I agree would go back 4, but cant see him making changes whilst winning. Would rather see full backs defending channels then any of that back 3. Wharton was trying to play like his brother at one point there (quite effectively to be fair!!)

Ayari and buckley would be pretty effective in a midfield 3 with tronstad behind them.. cant say anyone on bench fills me with confidence except siggy keeps getting skinned so would bring on hedges

Leos made good saves but distribution awful, we keept trying clever through balls rather than to feet.

We're in no position to let anyone go in the summer (except a couple dud strikers), if fadz could do another season i think we'll need just a LB in defence, would sign chrisene!

Couple of cm's, winger and x2 strikers.. maybe gk depending how pears gets on.

Could do it with 10m easy, i reckon max 5 mil will be spent..

48 minutes ago, Groundhog said:

Was chatting to my Dad this weekend after the Stoke game, who has witnessed far more football in his 74 years than I have, we're both delighted with the win but almost a deep frustration who it can take a change in manager to totally shift the players as a group. To him, having watched some of the most famous successful sides down the years, he finds it almost unbelievable that a team can be so wedded to a set of tactics even though it clearly ain't working, with players just doing what they are told. 

I'd like to know from people who have played to a decent level, how is t possible for teams to continue with systems that clearly aren't working, following them to the letter. What's it like in the dressing room? Is it just a case of the players with their heads down, shrugging their shoulders, "it's what the gaffer wants"...

Is it case of the game now being so professional that players carry out tactics regardless, or is coupled with the fact that we haven't had any real leaders or experience on the pitch to help manage certain situations - i.e at Turf Moor last season, "put your foot through it Clinton!"

I've been guilty of being jobsworth at times when certain bosses, managers and clients treat you in certain ways or tell you what to do even though you disagree - I suppose you just coast through, get it done and go home. It's so hard to imagine this happens in football, but it must like any job. 

If anything the game on Saturday made me more and more angry at the last 6 months of JDT's reign if I'm honest, that through this blind commitment to this style of play we're risking a dalliance with relegation.

I find Brittain's comments pretty revealing:

"As a group, we have spoken in the last week about using Gally's strengths. Hedgey coming in at the back post, we don't do it enough."

"I think we turn down crosses and we come out too much. We want to put the ball in dangerous areas and we did, it caused problems.

"I think it is a strength for me, crossing. It wasn't something the last gaffer wanted, it was a different style," he explained.

"The manager (Eustace) told us to take the shackles off, I think we did that today. I'm very excited to work under him."

They obviously know what they want, but under the previous regime couldn't do anything about it. I find it really frustrating.
 

It is interesting, as we were quite effective, gally won a lot of flick ons and Dolan was there to pick up. 'Releasing the shackles' were they really told not to cross it? Mad. We don't have a plan b target man mind.

I did think we didn't play amazingly also though, and Stoke were awful but had chances. We'd lose against a better team.

Going to be very interesting seeing how we play now, its a great jumping off point for Eustace my opinion. As JDT had some very positive attacking aspects drilled into them.

Have to say Tomasson gave me Jeremy Corbyn vibes (think what you will of him!) First glimmer of hope in years, enjoyed watching us play, though with its flaws. Did a good job and a what if / could of gone all the way if backed properly

The bench we've been putting out for most this season has barely been league 2 standard.. crazy really.

Wayne rooney may have something to not say about that new manager bounce.

Big game for moran, can't lose the ball everytime he gets it like normal..

Devils advocate, i doubt he's built a squad/teams style of play around having one 19 year old (relatively untested at start of season) who can play the pivot role with no backup. Must of been promised another CM though that isn't unfit. Reason enough

Well a very bad window all in all, adam needed replacing with a half decent playmaker. A lot of dud loanees purely to make up numbers. At least it looks better than last night - interested to hear what actually happened..

I think fleck (tbh never stood out to me when watching) and mcfadz are smart short term signings, can extend contracts next year to keep experience/leadership in squad, it was clearly missing. Not the best players now but have won promotions. 

Mcguire is a big risk, cant see him having an impact on this season, better than Ennis though? Lets see - worst thing is i'm actually happy Gally has stayed..

