Rival Son

It was. We totally lost shape when Tutu came on, before he then stupidly gave away the free kick from which they scored the second and ended the game. Schumacher needs to take a few things out of yesterday’s game. 1. Play youth before Tutu at right back. If he can’t challenge for the right wing position, he needs to be moved on, ASAP. 2. McAtee is not an option for the 9 role. Lawrence would have been at least as effective. Another who should be placed near the exit door. 3. A left footer at left centre back. When all are fit, we have Johnston, Inwood and Taylor. Forino did not look comfortable on the left. 4. Trust your youth. After much praise, none - Inwood, Warren, Lawrence - were given a place on the bench. The latter two could have done a better job than McAtee for the last quarter. 5. More pruning is required from this squad.

Defensively. Everything Stockport created today came from Cogley’s side. Very weak in the tackle and non-existent in the air. Attacking. Can’t shoot, can’t cross, can’t beat a man. If you want someone to run up and down the wing, always do the simple and obvious, and someone to point out what others should be doing, Cogley is your man. Flatters to deceive.

Undefendable, maybe. Avoidable, definitely. What the hell was Tutu doing at right back, which resulted in giving away a very cheap free kick? I’ve been saying it for weeks. We need another right back; not another left back.

That should be the reason to believe we’re going to win the league. It’s Stockport County, for God’s sake, who’ve spent all but two seasons of their history below us, and most of the last decade in non-league! We’ve been dragged into a negative mindset over the last 15 years and, if nothing else, that’s one thing I want us to lose, this season. We should believe we’re much better than EVERY team at this level.

Only when he wasn’t being a builder!

So, why have all Tutu’s pre-season appearances been at right back? if you are correct, who is the backup for right back?

Interesting wildcard. One thing I would say is a three man midfield cries out for Sheehan. While he might not be the strongest of our midfielders, he is the best playmaker. This is his formation.

This is what I think SS will do; not necessarily what I’d do. TSL Cogley-Forino-Johnston-Conway Sheehan-Morley ACD-Randall-Gale Burstow But I’m by no means sure. As you say, I think we can only certain about the keeper, full backs and right wing. I’m not even certain about the 9. Could Warren be a slight curveball, given his greater time with the squad?

It’s also not really a new appointment. Just a promotion from the backroom team. Not sure they’d be allowed to recruit at the moment.

My bad. It was Barrow.

It was only last season that his non-league club switched him from CF to right wing. And we’ve already tried him at CF against Orlando Pirates. I agree his primary role will be as a winger (hence the need for three other 9s) but I think he can do a job at 9. He’s not small, like a many wingers.

Can’t find the link, but there was interview earlier this month, which stated that two strikers would be brought in by 1st September. Number one has arrived and I think this statement anticipated that any deal with Kenny would take time; probably while Celtic firmed up their squad. There are more than four weeks to go before deadline day and, with Burstow and Warren now available, we don’t go into the opening games relying on two youngsters who were in the academy, a couple of months ago.

On what basis do you believe these two are suitable captains? Erhahon has a tracK record of bookings for dissent. We saw it ourselves last season, when he was stupidly sent off at the Toughsheet. The captain we need is someone who can manage the likes of Erhahon on the pitch.

His current absence is because he’s had an operation of his knee; he’s in the rehabilitation phase. Knee operations can de difficult to come back from but, if successful, can totally solve the problem. He might be fully fit during the season and, as others have stated, we know he will bring commitment in spades.

Agree. The midfielder likely to compete (when fit) for the forward slot is Dempsey. The othe four are competing for the two spots and I’d expect them all to make plenty of appearances, with substitutions.

Southport is definitely arguable. Decent sized town and spent decades (unlike Morecambe) as a league club. If they had a genuine owner, who was prepared to invest, they could easily return to league football with bigger crowds than Morecambe ever managed.

And Etete!

Spot on. Remember that shite we had 20 years ago: Diouf and Anelka. 🙄

Look at Burstow’s number on that Hull goal clip.

Although we’ve used him as a 9, he actually plays right wing, as a left footer. This versatility makes him a valuable squad player.

I like the look of him. Took his goal very well at Shrewsbury and, while he’s not come close otherwise, I’ve not seen McAtee getting on the end of much, either. He looks ahead of Abimbola for me and, unless there’s a curveball this week, I think he’ll be in the bench at Stockport, with Warren starting. Longer term, I think he’s got a chance of making it, at this level.

Presumably, this is the basis of the “two strikers by 1st September” comment. We play a waiting game. Everyone’s price is inflated in the close season. As deadline day draws closer, sellers are faced with ongoing wages for a player they are happy to sell and the lower bid becomes more attractive. Of course, some buyers do panic, as well. It depends on how your current players start the season. If Charlie Warren is thrown in and scores in each of the first three games, while Dalby is back in full training by mid-August, then there’s no panic.

0.11 goals per 90 minutes destroys the “most of his appearances were as a sub” argument.

Hopefully, no more than a half season loan, while we sort out short-term issues.

I don’t want to detract from the football, which has the seen the conclusion of a very positive pre season. However, it’s a question of proportionality. If those who commit such heinous crimes can be trusted to resume normal life after an appropriate period of punishment, surely the same opportunity should be extended to others? Anyway, I’ll leave it there.