whitey1980

I agree with that, but its slightly complicated here by the fact that he did change the team in the JPT which showcased the ability in the squad. We moved the ball with a pace in that game, that good as we have been subsequently, we've not quite matched. What I am convinced by is that LJ will make a positive decision whether stcking or twisting - as judging by his comments he clearly feels we can improve!!

Interestingly, the Chesterfield fans side on to the incident on their forum thought it was a definite foul. Its not the best angle on the tv, but does look soft. I'd prefer to think its good feet and intelligent from Philliskirk and naive from the defender to commit to a challenge he had no need to make - Evatt was furious with the young lad!! They had drawn attention to that sort of challenge by leaving their feet in late right across the pitch!!

I'm not entirely sure that our midfield (good as players are individually) is entirely balanced at present. I'm not convinced when Winchester slides right and feel Jones is a little wasted as a traditional wide player. I also felt Kelly was left a little isolated at the base of the midfield at times - and was absolutely magnificent in keeping us in the game in their better spells. I wouldn't mind seeing Dayton wide right but accept leaving out Winchester (and it would have to be him as I don't see how you could leave out Jones or Kelly) would be harsh in the extreme. All in all, an excellent problem to think that we are looking at how to blend talented footballers into a successful team. Tidser was outstanding against Barnsley and hasn't played since!!

I think this is spot on as a general observation, but I never felt today that we managed to settle when in front. Despite it being 10 minutes between the goals, we missed a few excellent opportunities to break through misplaced passes and couldn't stop them pressing onto us. We were always going to need that second goal today and there was certainly no disgrace in the fact that we couldn't keep out a potent attacking force to see the game home.

That was one almighty scrap. We will play better, but are learning to compete when below our best. Fantastic point, could even have been 3!!

The interesting thing here is that it will make a massive difference to our club if the players themselves believe we are in with a shout!! A confident team is generally dangerous, and whilst respectfully taking each game on its merits, I certainly hope they believe we are promotion contenders!!!

I think it became more of a diamond 4-4-2. Kelly sat at the base often splitting the centre backs which allowed both full backs to push on and balance the midfield. Winchester and Jones had space centrally with Philliskirk linking to the front men. In truth though, the movement in the first half allowed any of the 4 in the midfield to press on and they all showed a willingness to fill in to retain the shape of the team when others did so!!

It wasn't by choice, as we became tired and our movement slowed we no longer had the options to retain possession and were forced longer and more direct. Unfortunately, we didn't hold the ball up as we cleared our lines and as such struggled. We are clearly set up to defend through retention of the ball and need to retain our movement to do that. Kelly was almost sold short twice by Dieng when passing the ball inside as he was the only available pass....in the first half hour he would have had two or three. Small things, but will be crucial against better or, dare it be said, play off opposition!!

Totally agree with this! He has matured into a player I don't expect to see with us past next summer. I just hope we can make the jump with him!! Interestingly I felt we actually missed Tidser's tempo in possession when comparing Saturdays to Tuesdays performances. Its not that the midfield didn't play well yesterday (and Jones was exceptional!) but felt that we didn't quite move the ball as quickly which allowed them to keep their shape better. To even have those options to tweak, on the back of good performances like Tuesday is a massive step forwards.

I wouldn't call him lazy, but I fear he may struggle within our very evident style of play. As said earlier by some in the thread, I fear we will really miss Wilkinson as he offers mobility as well as size and the ability to bring in the third man runners from midfield. We became more direct as we tired, and lacked the fluidity of our earlier play and I felt he offered little at a key time in the game. We are clearly moving in the right direction quickly however and are fast becoming a dark horse in the division. Saturday should be an absolute cracker!!!

I don't see how there can be any doubts about Wilkinson. He did make some poor decisions in the final third but for a big strong centre forward, he is quick and nimble to boot. There is clearly a serious player in there who must be very difficult to defend against. If we can get him on a season loan, we instantly become a dangerous contender for the top 10 (or even top 6!)

An excellent performance, pace and strength throughout the side, but with real quality in key areas. With the midfield and forward players all interchanging and moving so effectively they just couldn't live with us. They tried to push the space and were exposed by our pace.....dropped off and we had the run of the final third. The only possible issues were that we contrived to draw a game we dominated and missed so many opportunities. We are clearly heading in the right direction, we just need to close a game like that out!!

