I think if Scowen injured and Grimmer dropped meant Leahy played as third option for captain. He was the weakest team member on the pitch today so, much as Patterson played well, I hope Grimmer is back in the team midweek and Butcher or Bakinson take Leahy's place.
Genuinely amazing to think we've been playing the way we have and winning the way we have these last few weeks with two of our most creative players out injured (Sads and McCleary). To think we're now getting them back feels almost unfair on the rest of the league.
Having options of Kone, Vokes, Udoh, Onyedinma, McCleary, Kodua, Bez, Hanlan and Sadlier for your attacking positions is unbelievable strength in depth.
Could really make the difference for us being able to rotate those around and compensate for any knocks.
All the best to Sads - we definitely need him back for that monster rotation we have going on in the forward line, especially with a packed schedule coming up.
Very nervous about Scowen - if we lose him for a good chunk, we might always look back with the thought of "what would have happened had we not risked him in a tinpot game?"
This is something else for which Matt hasn't been given enough explicit credit - with 7 substitues, an energetic pressing game and a packed fixture list, there needs to be a much deeper squad to allow for rotation and substitutions without much weakening of the team
Interesting that the Spurs goalkeeper has an injury that seems to exactly mirror Bishop's injury for us. He broke his ankle during the game against Man City on Saturday and unwittingly stayed on the pitch for the final 60 minutes. It seems incredible that this wasn't at least spotted at half time.
In the coaching article (I think) MB directly makes reference to high pressing requiring forward options for rotation and to cover injuries. It was clearing a strategic shift to recruit a higher than usual number of attacking players.
I still think that getting the signature of Fred was just WWFC being able to offer something when he had limited other options (and of course he loves WWFC).
It's been great to watch so far and MB seems to be able to find the balance and keep both the starters and finishers fired up for the task.
I can't help but think back to the 2019(?) Christmas period when GA basically fielded two different teams over the period. It's definitely the case this season that we will have a great number of player rotations over the 5 games in16 day period from Bolton 20th Dec to Blackpool 4th Jan.
The first goal they gave away on Sunday was absolute stupidity and it is either down to the players being daft or a manager who is too stubborn to change his ways. It's lovely to want to play a style of football that is pretty on the eye (I recall us demolishing Forest Green one night when their 'keeper kept playing it out from the back, I almost wanted to plead with him to stop) but if you are getting undone doing so it's time to change.
And this is not the first time they have conceded a goal identical to that of course. If I was a Saints fan I would be raging.
Comments
Wrong thread 🤦🤦🤦
I’ll say this here before I go to what I assume will be a thread about this evening’s meeting.
Ian Evatt (Bolton manager) is evidently wrestling with the idea of eating humble pie and recalling Aaron Morley in January.
Injury update ahead of Lincoln City (A) tomorrow (23rd November 2024)
DOUBTS:
Josh Scowen (knee) | Last played: 12th November 2024 (Crawley Town (H) 2-1)
Return date: Was sent for a scan after being substituted in the pointless trophy. Brace yr'selves.
OUT:
Garath McCleary (muscular, perhaps?) | Last played: 26th October 2024 (Leyton Orient (H) W3-0)
Return date: We still don't know how long the piece of string is.
Gideon Kodua (muscular, possibly?) | Last played: 2nd November 2024 (York City (H) W3-2)
Return date: Another Gasroom correspondent has suggested he won't be fit for another month.
Kieran Sadlier (muscular, maybe?) | Last played: 10th October 2024 (Queens Park Rangers (H) W1-0)
Return date: I still haven't got the foggiest.
Sam Vokes (knee ligaments) | Last played: 20th August 2024 (AFC Wimbledon (A) L0-1)
Return date: 3-4 weeks.
Bloomfield did give an update on Kodua last night, stating that he had a further injury setback. He hoped to have him back around Christmas time.
Gareth McCleary was pictured in crutches observing the academy trial matches shown last night in the fans forum
Cheers chaps
McCleary - Back right here, right now.
