eyres_28

Yes he played well but let's not forget both goals came down his side especially the first when sterling left him for dead which enabled the cross to come in ...

No blame for Mellor surely for the second?

He did him for the first but Petrasso had left Kelly to overlap and that distracted Mellor just enough IMO. Don't feel Mike gave anywhere near enough protection second half.

Excellent display from a lad who is benefiting from a run in the team (what Winch needs but wont get now) but he needs a set position IMO.

Up front is the priority surely

what block was this in?

there was a lad about row 20 block 124 who wouldnt sit down all first half but thought a steward had sorted that out

You're wrong there, he's the best 7 a side player in the squad according to LJ so definitely does show it in training.

 

Most probably the fact he is poor defensively that has stopped him being selected

this

he really is shocking defensively for a CM.

Ahead of both Mellor And Winchester for me. Neat and tidy and moves the ball on. Needs a run so we can really see if he can cut it. I think he could.

Both our lads have bundles more ability and potential in my view. Winch is the most natural footballer barring Smith at the club IMO, but as we all know his lack of ANY physicality might prevent him ever discovering the potential he has. Mellor has an absolute wand of a left peg, but seems to severely struggle with fitness. Despite these flaws there is gallons more potential with both these lads and LJ is trying to give them both more of a chance which is great.

I see all 3 needing to play in a midfield 3 with Smith and Wes, however I only see Winchester able to play the more attacking role in the 3, like he did at Coventry and Wolves. Looks like Harkin will become the player to fit into this formation that LJ is going for away from BP.

If the lad plays then he'll have my support, as will the other X.

He's neat and tidy and I like his desire to keep the ball moving, often at a sharp pace, however I can't help but worry about his range of passing allowing him to progress much further than our subs bench. Super through ball for Charlie Mac at Shrewsbury and DP at Wolves (missed), but they are few and far between amongst his many cameos. Add to this is complete inneffectiveness as a tackling / marking CM and he isn't the player we so hoped he could be when he first played. I might be proved wrong and I damn hope so, but it's a no for me and I'm glad Mellor and Winch seem to have jumped ahead in the pecking order, possibly along with Harkin.

Wouldn't expect DP to be thrown back in so possibly JCH up top again with a supporting attacking midfielder which could mean one of our 3 wingers playing narrow in front of Smith and Mellor/Wes or Harkin getting a debut

I predict..

Oxley

Kusunga Lockwood Tarky Grounds

Dayton Wes Smith Worall

Petrasso

JCH

Anything could happen.

We've got a young group.

Fantastic 2nd half at Mansfield.

Buzz around the town for trip to Anfield.

No fear and ready to showcase what we are about.

Loved every minute since he has been here.

Young and hungry, talented group.

Unlucky with injuries, but ready to kick on in 2nd half of season.

Preparing for next season already - makes the 2yr contracts make loads of sense.

He's gone after 3 mins now.

You are just being very negative here.

 

Give them a chance before you criticise at least.

"broken leg since he was 7"

It was a preview of the rubbish that will be flooding this site during the afternoon.

All look interesting signings. Harkins could be the hardest to predict, as the reports of his attitude seem to be coming from each club he has been at, however it is clear he has ability. I would hope LJ will attempt to get him knucking down to the game itself, like JCH, but many other managers look to have failed.

Haha. It was a joke post preparing for the rubbish that will be spouted on here. Class at Bury and our gain in Rotherhams loss if he can get a good run of games in.

3 players signed in half an hour.

Lockwood is simply an old-boys signing: slow, rubbish and I'd walk out if he plays at Anfield.

Harkins is a bearded, lazy sod & another old mate of LJ. Might do the odd wonder back-heel but a waste of a wage & also has had a broken leg since he was 7.

Worall isn't good enough for another league one side, and is carrying an injury.

I think I'd walk out if this guy starts on Sunday.

 

I hope LJ's mate is on peanuts.

Still drunk after xmas and new year pal? I pray he starts so we can watch you walk out now.

Surely impossible to judge this one until we see him. However, he comes with loads of experience, which is the one attribute we lack in abundance across the squad. If you think of what happens when either Tarky or Smith have a quiet match, the team dissapear into their shadows and we lack any sort of leadership. He's unlikely to be quick, but if he can bring some calmness to the side it can only be a bonus. This should please the Connor haters as it will release Kusunga to play RB. If we add one or both of Harkins and Worall to this then it has been a decent days business.

