rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Oct 12, 2011 20:43:02 GMT
After the set backs for both our first and reserve teams, we have a home game that we need to win against a stuttering Gillingham side with only seven points from the last six games including the high of a 1-6 away win at Hereford and the low of a 1-3 loss at home to Barnet.
An old friend to watch, that has already played (and lost) against us this season is Jo Kuffour. Their top scorer is Kedwell but three of these were penalties and no one in the team has yet scored more than two goals from open play. They have brought in Nouble, a youngster from West Ham on loan, playing as a Winger / Striker to boost their options and will be looking to extend the initial one month term which expires after this Saturday.
In respect of Torquay, the return of Bodin is a much needed option as he has scored some cracking goals out of nothing for us and even in his last match, set up the goal for Mansell and hit the post which would have been the winner if it had gone the other way. In light of the reserve match, I can't see too many other changes being made with Ling likely to retain a 4-3-3 formation with Danny flanking the other side of Howe, but which wing will he be on?
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Post by loyalgull on Oct 12, 2011 21:42:12 GMT
no easy prediction regarding us at present,but one thing is for sure,gillingham come to plainmoor in quite poor form,which sets the alarm bells ringing,bradford did us with ten on the pitch and have been in disastrous form.2 1 gillingham i reckon,the usual and suspect defence feeling charitable again.But i hope i am wrong obviously
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Post by martyfeldmanseyes on Oct 12, 2011 21:56:38 GMT
I think 3-1 to us. The payers will play out of their skins because after the Cheltenham stuffing some of them are in danger of losing their jobs.
Or else the Cheltenham result is the truth in which case reverse that prediction!
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Post by Ditmar van Nostrilboy on Oct 13, 2011 9:01:34 GMT
Would any that played at Cheltenham be anymore than on the bench?
I would be suprised if so. I think this has yet another draw written over it. Cock up by a defender puts us one down. Late equaliser salvages a point.
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petef
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Post by petef on Oct 14, 2011 11:06:27 GMT
Arguably the most important match of the season thus far.
This match follows a poor run of performances and results with individuals( the exception being one or two of our established and loyal players) being unable to lift themselves to a higher level when required.
The reserve debacle in mid week only adds to the fire of unrest amongst supporters who are already reaching for their knife sharpening implements in preparation for the failure of our manager to gain a response.
Its a big test for Lingy, he has yet to prove he is capable of lifting the squad and turning performances around before any long term rot really sets in, something our previous manager had the handy and consistent knack of achieving.
I have yet to witness any passion and motivational urgency from the touch line when we are up it against and not performing and as true as one thread has suggested and in my eyes we have been found out. All of the warning signs are there and if we cannot afford a loanee or two to give us s boost then lets see how good Lingy really is.
We desperately need a real team performance full of commitment and passion something Buckle would have demanded, not some lacklustre just do enough and hope for the best performance. Players must start to take individual responsibility and produce some decent match winning performances. Not in three months time when we may well be languishing and keeping Argyle company.
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Post by Ditmar van Nostrilboy on Oct 14, 2011 14:18:39 GMT
Very apt post Pete.
I would add to that, it would be nice to see the boys come out on Saturday revved up ready to go from the start with what appears to be a game plan that will take the game to the opposition.
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Post by hullgull on Oct 14, 2011 15:57:47 GMT
thats our bad patch out of the way for the season,back on track tomorrow,good time to play the gills,lets stop pissing bout now,get the commitment back and fire back in our bellys
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Post by stefano on Oct 15, 2011 9:30:31 GMT
Being a superstitious type I seriously considered not going today. I have only missed one home game all season as I was working, and listened to the 2nd half commentary on the radio as I drove home. Three second half goals sealed a 3-0 win. What happens when I go? Draw! Still everything comes to an end. If I stay away until we win then I will miss that one as well, so time to play A Banda to get me in the mood, take a couple of indigestion tablets to counter the Plainmoor pasty, and head off to TQ1 with optimism and the anticipation of a 4-1 win!  |
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Post by Father Jack on Oct 15, 2011 13:11:28 GMT
Bit optimistic there Stef I suspect.
A win would be nice but if we actually put a good performance in and appear to have a tactical game plan (as DvN said), compete over 90 minutes (by compete, I dont mean kick lumps out of the opposition, I mean match them for chances and creativity) and cut out the glaring individual errors, I would actually not be too unhappy with a point.
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Post by hullgull on Oct 15, 2011 15:55:49 GMT
now i am worried
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simonb
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Post by simonb on Oct 15, 2011 16:26:22 GMT
Sad thing is that they played pretty well for much of the game and yet got pasted. Not sure our possible goal before half time was off side or not and even less sure that Kuffour should have been awarded a penalty. Torquay did seem a little over elaborate at times BUT we are missing command at the back and strength and pace up front! Pity really when coming back to 2-2 and throwing it away.  |
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cowboy
TFF Prediction League Champion
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Post by cowboy on Oct 15, 2011 17:04:00 GMT
just listened to martin ling , said the defence was poor but the stats was good for us and got no intention to bring new blood in . this does not give much confidence in the man  |
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Post by abbeygull on Oct 15, 2011 17:08:25 GMT
The inevitable demands for Ling's head will now no doubt begin, understandably. This would be probably an over-reaction, but now is the time for the board to back this manager with some of the transfer money from Zebroski/ Kee/ Benyon et al to get some decent loan players in. We lost half a side of decent players in the summer, and by and large they have been replaced by mediocrity. The minimum requirement is for a decent striker to play alongside Rene; a midfield 'enforcer' in the Stanley mould, and a Branston-like leader at the back, and a pacy winger. If they are not prepared to do that, I see a long season ahead with Plymouth and Hereford both winning today!
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petef
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Post by petef on Oct 15, 2011 17:15:44 GMT
Where do you start after that performance and result?
More importantly what does Martin Ling do to rectify all of the problems, particularly in defence where we look a complete and utter shambles. I thought we opened the game with real intent and confidence only to go behind early on once again with shambolic goal when the ball should have been cleared up field. We also look so weak in the defensive midfield area to many times exposed to attacks with just a low in confidence back line to oppose the opposition. O'kane for all the hype is looking like he has the whole world on his shoulders and his performances are suffering as a result, again pretty anonymous and a shadow of the player we know can play. Even Mansell was looking forlorn at times and as a whole come the end we collectively looked like a bunch of rabbits caught in the headlights. Even Olejnick is looking vulnerable and indecisive. Gillingham didn't look particularly good either though after we equalised easily stepped up their game to overwhelm our rather pathetic defense. I really cannot put my finger on why we are so poor at the back its so easy to blame Saah but collectively as a team we just cannot defend, watching fron the stands you get the jitters every time a ball goes into our penalty box. Is it tactics or personnel?
The signs are bad the priority must be to get the defensive side of our game sorted out ASAP or we will continue to ship poor goals until we slip quietly back into the Conference.
Has Ling got what it takes to recognise and act on our weaknesses and get us out of this partially dug hole? I have my doubts.
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Post by alunmeerkat on Oct 15, 2011 17:34:50 GMT
Axxording to Ling the answers lie within the squad. Its rumoured that Ellis wants a transfer so it seems that we play the same back four from hereon in. Unfortunately having heard Ling's aftermatch interview he has morphed into Buckle and was spouting absolute claptrap. The 9-1 derfeat of the reserves painted a picture that all is not well within the squad and todays debacle seems to confirm that.
Worrying times.
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