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So a new era starts. With Slade gone a chance to change the team/formation. A fresh start for some maybe.

There's a full round of matches in midweek (with the exception of the Mariners of course) so we could well find ourselves nearer the drop zone. Really need to get something out of the game and at least give a better performance to give a bit of belief going forward. Cambridge one place above us so whilst I am not saying we will go there and brush them aside...it is a game that is winnable.

I assume Collins is still out and I am unsure if Dembele is likely to be back. So what team should Wilko select?

For me put the young lad from Villa in. Our defence is old and slow and it has started to show. Clarke stays in by default though I am not a big fan. I had been calling all season for Osbourne to be given a chance but to say he has not really shone in his recent outings is a understatement. Drop Dixon...another huge disappointment. The only LB on the books but I'd rather play someone out of position instead.

Looking at the squad the lack of quality/depth in midfield is quit glaring. No really that many options tbh.

Woolford, Hooper, Vernon are others who have had plenty of opportunities and have done little. Could Wilko or a new manager get more out of them though?

my team assuming they are fit .  4-4-2.

GK Killip
RB Mills
LB Davies
CB Clarke
CB Suliman
RM Dembele or DJ
CM Summerfield
CM Berrett
LM Wilks
F    Vernam
F   Jackson

bench
Matt
Clifton
DJ
Hall- Johnson
Osbourne
Kelly/Rose
Kean/Warrington

The timing is pretty good.

No midweek game, so a few days to sort out tactics and selection.

It's an away game, so less pressure than if it was a BP.

It's against a team on a run of form almost as bad as ours.

In many ways it's the ideal fixture for Wilko to show what he is made of. Let's see if he makes the right selections, and can motivate the players to up their game.

Quoted from BottesfordMariner

GK Killip
RB Mills
LB Davies
CB Clarke
CB Suliman
RM Dembele or DJ
CM Summerfield
CM Berrett
LM Wilks
F Vernam
F Jackson

bench
Matt
Clifton
DJ
Hall- Johnson
Osbourne
Kelly/Rose
Kean/Warrington

Too many loanees with some of that selection

Wilko up front rolling back the years. :)

Disagree about Vernon. He gets a hell of a lot of stick but his work rate alone means he should not be categorised with hooper and woolford

Quoted from horsforthmariner

Is Mcallister fit?

My missus thinks he is.

No idea if RHJ can play at left back but he can't be worse than our actual left back. Suliman for Osborne too (with Clarke, Mills and Killip). The Summerfield Berrett combination must be broken up as it's proven to be shite - Clifton or even McAllister in for Berrett. Dembele and DJ wide then take your pick up top.

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

Too many loanees with some of that selection

oops.......missed that. Tbf though some professional managers seem to get confused by that as well.

Rose is still suspended for the Cambridge game. If McAllister is available I'd play him with Summerfield in the middle. Sounds like Wilks did ok on Saturday. Maybe, just maybe there might be something to work on with those three? RHJ sounds like he can play and Davies and Mills always put a shift in. Who knows we might have the nucleus of a side capable of picking up a few wins soon.

I still think the golden opportunity is when Barnet and Chesterfield visit BP a week apart. Win those two and we are in great shape to stay up. Wilko or the new manager must have it sorted in time for those two games.

All is not lost.

Don't know how Clarke is a shoe in for so many people. Woefully out of position for Crawley's second and third goals. Might do the team some good having a break from the influence of Slade's right hand man. Has a similar gait as Collins when older players slow up and the hamstrings aren't as supple as in younger players. If the young lad from Villa is up to it, I'd try him and Osborne and make a clean break from a failing defence. Freshen things up, players can flourish out of the shadows and influence of others. Can't do any worse than our record this season with the other two..

After seeing Osborne yesterday I think Collins has got another 10 years in him ;)

                      Killip
       Clarke Sulliman Osborne
Mills  Clifton  Summers  Rose  Hall-B
             Verman  Jackson

Ball on the deck please!

Think Clarke has been a liability all season,does some good defensive tackles but is woefully slow and constantly loses his man.Slade's spy in the dressing room?

The problem with the defence started when we were 1-0 up against Mansfield and looking to be in the play off position. Macca got injured and we have never looked as secure since. No disrespect to Killip but the defence don’t seem to have confidence in him and are hesitent at times.

Quoted from barrattstandman

The problem with the defence started when we were 1-0 up against Mansfield and looking to be in the play off position. Macca got injured and we have never looked as secure since. No disrespect to Killip but the defence don’t seem to have confidence in him and are hesitent at times.

