Copps v Gomes

[Colin C No.3]

I know we won 3-1 yesterday against a team that has been a virtual ever present in the top six this season however, I was surprised that Copps didn’t start the game & amazed he didn’t feature at all.

Given the conditions, I would have thought Copps’ close control & precise passing would have been best suited compared to Gomes’ tendency to attempt ‘flicks n tricks’ in areas that the opposition can hurt us when they don’t come off.

Gomes is certainly a better player than I first gave him credit for but imo he is playing in a birth best suited (by a country mile) to Copps.

In Saturdays Yorkshire Post DM was eulogising about what an influence Copps was ‘around the camp’ & indicated that talks had been initiated to offer him another contract at the end of the season.

He went on to say “He’s been a breath of fresh air with his work rate & commitment”.

Copps will be 40 years old by then. Let’s enjoy him now for goodness sake. And this isn’t based on sentiment.

If you offered me the option of playing Madge Gomes or James Coppinger in that creative midfield role, No.26 would get the nod.

[BessieBlue]

You have to say that DM has found a way of winning games without relying on Copps.

Surely this is progress?

[drfchound]

We lost the last two without him though.

[RoversAlias]

I wouldn't mind this thread if not for the fact Gomes played really well yesterday. He made the first goal, he was positive throughout and is looking a better player all the time.

I love Copps but Gomes played well yesterday. And besides, we didn't play with a conventional #10 which is probably why Darren left him out. Gomes and Ramsey played on opposite sides of a central three ahead of Whiteman.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Since the New Year, our record when Gomes has started is.

P8 W4 D2 L2 PPG 1.75
Matches against
Coventry
Sunderland
Fleetwood
Wycombe
Oxford
Bolton
Rochdale
Tranmere

When he's not started it is

P5 W3 D0 L2 PPG1.8
Matches against
Southend
Shrewsbury X2
Gillingham
Bristol R

So, pretty much equal points return. But he's played in matches against much better opposition on average. And in my eyes, he's done a good job against them, both defensively and going forward.

[drfchound]

I also thought that Gomes made a significant contribution yesterday.
He goes about his business well and sometimes what he does goes largely unnoticed.

[Bessie Red]

I think we all need to understand that Copps will be used less & less, as it is inevitable that he will be retiring in the next season or two.
I think DM is handling the situation really well and as said above we are starting to win games without Copps being in the team, something we struggled to do previously.  I am sure there is still alot more to come from Copps but we do need to begin preparing for a future without him.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Since the New Year, our record when Gomes has started is.

P8 W4 D2 L2 PPG 1.75
Matches against
Coventry
Sunderland
Fleetwood
Wycombe
Oxford
Bolton
Rochdale
Tranmere

When he's not started it is

P5 W3 D0 L2 PPG1.8
Matches against
Southend
Shrewsbury X2
Gillingham
Bristol R

So, pretty much equal points return. But he's played in matches against much better opposition on average. And in my eyes, he's done a good job against them, both defensively and going forward.

Actually, in the disappointment of the two recent defeats, I hadn't realised how good our firm has been in 2020. Not far off automatic promotion form for the past 13 matches. 23 points from 13 games. And it should have been 25 if the ref hadn't missed the last minute penalty Vs Rochdale.

Repeat that form for the last 11 games, with just a smidge of luck and we are still in the hunt for 6th place.

[deebee]

According to the Wickham manager, Copps was offside for our second goal. Not bad to say he was sat on the bench

[drfchound]

He probably meant that Copps was on his backside.

[mushRTID]

I’m starting to worry a bit for Copps.
I’m not sure where to look to find the info, but I feel like hes barely played for a month or so.... some rest that if that’s the intention.

I thought he was our best player at Shrewsbury  (at the time of the sub, he was poor first half but they all were) and then got subbed, he looked pissed off about it too.

And then yesterday, not a sniff again.
I think Moore prefers pace and legs in midfield to be honest.

[Padge_DRFC]

Gomez wasn't playing in the same position as Coppinger does. He played instead of Sheaf. For 35 minutes I didn't know he was playing.

Signed as a winger and looked rubbish there. Looks better in the middle and improved. Still a long way to go.

[NickDRFC]

I’m starting to worry a bit for Copps.
I’m not sure where to look to find the info, but I feel like hes barely played for a month or so.... some rest that if that’s the intention.

I thought he was our best player at Shrewsbury  (at the time of the sub, he was poor first half but they all were) and then got subbed, he looked pissed off about it too.

And then yesterday, not a sniff again.
I think Moore prefers pace and legs in midfield to be honest.

Stats for this year for Copps’ involvement:

Oxford H - Start, 66 mins
Shrewsbury H - Start, 81 mins
Bristol R A - Sub, 25 mins
Coventry H - Start, 90 mins
Sunderland A - Sub, 7 mins
Southend H - Start, 90 mins
Fleetwood A - Sub, 17 mins
Tranmere A - not in squad
Rochdale H - unused sub
Bolton H - Start, 86 mins
Gillingham A - unused sub
Shrewsbury A - Start, 65 mins
Wycombe H - unused sub

He’s started only 6 out of 13 games, and 4 of those were in the 6 January games. Since the transfer window closed, he’s been either left on the bench or not even in the squad on 4 out of 7 occasions. Obviously the increased competition has a lot to do with it but still much less involvement than I would expect.

[mushRTID]

Thanks for that. One things for sure, he should be fresh now.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

There's many combinations across midfield, it's not simply Copps v Gomes. As DM keeps stressing, it's horses for courses.

I would say Ramsey is the nearest fit to Copps regular position but the main thing is, Gomes has improved a lot and 'long may that continue'.

We are more than a one man Copps team now so generally I think we have become less nervous when Copps doesn't start or finish.

[RoversAlias]

Let's also remember that Coppinger recently missed a game or two with an ankle injury that he basically described as a persistent nagging ailment brought about by the fact he's been playing so long. He needed an injection to come back into the squad for the Rochdale game. Perhaps it is still causing him some issues and so he and Darren are managing his minutes?

[drfchound]

That’s a good point RA.
It could well be that.
The rest could just be a bonus and he will come back even better.

[ravenrover]

He said he was good to go after the injection, he had one earlier in the season too I believe, so I don't think the ankle is causing the problem .

[Pancho Regan]

Let's also remember that Coppinger recently missed a game or two with an ankle injury that he basically described as a persistent nagging ailment brought about by the fact he's been playing so long. He needed an injection to come back into the squad for the Rochdale game. Perhaps it is still causing him some issues and so he and Darren are managing his minutes?

Thanks RA, wasn't aware of that.

[Colin C No.3]

Let's also remember that Coppinger recently missed a game or two with an ankle injury that he basically described as a persistent nagging ailment brought about by the fact he's been playing so long. He needed an injection to come back into the squad for the Rochdale game. Perhaps it is still causing him some issues and so he and Darren are managing his minutes?

I hadn’t been aware of that either, so it makes his exclusions from the side more ‘palatable’.

A fit Coppinger warrants a starting place in that midfield imo.