massively underwhelming team and bench is too defensive, maybe the stress of management is getting to Grace and picking his mates in the squad...shame..hopefully we don't mess this massively opportunity up
I don't think Kone being benched is anything to do with Luton at all, it's so that he is fully fresh for Barnsley on Tuesday. It's a risk, but I can see the logic. As others have said, he's been benched plenty of times this season.
Good decision from SG. We're second because of these players and it takes time to train players up in the way we play - this isn't pub football. We have no reason at all to rush it. Plus whoever they are and whatever they cost, they have to earn a place in the squad.
SG said that Grimmer started tightening up vs Mansfield so wouldn’t surprise me if
A: he wasn’t fully fit last week
B: he’s had a set back because of last week.
Could have been SG first lesson in 1st team management that even if the player declares himself fit (which grimmer did last week by SG’s admission post game) that maybe you need to hold him back, for the longer term good.
Which can also be a catch all for all the new signings not quite being ready.
Team picked with a very large on eye on the Barnsley game Tuesday night. If management had not changed I don’t think anybody would have battered an eyelid at the starting 11 picked for today.
Northampton have been aweful so a rotated 11 should have more than enough to get the job done today.
I do agree it’s odd not to see a couple of the new lads warming the bench.
Just seen Bolton have turned over Huddersfield so with Wrexham Bham playing out a draw in the week I can’t help but feel a win today is massive.
What a strange match day squad selection. Maybe Sam Grace just keeping with what ‘he knows’ for now and the other lads need to bed in with the squad. Nothing to sharpen the focus knowing that a lot of other lads waiting in the wings.
Go top today and the gap is 5 points to 3rd and 9 points to 4th! Today won’t be easy at all, some of the results across the EFL already this weekend are a reminder that we shouldn’t take Northampton lightly.
Loving all these "today's selection is strange" comments when no ones has actually physically seen any of our new signings play half a game of football and it's literally the sort of team we would have fielded in December for this tie.
These players have beaten the Cobblers already. They should be strong enough with Kone coming on second half. Barnsley might see some surprise additions as they are possibly more of a danger.
Relax! These are still the same players who got us to the top of the table. Low and Bradley are a strong base. Attacking full backs. The midfield with Scowen & Humphreys in it is solid. And the front 3 are full of running and know where the goal is.
As others have said, the only slight disappointment is Kone on the bench, but as others have said, that's savvy management with the much harder Barnsley game coming up. 2-0 up early, and we likely won't need to bring him on and can fully rest him. Things not going to plan - on he comes!
It's lovely to have these shiny new signings that we hope will kick us on - but the upheaval it can cause to squad morale - just bombing out 3 or 4 first team regulars - can't be underestimated.
I think todays line up is a sensible selection, and on paper should beat a low confidence Northampton side.
i really don’t understand football. I look at that line up and (with the exception of Kodua for Grimmer which raised an eyebrow but I can sort of see why) see pretty much our established first team with the exception of the rotating cast of forwards but saw echoes of MBs ‘finishers’ to come on for the last 30 minutes.
I then read some of the comments and realised that SG has lost his mind and completely messed up our chances of promotion.
Certainly a line up that that looks to have Tuesday in mind. That's a huge risk to take though and could easily backfire. No problem with the new signings not playing, didn't expect them to, but to bench Grimmer, Fred and Kone seems very strange. Assume Udoh is injured? That's a real shame with his goalscoring record against Northampton.
Will be interesting to see if Hanlan or Lubala start up front. The fans prefer Hanlan out wide, but successive managers see him more as a centre forward. Wonder how Grace views it!
Comments
It’s baffling to me we aren’t starting Kone. I hope we’re not chasing the game by the time he comes on.
Hopefully Lubala gets the front man role.
Surely Kone has to start in front of Hanlan... I mean come on
But I'm totally taking the credit if he has his one great game in 10 today
Luton don't want Kone to get tired!
Presumably a knock for Grimmer
Kone has been on the bench plenty of times this season... It's a squad game.
With exception of Hanlan over Kone starting eleven does not surprise at all. The bench does though.
Hope Udoh not too badly injured.
Rotation for Tuesday - alone and Fred will surely start against Barnsley.
Kone, sorry
massively underwhelming team and bench is too defensive, maybe the stress of management is getting to Grace and picking his mates in the squad...shame..hopefully we don't mess this massively opportunity up
I suspect team picked with Tuesday in mind. Thought at least Berry might make the bench.
