joey_big_nose

We need to have a really well thought out subs plan to keep the shape and pressing game all 90 mins. We need to spread out our resources to do that. My approach would be to start Pears Miller. McCloughlin. Pratt Alebiosu. Mori. Tronstad. Cantwell. Hedges Gudjohnson. Ohashi At 60 mins bring on Forshaw and TGH to top up energy in midfield. But how to keep the pressing up top and out wide I am pretty stumped on. At LWB maybe we could have a look at Jake Batty? Or accept we are going to play deeper and bring on Pickering/Riberio? Up front if we dont use Gueye the only other thing I can think of is putting Axel on and get him to batter people? Hes a big unit and very aggressive so maybe would work shoring up the press? Though must be evens to get himself sent off. We've got this 352 system that works well, but very light on players to sustain it, even when everyone is fit again.

Hmmm for me without Ohashis running and pressing we will really struggle. Baradji will do well to cover two thirds of the ground he does. I cant see the ball sticking at all with that lineup personally. Our system works because, imo, the way the front two (but really mostly Ohashi) press forcing us up the pitch. The setup you have there that Luton for example did so well with when they got promoted worked because the number 9 was a big physical unit (Carlton Morris) who could make the ball stick on his own. I cant see Gudjonsen doing that.

For me i really rate McCloughlin. A good addition marshaling Pratt and Miller, and gets his blocks in and physically competes, and is good getting the ball out. Made a couple of errors early on but very solid recently. Gudjonsen I have problems with in terms of offering enough in pressing and holding the ball up, but he is intelligent in his movement and getting goals. Miller is hot and cold, but happy enough with him. Mori I am seeing a big improvement over the last few games. Has a bit of quality which we need, and not getting blown off the ball like he was a month ago. Forshaw showing he can do that holding role well is a big gain as we can take some of the pressure off Tronstad, but agree its not ideal he can't do more than 60 mins. TGH I think has done really well. Dont really miss Travis he is so similar. Overall I am feeling much more positive about our midfield and defence than a month ago. Derby completely owned us, and other big physical sides (of which there seem to be remarkably few) will hurt us. But outside of that we seem more capable than I anticipated given the turnover.

I think we're being a bit precious.. he's having a go. The fans love it. I can't see the harm tbh. I'd have that over many other ways the manager can handle it.

In the spirit of fairness we had a lot of Gestede era signings out there who played well (Alebiosu, McCloughlin, Miller, TGH, Gudjohnsen, Mori, Forshaw).

Genuinely think we may play both Mori and Cantwell. Think first team when we have the shorter term injuries back is : Toth Miller McCloughlin Pratt Alebiosu Mori Tronstad Cantwell Hedges Ohashi Gudjohnson Subs : Pears, Litherland, Pickering, Baradji, Forshaw, De Neve, TGH, Montgomery, Gueye

From my point of view I couldn't understand Tavares at all. Total and utter passenger off the ball, and a liability on it - the worst thing to have sitting in front of the defence. He could have brought Axel on imo, and while chaotic at least he would have put a foot in. And De Neve for Hedges was the wrong call, but tbf I could see us getting absolutely penned in down the left if we had Riberio on as he doesn't have the pace to get out. So all options not optimal. Otherwise the subs were as good as we could do I think. Baradji looks okay, Cantwell obviously good. We only have Gueye so that is hardly the managers choice when we are running our front two into the ground. So from me manager gets a minus for the poor subs, but a couple of plusses for the motivation of the team and general setup. 1st of Jan we need some reliable experienced players to close out games. Particularly a forward who can hold up the ball, a centre back, and wingbacks. I am very fearful if Alebiosu or Hedges get injured. Hard role to replace too where you want experience and defensive awareness but also a real engine. The older players we can afford are not likely to still have the required fitness.

What has really struck me is how hard the players seem to be working for Ismael, and that from a team that a month ago most would have said is very very poor (Pears, Pratt, Forshaw etc) hes got us playing well. Im so up and down on him.

I think i prefer the Rovers one but here are both bbc & rovers. TBH has made me warm to him a bit https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckgy74nv12et https://x.com/Rovers/status/1995984553769378097?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet

Tell you what Ismael and @Exiled_Rover would get on like a house on fire. Love the list!

What interview is this?

It was weird, sometimes tried then sometimes didnt. Both him and Tavares were wandering about trying to conserve energy despite coming on for the end of the game. How hard can it be just to look lively? Other end of the spectrum Ohashis engine is genuinely awe inspiring. Once he hangs up his football boots he should see of he can get in the Japanese olympic marathon team.

I guess the view (which i can see merit in) is Riberio doesn't have the engine for wing back. But... considering we were protecting a lead and De Neve had recently lost his man for a goal at the death, I agree Riberio would have been the more sensible choice to come on for the last 15 mins.

If I was a neutral I dont think id fancy us to go down with our results and performances.

Tbh we were managing quite well, quite comfortable. We were not getting overrun. Conceded from the left side though, when you take Hedges out (think he was injured) we become so much weaker down the left. Overall given the squad and injuries we have the performance was impressive.

Well deserved goal. Andri has the knack to be in the right place - haven't had that since Szmodics.

Tavares isnt even able to present himself as a simple option. Hardly moving... So poor

Tavares really really annoys me... Backs off the play, doesn't put a tackle in, jogs around.

Quite interested to see what Cantwell can do in this formation with two forwards ahead of him. Think he'll enjoy it. That said really impressed how Mori has come on last few weeks. Looks much more physically competitive.

Yeah way too far from goal imo for it to be a red. Think we've played pretty well, Forshaw is good at this role. Nice balance across the team.

Well TGH and Montgomery didnt work at all so more open to see how Forshaw does. Henricksson and De Neve will give a bit of energy later in the game, and we will persist with Gueye because we have nothing else. Baradji will get another run out without really showing anything so far. But thats it really.... On paper should be an easy win for Wrexham but hoping for another surprise away result.

Though we probably had the two clearest chances to over the 90 QPR solidly deserve the win. I can see now till Christmas being very tough with the injuries. But then again we keep on pulling out great away wins so maybe that will continue?

Id say McLoughlin is pretty decent tbh. Makes mistakes but capable at this level.

Think it was Miller who had a poor pass. But agreed De Neve didnt track and made it a free header. Absolutely criminal when hes fresh.

Need Gueye to suddenly turn into a good player over Christmas like last year.