for one of the front two or Hunt? We just need to start on the front foot, keep pressing, and don’t give them any hope.

I thought he’d got his fitness back for his substitute appearance v Cambridge(?). Looked full of running, albeit not for long. So I wasn’t surprised to see him have a decent, if not spectacular, 90 minutes on Saturday. As much a new signing as Adeniran and Famewo and makes the departure of Mighten less of an issue.