Another team that are having a fruit salad season - proper mixed bag of results although their surprise loss to Plymouth on Tuesday brought a 12 game unbeaten run to an end - a run that included a lot of draws so they are mid table.
Another conundrum for SS to solve. I think Duff sets them up to be a “hard to beat” team, usually 4231, rather than an attacking force although they are strong on the right with Jack Grimmer at the back and the dangerous Fred Onyedinma ahead of him.

 

31 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Put simply, yes.  I get both sides of the "to rotate or not rotate" arguments, for and against.

Its quite ironic that unless I've forgotten someone we don't have another option for right wing, so our best attacker ACD rarely if ever gets rotated/rested.  If we had an inferior RW it would be interesting to see how bold SS would be reducing his use of our best player, other than when the game is already won or lost.

But on the left wing, Gale can be fantastic as shown v Wigan and Exeter to name 2.  But in terms of stand-out 8 or 9 out of 10 most games, he's miles from that.  His impact away has been minimal in my memory, happy to be corrected if I've forgotten any stand out displays.  Tutu (again, from memory) has been every bit as convincing, or unconvincing, away from home.  He's also better defensively, I'm unsure how anyone can say Tutu mustn't start away, or that Gale must.  It looks anything but black and white to me.  Most recently Tutu has done well at Mansfield and Luton, adding a goal and an assist.

The only mystery for me is how Cissoko starts a league game when the other 2 are both available, SS's reasoning seemed flimsy at best and struck me as over thinking the game, rather than just going with his best players.

Considering wide options, wasn’t Charlie Warren a wide player? It may be a bit early for him but he looked physically up to it in pre-season.

4 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

Considering wide options, wasn’t Charlie Warren a wide player? It may be a bit early for him but he looked physically up to it in pre-season.

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!

6 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Put simply, yes.  I get both sides of the "to rotate or not rotate" arguments, for and against.

Its quite ironic that unless I've forgotten someone we don't have another option for right wing, so our best attacker ACD rarely if ever gets rotated/rested.  If we had an inferior RW it would be interesting to see how bold SS would be reducing his use of our best player, other than when the game is already won or lost.

But on the left wing, Gale can be fantastic as shown v Wigan and Exeter to name 2.  But in terms of stand-out 8 or 9 out of 10 most games, he's miles from that.  His impact away has been minimal in my memory, happy to be corrected if I've forgotten any stand out displays.  Tutu (again, from memory) has been every bit as convincing, or unconvincing, away from home.  He's also better defensively, I'm unsure how anyone can say Tutu mustn't start away, or that Gale must.  It looks anything but black and white to me.  Most recently Tutu has done well at Mansfield and Luton, adding a goal and an assist.

The only mystery for me is how Cissoko starts a league game when the other 2 are both available, SS's reasoning seemed flimsy at best and struck me as over thinking the game, rather than just going with his best players.

Thanks for the detailed response.

It’s a very reasonable and rationale reply which is well balanced.

I don’t think I disagree with anything you said, maybe just degrees of positivity/negativity.

For example while I’m on board with Cissoko being the 3rd choice, I can still see why he may get a first 11 start in a league game.

And I agree we definitely don’t have the same options to rotate on the right, although we did ok at Mansfield (but I don’t think Forss is the answer). I’m probably coming across as a Tutu lover 😂, but he’s that versatile it could be something he does if we need a different option to ACD.

 

 

 

30 minutes ago, desperado said:

Thanks for the detailed response.

It’s a very reasonable and rationale reply which is well balanced.

I don’t think I disagree with anything you said, maybe just degrees of positivity/negativity.

For example while I’m on board with Cissoko being the 3rd choice, I can still see why he may get a first 11 start in a league game.

And I agree we definitely don’t have the same options to rotate on the right, although we did ok at Mansfield (but I don’t think Forss is the answer). I’m probably coming across as a Tutu lover 😂, but he’s that versatile it could be something he does if we need a different option to ACD.

 

 

 

You cannot see what is in front of you.......TuTu is a perfect option to replace ACD, but only as a substitute

First name on the subs list every week 

27 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

Considering wide options, wasn’t Charlie Warren a wide player? It may be a bit early for him but he looked physically up to it in pre-season.

