eyres_28

He's scored 4!

On the basis of yesterday? MOM for me. All our good stuff came through him or mills. When LJ put him in the centre for 5 minutes either side of the sending off he was superb! Through ball for Forte was class. Whoever picks him up for free in the summer is on to a good thing. LJ needs to start treating him right. On a side note. Why is LJ missing the obvious with D.Mellor? Plays Tidser, who is off, when he has a potentially cracking holding player in Mellor.

As above, you have grouped the two least similar player into the same bracket and backed up your point with the usual moan about his inability to last more than 60 mins. Winchester's strength is without doubt his ability to retain possession, often with some stunning footwork allowing him to pass the ball on. Unfortunately, this desire to retain the ball at all times sometimes means he doesn't look to play enough slide rule passes, of which we know he his more than capable.

So the style of play (narrow diamond) that has seen us batter Coventry, create about 25 chances against Barnsley, draw and match an excellent Chesterfield outfit at their place and come from behind well to beat Walsall needs to be altered? Hmmm. Only debate is surely Winchester or Dayton.

Set up Forte at home to orient. His run from the halfway line to the edge of their box assisted jones who's shot was collected by wilkinson on Sat. He played a defence slicing ball to DP for Forte's opener at Posh. He needs to develop further and believe in himself a lot more. But plenty of influence so far.

Wilkinson and Jones were streets ahead - both 9's Poleon, Dayton and DP next best IMO. Dieng, J.Wilson were excellent with Tidser making a very tidy debut. Millsy performed at a level we expected at the start of the season but hasn't got close to thus far. As an attacking threat he was superb and gave us the width we lacked at times with Dayton narrow in the diamond. Well done LJ for using and finding a formation alternative, especially when Forte is struggling.

Tidser did a decent job but not enough to displace Kelly, who has been fantastic for weeks alongside Jones. Wilkinson is leaving, however we need to put out our best XI and after Tuesday it would be a brave man to suggest he can be left out - stunning performance. Poleon and him up top were a huge threat but DP shouldn't be dropped and their is no way Forte can play the narrow LM role that Dayton excelled in on Tuesday. As a result, it should be DP and Wilkinson up top with Forte replacing the unlucky Dayts (not for the first time this term). LJ's decision IMO is surrounding RM and whether he decides to opt for the pace of Poleon or the guile of Winchester. Both would be unlucky to be left out - my preference against a good Walsall side is CW, who works well with B.Wilson, however he needs to be braver in possession more often as the lad has limitless potential at league one level but rarely produces quite as much as he could (even in those first 6 games when he was magnificent at times). Poleon to produce from the bench along with Dayton, Turner and Ibhere. Whoever he picks tomorrow, once again I simply cannot wait!

When he had a chance in CM he took it with both hands and was excellent. He needs a run in the team to show the fans that. There is less than half (being generous) the fans on this board that were wanting CW to get a chance. 40 mins at Rotherham and 45 at home to Boro is not a chance - it's been 16 months since he played in midfield for longer than half a game.

Since he and Korey kept us in league one at the end of 2012/13 he has had a grand total of two chances in CM. 30-40 mins at Rotherham before making a rash decision and against a Boro side challenging at the top of the Championship. We know he isn't a LB as he struggles with off the mark pace, yet is suprisingly strong and powerful when running WITH the ball. He needs to play CM or on the left of a diamond (CW on the right?). Personally, I am a Mellor fan (as a midfielder) and feel he, like Winch, just needs that chance. He has that extra time on the ball than most others at the club due to a Premiership quality first touch and will always search for the killer direct through ball/pass to strikers feet. He is stronger than he was 2 years ago and despite LJ saying he would develop the young players, I feel Mellor has been mistreated over the last 12 months. There is a reason Fulham came sniffing and we need to allow the lad to progress as a midfielder. Last time he went on loan (much lower level - Chorley?) he came back sharper and knocking on Dickov's door. Lets hope the same happens here and he gets that chance - if he doesn't take a proper chance, by which I mean a good 6-10 games in the squad / team as a CM/LM then I will hold my hands up, but don't write the lad off just yet!

