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Thread | Nine observations on Rovers home performance
at 19:12 12 Jan 2025
1. McKenna is right to call out the performance, it was professional and overall good, every player was sharp and in position and Rovers were miles off our level.
2. Great to see Wolfie get the captains armband, and whilst I felt he may be seen as not the level and surplus to requirements, his touch and game reading seems to have gone up a gear and I’d secure his future here
3. Townsend didn’t see a lot of the ball, he is basically an understudy to Leif, BUT he was excellent throughout and a great chance for him to stay sharp
4. This was an important game for Jack Clarke, and overall he delivered and scored, easy opponent who are struggling… but Jack has natural attributes and talent. Let’s get behind him and build him up. Let’s hope has can be effect in the Premier League soon.
5. Again it was a lower level opposition but I thought Phillips was right to be man of the match, he’s class. Whisper it - Its perhaps time to try Phillips and Cajuste.
6. Godfrey looks a step up / very very good on the ball. Not sure here’s a right back. But am impressed.
7. I like Taylor, gets a goal today but he looked accomplished on the ball today.
8. Ali needs a fresh start. A terrible penalty, I get the outrage. But give him a break. Confidence effected.
9. We need to be careful with Muric, he has talent and good attributes. We’ll need him in form if the return of Walton fails. Too many fans want him to fail. But there was one howler, [Post edited 12 Jan 19:13]
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Thread | Whooooa Moyes gets 2.5 season contract… did not see that!!
at 21:29 10 Jan 2025
Well that is what’s being reported.
Moyes is a good and experienced manager, but the game has moved on… Ipswich, Brighton, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Newcastle have progressive and modern managers.
If you’re trying to start a new era, with a new stadium, and huge funds…. Would you choose Moyes?!
I shall head to the Everton forum to check the vibe!!! |
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Thread | So TWTD hive mind, what’s in McKenna’s plans and beautiful mind?!
at 13:05 10 Jan 2025
Philogene and £20m a real statement, gets his man (eventually) again.
The manager and the club’s financial backers are clearly going to give the second half of the season a real go, trying to better the 15 points with 20+. 1 point already achieved. A challenge given that the Wolves owners are similarly determined. A weaker, financially constrained and in-flux Everton maybe the better hope to finish above.
Before the window and in McKenna’s planning.. I’d suggest Broadhead, Woolfie, Burns and H Clarke were seen as not at the right level. As well as obviously Ali. Finally, whilst Jack Clarke is deemed to have the ability, he may be more of a project player and needs building up and Premier experience from the bench.
Other focus areas for McKenna pre-window planning:
1. The subs bench and attacking options are way way off what is needed, and as benchmarked against peers;
2. Our defensive solidity and the Axel injury loss has effected the team performance and points tally;
3. The injury, suspension or form loss of Omari and Delap would kill the season
Solution - real quality in January; change in system to a low block 5 for away games and against tougher opposition. A high quality striker being the number one target.
Of note and perhaps since plans for January were drawn up, Burns, Broadhead and Woolfie have turned in much improved and promising performances AND OShea has shown he can play the Axel
Role very effectively.
In terms of plans for first team selection - he’ll want to start both Philogene and Omari (when both fit)… with Omari as the 10, Szmodics is effective. AND crucially score goals AND presses well. Philogene can play left or right, starting on the left for Villa. With the new system, McKenna likes a robust and physical player on the right… maybe at home we’ll see Szmodics left, Philogene right (but just behind the striker); and a Godfrey in right back.
Perhaps these are the two shapes/systems:
HOME/Lesser opposition
Walton
*Godfrey OShea Greaves Davis
Morsy/Phillips - Cajuste
Philogene Omari Szmodics
Delap
With a new striker, Broadhead, Jack Clarke being the difference engine to unlock teams
AWAY/Strong opposition
Walton
OShea Woolfie Greaves
Johnson/Axel.———————-David
Morsy/Philliips - Cajuste
Omari Philogene
Delap
******* What do you think are our leader’s plans and team strategy? Open your mind? *****
PS - as McKenna states, Phillips has a major part to play in the second half of the season!!
PPS - * not convinced Godfrey is deemed a right back and an Axel direct cover, and maybe quality to cover OShea. And will get less game time than expected. [Post edited 10 Jan 13:32]
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Thread | Billing to Napoli
at 20:32 9 Jan 2025
He’s looked decent in every sub appearance I’ve seen this season, and made an impact in Bournemouth’s comeback at PR.
He’s a lankier Chaplin!
I’d have pleased if he came here.
[Post edited 9 Jan 20:40]
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Thread | We need 19 points, pessimistic scores and final haul prediction
at 21:29 7 Jan 2025
16 Jan 19:30 Brighton and Hove Albion H - Draw
19 Jan 16:30 Manchester City H - Loss
25 Jan 15:00 Liverpool A - Loss
1 Feb 15:00 Southampton H - Win
15 Feb 15:00 Aston Villa A - Draw
22 Feb 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur H - Draw
26 Feb 20:00 Manchester United A - Loss
8 Mar 15:00 Crystal Palace A - Draw
15 Mar 15:00 Nottingham Forest H - Draw
1 Apr 19:45 AFC Bournemouth A - Loss
5 Apr 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers H - Win
12 Apr 15:00 Chelsea A - Loss
19 Apr 15:00 Arsenal H - Loss
26 Apr 15:00 Newcastle United A - Loss
3 May 15:00 Everton A - Win
10 May 15:00 Brentford H - Draw
18 May 15:00 Leicester City A - Win
25 May 16:00 West Ham United H - Win
18 points predicted (34), pessimistic predicting, ALMOST - optimistically - Bournemouth away (draw), Brentford home (win), Spurs home (win) - 5 more points!!