I'm unsure if he's classed as a winger or not.  I don't think there's a chance of him getting in the current squad this season, barring injuries obviously.  When proven first teamers JDC, Taylor, Randall, Forrester, McAtee sometimes can't get on the bench, I don't see Warren getting ahead of them in a matchday squad, I'm almost certain SS would put an existing proven squad player on the RW in ACDs absence eg Forss, Gale, Tutu, JDC (no doubt Warren will appear in the cup).

19 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

You cannot see what is in front of you.......TuTu is a perfect option to replace ACD, but only as a substitute

First name on the subs list every week 

Chill out 😂

I was only mentioning it as an alternative if ACD needed resting/rotating

 

I've still no idea what Forss is.

 

5 minutes ago, gonzo said:

I've still no idea what Forss is.

 

another that just hasn't worked out 

terrible at mansfield 

2 hours ago, Whitesince63 said:

I’d say that’s a cert Nox and the good thing is that whoever does come in should be fully fit and match ready. We need some leavers to make room though and I suspect we could all name our favourites for that but there could also be a surprise or two? The 3 that would be leading contenders to go for me would be Forrester, Morley and McAtee, not because I don’t rate them but because to be fair they all need regular first team football. On the reverse I have absolutely no idea who may come in but it should certainly be an interesting window both ways. 🥴

Not sure we will do much business either way come January.....Morley Perhaps down to Wycombe and I would not be surprised if Cogley and Randal  rock up at Blackpool. [No pun intended]

I am sure  Johnston, Tutu and Forrester have offers already on the table if we dont step forward before May

Would not bother me if any of the loan players went back bar ACD if we have replacements lined up but i think SS/Harkin have big calls in January and again in the Summer

Edited December 17, 2025Dec 17 by masi 51

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I'm unsure if he's classed as a winger or not.  I don't think there's a chance of him getting in the current squad this season, barring injuries obviously.  When proven first teamers JDC, Taylor, Randall, Forrester, McAtee sometimes can't get on the bench, I don't see Warren getting ahead of them in a matchday squad, I'm almost certain SS would put an existing proven squad player on the RW in ACDs absence eg Forss, Gale, Tutu, JDC (no doubt Warren will appear in the cup).

Fair points, maybe Charlie’s more one for next season when he’s fit and had another pre-season. Of course the whole team could be very different by then, especially if we go up.

58 minutes ago, gonzo said:

I've still no idea what Forss is.

 

Well he's definitely not a right winger.  Or midfielder.

He's the same as McAtee for me, a 10 or 2nd striker.  As soon as they enter our own half, they are both a liability.

As opposed to Randall and Dempsey who are attacking midfielders (Dempsey would do a job anywhere in midfield IMO).  Both are comfortable in possession coming deep, McAtee and Forss are far from that.

56 minutes ago, L/H White said:

another that just hasn't worked out 

terrible at mansfield 

In the wrong position though, IMO.  We wouldn't play Burstow on the right wing.

1 hour ago, L/H White said:

another that just hasn't worked out 

terrible at mansfield 

2 goals against Wigan. Always a good'un in my eyes.

2 hours ago, gonzo said:

I've still no idea what Forss is.

 

I reckon he's got something, but we haven't seen it yet, we've seen glimpses of his finishing.

wouldn't put him in the "Schon" category though 

2 hours ago, gonzo said:

I've still no idea what Forss is.

 

I've got him down as a versatile forward

2 hours ago, masi 51 said:

Not sure we will do much business either way come January.....Morley Perhaps down to Wycombe and I would not be surprised if Cogley and Randal  rock up at Blackpool. [No pun intended]

I am sure  Johnston, Tutu and Forrester have offers already on the table if we dont step forward before May

Would not bother me if any of the loan players went back bar ACD if we have replacements lined up but i think SS/Harkin have big calls in January and again in the Summer

I wouldn't have thought Morley would be a Michael Duff type of player.  Matt Bloomfield was his manager at Wycombe and he's currently "between jobs".  

2 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I wouldn't have thought Morley would be a Michael Duff type of player.  Matt Bloomfield was his manager at Wycombe and he's currently "between jobs".  

Why do you say that? I wouldn’t say that Wycombe’s footballs changed that much under any of their recent managers so I’m not sure why you say Morley wouldn’t fit in. Most of the Wycombe fans seem to think he would and I’m sure given the chance he’d jump at it.