With JRC and flecks injury records (and buckley to an extent) its a massive onus on garrett to perform..

Seems theyv made an effort to stop shipping goals, cant see us scoring many though.

Wait are we even trying to sign someone?

Wouldnt say no to brannagan from oxford

Its funny how another article is saying we've hijacked Orlando's bid for that viking defender, seemingly their bid using the money we were paying them for their striker. Creative perhaps

Not expecting a happy ending here regardless.. this mcguires in his off season and would need to adjust, so wouldnt hit ground running anyway?

Either hearsay or we've agreed a deal with someone better, this guy looks a huge risk.

Or they're totally inept and signing nobody

Is this game on tv / going to be on in pubs anyone know?

20m is useless with 5 days in the window to go.. we'll get relegated / hardly will go for a promotion push.

I'd sell him and gally, buy a couple strikers, cm, winger and cb. No chance though

Bartley should be sent off there, 2nd yellow. Not that it matters, in 20 mins we're going to be reminded how bad gallys first touch is. To spin a positive note i agree with comments on garrett, very surprised how technically good he is, was it mowbray playing him as DM? or youth setup?

Wow this defence is a shambles... 

Surely we're owed a twist of fate reversed from Hirst working out at Ipswich

Mcguire would be a good cheap punt ready for next year, from the highlights MLS defences look awful, his shot is too weak also, big risk. Need someone experienced ready for THIS year. 

Also not against a 6 month garrett loan out if we've a good signing/loan in (unlikely) - he would thrive.

57 minutes ago, Hasta said:

If Tronstadt and Wharton are so much better, why are we in such a shit run of form and look wide open a lot of the time?

I've said for a few weeks that Travis reading of the game is better than those two. There's more to playing midfield than being able to 'take a ball on the half turn'.

Travis wasn't a major issue for our 'style of football' last year. It was our lack of goals towards the end of the season which cost us. 

 

Tronstad is better at winning the ball back and protecting the defence imo, most our goals come from being wide open on the wings, commiting all our players forward. Trav tries to be box to box but only effective 1 in 10..

Wild that we can't afford to have a squad though.. too expensive to sit on the bench by the sounds of it.

How many loan spots left? If its short term cover for dolan/hedges then fine, may not get a lot of minutes after. 

Trav is in a hard place, couple of times hes come on as a sub and not looked great imo. Tronstad has just like for like replaced him unfortunately. Who plays in there next though after tronstad/wharton? Garrett?

9 minutes ago, Rover8T4 said:

Too quick out the blocks, That tempo is not sustainable over 90 minutes. Similar to the game against Bristol city where we had it under control and puffed out around the hour Mark. Beautiful to watch at times, if only we can get that game management balance right. Telalovic again unlucky not to score but his link up play brought another dynamic to the game. I might get some stick for this but I feel we are only a few tweeks off something special. 

I agree, if we could replace our forward line on 60/70 mins with more energy we could stay on the front foot. Markanday no presence or pace and looked scared (garrett would have been better) ennis too slow, siggy and sammie had lost energy so we lost our press and dominance. Telalovic looking effective is certainly a bonus.

This tactic is great to watch but impossible with a depleted squad. Hate watching us play teams like Rotherham - suck the joy out of football.. watching Morrison walk over to take every throw in was painful.

The new booking players rule for throwing ball away / time wasting has been so inconsistant

The irony of JDT being in the stands to see that.. stonewall pen

Wow - Be interesting if we can get a result with that bench. Just watching West brom - Leicester, night and day in squad depth. Maybe Siggy form was down to being injured again.. still not managed a solid run in team, seems all our forward line summer signings haven't worked out to be honest.

Hope Leonard has a good game

50 minutes ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

JDT has said himself that a team evolves as the season goes on - players drop out of favour, other players one in from the cold etc. 

Gally was his first choice striker when Gally was fit earlier this season. I think he trusts him. I also think he's another that is better than what he is given credit for. I think he'll be straight back in when fit.....could be wrong. 

Gally won't be match fit for a while, Leanords done enough to keep him on the bench