Do we think Bakinson was injured or didn’t make the squad. With Scowen unavailable I though he might start.
I think if Scowen injured and Grimmer dropped meant Leahy played as third option for captain. He was the weakest team member on the pitch today so, much as Patterson played well, I hope Grimmer is back in the team midweek and Butcher or Bakinson take Leahy's place.
Sadlier has just said on X that he's been out a while and had setbacks with a "few hernias", but is going to be back "very soon"
He was playing his best stuff when he got injured. And now I keep forgetting he's injured. What a squad we have.
Can't wait to have him back
Genuinely amazing to think we've been playing the way we have and winning the way we have these last few weeks with two of our most creative players out injured (Sads and McCleary). To think we're now getting them back feels almost unfair on the rest of the league.
Having options of Kone, Vokes, Udoh, Onyedinma, McCleary, Kodua, Bez, Hanlan and Sadlier for your attacking positions is unbelievable strength in depth.
Could really make the difference for us being able to rotate those around and compensate for any knocks.
Just in case anyone can't see the tweet
All the best to Sads - we definitely need him back for that monster rotation we have going on in the forward line, especially with a packed schedule coming up.
Very nervous about Scowen - if we lose him for a good chunk, we might always look back with the thought of "what would have happened had we not risked him in a tinpot game?"
Ten players who are either out injured or not involved in the match day squad at Lincoln ;-
Bishop, McCarthy, Taf, Skura, Hartridge, Sadlier, Scowen, Bakinson, Kodua, Vokes.
Doesn't seem long ago we had no other options out wide if McCleary and Sadlier were out.
It's gone absolutely the opposite way now and going to take managerial genius to keep them all involved.
Though over the packed Christmas and New Year schedule we should have a real advantage over other clubs.
This is the funny thing. Our squad depth is arguably better than every side in the league, even Birmingham City’s.
This is something else for which Matt hasn't been given enough explicit credit - with 7 substitues, an energetic pressing game and a packed fixture list, there needs to be a much deeper squad to allow for rotation and substitutions without much weakening of the team
Interesting that the Spurs goalkeeper has an injury that seems to exactly mirror Bishop's injury for us. He broke his ankle during the game against Man City on Saturday and unwittingly stayed on the pitch for the final 60 minutes. It seems incredible that this wasn't at least spotted at half time.
I suppose there's a limit to what shows up without an X-ray?
Agreed, but I think I would personally notice there was something not quite right after sitting in the changing room at half time.
You'd think so! But the adrenaline of winning as a Spurs player must have consumed him.
It's funny how Southampton received plaudits for keeping it close against the mighty Man City, and now that looks like a terrible result.
In the coaching article (I think) MB directly makes reference to high pressing requiring forward options for rotation and to cover injuries. It was clearing a strategic shift to recruit a higher than usual number of attacking players.
I still think that getting the signature of Fred was just WWFC being able to offer something when he had limited other options (and of course he loves WWFC).
It's been great to watch so far and MB seems to be able to find the balance and keep both the starters and finishers fired up for the task.
I can't help but think back to the 2019(?) Christmas period when GA basically fielded two different teams over the period. It's definitely the case this season that we will have a great number of player rotations over the 5 games in16 day period from Bolton 20th Dec to Blackpool 4th Jan.
The first goal they gave away on Sunday was absolute stupidity and it is either down to the players being daft or a manager who is too stubborn to change his ways. It's lovely to want to play a style of football that is pretty on the eye (I recall us demolishing Forest Green one night when their 'keeper kept playing it out from the back, I almost wanted to plead with him to stop) but if you are getting undone doing so it's time to change.
And this is not the first time they have conceded a goal identical to that of course. If I was a Saints fan I would be raging.
They definitely are raging! They absolutely despise Russell Martin and his insistence on harmless possession at all costs.
Not sure if this has bent picked up, but Vokes is back on the grass and Blooms is hopeful of having Bakinson fit for Sat.
That’s excellent news -where did pick that up from?