I don't think Kone being benched is anything to do with Luton at all, it's so that he is fully fresh for Barnsley on Tuesday. It's a risk, but I can see the logic. As others have said, he's been benched plenty of times this season.
Good decision from SG. We're second because of these players and it takes time to train players up in the way we play - this isn't pub football. We have no reason at all to rush it. Plus whoever they are and whatever they cost, they have to earn a place in the squad.
I would normally agree with you Re:Facebook posts but some of the absolute Shimmering apes that post there shock me on a daily basis.
MASSIVE baseless assumptions.
SG said that Grimmer started tightening up vs Mansfield so wouldn’t surprise me if
A: he wasn’t fully fit last week
B: he’s had a set back because of last week.
Could have been SG first lesson in 1st team management that even if the player declares himself fit (which grimmer did last week by SG’s admission post game) that maybe you need to hold him back, for the longer term good.
Which can also be a catch all for all the new signings not quite being ready.
Welcome back 'playing his mates' I'd say we have missed you but...
Team picked with a very large on eye on the Barnsley game Tuesday night. If management had not changed I don’t think anybody would have battered an eyelid at the starting 11 picked for today.
Northampton have been aweful so a rotated 11 should have more than enough to get the job done today.
I do agree it’s odd not to see a couple of the new lads warming the bench.
Just seen Bolton have turned over Huddersfield so with Wrexham Bham playing out a draw in the week I can’t help but feel a win today is massive.
Battered eyelid? Sounds painful!
What a strange match day squad selection. Maybe Sam Grace just keeping with what ‘he knows’ for now and the other lads need to bed in with the squad. Nothing to sharpen the focus knowing that a lot of other lads waiting in the wings.
Go top today and the gap is 5 points to 3rd and 9 points to 4th! Today won’t be easy at all, some of the results across the EFL already this weekend are a reminder that we shouldn’t take Northampton lightly.
💯 agree but feel that today's selection is contrary to that ...really hope does not bite grace on the arse
Loving all these "today's selection is strange" comments when no ones has actually physically seen any of our new signings play half a game of football and it's literally the sort of team we would have fielded in December for this tie.
Never change Gasroom.
These players have beaten the Cobblers already. They should be strong enough with Kone coming on second half. Barnsley might see some surprise additions as they are possibly more of a danger.
Not worried yet.
Relax! These are still the same players who got us to the top of the table. Low and Bradley are a strong base. Attacking full backs. The midfield with Scowen & Humphreys in it is solid. And the front 3 are full of running and know where the goal is.
As others have said, the only slight disappointment is Kone on the bench, but as others have said, that's savvy management with the much harder Barnsley game coming up. 2-0 up early, and we likely won't need to bring him on and can fully rest him. Things not going to plan - on he comes!
It's lovely to have these shiny new signings that we hope will kick us on - but the upheaval it can cause to squad morale - just bombing out 3 or 4 first team regulars - can't be underestimated.
I think todays line up is a sensible selection, and on paper should beat a low confidence Northampton side.
i really don’t understand football. I look at that line up and (with the exception of Kodua for Grimmer which raised an eyebrow but I can sort of see why) see pretty much our established first team with the exception of the rotating cast of forwards but saw echoes of MBs ‘finishers’ to come on for the last 30 minutes.
I then read some of the comments and realised that SG has lost his mind and completely messed up our chances of promotion.
Certainly a line up that that looks to have Tuesday in mind. That's a huge risk to take though and could easily backfire. No problem with the new signings not playing, didn't expect them to, but to bench Grimmer, Fred and Kone seems very strange. Assume Udoh is injured? That's a real shame with his goalscoring record against Northampton.
Will be interesting to see if Hanlan or Lubala start up front. The fans prefer Hanlan out wide, but successive managers see him more as a centre forward. Wonder how Grace views it!
@bookertease already out of his depth and reduced to playing his mates. After one game and one win. Must be a record.
You don't spend in the region of £2m and not put one or two on the bench.
Someone has suggested that a new signing will be announced at half-time, potentially Jellis? He's missing from the Walsall squad today
There's a bit of surprise but that's fine.
Need to avoid complacency. Difficult when Kevin Nolan is the opposition manager.
Hearing very weak third hand rumours of half time announcements btw...