Positives Win, clean sheet Dempsey Return, Dalby first goal  and   Mcatee  attitude.  No real negatives other than nobody doing enough to give Schumacher thoughts to change the team for Saturday.......Would give Mcatee a place on the bench over Randal who looks disinterested.

I was barely concentrating whilst cooking my books but did we finish with a back 3 there?

Was a good first Half 

second Hale  was like a Friendly 

was a lot on 

like a real game down stairs at HT 

17 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

Positives Win, clean sheet Dempsey Return, Dalby first goal  and   Mcatee  attitude.  No real negatives other than nobody doing enough to give Schumacher thoughts to change the team for Saturday.......Would give Mcatee a place on the bench over Randal who looks disinterested.

I'm no fan of Randall particularly (nothing against him), but not sure how he looks disinterested in his short appearance tonight!  I'm sure he gets stick for the way he runs, same as McAtee.

Playing these games can be a thankless task because no 1st teamer is coming away with their reputations enhanced, even if they scored, and none of the defenders get any credit for a clean sheet.

When Dempsey comes off the bench he actually looks a threat, when Randall comes off the bench its as if we've run out of ideas and he's just replacing someone who's knackered.

Edited September 23, 2025Sep 23 by Whitestar
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1 hour ago, L/H White said:

Assume Dempsey gets back into the match squad, who's dropping out?

Are we in a situation where 2 of our most expensive players Mcatee and Randall are both left out of the squad?

Yes

2 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I'm no fan of Randall particularly (nothing against him), but not sure how he looks disinterested in his short appearance tonight!  I'm sure he gets stick for the way he runs, same as McAtee.

Playing these games can be a thankless task because no 1st teamer is coming away with their reputations enhanced, even if they scored, and none of the defenders get any credit for a clean sheet.

Even without this game, I'm slightly in the McAtee over Randall camp (for a place on the bench). As you've said before McAtee offers more goal threat (12 last season was decent and while 1-1 this season his was from far fewer starts and far more important). He also has a better all round positive attitude to have around the place imo and slight but of physicality, Randall seems a bit too meek.

All this is comparing last player on the bench though.

42 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

Positives Win, clean sheet Dempsey Return, Dalby first goal  and   Mcatee  attitude.  No real negatives other than nobody doing enough to give Schumacher thoughts to change the team for Saturday.......Would give Mcatee a place on the bench over Randal who looks disinterested.

If Forss & Burstow stay fit and stay , then in Jan I can see either of McAtee and /or Randall moving on . Away from home I would play Simons & Erahon , at home , Sheehan & Morley and change as suspensions/injuries see fit . 

32 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I'm no fan of Randall particularly (nothing against him), but not sure how he looks disinterested in his short appearance tonight!  I'm sure he gets stick for the way he runs, same as McAtee.

Playing these games can be a thankless task because no 1st teamer is coming away with their reputations enhanced, even if they scored, and none of the defenders get any credit for a clean sheet.

Straight choice between Randall and Mcate for one  place on the bench......They both have started games this season and not really taken the shirt.....Mcatee  has a goal in him

Once Dempsey is fit they both may struggle to get in the squad.

22 minutes ago, Stig said:

Even without this game, I'm slightly in the McAtee over Randall camp (for a place on the bench). As you've said before McAtee offers more goal threat (12 last season was decent and while 1-1 this season his was from far fewer starts and far more important). He also has a better all round positive attitude to have around the place imo and slight but of physicality, Randall seems a bit too meek.

All this is comparing last player on the bench though.

Yes, I agree with that.  I'd add that McAtee is a striker (as is Forss) and Randall is a midfielder.  Let's forget all this no.10 nonsense, they play in different positions in different styles.  So arguably they could both be on the bench (if we had injuries eg to Sheehan and Forss).  I would just hope that players earn their place in the squad rather than get in because they are SS signings.  Its hard to say Dalby and the disappointing Sissoko have done much more than McAtee (and to a lesser extent Randall) but they get a free pass currently (Sissoko different position obviously but that alone can't be enough).  I'm not saying that's wrong, we're all expecting Dalby to offer more of a threat to McAtee long term but there will come a time when that has to be justified by impact.

17 minutes ago, Krimzon said:

If Forss & Burstow stay fit and stay , then in Jan I can see either of McAtee and /or Randall moving on . Away from home I would play Simons & Erahon , at home , Sheehan & Morley and change as suspensions/injuries see fit . 

I can see your thinking but for me Erahon and Simons start every game both home and away until either one gets injured/suspended  or we start playing more than one league game a week. Would not change a thing Saturday they all deserve to start....One change on the bench Mcatee for Randall

3 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

I can see your thinking but for me Erahon and Simons start every game both home and away until either one gets injured/suspended  or we start playing more than one league game a week. Would not change a thing Saturday they all deserve to start....One change on the bench Mcatee for Randall

Cant argue with that , I think our midfield 4 walk into any team in the league . Just thinking tactically . they have all been great in their roles so far . 