From that point, we let in something like 9 unanswered goals, including in that game when Mansfield equalised. It has carried on ever since. Is it a coincidence? Mansfield have gone in the other direction. Funny how little things that seem so insignificant at the time, can be a turning point in a season. Killip and Kean don't inspire the same confidence it seems, though that's not a slur on Killip, who has performed quite well given his inexperience.

Dropping Clarke makes a massive statement. As would bringing in Mccalister for Berrett

Quoted from ginnywings

From that point, we let in something like 9 unanswered goals, including in that game when Mansfiled equalised. It has carried on ever since. Is it a coincidence?

It would be ironic if the time out injured earned James a nice big new contract.

Quoted from Hagrid

Disagree about Vernon. He gets a hell of a lot of stick but his work rate alone means he should not be categorised with hooper and woolford

In his recent games when he has been played he has been absolutely cack.

Need to go back to basics IMO.

GK: Killip
RB: Davies (if fit)
CB: Osborne
CB: Collins
LB: Mills
RM: DJ
CM: Summerfield
CM: McAllister
LM: Vernam
ST: Matt
ST: Jackson

                       Killip
    Mills    Clarke  Suliman  Davies
Jaiyesimi Summerfield Clifton Wilks
             Jackson    Vernam

Alternatively I'd be open to something like this to strengthen the middle of the park:

Killip
Mills Clarke Suliman Davies
Summerfield McAllister/Clifton
DJ Vernam Wilks
Jackson

Killip

Hall-Johnson
Clarke
Suliman
Davies

Dembele
McAllister
Summerfield
Jaiyasimi

Matt
Wilks

Bench:
Warrington, Mills, Osborne, Berrett, Clifton, Vernam, Vernon

If Paul picks Clifton and plays a passing game we know he has been ignored by Slade,

Lets see how he goes because sometimes the best thing in right under your nose so you do not see it.

If it does not work out in the next 3 games bring a new man in but if Paul can get 5 or 6 pts from the next 3 give him until the end of the season.

Quoted from davmariner

Need to go back to basics IMO.

GK: Killip
RB: Davies (if fit)
CB: Osborne
CB: Collins
LB: Mills
RM: DJ
CM: Summerfield
CM: McAllister
LM: Vernam
ST: Matt
ST: Jackson

Collins is not allowed to play under the 2 week rule mate.

Quoted from grimsby pete

Collins is not allowed to play under the 2 week rule mate.

Won’t it be two weeks come Saturday since it happened? I could have sworn it happened the Saturday before last. Then again we’ve been so bad lately that they’ve all just merged into one nightmare.

It was said he will miss 2 games so Cambridge is the 2nd , I think

The protocol is two weeks doing nothing, not even training, so he won't be available for Cambridge. He might come back in next week and ask "where's the gaffer"? ;D

If it's exactly 2 weeks, he could come on after 32 minutes!

Anyone heard how many tickets we have sold in advance? Will we take 500+?

Quoted from Cloudy

Anyone heard how many tickets we have sold in advance? Will we take 500+?

Think we definitely will now. Lots going who weren't going to bother now Slade has gone.

Killip

Hall-Johnson
Clarke
Suliman
Dixon

Clifton
Davies
Summerfield

Wilks
Hooper
Jaiyesimi

Subs: Warrington, Mills, Osborne, Berrett, Vernam, Jackson & Vernon

Why pick McAllister in such an important game, with the best will in the World he won`t be match fit, the ideal replacement for Berrett would be Clifton who will give 100% has youth on his side and is the future

What a mess. The options for Midfield are Berrett, an untried youth, or a crock who hasn't played for us for over a year. We let Osborne, Clements and Jones walk away.

Quoted from ginnywings

What a mess. The options for Midfield are Berrett, an untried youth, or a crock who hasn't played for us for over a year. We let Osborne, Clements and Jones walk away.

Not we Ginny SLADE

Quoted from grimsby pete

Not we Ginny SLADE

By we, i mean the club. It isn't all down to Slade IMO.

Quoted from Garth

Why pick McAllister in such an important game, with the best will in the World he won`t be match fit, the ideal replacement for Berrett would be Clifton who will give 100% has youth on his side and is the future

In all fairness, McAllister's probably more "match-fit" than Clifton having been fit for a while (as far as I know) and having played some games out on loan.

I'd be happy with either being given a chance to be honest. Maybe both. Just needs a change in there, whether it's as a 2 or 3 man central midfield. And Yeah, I'd love to see what Clifton can do in a competitive league game.

