Just back

Quoted from 3172[b

]M J seems to have found players who have now slotted into interchangable playing positions.
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Playing st ground level again and intelligent play from the back going forwards.

This all now makes sense of 3 5 2 with the right players showing good understanding of the system required.

Looking forward now to see how far the current squad can take it to the season end.

Many fans wanting to go and see the team play - nothing won yet except getting a "for now" feel good factor.

M J AND team look to be heading in the right direction !

Quoted from Rik e B

The way he doubled up with Hendrie was excellent, making us appear to have an extra man in some instances. A very useful and tricky for opposition option. Then when expecting more of a bombardment we have the likes of Whitmore for a more no-nonsense brutish defence.

All in all an excellent performance all round and thoroughly enjoyable. The greatest thing for me was to see the 3-5-2 and how it has clearly been worked on the training field actually coming up trumps after being vilified somewhat by sections (myself included) when attempted without having quite the right personell.

Also good to see Ring clearly not the duff signing some where quick to (and unfairly) consider he might be. A bit more fitness built up and he'll be true quality. Ohman is already a beast - slotted straight into the English game with Lever-esque defensive stalwartness but also an abilty to play the ball out a bit more too. Dennis pesky fox in the box - great news, once we have a target man option in time that would be an excellent array of striking options coupled with what we already have.

The re-emmergence of Cook seems like a fresh January signing too in a way! Very intelligent bustly player.

Quoted from bedders78

Still buzzing from the performance a couple of days later.  Seems daft to single players out from such a good, all round performance, but RHJ shaded man of the match for me - his judgement of when he was able to get up the pitch and join an attack was spot on and showed he has a considerable footballing brain to go with his more obvious physical attributes. I hope he can keep his place in the team even with Whitmore and Davis available, as the NC left back will be having nightmares about him and Hendrie for next few weeks.

Ring had a quietly effective game on the other flank, never seemed in trouble defensively and starting to offer more going forward. Can someone please show him how to take a throw in though!

• A centre-back who's willing to step-out with and without the ball. You don't need 3 central defenders when you're attacking so one of them has to step out and help crowd out the opposition.  RHJ not only did this on Saturday but he also went further on and allowed Hendrie to virtually play as an old fashioned outside right at times.
  
• A left sided centre-back to give balance at the back.  Collins had a fine game on Saturday but it just gives you that balance.  I know he's had his critics but his experience is vital and will help Ring alongside him as he adjusts to the English game.
  
• At least one proper footballer in the middle of the pitch.  Woolford is another who's had his critics but he was superb again in that central role.  He makes us play football on the deck and is far more intelligent than he gets credit for.  
  
• Energy up top and getting in their faces..  Cook brings that in abundance and really sets the tone for everyone else.  Whenever we've played against him before, Pipe has proved an absolute nightmare and dominated us.  On Saturday he was rattled because of the pressure put on him.