Latics v U's

[Habbinalan]

The rain held off at the test match just long enough to give me the excuse not to be heading up the A1 for a second weekend - even though it would be my first visit to Boundary Park and I'm already envisaging the stirring victory and celebratory pies that I'll be missing.

We had different outcomes from our FA Cup visits to plucky non-leaguers but mid-week gave a reason to say something positive about the Checkatrade Trophy. Yet again our reserves and youngsters put on a good performance (I hear) and gave a straw to grasp at in terms of goal scoring and momentum.

No excuses for Sunday's effort and performance - it was dire, embarassing and unforgiveable. However, I think that I/we may have underestimated the pressure and level of effort and focus that had built up to turn around our terrible start to the season and achieve a couple of good performances with no goals and therefore no wins, bracketing a 4-0 in the Checkatrade, followed by a point against 10 man Lincoln and then 3 successive league wins, all with clean sheets. Compared to that, the pressure was clearly off (the players if not the club and fans) on Sunday and they acted unprofessionally against a team of part timers that were on it.

I'm pleased that Reggie Lambe is off captaining Bermuda to another win - it'll save dropping him for being just a luxury improved version of the blessed Melito, who is bad news for any fullback requiring his help. Azeez may be unlucky not to start but I'd stick with Jabo - who will convert more chances than any alternative. I'd start Mitov but suspect it'll be Forde again. John might have done enough to get ahead of Taft. We'll probably see the diamond, 4231, 4141 and then 442 at different points, with Amoo and Azeez getting plenty of time from the bench.

Forde
Halliday, Taylor, John, Carroll
O'Neill, Deegan, Maris, Dunk
Brown, Ibehre

Subs: Mitov, Taft, Darling, Lewis, Osadebe, Amoo, Azeez

Sunday has probably thinned out the travelling Amber Army but we might take 250 or even more, since it's our first vist for over a decade.

Head says 1 - 1, heart says a win is entirely possible.

 

[Laker]

I think we’ve got more chance of winning today than at home to Bury next weekend but I don’t fancy our chances in either to be honest. As you say, last weekend’s performance was embarrassing and unforgivable - we need a decent result today (minimum draw).

I’m really reluctant to play Maris as he has been poor this season and he looks disinterested too. As frustratingly mediocre as O’nearly is, I want him alongside Deegan in midfield and then Amoo on the right (who I fully appreciate is better off the bench). I just don’t want a) Maris to start or b) O’Neil on the right.

We’ve got such a poor team, especially in centre midfield - I don’t rate Deegan, Maris, O’Neil or Lewis. The fact we have to play a minimum of two of them shows how bad we are.

Otherwise I agree with your team and would definitely drop Taft for John, and would keep Ibehre in for Azeez. I suspect your team with Taft instead of John is the one we’ll see.

4-0 U’s

 

[Laker]

What do I know, Lewis starts along with both Ibehre and Azeez. O’Neil not even on the bench.

 

[Vanni]

Did Dunk have a good match in the tinpot cup? Dunno, I don't know anybody who watched the game but apparently the plaudits were reserved for Osadebe and Lewis. Either way, I don't think Dunky babes or whatever Andrew calls him will start.

I rate Deagan but he's often left alone in the middle of the park and has to resort to fouling his opponent, and needless to say his efforts are usually rewarded with a booking. Maris can FRO as far as I'm concerned. I was fuming when he got the captain's armband after Deags was subbed off at Guislsey. Jesus wept. He looks like he can't be arsed and he probably wishes he was playing with his nintendo or xbox on a matchday.

I like the look of John (who by the way, Flashscore insists on calling Louis John Cutajar, and has the Maltese flag beside his name ) but he's still too raw and I think Dunne only goes for Taft due to this factor. Not that I'm a fan of Taft but that's irrelevant.

 

[Vanni]

Ooops, I could have saved myself some time if I had bothered to read Laker's post.

 

[Laker]

Lol at Maris scoring seven minutes in after us saying we don’t think he should even start.

 

[Laker]

Oh Forde, deary me....

Our best hope is that Notts continue their implosion and Macc are too far adrift to catch us. This Cambridge team is awful.

 

[Habbinalan]

I think we might be building a reputation as a soft touch.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

I'm struggling to think of many worse goals we've conceded in the 24 years I've been watching than the 2nd today, absolutely atrocious.