Match thread

Being stuck in traffic is an acceptable excuse for being late for the dentist or a school play, but not for a professional athlete to fail to show up for competition.  The management are to blame for not enforcing a professional matchday timetable: lunching together, stretches and light massage, any necessary physio, pre-game briefing, relaxation and meal, then to the ground in plenty of time.

I have defended PH before, but I have major concerns about his inability to recognise when things need to change.  He is wedded to the same tactics and sticks with failed combinations.  He doesn't seem to be able to motivate either.  A team that was a dead cert for the playoffs and talking of going on a run to challenge for the Championship is now scrabbling around for draws against relegation fodder.

I would like to see PH bring in Buckley to work with the attacking players to add a bit of zip and fizz, instead of laboured, lumbering hoofball.  AB could give the forwards a bit of confidence in their abilities and get them excited about going out on the pitch.

This Buckley argument. I'm fairly confident Buckley would not want to work with the first team.

Stiggs....

Agree about the lack of urgency and the high press being an awesome tactic to dominant games but disagree about using the high press with this squad of players. You have to have energy and athleticism to be able to play this effectively. If one player doesn't press then you can be badly exposed. And with the pae of our defence that wouldn't be pretty!

I think the point just highlights the poor acquisition of players, as the midfield in particular are really unbalanced. McLaughlin, Kerr, Disley and thanoj have about as little pace and energy as you can get for centre midfielders and would be run ragged IMO.

I suppose LJL will be leading the line again on Saturday(with little chance of having any chances), now that Andy Cook has missed a chance in his 9 minutes of action. See you in 3 weeks Andy for another 9 minutes. T'was always the plan from a year ago imo  - for whatever the reason.

Don`t let Cook`s failure to convert after ten minutes on the pitch cover up the inadequacies of the rest of the team by making him the scapegoat, apart from the odd match or two we have not improved from last season performances.

Ironically Kempson, Woody and Jarman are all in a shout of promotion this year, and Franky Artus looked as good last night as he did at Wembley, just where are we going wrong?

Stuck in traffic ?  What the hell is a player who is employed by Scunthorpe United doing living or staying in the Manchester area on a match day,

We are supposed to be a professional club,  players should be made to report hours before kick off have a light meal and talk tactics,

Not just stroll down to the ground a hour or so before kick off,

Grimsby Town are more to blame than Jennings,

Well Jennings  should take a bit of the blame for not allowing enough time to reach Blundell Park baring in mind how many times the roads get closed now days.