MATCHWATCH : AFC Wimbledon (h)

[Snowflake Royal]

I`m wondering if their number 3 Steve Seddon has recovered from the horrific head injury from last week to take part tomorrow?

The sports science psychology team will evaluate on the day. Hopefully the return to the scene of the incident can be part of his healing process as he looks to rebuild his career.

On a serious note, has there been any follow up to that at all? If the FL haven't taken retrospective action for simulation it's a disgrace.

[Sutekh]

I`m wondering if their number 3 Steve Seddon has recovered from the horrific head injury from last week to take part tomorrow?

The sports science psychology team will evaluate on the day. Hopefully the return to the scene of the incident can be part of his healing process as he looks to rebuild his career.

On a serious note, has there been any follow up to that at all? If the FL haven't taken retrospective action for simulation it's a disgrace.

None as far as I know but then it's not likely given no-one cares about teams stuck down in the basement divisions. A high profile Championship or PL game it'd probably be different of course.

[Sutekh]

Given the three games in 8 days and the number of injuries, I assume we'd all agree a rotation is in order here? Cup run would be lovely, but we need to get motoring a bit in the league and protect the squad for that.

....................Stevens
Ahmed, Stickland, Dorsett, Ryan
....................Spencer
............... Fraser, Doyle
Lane................................Camara
.....................MOM



Sub: Rowley, Jacob, Abrefa, Borgnis, Wing, Kyerewaa, Okine-Peters

Agreed. We can hopefully find a way to give Marco a rest as well. Maybe Noel can get his boots out.

Presume Rushesha will be back too, unless he's injured again

You have to wonder about Hunty though. Play a DM or two in the middle v Portsmouth and things click a little easier. Yet in the league he's piddling about sticking Wing in front of the back 4 and the side has generally struggled. Wondering if the penny will drop at some point...

[Snowflake Royal]

Given the three games in 8 days and the number of injuries, I assume we'd all agree a rotation is in order here? Cup run would be lovely, but we need to get motoring a bit in the league and protect the squad for that.

....................Stevens
Ahmed, Stickland, Dorsett, Ryan
....................Spencer
............... Fraser, Doyle
Lane................................Camara
.....................MOM



Sub: Rowley, Jacob, Abrefa, Borgnis, Wing, Kyerewaa, Okine-Peters

Agreed. We can hopefully find a way to give Marco a rest as well. Maybe Noel can get his boots out.

Presume Rushesha will be back too, unless he's injured again

You have to wonder about Hunty though. Play a DM or two in the middle v Portsmouth and things click a little easier. Yet in the league he's piddling about sticking Wing in front of the back 4 and the side has generally struggled. Wondering if the penny will drop at some point...

You do know we had our best performance of the season with Wing in DM, with his contribution excellent just two days ago, and finished 7th with him playing there last season right?

It's not Hunt the penny needs to drop for.

[West F]

Given the three games in 8 days and the number of injuries, I assume we'd all agree a rotation is in order here? Cup run would be lovely, but we need to get motoring a bit in the league and protect the squad for that.

....................Stevens
Ahmed, Stickland, Dorsett, Ryan
....................Spencer
............... Fraser, Doyle
Lane................................Camara
.....................MOM



Sub: Rowley, Jacob, Abrefa, Borgnis, Wing, Kyerewaa, Okine-Peters

Agreed. We can hopefully find a way to give Marco a rest as well. Maybe Noel can get his boots out.

Presume Rushesha will be back too, unless he's injured again

You have to wonder about Hunty though. Play a DM or two in the middle v Portsmouth and things click a little easier. Yet in the league he's piddling about sticking Wing in front of the back 4 and the side has generally struggled. Wondering if the penny will drop at some point...

I feel for Noel knowing that he has to, (out of necessity) rebuild the back and front line of the team. He has a lot of new faces to integrate and judge in first team games. The only solid given was the midfield of Wing, Savage and Elliot, which is game tested and proven. With Wing playing the deeper role and utilising the forward control of the others to move into a more advanced position. This is game intelligence and experience working as relationism in a cohesive unit. Disrupting this relationism to try to accommodate his signing of Fraser was a mistake, or at best just a change too far. I know I have been harsh on Crawley guy, but it is a signing that was made to fill a hole it creates.

I hope that Spencer gets a run out tomorrow night. His ability to play in a playmakers role is a great watch. Constantly has his head on a swivel, giving him a picture of the game. Lends the ball to others while moving into space to receive it again. Has great pass appreciation for his age, fantastic first touch and is the perfect size and build for it. He looks and plays like the perfect academy graduate.

[Hound]

Prob not the right thread but anyone else having trouble trying to buy tickets for this on the website? Not letting me ‘add to basket’

[Hound]

Prob not the right thread but anyone else having trouble trying to buy tickets for this on the website? Not letting me ‘add to basket’

Fixed now

[Sutekh]

Agreed. We can hopefully find a way to give Marco a rest as well. Maybe Noel can get his boots out.

Presume Rushesha will be back too, unless he's injured again

You have to wonder about Hunty though. Play a DM or two in the middle v Portsmouth and things click a little easier. Yet in the league he's piddling about sticking Wing in front of the back 4 and the side has generally struggled. Wondering if the penny will drop at some point...