Any chance of a forward on the bench on Saturday LJ? Turner is going out on loan I read tonight, which is Ludicrous. The lad needs games according to LJ, so give him games for us.

I'm in - Winchester's a wizard

JCH snatched at everything last term, however it seems he has more guile this pre season. Scored Similar goals against Hudd, Morecambe and the Romanians. Still snatched at chances in the box but the lad is a work in progress and is certainly learning all the time. I really believe he will have a cracking 4 months and be on the way to 20 goals. What happens in January is anyone's guess - wolves, Rotherham?

I'm sure LJ will find a way, but Winchester must not be dropped for that first game. Kelly and Jones looked good in a 2, however both their first touches at times were horrendous and we need the sublime technical ability of CW. He is looking forward with the ball finally and is capable of that final pass or shot that is priceless. I would start with Forte and Winchester out wide in the 4-5-1 as it does work away from home IMO and Dayton in the 'hole'. Mellor proved again he is an option from the bench and is a far better passer than the new signings. JCH has replicated the same goal three times in pre season and missed a penalty!! Can we keep him? Too many are being harsh on DP for their goal - he was looking to find his man with a pass and as a team we had too many players caught up field. He looked keen to link the play and I would be tempted to start with him. Forte's pace gives him the edge at Colchester at this stage IMO. Special mention on the JCH goal for Mellor's direct run to support the attack in case of a cross. Really good to see from a CM.

3-5-2 with 2 Wilsons and a Dieng in central defence? 4-4-2 Winchester and Dayton out wide? 4-5-1 with Dayton and forte out wide and Winchester ahead of jones and Kelly with dieng and wilson (j) centre half?

Disappointing for the squad, but feel that we are a better XI with Wilson and Kusunga. Despite being impressive in the last 10 games, I feel he suited the backs against the wall style of play and due to Korey's exemplary displays in front of the back four combined with Wilson's reading of the game he rarely became exposed to direct pace. If we play with a more attacking mentality (even just slightly) I think Locky would struggle against strikers in league one. He is also all hands and arms in both boxes and is a walking booking or worse (could have given away penalties on various occasions). Dieng can slot easily into a back 2 or hopefully back 3, and as a result I only saw Lockwood as our 3/4th choice centre half this season. We don't need injuries to any player during pre-season, but if I could sacrifice anyone it would probably be Lockwood.

We wont hit anyone on the break at home - teams know how we played / play and will come for a draw unless they are a top side.

You can play 2 up top (one being DP) with wing backs. Brown (can't believe he's convinced me) looks perfect if he develops his crossing and Mills on the left - both have engines and pace. Centre backs are our strength. Out wide we look weak and JCH is desperate for support with no midfielders being natural attacking CM's barring Winchester, who has been waiting for us to switch to 3 CM's since he broke through.

As an eternal optimist I would like this post to be respected and please refrain from sending me rope or anything else in that vein. I have always liked Johnson and my gosh he talks a good game (barring thinking Winchester needs a loan spell - he's ready now), however, the style of football in the final 10 games last term wasn't for the faint hearted and despite all my Summer prayers, it looks like we are set for more of the same this season. Don't get me wrong the 4-1-4-1 away from home with what looks a rock solid defence is spot on and will work well on the counter. The worry is at BP - it was dire watching us in those last few games even with the magician Harkins in the ranks. We now look short of any natural spark in the squad and I expect a season of low scoring affairs that will keep the stay aways, that threaten to come back with the new stand, away from BP. Playing DP in midfield handcuffed the lad last season, but if LJ starts against Colchester with Jones, Kelly and Dieng we are without any central support for JCH. Dayton in the middle looked a shout against Curzon, however he is needed out wide in this 4-5-1 with limited other options in that position. They are all pretty similar and look nice, neat footballers but not like they are going to threaten the opposition backline too much. Mellor and Winchester impressed against Newcastle and then are given limited game-time again. My main concern, both last season and today, is LJ's refusal to think of or try out a plan B, which he stated was essential in the fans meetings. JCH was and is stranded time and time again. Surely pre-season is an opportunity to try out new tactics, however LJ doesn't want to try 4-4-2 or 3 at the back (our strength is there) and seems to have cemented the 4-1-4-1 formation as the blueprint for the season (home and away). I will remain positive at games and give the team and LJ all the support that I can, however I am slightly concerned that we are beginning with these tactics. Here's to promotion starting with a 5-0 victory at Colchester!