On 14/12/2025 at 10:29, L/H White said:

probably an away defeat 

Spurs aren't ripping up trees at the moment so you might squeeze a point

43 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

Why do you say that? I wouldn’t say that Wycombe’s footballs changed that much under any of their recent managers so I’m not sure why you say Morley wouldn’t fit in. Most of the Wycombe fans seem to think he would and I’m sure given the chance he’d jump at it.

I just would have thought Duff wouldn't have Morley down as being physical or combative enough.

I'm not disputing that Morley would probably go there if he had the opportunity, and the fans would be happy with it.

But its very rare for players to go back on loan to former clubs when the original manager has left.  Most of us would love Maghoma back on loan but I'm sure he wouldn't even be on SSs radar even if he was available for loan.  Managers have their own shopping list and there's no more chance of Morley being wanted by Wycombe than any other L1 team.

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I just would have thought Duff wouldn't have Morley down as being physical or combative enough.

I'm not disputing that Morley would probably go there if he had the opportunity, and the fans would be happy with it.

But its very rare for players to go back on loan to former clubs when the original manager has left.  Most of us would love Maghoma back on loan but I'm sure he wouldn't even be on SSs radar even if he was available for loan.  Managers have their own shopping list and there's no more chance of Morley being wanted by Wycombe than any other L1 team.

Not sure if Wycombe have a DOF it will be him as much as the Coach/Manager who would have a big say in recruitment

12 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

 

Quote

But on the left wing, Gale can be fantastic as shown v Wigan and Exeter to name 2.  But in terms of stand-out 8 or 9 out of 10 most games, he's miles from that.

Gale is still quite young and therefore needs our patience - I.E. Accept that he will have bad games/moments, especially when, in my opinion, he has the chance to develop into an outstanding player who could take us far & make us a lot of money one day.

ACD is exactly the same except that he's further advanced in his development (but still has poor games/moments) and he's not ours!

I'd like to see Gale play on the right, burn his man for pace and sling some crosses in.

Old school wingplay without having to check back onto his 'stronger' foot.
Likewise with ACD on the opposite side.

We'd soon see how good (or bad) Dalby is.

If people don’t see what Forrs brings it is beyond belief. My opinion as we all have them. He is the most intelligent player in the squad. He chases every lost ball and wins the ball back more than most. He hasn’t been used anywhere near enough. Randell mcatits have been selected in front of him, he scores he wins possession he runs his bollocks off. He reminds me of Kieron Lee another who never got the credit he deserved. Surely people can see he is 1 step in front of the squad in terms of reading the game. Fuck it send him back in Jan and rotate it between the other so called number 10’s. If he was played as a 9 would he better than our currant mon. Don’t forget our current no 9 cannot trap a bag ?.

4 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I just would have thought Duff wouldn't have Morley down as being physical or combative enough.

I'm not disputing that Morley would probably go there if he had the opportunity, and the fans would be happy with it.

But its very rare for players to go back on loan to former clubs when the original manager has left.  Most of us would love Maghoma back on loan but I'm sure he wouldn't even be on SSs radar even if he was available for loan.  Managers have their own shopping list and there's no more chance of Morley being wanted by Wycombe than any other L1 team.

On Morley & Wycombe. By all accounts Wycombe are absolutely broke. 'Not a penny to rub together' level broke. ... & I'm not sure we'd loan him out.

Maghoma. SS saw him first hand. He'll certainly know about him. I'd expect any future loan move for him would be Championship. As a purchase ... possibly too expensive. I'd certainly love to see him.

                          TSL

Christie.     Toal.   Johnston.  Conway 

                 Sheehan   Erhahon

       ACD.          Dempsey.      Gale

                          Burstow 

Tough one to call this. 

I think there’s 5 nailed on; TSL, Toal, Johnston, Conway, ACD. 

3 who are more than likely; Sheehan, Christie, Burstow 

The other 3 positions could go any way. For me it’s a toss up between Erhahon or Simons.

Same with Dempsey/Forss depending on how solid he wants to make that midfield.

Then Tutu or Gale. Despite me banging the drum for Tutu (I don’t need to say anymore, he’s a very valid option, especially away) Gale could get us off to a flyer and Tutu could tighten things up when needed. Again it depends how solid SS wants to make it from the off.

I look forward to @royal white’s posts in this thread 👀