Johnnyrotten

So in summary: The CBs don't change much - not working. The midfield 2 changes every game - not working. The wingers never change (barring injury) - works at home, not away. Who partners Burstow up front changes regularly - works at home, not away. We've won then changed the team - it didn't work We've lost then changed the team - it worked We've won and not changed the team - it didn't really work (Orient) I'm confused about whether we should chop and change or keep the same team, we haven't either won or lost consecutive games yet, so if anyone knows the answer can they please tell SS sharpish.

That was my thought too. And EE was brought in for similar qualities I'd guess. But as much as Simons isn't on form away from home, even if he was there's only so much one midfielder can do, if there are question marks over the other 10. And its difficult to name a player that's doing themselves justice so far, away.

Don't mistake this as I've got a downer on Wilshere or that I don't wish him well or accept he could be the next Kieran McKenna etc. I'm just saying, Luton fans will be wondering why they're giving him his first job when other (proven) managers are probably available (don't ask me for names!). The difference between us having a Wilshere and SS is that if Wilshere gets 3 points from 7 away games and loses cumulatively 5-0 at Northampton and Burton, fans would rightly or wrongly be questioning the appointment - because he's got no track record to back him up. Same as the Huddersfield manager, Andrews at Brentford, Dodds at Wycombe, fans (and the board?) will have less patience and be quicker to question the appointment.

I didn't quite see it like that. In fact I was quite impressed that he actually made a half decent save for the 1st (before the rebound went in). I'd find it hard to fault him on that. With the 3rd, I've thought since day 1 he comes off his line too much, and its just a matter of time before he's lobbed, but if he'd stayed around his 6 yard box for the 3rd it would have looked odd (although the Northampton keeper did v Burstow and it worked!). A bigger calamity would have been if he'd stopped the striker at all costs and got himself sent off (not so important at that stage of the game, but different if its 1st half). As annoying as it is that 90% of shots go in, its still hard to say he should absolutely be keeping out these goals. If he'd made 10 saves in that game and still conceded those 3, no blame would have been attached. Its a really bizarre situation to play so many games without it being obvious if you're upto it partly because we hardly have any shots to face (and his handling and kicking is decent too).

If SS keeps it the same he's deluded/rigid/inflexible. Make 3 or 4 changes or change the formation and he's losing the plot, doesn't know his best team, tinkering too much. But if Burstow or ACD choose this game to blast one in from 20 yards he's made the right decisions. If Burstow or Dalby has a one on one with the keeper after 5 minutes and it doesn't go in, Conway trips their winger in the box and Simons plays with lead in his boots, he's got it all wrong. Its in the lap of the gods.

I certainly wasn't suggesting he was to blame for any of the goals, just that his style of play is different to JDC. As others have said, we aren't going to get many overlapping runs or bursts of pace, but we might get more solid defending and just simply being in the right position to defend. It depends what SS wants from his RB, I've no strong opinion, I just took the view that I thought SS would want JDCs greater energy/pace and I was surprised he was left out, but if not that's fine too.

TV companies will want chances of an upset at tight grounds packed with fans with tin foil FA Cups and child like enthusiasm, and electricians and plumbers playing against pro's. Not a relatively huge ground at 20% capacity with bored fans looking like they'd rather be somewhere else and nobody in the country giving a stuff about which of the two L1 teams goes through. eg Tamworth v Orient; Woking/Brackley v Notts Co; South Shields v Shrewsbury; Eastleigh v Walsall. If a L1 club is on at home - "Jack Wilshere's Luton" v "Robbie Savage's FGR"; Barnsley v York maybe

Sorry just seen @Zico's more comprehensive list

Southport

5 clubs currently managed by ex BWFC players or manager: Wrexham, Northampton, Brentford, Blackpool, Luton

Allowed a bad game (I'll leave GKs out of it): Christie, Conway, Simons, EE, ACD, Gale, Burstow, Forss. Not allowed a bad game: Anyone that plays at CB unless its Taylor, JDC, Sheehan, Morley, Dalby, Tutu Not allowed to enter the field of play, they run funny or are just annoying: Sissoko, Randall, McAtee

I didn't watch the whole game (I wasn't turning my back on it FWIW, had a prior arrangement) but from I saw Morley was "OK" without being on top of his game. I think the incident where he gets injured and they score has influenced opinions of him compared to other players that didn't get injured and then concede a goal. We're so bursting with midfielders that have dominated away games from start to finish that its a shame Morley had to play.

Does it only count if you've seen it? 😀 He's scored and created a few in the last few years, I've not seen them all either, but they still count and compare favourably with any other midfielder we've got now or had in recent years (unless I've forgotten anyone). I've watched him play well, I've watched him play not so well, the same as every player in the squad. I'm not sure why he's being singled out, its not as if he's a guaranteed starter, he's playing now mainly because there are very few options. He'll be on the bench most of the time if/when everyone's back, and our set pieces or chances of scoring a goal won't necessarily improve.

Agreed. When we went there last season, it felt like lambs to the slaughter, us on a terrible run and them unbeaten in 20 odd games. So it was acceptable to think a draw or even a battling close defeat would be OK. Not this time. Another failure to win will be viewed in the same bracket as all the others, its not in the Birmingham, or even Cardiff, bracket. Of course any game is hard to win away so you don't approach many of them thinking you have to win, but nevertheless it would stretch our winless away run to 7 and we don't get another chance till mid November, and that's at the league leaders.

I do miss stuff and if everyone thought Christie played well and I missed some of it I'll hold my hands up, fair enough. I thought he lacked energy and a change of pace, but he did assist well and even had a decent shot, which JDC doesn't really get involved in. I was more referring to Tutu's great energy and pace which means he can get involved at both ends. And he can beat a man effortlessly which gets him out of tight situations same as Conway, not something Christie has in his locker. But I get what you're saying, which of the 3 plays RB isn't going to be a game changer, the only thing that matters is that whoever gets picked has one of their better days and not what we've seen so far.