6 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Yes, I agree with that.  I'd add that McAtee is a striker (as is Forss) and Randall is a midfielder.  Let's forget all this no.10 nonsense, they play in different positions in different styles.  So arguably they could both be on the bench (if we had injuries eg to Sheehan and Forss).  I would just hope that players earn their place in the squad rather than get in because they are SS signings.  Its hard to say Dalby and the disappointing Sissoko have done much more than McAtee (and to a lesser extent Randall) but they get a free pass currently (Sissoko different position obviously but that alone can't be enough).  I'm not saying that's wrong, we're all expecting Dalby to offer more of a threat to McAtee long term but there will come a time when that has to be justified by impact.

Yes Sissoko is a enigma, but at present he is the only player we have to replace either Gale or ACD. Forss would be wasted there but in the future once he is match fit SS may use him wide the last 20 if for example he wanted more height in the middle.

 

4 minutes ago, Krimzon said:

Cant argue with that , I think our midfield 4 walk into any team in the league . Just thinking tactically . they have all been great in their roles so far . 

Having Erhahon and Simons holding midfield gives the two wingers freedom to run at players alongside Forss and Burstow.

Morley and Sheehan are good midfielders but a bit more creative and dont offer the same protection

11 hours ago, gonzo said:

I was barely concentrating whilst cooking my books but did we finish with a back 3 there?

I am of the understanding that a member of the backroom staff is pushing for a move to a 3-4-3... Data driven apparently. 

I am of the opinion that he should be fired in to the sun for suggesting it. 

23 minutes ago, meanderson93 said:

I am of the understanding that a member of the backroom staff is pushing for a move to a 3-4-3... Data driven apparently. 

I am of the opinion that he should be fired in to the sun for suggesting it. 

No no no

2 hours ago, meanderson93 said:

I am of the understanding that a member of the backroom staff is pushing for a move to a 3-4-3... Data driven apparently. 

I am of the opinion that he should be fired in to the sun for suggesting it. 

You are exceptionally kind to him in that case.

We went through 'data driven' & look where it got us. He should take his 'data' & have it driven it right where the sun don't shine.

3 hours ago, meanderson93 said:

I am of the understanding that a member of the backroom staff is pushing for a move to a 3-4-3... Data driven apparently. 

I am of the opinion that he should be fired in to the sun for suggesting it. 

I can't imagine who it would be, because I'm certain it wouldn't be SS or his two coaches he brought in with him

3 minutes ago, Zico said:

I can't imagine who it would be, because I'm certain it wouldn't be SS or his two coaches he brought in with him

Mate of a mate so don't want to dig the guy I know out too much, but emphasis on data rather than coaching. 

26 minutes ago, meanderson93 said:

Mate of a mate so don't want to dig the guy I know out too much, but emphasis on data rather than coaching. 

tell him to fuck off then

Evatt tried this clusterfuck at the start of last season and we had absolutely zero control in any of the games, before he sacked it off and went back to his 3-5-2 / 5-3-2 hybrid and results and performances picked up for a bit.

 

16 hours ago, masi 51 said:

Yes Sissoko is a enigma, but at present he is the only player we have to replace either Gale or ACD. Forss would be wasted there but in the future once he is match fit SS may use him wide the last 20 if for example he wanted more height in the middle.

 

I agree Sissoko is sort of the only winger replacement currently, but other options in future could be Warren (played like a winger last night) and Conway pushed further up with Taylor behind.  Especially, if like the last 2 home games, we've been ahead and not necessarily needing a goal, just needing to get more control of a game.

,Personally if we've got Sheehan and Morley on the bench and its time for Gale to be subbed, I'd be bringing them on just because they are better players, and adapt the system to suit them.  I'll all for playing with wingers if they are quality like our current 2, I'm not so sure it works when you start shoe-horning potentially inferior players in.  IE did this to his detriment - wingbacks worked great, then Bradley left (and Declan John replaced by Williams etc) and suddenly the refusal to change systems became a major reason he failed.

Imo, warren is miles off

Lots of miles

On the subject, im surprised inwood, lawrence, big dave and warren arent out getting games somewhere

48 minutes ago, Casino said:

Imo, warren is miles off

Lots of miles

Warren worked his bollocks off last night.  Did lots of great tracking back and defensive work.  Looks reasonably fast as well.

Unfortunately going forward he either cut back inside and laid a pass off or tried and generally failed to go on the outside.  Had a chance to shoot in the first half that he didn't execute.

I like him but he needs to bulk up a bit and has lots to learn.  Time isn't on his side but good luck to the lad.