Quoted from Tommy

In all fairness, McAllister's probably more "match-fit" than Clifton having been fit for a while (as far as I know) and having played some games out on loan.

I'd be happy with either being given a chance to be honest. Maybe both. Just needs a change in there, whether it's as a 2 or 3 man central midfield. And Yeah, I'd love to see what Clifton can do in a competitive league game.

Completely agree Tommy - would love to see Clifton or McAllister get a start - and maybe a statement of intent would be to recall Clements from FGR. He'd give us another option in CM and is in their starting 11 tonight.

Won't hold my breath though as I suspect he is just wanted off the wage bill.

[quote=90]

Completely agree Tommy - would love to see Clifton or McAllister get a start - and maybe a statement of intent would be to recall Clements from FGR. He'd give us another option in CM and is in their starting 11 tonight.

Won't hold my breath though as I suspect he is just wanted off the wage bill.[/quote]

Clements said to be very close to the biggest earner so not surprised he was shipped out ( nor where he went too)

I think, given the poor quality of our midfield options, that we have to play a system which allows us to have 3 players in the centre of the park. We need to take games by the scruff of the neck, to ensure we are there to win the second ball, be able to keep possession as well as protect the defence and finally to support our supposed strike force by getting in the box and contributing the odd goal.

There is absolutely no evidence that any of this is possible with any combination of Rose, Summerfield and Berrett. Scunny season ticket holder drinks in our local and swears that when fit, which he admits is rare, McAllister is a quality player at this level, Kerr said the same at Bobby Cummings welcome home night. So for me if fit he has to start, and I would add Summerfield and Clifton.

I am hoping that Clifton will provide that youthful enthusiasm which will compensate for his lack of experience. The back is a concern as we need to add pace but we also need a cool head and against Cambridge some physicality as they had some big guys at BP. So as much as I would like to play the Villa lad think we have to stick with Clarke & Osbourne flanked by Mills and hopefully a returning Davies at left back.

Front 3 bloody difficult, big if is style Wlilko adopts, on the floor I would have Vernam floating behind Jackson and Wilks/Dembele. More physical should call for Matt/ an other with Dembele wide. In reality our options appear limited but I am praying that some of these players are much better than we have seen so far. On that point, and maybe a little controversial, but whilst Hooper has looked a little uncommitted I personally thought he was quite decent on the ball and did actually get two goals in the few games he played. Maybe just maybe he is someone who could improve now Slade has gone.

Haven’t VGR results improved since Clements arrival

Quoted from sydney

Haven’t VGR results improved since Clements arrival

Don’t forget Gunning playing there as well, unlike most town fans thought he did a pretty reasonable job protecting our defence albeit the guy was clearly not fully fit when with us and a bit of a loose cannon. Think we need a “naughty” player in our midfield as we are too nice and lose that battle far too easily.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Don’t forget Gunning playing there as well, unlike most town fans thought he did a pretty reasonable job protecting our defence albeit the guy was clearly not fully fit when with us and a bit of a loose cannon. Think we need a “naughty” player in our midfield as we are too nice and lose that battle far too easily.

Gunning was better than most people give him credit for and would be ideal in a relegation scrap. I think you are right about his fitness levels at the time he was with us, but he did a good job at Port Vale and their fans were sad to see him go. They haven't fared as well since he left, but FGR have improved. The fact they have made him captain says a lot to me.

Quoted from sydney

Haven’t VGR results improved since Clements arrival

No. They’ve won 2 out of 2 home games since they signed him. They had won 2 out of 2 home games before they signed him.

Quoted from ginnywings

Gunning was better than most people give him credit for and would be ideal in a relegation scrap. I think you are right about his fitness levels at the time he was with us, but he did a good job at Port Vale and their fans were sad to see him go. They haven't fared as well since he left, but FGR have improved. The fact they have made him captain says a lot to me.

Gunning was very poor for Port Vale when Town won there earlier in the season

Quoted from Cloudy

Gunning was very poor for Port Vale when Town won there earlier in the season

Maybe so, but that's one game. Their fans didn't want him to leave.

Quoted from ginnywings

Maybe so, but that's one game. Their fans didn't want him to leave.

Do you know them all? ;)

Quoted from GollyGTFC

No. They’ve won 2 out of 2 home games since they signed him. They had won 2 out of 2 home games before they signed him.

