Let's talk about the Crewe Alexandra game

[selby]

  I have purposely left this subject for obvious reasons that other subjects would be the main topic of conversation for the last few days, another sad chapter in our club's history coming to an end, something we need to stop for the club to move forward at all.
 This weekend we have a tough fixture against Crewe, who usually have enough about them to get a result against us at home, are catching us in a time of disarray, and when most of the players we have this season have looked out of form, low in confidence, and more worrying to me slow in defensive positions, something you cannot just conjure up and put into players, especially defenders, your asking for trouble just contemplating playing a high press and leaving room behind at the back.
  We had success at the start of the season playing across the back just in front of our own area, and hitting teams on the break, looked hard to penetrate, and our defenders looked more suited to the play being in front of them and little space behind them, the game is easier facing the ball and play.
  That didn't satisfy the way some people imagine we are able to play who want all out expansive football, and as a club we made the mistake of falling for the criticism of the fans and tried to get players to do what they look to be incapable of, and have paid the price with results and the manager being sacked.
  Whatever system we do play, Faulkner as the only defender we have with pace is a must to be in the side, We have always struggled with three at the back, Wright being the only one to suit it, even in the past Anderson struggled with it and looks nowhere near the standard he set then.  Long never in a thousand years, and Williams doesn't have the positional sense.  The only combination at the club I would consider three at the back is Petch Faulkner Olowu/Whiting with Flint sitting in front as a defensive midfielder and they are all u18s apart from Faulkner and Olowu and nobody would have the balls to do that at the club but they are better suited to it than the first team players playing that system at the weekend, at least they can cover some ground.
   We are now desperate for the return of Rowe and Taylor to help Clayton and Biggins some of the younger signings need to be brought in sparingly to get confidence back, they have talent no doubt but need to be on the field at the right times, not thrown to the wolves.
  Who leads us this weekend is still up for grabs the usual thing even if we appoint someone is to sit the first game out to assess his charges, Green and Gribble look innovative to me in the u18s games, and are demanding leaders so no problems there for me, and although stop gaps will want to make a mark, so what do you think, I think 4 5 1 suits our players the best, probably not everyone's cup of tea but suits the players, and our best chance of getting results in my opinion which means nothing I accept just an opinion.
  What do you think? lots to discuss, even get stuck  into me about what I think, Please have your say.   
 

[Campsall rover]

Brian I do think a wing back system does suit our current personnel.

Now it’s not a system I have ever previously favoured but Kyle Knoyle  is perfect for that right wing back role and when fit Tommy Rowe for the Left one.

Faulkner, Williams and Olowu all have pace. Williams is a problem because he can’t dominate in the air and he loses his man too often.
When fit I would play Faulkner, Anderson and Olowu in a 3 at the back.
Knoyle and Rowe wing backs.
Clayton as defensive midfielder with Close & Biggins further forward in midfield.
Hurst supporting Miller up front.

If a flat back 4 then Maxwell at left back and a various combinations of formations would be possible with different personnel playing.

It’s up to the new manager to find the right system quickly. Also to implement a plan B which will work also. Preferably a plan C

We have the players that can adapt they just need coaching so they know exactly what they are supposed to be doing. Coached and managed into a well oiled machine.

[selby]

 Paul, Anderson's fitness is a big problem for himself and the club, he has had a bad time of it and will take some getting back to the level he was at two years ago.
  The same with Close, Taylor, and Rowe, all great players to have at this level if fit, but not as they have been over the last eighteen months, playing the odd game while injured.
  And in this squad we have nobody of any class to play in their positions when they are not fit, which has been on a regular basis and we therefore play games with inadequate cover for 40% of our outfield players and their replacements not good enough, Faulkner a rare success who has grasped his chance.
  We need Olowu back fit and Faulkner before we even contemplate who else alongside them if a back three is proposed, they are the only two with the pace to make it work with Ollie Younger, another long term absentee, apart from Williams who has other defensive issues outside a flat back four, Younger from Sunderland might pull it off Long and Adamson at the moment would be like putting a cart horse in to start in the Derby.
  Most of our defenders are better suited to having the ball in front of them, and if forced to turn struggle to defend adequately and recover ground, why play to your own weakness's when there is no need, just because we thought we had to. We won points early in the season playing on the break.

[Bollinger]

We are due a change of manager/new manager bounce given that the last significant one was Stan Anderson.

Fergie had a bit of one but it died a death. Saunders had a short lived one but didn’t save us from relegation. I’m bound to be corrected but I’m struggling to remember anyone that truly turned a season around since Anderson did.

[Campsall rover]

Dave Penny did when he took over.

We were mid table at best I think and ended up 4th didn’t we.
Or was the 4th place the following season . No play offs for us as they weren’t in place until 2002/03 when we finished 3rd.

[inSODwetrust]

David Artell's first game in charge vs. his old club, Crewe Alexandra.

[Bollinger]

Dave Penny did when he took over.

We were mid table at best I think and ended up 4th didn’t we.
Or was the 4th place the following season . No play offs for us as they weren’t in place until 2002/03 when we finished 3rd.

