Thank you @glasshalfempty . When I was reading you post the thing that struck me was the statement ‘we have just five players available’. We all remember a time when that number would have been a big chunk of our squad.
Fred has looked goooood. Well save for the first few minutes of his latest debut when it was clear his mind was not quite up to speed. He seems to have really pushed on as a player and add to our embarrassment of attacking riches.
Once again I had forgotten about Leahy. A ridiculous thing to say about a player would arguably was one of our best players last season
I think it's possible he could on the bench for the F.A. Cup first round tie with York City but Matt Bloomfield did say he was hoping to arrange another behind-closed-doors friendly to give Brandon Hanlan some more minutes before he returns to a first-team matchday squad.
I imagine that list is considerably shorter than most at this stage of the season. (Charlton, for example, have several attacking players injured.)
Our list comprises two players who are now possibly more often injured than they are available, a player who’s been out for a year and a one match suspension. That just leaves Sadlier, who is not a first choice starter, and a goalkeeper who, very sadly, seems fated never to play for us. His current situation is unclear.
If anything, our situation exacerbates the headache for Matt of having to keep everyone happy. A good headache to have.
Isn’t that the truth! This is actually mind-bending. Less (it feels impossible to even type that) than a year ago we were all* crossing our fingers and discounting the evidence before our eyes and hoping that an egotistical, washed-up prima Donna could save our season. LESS THAN A YEAR AGO!
Thanks @Chris. Nothing puts our current status in context better than that reminder.
I think Orient will be a tough nut to crack. They are very direct and pacey on the counter. One midfielder in particular is likely to stand out. Number 22. Ethan Galbraith whose Northern Irish accent is strong enough in itself to cut through defences. Witness his two goals away to our bogey team, Stockport County, who Orient beat 4-1.
My 3-1 prediction is a reflection of my upbeat mood at the end of a day when the ticker has been behaving well (after 8 hours of 130 beats per minute tachycardia yesterday) rather than a cautious assessment based on the evidence that Orient are hard to beat.
@micra - That is a very balanced view as usual from yourself. However the combination of "very direct and pacey on the counter" and no Josh Scowen adds an area of anxiety to the thrill of anticipation. That sounds like a combination dangerous for Bloomball, even with the magnificent array of game changing substitutions that we can deploy and we now routinely see deployed. I will use your gem of information for my own extravagent prediction.
Regarding your personal health / injury update, please stay steady before, during and after the match - despite the likelihood of lots of excitement. Tactically you could perhaps keep in mind the words of the Great Gareth Ainsworth - "Never too low, never too high"
I was fairly relaxed throughout the match yesterday, thanks to that early goal and the confident slick passing football that followed.
The BP was higher than expected though and I realised later that I’d not taken the morning Ramipril because it had been ok at the time and I didn’t want to suppress it. The systolic has dropped below 100 a few times lately and that’s definitely not recommended!
We started the season with seven (?) successive two goal hauls, and yesterday was the third successive match in which we’ve scored three. I imagine this will increase to successive four goal hauls before too long.
Also, on the quiet almost, Harvie has been absolutely outstanding and become a really important player for us
I remember Blooms saying when he signed him that he'd predominantly been playing wing back but their analysis of the data indicated that he'd be a great option at full back
our strength in depth now is absurd, we could pick this side on Saturday which would arguably include no players who would be expected to start in our strongest XI
Shala
Pattenden/McCarthy
Leahy
Skura
Hartridge
Bakinson
Butcher
Wheeler
Kodua
Kone
Lubala
Also consider the likes of Bishop, Tadazolli, Vokes, Hanlan and Sadlier who are unavailable owing to injury
This HAS to be the strongest squad we have ever had, and I'm not even sure it's close
Totally agree about the strength of squad, and Blooms has shown himself to be a master at rotation. The YouTube analysis someone posted on here made the point that our attackers are always quite fresh because of that rotation, and we don't seem to miss a beat.
I think Blooms is completely playing the "game within a game" based on the five subs rule, and as a result we are top of the second half table.
I've stopped being keen to see the match day squad announced as these days I don't think we could actually put out a side that I wouldn't be happy with. Don't think that's ever happened before.
This is such a great way of seeing it - instead of players not making the starting team, they are first choice finishers. It's a subtle definition, but I think it probably really gets those subs motivated.
Comments
Thank you @glasshalfempty . When I was reading you post the thing that struck me was the statement ‘we have just five players available’. We all remember a time when that number would have been a big chunk of our squad.
We have come a long way. 👍
Unavailable not available
Fred has looked goooood. Well save for the first few minutes of his latest debut when it was clear his mind was not quite up to speed. He seems to have really pushed on as a player and add to our embarrassment of attacking riches.
Once again I had forgotten about Leahy. A ridiculous thing to say about a player would arguably was one of our best players last season
Big Chris Forino out for four months after another op.
Not great.
I guess we’ll find out the identity of the player who suffered an injury in or subsequent to the behind-closed-doors friendly with QPR.
Injury update ahead of Leyton Orient (H) tomorrow (26/10/2024)
DOUBTS:
Luke Leahy (knock) | Last played: 22nd October 2024 | He's a doubt after picking up a knock at Burton Albion.
OUT:
Josh Scowen (suspension) | Last played: 22nd October 2024 | Serves a one-match ban after accumulating five yellows.
Kieran Sadlier (muscular) | Last played: 10th October 2024* | Return date: who knows?