If he has come, like Muzza, to play a coaching role then delete the above comments!

The fact you would like a new goalkeeper shows you don't really know that much about this division? He's one of the best in this league and will most certainly play at a higher level than this

Shot stopping you are right.

Command of his own box you are wrong.

Smith is becoming the new Furman..your solution is valid IMO.

If we do final buy this illusive creative midfielder then who loses out? Do we play 3 in the middle or drop one of Wes or Smith. I agree we need some creativity, just seeing if your lack of appreciation for Smith's attacking prowess would leave him or Wes on the bench?

It's a strange one really. I didn't rate him ahead of Brown, Kusunga or even Winchester at RB, feeling he lets too many crosses into the box and struggles to find a forward pass; there were too many ocassions to count that he popped it back to Tarky without looking forward (I know he could maraud forward now and again).

However, I have been banging on about him being a CB to latics fans all season and when given his chance at Bramhall Lane took it with both hands.

Based on Lanzoni as a RB I'm not bothered, but as a CB it could be a bigger loss than those who haven't seen him play there actually think.

Dayton can play in 'the hole' with Mellor anchoring the midfield 3 and Smith box-2-box Petrasso & Rooney out wide.

Kusunga and Tarky resume their partnership and we score 10 goals in the next 3 games including a 3-3 draw at Anfield

Best goal: The best has been erased from memory so... Dayton vs. Port Vale

Best Team Performance: Liverpool

Best Win: Liverpool

Best Moment: Forest when we just knew Jose was scoring

Best signing: Korey Smith - how?

Most improved player: Tarky

Worst Signing: Plummer

Worst refereeing performance: Tranmere this term

Worst refereeing moment: Handball at Everton

Worst team performance: Notts County Away this season

Most irritating manager: Evans

Biggest shock: When Smith scored in the 3rd min vs. scousers / that morning we learnt about Monty

All round top Latic: JAMES TARKOWSKI

He's a Centre Half it's official!

Quality display from our spag-bol eating defender. Liked the look of the defence all-day despite a barrage late-on.

The shame was how deep we sat at times second half, but that must have a little to do with Tarky's role and his inexperience in driving the team out from CM.

Great point. Delighted.

Mellor retains place but moves to LB.

Unlucky for Carl IMO when will he get a run in midfield? Like the attacking nature of the front 4 though.

What time is the draw?

West Ham seems most apt given todays news.

#fuming

 

If we had 7,000 there, 5,000 would be moaning at the other 2 to sit down. Id rather have 2000 die hards, than 5000 clinger ons

So you think it is the 'die hards' that stand up all game and block the views of the clingers on? Hmmm. Interesting view.

why do some people still want grounds at LB? he is currently playing quality at CB... probably apart from korey smith and wes is our most consistent player! keep him at CB, just friggin put Mellor LB

Yep. Been quality last few games. Kusunga was awesome at CB at Wolves, but with Lanzoni worrying me I'd have Mellor LB and Kusunga RB. Distribution from Grounds again high quality this afternoon.

Mellor LB Kusunga RB

or

Brown RB Kusunga CB Grounds LB

Drop both full backs, Wes in for Rogers, Petrasso for Schmeltz and JCH for Rooney. Sweating on Dayton's fitness IMO.

Both full backs were poor. Lanzoni worries me but avoids major criticism today because Plummer is THAT bad. He looks ropey in almost every aspect of defending and I've never seen a player so scared of the ball. Rogers isn't good enough, wasn't even tidy today and that is all he offers. Surely Mellor and Winchester are better options than Anton - it's time to play them in their proper position = CM. Rooney is useless unless he is playing off another striker and dropping deeper (i.e. he need Charlie Mac). As for Sidney, I'm afraid the lad was atrocious today, he needs to learn the game but seems to have stopped what he is actually good at and attacking his man - the lad in the main stand lower who shouted abuse was correct in his assessment of Schmeltz, but FFS don't give such direct abuse at one of our own players - be constuctive and offer encouragement.

We should beat them down at Field Mill (or have they moved?) for the simple reason that they are terrible!!

Bad day at the office but we're in the draw 2mro, one of the highlights of the season!!