Think you’re right about the 4th place. I don’t suppose we were exactly struggling under Wignall (though it was all a bit uninspiring) but yes, the way Penney finished that season we went into the next season with expectation rather than hope.

[Colin C No.3]

A winnable game if the team is set up right & motivated.

[donnievic]

Stockport station coukd be fun for anyone going on the train,they are away at Salford and prob due back same time as donny fans waiting for connecting train

[DonnyOsmond]

David Artell's first game in charge vs. his old club, Crewe Alexandra.

And his last game in charge was Doncaster v Crewe.

[Leedsrover]

Good opportunity for Danny Schofield to get off to a flyer - after Saturday 3 home games on the trot!
I don't think we will see a revolution in team selection for Saturday so assuming fitness maybe go with the following to start:

Mitchell

Knoyle
Anderson
Faulkener
Rowe (if fit) or Maxwell

Molyneux
Biggins
Clayton
Close

Miller
Woltman

[selby]

  The position that holds the most interest is central defence, which will be a test for the manager.
   Faulkner has been our best central defender, but is the junior member of the defender's union, and the only one that has real pace, a starter for me, but I doubt it.
  It could also be the day when Anderson, Rowe, Taylor and Close actually get changed in the same dressing room and play in the same game, something I am unsure has ever happened before, and not for a long time if they have, although if they manage to recapture some of the form and fitness of old they will certainly be a big plus to the quality of our side, and we will look a different proposition in this division.
  In fairness to the new manager Danny Schofield he has had no time at all to put his stamp on anything playing wise  other than a new man in charge that the players themselves want to impress and show him what they can do, let's hope the players play with more energy, show better form and give a better display than of late, and can come away with some points, it will not be easy.
   

[Campsall rover]

  The position that holds the most interest is central defence, which will be a test for the manager.
   Faulkner has been our best central defender, but is the junior member of the defender's union, and the only one that has real pace, a starter for me, but I doubt it.
  It could also be the day when Anderson, Rowe, Taylor and Close actually get changed in the same dressing room and play in the same game, something I am unsure has ever happened before, and not for a long time if they have, although if they manage to recapture some of the form and fitness of old they will certainly be a big plus to the quality of our side, and we will look a different proposition in this division.
  In fairness to the new manager Danny Schofield he has had no time at all to put his stamp on anything playing wise  other than a new man in charge that the players themselves want to impress and show him what they can do, let's hope the players play with more energy, show better form and give a better display than of late, and can come away with some points, it will not be easy.
 

I am not expecting us to look like the “Arsenal of the North” but what I am expecting is lots of energy, serious commitment to win 50/50’s and us to attack with intent.
If we win 4-3 that will do for me.
Yes I don’t want to concede 3 goals ever really as we won’t win more than 1 game in 100 if we do but I just want to see lots of energy and belief.
Man for man we are better than Crewe. We just have to go out and work harder than them and the result will take care of itself.

[Silkscarf]

Will it be possible to buy tickets tomorrow? There might be a few people pondering going who weren’t bothering a week ago.

[Campsall rover]

Will it be possible to buy tickets tomorrow? There might be a few people pondering going who weren’t bothering a week ago.

No I don’t think you can.
They have made all away games from us all ticket. Purchase from DRFC only and not at the away ground.

It is a shame that we have about 50 or so pathetic idiots that have brought this about.
Don’t expect it will stop them from grouping though as they will just buy the tickets in advance.

[ForsolongaRover]

I am looking forward to “Process-driven” football - and that is not meant to be sarcastic.

Coaching manuals seem to be the stuff of the Schofield operation and we might expect some very focused analysis of what has gone right and not so right at the end of each match.

He has effectively said that some key objectives have been injected in the approach to this match and if he is really shrewd and they can put them into operation, they may well be key to a good result.

Good luck to him - and luck is important too.

[Janso]

Will it be possible to buy tickets tomorrow? There might be a few people pondering going who weren’t bothering a week ago.

They go off sale at 3pm tomorrow.

[Silkscarf]

Will it be possible to buy tickets tomorrow? There might be a few people pondering going who weren’t bothering a week ago.

They go off sale at 3pm tomorrow.

So can you buy them at our ticket office from 9am?

[DearneValleyRover]

Tickets for Crewe are no longer on sale on line, there will have been a cut off time for sales, I would presume lunchtime today. Not sure you can purchase on the day, you might be better calling the Crewe ticket office tomorrow

[Janso]

Will it be possible to buy tickets tomorrow? There might be a few people pondering going who weren’t bothering a week ago.

They go off sale at 3pm tomorrow.

So can you buy them at our ticket office from 9am?

Sorry, thought it was Thursday for some reason when I posted this. Taken time off work and I've lost track what bloody day it is...

[Campsall rover]

Tickets always go off sale at Midday on Friday.

[since-1969]

Save your money bag of Sh*** at the minute . Its a pity full performance so far . Loosing 1-0 should have been more . No midfield and defence is just under constant pressure!!

[Campsall rover]

Last 15 mins we have been the better side.
Miller had penalty saved.
We needed that goal.

Need to a big 2nd half.

[Sammy Chung was King]

We wanted a manager who is organised and it seems that’s what we have. No stone will go unturned in trying to make us better. I really hope he does a good job.