Rachubka moves very late for the first goal, but in his defence it does come through traffic and he could have had a limited view of the strike. The second he has to keep out. It is his side of the goal and he goes with his wrong hand which limits his range. I suspect he is highly disappointed with both in all honesty.

Think Rachubka will be frustrated he didn't keep out the second!

At least one of the conventional top 6 will destruct under high expectations - always happens!!!

Why? JCH is clearly a striker who has the potential to explode onto the scene this season. His price reflects that and is far from a bad outside bet. As for us being 2/1 for the top half....in an average division we have followed a 10 game unbeaten run with a generally decent pre-season. Sure we are vulnerable to injuries, but who isn't in league 1? We have lost key players, but have made reasonable additions to the squad who have also added some tactical versatility. Are we the finished article, no..... are we good enough to finish in the top half, I would say definitely!!

No, not at all, and this is a conversation I have had with others. For a player with genuine pace, he was painfully hesitant about attacking the space in behind a fullback that his pace should have allowed. He forever wanted to turn inside which slowed the speed of an attack, and the killer......was a poor striker of a football with either foot! Bar one decent cross for a Wes header against (very possibly wrong!) Stevenage, a bullet strike against Liverpool, and that 10 minute Bradford cameo, he left me frustrated. Looked the part - was sadly lacking for me!!

That was an absolute open goal of a finishing line, ha ha!!

Totally agree mate! The comment wasn't about him as a potential signing - more an observation. Truth be told, his temperament was actually one of the things that held him back from reaching his raw physical potential as a footballer. I'm not actually convinced we do need a 20 goal striker, as I feel we already potentially have one in JCH (another would be great of course!!) In my opinion the shape of the team has to allow more goals and forward runs from midfield. Our goal return from this area has been anaemic for far too long!!

On a separate note, he was pretty polite to me when I served him and his family during my ill-fated short stint working at the Leicester Odeon cinema as a student about 10 years ago. I think he and his kids were seeing 'A Shark Tale'. Maybe not the best footballer but a damn fine customer...... Have always felt sorry for the stick Heskey has taken over the years. Having met him a few times after playing football with his brother and cousin for a couple of seasons, he came across as a lovely fella. Completely unassuming and just wanted to watch the lads play, often under a baseball cap to avoid any attention. You would not have known in any way that he was a multi million pound footballer at the time!!

Totally agree with all of that. We are still relatively early in the summer and I suppose it boils down to whether we trust our manager to make the signings required in the final third. The shape of the team is crucial as to what we sign as well. We look a player light in the wide areas if we play with 4 at the back. If he decides on wingbacks I could see him playing Dayton more centrally in a playmaking role.

Its a very average division - as Orient proved beyond any reasonable doubt last season. Nothing about any of the fancied sides mentioned - Sheff Utd, Brizzle, Preston, Posh, Doncaster - suggests to me with any certainty they will deliver. Whilst a couple will rise to the play positions and better, I would wager another couple will heavily disappoint under high expectations and brittle squads!! That leaves potentially more than the usual couple of spots up for grabs. I'm not overwhelmed by our quality.....but I think we are one of many sides to whom that applies!!

No, my point is as simple as this.... I can see the holes in our squad, but on gates of 4000 how on earth can there not be? I saw 3 sides who impressed me all season; Rotherham, Preston and Wolves at BP.... 2 of them are promoted so we no longer have to face them! We are ahead of where we are usually at this stage of the season and I think there is the potential for versatility in the squad, which should aid the manager. I'm not expecting the second coming of Barcelona, but I do expect a couple more in and a solid side (albeit I can see goals being an issue again unless a punt comes off!). The defensive unit has been retained with the exception of Grounds, but I think we have as good a replacement as we could possibly expect!! It doesn't make us great...but we're in a very average third tier that is routinely competitive but short on quality. Simple really!!

I actually think for a club in our position its far from a poor squad! We are short of depth but there are a number of young players capable of progression and a flexibility available in turns of the shape we adopt. I don't think we are done yet and would expect a 'punt' signing in the final third, but in a division of fine margins I feel we are as entitled as a large number of clubs to think it might be our year to challenge. Its not a great division and the number of decent teams who arrive at BP can be counted an one hand annually. Are we capable of being solid defensively and progressing as an attacking unit if LJ gets it right - I think we probably are!!