You do know we had our best performance of the season with Wing in DM, with his contribution excellent just two days ago, and finished 7th with him playing there last season right?

It's not Hunt the penny needs to drop for.

I take the point but if you’ve acquired an international DM why on earth would you have him wandering around in the final third of the pitch - and not exactly impressing - instead of playing him where he should be and allowing Wing to do more of the wandering? We can hope the Wycombe form remains with the side (and, injury allowing, I would not expect Noel to change anything for Vale) but should it revert to previous then it is the obvious change that needs to be considered.

[windermereROYAL]

I`m wondering if their number 3 Steve Seddon has recovered from the horrific head injury from last week to take part tomorrow?

The sports science psychology team will evaluate on the day. Hopefully the return to the scene of the incident can be part of his healing process as he looks to rebuild his career.

On a serious note, has there been any follow up to that at all? If the FL haven't taken retrospective action for simulation it's a disgrace.

Of course not, it was clear and obvious on camera angles, but if you chin somebody the ref doesn`t see they`ll be down on you like a ton of bricks.

[West F]

Presume Rushesha will be back too, unless he's injured again

You have to wonder about Hunty though. Play a DM or two in the middle v Portsmouth and things click a little easier. Yet in the league he's piddling about sticking Wing in front of the back 4 and the side has generally struggled. Wondering if the penny will drop at some point...

You do know we had our best performance of the season with Wing in DM, with his contribution excellent just two days ago, and finished 7th with him playing there last season right?

It's not Hunt the penny needs to drop for.

I take the point but if you’ve acquired an international DM why on earth would you have him wandering around in the final third of the pitch - and not exactly impressing - instead of playing him where he should be and allowing Wing to do more of the wandering? We can hope the Wycombe form remains with the side (and, injury allowing, I would not expect Noel to change anything for Vale) but should it revert to previous then it is the obvious change that needs to be considered.

I love Wing. He deserved a statue for what he did and the role he played in keeping us up 23/24. But, if he could run, he would be in the Premier league. Playing from deep, where he can better use his experience and passing ability is his wheelhouse. Arriving late into, or on the edge of the box is where he is most effective offensively. Wingy sits.

[Snowflake Royal]

Presume Rushesha will be back too, unless he's injured again

You have to wonder about Hunty though. Play a DM or two in the middle v Portsmouth and things click a little easier. Yet in the league he's piddling about sticking Wing in front of the back 4 and the side has generally struggled. Wondering if the penny will drop at some point...

You do know we had our best performance of the season with Wing in DM, with his contribution excellent just two days ago, and finished 7th with him playing there last season right?

It's not Hunt the penny needs to drop for.

I take the point but if you’ve acquired an international DM why on earth would you have him wandering around in the final third of the pitch - and not exactly impressing - instead of playing him where he should be and allowing Wing to do more of the wandering? We can hope the Wycombe form remains with the side (and, injury allowing, I would not expect Noel to change anything for Vale) but should it revert to previous then it is the obvious change that needs to be considered.

The obvious change is getting the midfield balance right.

Quarterback, Box to Box and Flair.
Wing, Savage, Knibbs
Wing, Savage, Elliott

[tidus_mi2]

If the problem with playing Wing further up is he gets marked out of the game, can't we just start him further forward and if he gets marked out of the game, he can drop back into that quarterback role and have someone like Savage or Fraser push further forward?

[West F]

If the problem with playing Wing further up is he gets marked out of the game, can't we just start him further forward and if he gets marked out of the game, he can drop back into that quarterback role and have someone like Savage or Fraser push further forward?

Playing wing further forward seems like a good idea due to his effectiveness when stepping on to play when we are in a position for him to do so. Wingy can’t run away from a marker or play receiving the ball to feet with his back to goal. There is no threat of him running in behind. He is much better stepping into play with the game in front of him. I still maintain that Wing, Savage and Elliot is definitely in the top four midfields in this division. It is balanced by Savage on the left and Elliot’s ability to take balls on the half turn and drive.

[Snowflake Royal]

If the problem with playing Wing further up is he gets marked out of the game, can't we just start him further forward and if he gets marked out of the game, he can drop back into that quarterback role and have someone like Savage or Fraser push further forward?

So you play Fraser back, and Wing and Savage in midfield. Wing is marked out of the game, you push him back and bring Fraser up. Same problem as before. And you don't play Elliott, who has been at the heart of our best play.

Or, you play Fraser back, and Wing and Elliott in midfield. Wing drops back and again, you're pushing Fraser forward. And you don't have anywhere near the energy our press needs, because you've benched Savage.

When have we looked good? With Wing, Savage and Elliott. So why try to do something different to that? Wing's score 2 goals, hit the post twice and had at least two more near misses. It's not like playing deeper is stopping him getting chances... in fact it's enabling it, because he can lurk and find space back from the congested area and press. And gives us an alternative to trying to find a route through the congestion.

[morganb]

Spencer, Doyle, Fraser tomorrow then? Rushesha in there somewhere. Lane playing.