Or they'd lost 8 out of 10 before his debut. Do what you like with stats ;)

Quoted from Hagrid

Disagree about Vernon. He gets a hell of a lot of stick but his work rate alone means he should not be categorised with hooper and woolford

Vernon is junk like the rest of our current strikers !!!

McAllister wasn't match fit before the last game of the season against Plymouth and he had a blinder in that one. I'd be willing to give him a go, especially as part of a midfield 3. Assuming Clifton would be on the bench as an option when any of the midfielders run out of steam or pick up knocks.

Not sure about injuries - is Davies injured at present? If not, I'd have him in at left-back where he's done OK.

I'd probably go with the following, injuries permitting:

                 Killip
Mills Osborne Clarke Davies
Summerfield Berrett McAllister
          Jackson Wilks
                 Matt

Subs: Suliman, Hall-Johnson, Jaiyesimi, Dembele, Vernon, Clifton, Warrington

As much a 4-5-1 as a 4-3-3, admittedly, but Wilks adds in some pace (and Jackson and Matt are no slouches) with the options of Jaiyesimi and Dembele to potentially add attacking threat off the bench. I think Jackson and Wilks have the movement to get into some decent positions from slightly withdrawn roles. If Dembele isn't fit enough for the bench, stick Kelly in there. You never know - every dog has it's day.

No Vernam in the squad at all Maringer??

Heh. Completely forgot about him! Still not quite over the nasty bug which knocked me off my feet for a few days over the weekend.

OK, Wilks onto the bench, Jackson up alongside Matt with Vernam playing in the 'hole'. I'd probably drop Dembele from the bench for Wilks considering his recent poor form and apparent back problems.

We'd then at least have a relatively young, lively and athletic bench to select from, if nothing else.

Quoted from Maringer

Heh. Completely forgot about him! Still not quite over the nasty bug which knocked me off my feet for a few days over the weekend.

OK, Wilks onto the bench, Jackson up alongside Matt with Vernam playing in the 'hole'. I'd probably drop Dembele from the bench for Wilks considering his recent poor form and apparent back problems.

We'd then at least have a relatively young, lively and athletic bench to select from, if nothing else.

If you're bug is anything like mine, it may be back with a vengeance. Second time it was worse. Didn't feel right for a month.

Think you may be right about Dembele. Looks like being a full time pro has caught up with him a bit to me. It happens with a lot of young players that burst onto the scene and they go off the boil for a while.

Quoted from Maringer

McAllister wasn't match fit before the last game of the season against Plymouth and he had a blinder in that one. I'd be willing to give him a go, especially as part of a midfield 3. Assuming Clifton would be on the bench as an option when any of the midfielders run out of steam or pick up knocks.

Not sure about injuries - is Davies injured at present? If not, I'd have him in at left-back where he's done OK.

I'd probably go with the following, injuries permitting:

                 Killip
Mills Osborne Clarke Davies
Summerfield Berrett McAllister
          Jackson Wilks
                 Matt

Subs: Suliman, Hall-Johnson, Jaiyesimi, Dembele, Vernon, Clifton, Warrington

As much a 4-5-1 as a 4-3-3, admittedly, but Wilks adds in some pace (and Jackson and Matt are no slouches) with the options of Jaiyesimi and Dembele to potentially add attacking threat off the bench. I think Jackson and Wilks have the movement to get into some decent positions from slightly withdrawn roles. If Dembele isn't fit enough for the bench, stick Kelly in there. You never know - every dog has it's day.

For me, Davies did a great job at left back.
Remember its his weak side, yet kept out actual left back out the team.
His experience is priceless IMO.

I'm not so sure about that formation, and would give Suliman ago ahead of Osborne

Quoted from ginnywings

If your bug is anything like mine, it may be back with a vengeance. Second time it was worse. Didn't feel right for a month.

Well, that's given me something to look forward to! I know my wife's Uncle took weeks to shake it off but I'm a couple of decades younger so will hopefully avoid a relapse! Lots of bugs going around and I'm hoping mine wasn't one of the bad ones.

As for footy, I reckon becoming 'battle-hardened' must be tough for young players making their breakthroughs, especially when they are so slight such as Dembele and take some heavy whacks. No surprise he played his best football when the pitches weren't as heavy and it was warmer during the earlier part of the season.Hopefully, he'll come back into it during the last couple of months of the season as things dry up. Would perhaps be worth resting him entirely for a couple of weeks to see if he can get his back right. I'd personally not have played him at all over the past month or two given his poor form but wonder if Slade was so desperate for things to improve that he couldn't be seen to be resting him.