Hmm, maybe it's just me then.

ha ha I have only just stopped laughing after now working out what dave shaw wrote ;D I do think you should wait like the others until the twelve games are up. For what my views are worth i would say you are correct about the midfield players signed and I do think not having a keeper on the bench is somewhat mad.

I also think we may have problems in defense, while not to worried about the strikers. As you say you have not seen the team play while yesterday the first half was rubbish much promise showed up in the second half.

Pete I will agree with you on the your Hargreaves point, but I really don't believe sentiment is a factor, in team selection.

Maybe he still is not sure of what his best team is, only he knows that answer, but do you not think he puts out the team, that he thinks has the best chance of winning.

I think he would be a first if he only picked his team based on sentiment.

was there any need to start another thread on this?

firstly the defence. Mansell will never set the world alight at RB, partly because against quick wingers he gets skinned everytime (but to be honest there are not that many quick and skillful wingers in this league so thats not a massive issue), if the opposition player is not running at him with pace however then he is a good tackler. What does annoy me about Mansell at right back is his distribution, but Buckle has said that we will be trying to play more football this season so that aimless hoof from RB should be eliminated (hopefully). Equally i feel Hodges has improved the defence at LB. If Nicholson had pace he would be a good left midfielder, or if he could tackle he would be a good defender, but he unfortunately lacks both. Todd is a good hearty defender, makes the odd error which can be costly (name me a defender who doesn't) but in general v good for this level. Then the other CB....i can understand Hargreaves at CB, and with a bit of work i think it could prove successful. Clearly this has been discussed and practised at length in training, and the experiment has only been implemented in two competitive games (in which we have conceeded two goals, thats no disaster to me). All I'm saying is have some trust in the manager of our club! Woods, Robertson and Ellis have all got their good traits and bad traits, but Buckle clearly feels that Hargreaves is the best equip to partner Todd, and for that reason im happy with his decision. Equally how do you know that Buckle didnt work his arse off to get in another CB (we know he looked at Johnson) but sadly and unfortunately nothing came off.

Right now midfield. A couple weeks ago I saw an interview with Kevin Phillips, who has recently joined Birmingham City. He was asked a question about the level of competition within the squad for two positions, they have himself, O'Connor, Bent, McFadden, and Jerome, all of whom would walk into any other Championship side. Was he complaining? Of course he wasn't, in fact he was relishing it. So how does this relate to us? Well on the wings we have Stevens, Carlise, Carayol and Hodges if needed. Then centrally Wroe, Thompson, Adams, Brough and potentially Hargreaves if returned to midfield. I bet Buckle is loving having such strength at his disposal. He picks Wroe and Thompson to start, so people start to complain that he can't keep all the players happy. Is this a problem to him? I doubt it, say a player decides that they are not happy at not being picked and confront Buckle, do you imagine his response is either (a) ok, err, im sorry, i'll put you in next game or (b) ok, prove to me in training that you are good enough, show me why i should pick you and improve! easy answer. You say he doesnt know where to play them? Zebroski is a striker is he not, and he played where last season? Stevens had a poor game the other day, but he has torn teams apart on the left wing before. Carlise, Wroe and Thompson are all playing in their favoured positions. Mansell will prob never play in central midfield again, i'm afraid its time to stop looking at him as a central midfielder playing at RB, and time to accept him as our right back, as i stated before i dont think he is great there but he is good enough. Hodges could play anywhere, for Plymouth he frequently played at left back, again in my opinion he is good enough to get us out of this league in that position. Compare our midfield to last year and it is comfortably better.

Finally up front. We all know about Sills, proven at this level. Dsane again has a good record. Matt Green scored ten in seventeen for Oxford, clearly can cut it at this level. Then Benyon, great little player, but at the moment a bit light weight. So to address this Buckle has put him on a special programme to build up the lads strength. He won us the game last night and to many he is still considered our fourth choice striker. I have full confidence in the strikers we have and more importantly so does Buckle!

Oh and i forgot the goalkeeper, well last year was a shambles, it happens, from what i know Buckle dealt with the situation well. And dont forget he was very unlucky with the position. Poke was excellent for us, but got recalled at the wrong time. Anderson is highly rated at Reading, I know he had a nightmare for us but Buckle would not have brought him in if he did not have the potential he does, unfortunately it didnt come off. Even Rayner when he returned was shocking, and you could say that his heart wasnt in it, but im sorry that just doesnt stand, goalkeeping is his job, he should put his all into it. This year we have Poke for the season, a brilliant keeper at this level. He installs confidence in his defenders (which should address some of the defensive concerns), he is an excellent shot stopper (again will prob help with the goals conceeded tally) and he can even kick! Yes he may return in January if a league club comes in for him. But if he has deserved to move higher up on merit then how can you stop him?

My point is stop bloody worrying, go to the match, sing and shout yourself so that you cant speak anymore. I used to love getting home with my Dad, Mum would try and converse with us but it was pointless. The reason because we had enjoyed it and got behind the boys! Stop worrying about what Buckle is doing, its his job to get the team winning, I have no idea what his objective for the season is but i would imagine it is promotion, if we dont then his position will be discussed i'm sure.

And i know people have a right to express their views, and debate is usefull, but this is not debate, this is just negativity which will help the team in no way. Football is for enjoyment, so enjoy it!

I feel better.

bhamgull i fully agree there was no need for another thread on this, Dave Shaw has to ask why he won't just give Buckle some time and space to do his job. Great post any way mate.

Dave R