Why? (Are we talking about Winchester here? I am)

Surely worth a run in the team in a midfield three? I would start Kelly, Jones, CW with Dayton and turner supporting JCH.

Are we certain that the trialists were... 4 = llera we know what he can do 9 = cofie impressed 10=gros strong with back to goal 11= ? (Forte?) quick but not impressive 27=Robinson very comfortable silky footballer 28= ? Weak

He is a number 10 in a front two, yet LJ persists on using him in a position where the shackles on him and defensive duties he was asked to perform means he is extremely reluctant to venture forward, leaving Wes as our most advanced midfield player - he better not have got a tw0-year extension as a CM. He is a very good forward.

I'm not taking anything away from LJ's tactics for the last 9 games. He has found a solution and a settled side that performed admirably with backs against the wall, epitomised by the steady Lockwood. However, this can't be the future and I don't think that you can enter a new season with a brand of football like the one we have produced over the last 2 months. Today LJ had the opportunity to play our own players and use an attacking, exciting brand of football which final days of the season (once safe) is all about. DP was ineffective once again in a deep role and I pray we haven't given him a two-year deal to play in a static midfield role; how Wes is the more advanced of the two is beyond me. JCH deserves so much credit this season for knuckling down and improving; surely a partner to play alongside would have been a better approach today. Worrall is a player who I just see as a hardworking midfielder and we simply need more creativity and ability out wide - Connor Brown looked the bigger threat on the right today. It was a perfect opportunity to play Winchester wide right today and if Kissock has a chance of a contract play him. Surely if LJ wants Worrall (and I hope he doesn't) he already knows what he can produce. As for the brain fart Lockwood had in that 2nd half - what on earth was he playing at? He is lucky most games that the officials allow his hands and arms approach to go unpunished, but he spolit the last 20mins for a ludicrous hauling down 35 yards from goal, having been given a yellow for arguing against a nailed on penalty. Wilson sweeps up fantastically and has been for me the best performer during the run (alongside Rachubka - excellent today), personally I would like Wilson to be partnered by someone other than Lockwood next season. I know that will not be a popular opinion, but I think he would be left hopelessly exposed in any sort of expansive style of play; with him I worry it will be 46 games of 1-0's, 0-1's, 1-1's and 0-0's next season. It's been an acceptable first season for LJ. I hope he has learnt a lot from the tinkerman approach (40 players?), but really want him to remember his initial meeting and the style of play he brought into this season and finds a balance to take into 2014/15. We have not scored 2 at home, barring the anomaly against Posh, since the end of November and simply haven't looked like doing so. It can be no coincidence that LJ's Latics in 2013/14 have failed to go 2-0 up in any league game all season long, without ever really going after teams. Lets hope this changes. Keep the Faith!

So glad WINCHESTER got a run out and performed admirably. He's got it in his locker and can't help but feel he has been mistreated now by a few managers, but granted he doesn't help himself. Didn't think we'd see him again after the second half against Rotherham / Preston (delete as appropriate!). Class player and technically is a level above this one, but physically is an under 15 player. Give him another year - tell him he can make RM his own next term and get him on the weights (again saying this).

His all-round game is absolutley fine. It is no coincidence that we played our best FOOTBALL of the season when he had a consistant place on the left-side. He goes unnoticed I feel by some on here becasuse he is weak, however he is always available for a pass and links a lot of the play. I was one who thought he did well second half against Cov. He is much better than the limited Worrall and we will benefit from giving our own players game time now we have stayed up.