Rival Son

London Whites will probably have at least a third of those tickets.

So, we don’t need a right back then? This is top priority, assuming Cogley is leaving. Centre back? We’ve just paid 6-figure transfer fee for a centre back. Number 10? We’re overflowing with 10s. We can’t get another in, without shifting at least two of them. Moreover, we have an 18 year old 10 - Toby Ritchie - who deserves a look before we waste any more precious money.

Quite right. It was Jimmy Dickinson who brought Cissoko into both Plymouth and Bolton. In defence of Dickinson, he had nothing to do with Taylor and Dalby, who were done deals before he arrived.

Clearly, something has gone on with Cogley. Everyone’s ball is getting a turn in the bingo machine, except Cogley’s. If the player wants out, we need to get him off the payroll, ASAP, and get a replacement in.

I’m in this camp. The keeper gives confidence to the defence, not the other way around. in fact, I’m sure some confident keepers consider playing behind a weak defence as an opportunity to shine. Now, where do we find one of those confident and able keepers?

Nolan inexperienced? I’m not advocating for change (yet). However, have a look at Nolan’s coaching career over the last 9 years. He has more on his CV than either Evatt or Schumacher had, when they were appointed, and at a higher level. Four and a half years at a senior level in the Premier League, working with higher quality players than both Evatt and Schumacher have ever done; both as a player and a manager.

That’s a Championship team, though, some of whom came down from the Premier League with us. A more relevant comparison might be the team that Bruce Rioch built in 1992/93, to take us up from the third tier. Especially, the “cheap” forward partnership of Andy Walker (Phil Neal signing, the season before) and John McGinlay (one of Bruce’s first signings).

The one change I’d make is Tutu for Christie. I don’t understand why Schumacher persists with the more attacking option of Tutu away from home, and the more defensive option of Christie at home. Seems the wrong way around to me.

Charlie Warren scores his first goal for Aldershot, in a 4-1 win. Sam Inwood also featured at left back. Two wins and a draw for the Shots, in the three games since Charlie arrived. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckgz7qwk7l8t

No, there doesn’t. We can have as many loans as we want, but only put 5 in a matchday squad. I’d be happy if Cissoko disappeared from the squad.

My view Tutu: possibly, at right back. Simons: no, retain Sheehan and Erhahon (it was cramp). Dempsey: probably, but see later. Cissoko: no way, Jose. Gale to retain. Burstow: not up front. Dalby’s showing some positive signs, and deserves a start for me. I do wonder, though about trying Burstow as the 10? It’s where he’s played a lot of games, prior to joining us. Lack of form, though, might give the nod to Dempsey, with Randall as his sub. Maybe try Burstow as 10, with Dalby at 9 in the EFL Trophy?

Almost, but the other way around. Our pitch was the minimum allowed for the Premier League, on the orders of Big Sam, to suit our style of play and stifle the opposition. However, it was then discovered to be too narrow for UEFA rules. Therefore, we had to extend by about a yard, either side, for UEFA Cup matches. This yard included a groove worn into the grass by the linesmen, running up and and down. The weather for the game against Zenit was atrocious, and persistent rain throughout the day collected in the grooves, resulting in channels of water down both wings. A farce of pitch and a match. But we won 1-0.

Here we are in agreement. The need to raise money was paramount. However, as I pointed out in earlier post, our biggest problem is not defence - annoying though the mad few minutes yesterday was - but our inability to put goal attempts on target and, ultimately, into the back of the net. The inability to convert good possession and position into opportunities and goals is very much our Achilles heel. Yesterday, were we more incisive in front of goal, we should have been looking back at those two slips, and thinking how they nearly cost us, after our 3-2 victory.

You do realise that Collins was injured in the opening game of the season. Yesterday was his only his second start of the season, and he’d scored twice by half time.

15 shots to 9 for Bolton. Of those 15 attempts, 1 was on target. Yet again, our players can’t hit a barn door at 6 paces. Despite two unfortunate slips in as many minutes, our defence remains the 2nd best in the league. Despite dominating this and virtually all matches, in terms of chances and territory, our attack remains outside the top 6 in the league. If we’re to go up, the single thing that’s needs to improve is being more clinical and taking chances.

Just correct one point. It’s only a month-long loan, not all season. https://www.theshots.co.uk/85030-2/

Ian Wright and Jamie Vardy would tell you otherwise. Warren has clearly shown an eye for goal at non-league level. He just needs to adapt to the speed and quality of the game at a higher level. This will be helped by the fact that he’s now a full-time footballer. Dwell on that latter point. The last six months is the first time he’s ever been in a full-time training set-up; and this was hampered by an injury for a couple of months. There is definitely time for him to develop and it’s too early to write him off.

So, what is he? A cricketer? Our test team could do with some help! He’s not a winger but he certainly is a forward. In my opinion, he was more effective up front than Burstow, on Saturday. He’s struggling to cement a place at the moment. However, I think he’s a very similar player to Burstow and given the latters current run of form, is worthy of consideration to replace him.

He is and I agree. As I view it, he is ACD’s backup, but had a bit of bad luck with the injury. It was disappointing to see Forss deployed as an alternative on the right wing at Mansfield. For me, that didn’t work. He kept drifting infield, creating confusion with Dempsey and leaving Christie isolated. Unfortunately, this nuance was missed by many and Christie was panned for having a poor game!

Is it? Have a look at how all the English teams are doing in the three European leagues, and compare that with other nations. To me, the fact that most teams are competitive is an indication of the strongest league in the world, with the greatest depth.

That final comment related to Forrester, not Johnston.

Spot on. People arriving should wait for the pick-up, rather than the picker-uppers clogging up the area. There are plenty of places to park for nothing within 10-15 minutes drive.

I don’t. I still think we blew two points (and a three point swing) against Bradford. Winning this, will cancel out the two points, in my opinion. If we were above 2 points a game and top of the league, I’d agree a point is good. But we need to recover earlier setbacks and, therefore, raise expectations from games such as this.

I’ll presume Christie for JDC and/or Erhahon for Simons.

Except Mansfield deployed a low block. Against a high block, ACD and Gale make perfect sense, to exploit the space in behind. Sheehan also, to find them. Cogley, however, makes no sense, as he’s liable to make more mistakes under pressure from the high block than Christie.