Brandon Hanlan (ACL) | Last played: 10th October 2024*| Return date: Crawley Town (EFL Trophy) 12th November
Ryan Tafazolli (hamstring) | Last played: 17th August 2024 | Return date: Crawley Town (EFL Trophy) 12th November, maybe?
Sam Vokes (knee ligaments) | Last played: 20th August 2024 | Return date: shortly before Christmas
Nathan Bishop (fractured ankle) | Last played: 17th August 2024 | Return date: shortly before Christmas
(*behind closed doors friendly)
Would Hanlan be eligible to play v York next Saturday?
I think it's possible he could on the bench for the F.A. Cup first round tie with York City but Matt Bloomfield did say he was hoping to arrange another behind-closed-doors friendly to give Brandon Hanlan some more minutes before he returns to a first-team matchday squad.
Incredible competition for places if all the attackers are fit.
I imagine that list is considerably shorter than most at this stage of the season. (Charlton, for example, have several attacking players injured.)
Our list comprises two players who are now possibly more often injured than they are available, a player who’s been out for a year and a one match suspension. That just leaves Sadlier, who is not a first choice starter, and a goalkeeper who, very sadly, seems fated never to play for us. His current situation is unclear.
If anything, our situation exacerbates the headache for Matt of having to keep everyone happy. A good headache to have.
It’s a world away from Lyle Taylor up front.
Isn’t that the truth! This is actually mind-bending. Less (it feels impossible to even type that) than a year ago we were all* crossing our fingers and discounting the evidence before our eyes and hoping that an egotistical, washed-up prima Donna could save our season. LESS THAN A YEAR AGO!
Thanks @Chris. Nothing puts our current status in context better than that reminder.
I think Orient will be a tough nut to crack. They are very direct and pacey on the counter. One midfielder in particular is likely to stand out. Number 22. Ethan Galbraith whose Northern Irish accent is strong enough in itself to cut through defences. Witness his two goals away to our bogey team, Stockport County, who Orient beat 4-1.
My 3-1 prediction is a reflection of my upbeat mood at the end of a day when the ticker has been behaving well (after 8 hours of 130 beats per minute tachycardia yesterday) rather than a cautious assessment based on the evidence that Orient are hard to beat.
@micra - That is a very balanced view as usual from yourself. However the combination of "very direct and pacey on the counter" and no Josh Scowen adds an area of anxiety to the thrill of anticipation. That sounds like a combination dangerous for Bloomball, even with the magnificent array of game changing substitutions that we can deploy and we now routinely see deployed. I will use your gem of information for my own extravagent prediction.
Regarding your personal health / injury update, please stay steady before, during and after the match - despite the likelihood of lots of excitement. Tactically you could perhaps keep in mind the words of the Great Gareth Ainsworth - "Never too low, never too high"
Football is a funny old game innit @micra ?
(I hope this three goals a game thing is not putting undue strain on you. Stay well old bean.)
I typed this on Friday but forgot to press “Post Comment”… Nothing earth-shattering, just rare I predicted something correctly 🤓
“It’s an astonishing situation when you have to leave someone like Bakinson out of the squad. I’m guessing he may start tomorrow, though.”
So glad he did. What a performance… 🫶
I was fairly relaxed throughout the match yesterday, thanks to that early goal and the confident slick passing football that followed.
The BP was higher than expected though and I realised later that I’d not taken the morning Ramipril because it had been ok at the time and I didn’t want to suppress it. The systolic has dropped below 100 a few times lately and that’s definitely not recommended!
We started the season with seven (?) successive two goal hauls, and yesterday was the third successive match in which we’ve scored three. I imagine this will increase to successive four goal hauls before too long.
I’m living the dream.
Are Hartridge and Wheeler injured or just not getting in the squad?
It would seem not selected. I guess we will know for sure after Saturday.
Quite a drop off for Hartridge, having started a few early season. But the back 4 looks pretty set now, Skura and Taf eventually to come in too.
Wheeler seems to play 40 a season but always seems to have these little spells out of it too.
Also, on the quiet almost, Harvie has been absolutely outstanding and become a really important player for us
I remember Blooms saying when he signed him that he'd predominantly been playing wing back but their analysis of the data indicated that he'd be a great option at full back
Maybe there's something to it after all
If Hartridge is fit, I'd expect him to start on Saturday. And if his performance against Villa is anything to go by, to do very well.
our strength in depth now is absurd, we could pick this side on Saturday which would arguably include no players who would be expected to start in our strongest XI
Shala
Pattenden/McCarthy
Leahy
Skura
Hartridge
Bakinson
Butcher
Wheeler
Kodua
Kone
Lubala
Also consider the likes of Bishop, Tadazolli, Vokes, Hanlan and Sadlier who are unavailable owing to injury
This HAS to be the strongest squad we have ever had, and I'm not even sure it's close
Now that would be harsh on Shamal George if you chose to recall Shala from his loan before giving him a run out in the cup!
Very good point
Totally agree about the strength of squad, and Blooms has shown himself to be a master at rotation. The YouTube analysis someone posted on here made the point that our attackers are always quite fresh because of that rotation, and we don't seem to miss a beat.
I think Blooms is completely playing the "game within a game" based on the five subs rule, and as a result we are top of the second half table.
As Blooms rightly says, in the modern game the squad has ‘starters’ and ‘finishers’ rather than substitutes.
I've stopped being keen to see the match day squad announced as these days I don't think we could actually put out a side that I wouldn't be happy with. Don't think that's ever happened before.
This is such a great way of seeing it - instead of players not making the starting team, they are first choice finishers. It's a subtle definition, but I think it probably really gets those subs motivated.