Just hope Fulham away, Everton home, Leicester home, Brentford away dropped points don't come back to haunt, |
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Thread | Have we done Bristol Rovers starting 11 yet? Perhaps…
at 17:30 6 Jan 2025
Nor 5… a pure 4-2-3-1
———————-Muric
H Clarke*—Wolfie—Burgess—Townsend
——————Phillips-Taylor*
—-Burns———-Szmodics——J Clarke
—————————Ali
* Godfrey to come in for Clarke and Luongo for Taylor
The issue we have I’m not even sure Ali can play a half let alone 70mins
With Omari, Hirst, Ogbene and Chaplin out, and wanting to protect Delap… we’ve got a bit of an issue going forward… you’d want to give Szmodcis a bit of a rest
Shows the huge importance of the January window
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Thread | Even Sky Soccer Saturday questioning Cunha ban length
at 14:07 4 Jan 2025
Normally the resident former ref tends to tow the line on decisions - but he was at a loss as to why only 2 games - expected a minimum 3
Also couldn’t understand the length of time taken - it often does take a month in my view - which has meant the Bristol cup game is in the two banned
Really important Wolves lose on Monday night to Fulham
Also Chelsea need to beat Palace today [Post edited 4 Jan 14:08]
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Thread | 20 points needed from 19 games - 5 wins needed - things look less daunting
at 11:48 4 Jan 2025
Following on from my original post below - latest musings on points required for survival.
I had thought 38 points would be needed, but suggest 35 should be enough. What do you think?
19 games to go and Chelsea win has had a big impact.
We have 15 points from 19 games - 3 wins, 6 draws and 10 losses - 0.79PPG (up from 0.67)
20 points needed from 19 games
1.05 PPG to the end of season, 0.26 up on what we did in the first half of the season.
And crucially this is a team that has gelled now, found a tweaked system and selection that works and seem ready to be active in the transfer window.
5 wins, 5 draws and 9 losses the potential need - and still a challenge but much less daunting
Our best chances of wins at home are Brighton, Saints, Wolves, Brentford and West Ham - the 5 wins right there… but we have the ability to get further results in unexpected games.
Or am I being too optimist?!
Last prediction:
26 points from 20 games?! Where we need the wins… by unstableblue 29 Dec 2024 21:4920 games to go… I reckon 38 points needed, it won’t be a low survival total this season
We have 12 points, from 18 games - 2 wins, 6 draws and 10 losses - 0.67 PPG
26 points needed from 20 games
1.3 PPG to the end of season, double the rate we’ve had so far
6 wins, 8 draws and 6 losses the potential need - daunting!
Our best chances of wins at home are Brighton, Saints, Wolves, Brentford and West Ham - 5 of the 6 needed!
That would still mean a number of good results at home and away.
For those who thought Leicester at home wasn’t a MUST win, sadly mistaken! And we came so close. The loss of Axel and Hirst has been huge. Those ridiculous saves by Onana such fine margins.
And it has been fine margins… we’ve only really been blown away by Newcastle, we’ve only been non competitive at West Ham, and home to Everton/Palace… but these were due to our own issues. A strong January and some players fit and the season could flip. McKenna is good enough.
Just a few wins over Jan/Feb would be massive and would turn the dial. We have to beat Saints on 1st Feb, it’s a MUST win. Probably Brighton as well before that.
But let’s go through the season fighting and enjoying the ride as fans. We’ll get some great results and performances along the way. Players need our support. No more no shows from the Portman Road terraces.
COYB
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Thread | Blue or Pink Sunday? Fulham/Brighton impact on transfer? Man U fall?
at 19:21 3 Jan 2025
Three questions for this evening:
1. Are we playing in blue, burgundy or pink at Craven Cottage?
2. Would a win against Fulham* and/or Brighton make a material difference to attracting players in the transfer window? Sort of feel the Chelsea win has made us more attractive.
3. Man United are in a full melt down, fan base are starting to turn on Ineos, terrible recent displays and results, could get a hammering from Liverpool, squad seems weak and wrong for Amorim system, may struggle in transfer window to ship players out for much needed quality. Could they actually become a relegation contender?
Thoughts?
* Think Fulham will be very tough on Sunday, they were excellent at Portman Road, real power and pace. |
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Thread | Relegation teams’ next games - Wolves tough fixtures
at 14:55 31 Dec 2024
After last night’s boost could we pull off a win against Brighton and a cheeky draw? Will Man City still be wobbling?
15th – Crystal Palace – 20 points
Fixtures: Chelsea (H), Stockport (H, FA Cup), Leicester (A), West Ham (A), Brentford (H)
16th – Everton – 17 points
Fixtures: Bournemouth (A), Peterborough (H, FA Cup), Aston Villa (H), Tottenham (H), Brighton (A)
17th – Wolves – 16 points
Fixtures: Nottm Forest (H), Bristol City (A, FA Cup), Newcastle (A), Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H)
18th – Ipswich – 15 points
Fixtures: Fulham (A), Bristol Rovers (H, FA Cup), Brighton (H), Man City (H), Liverpool (A)
19th – Leicester City – 14 points
Fixtures: Aston Villa (A), QPR (H, FA Cup), Crystal Palace (H), Fulham (H), Tottenham (A)
20th – Southampton – 6 points
Fixtures: Brentford (H), Swansea (H, FA Cup), Man United (A), Nottm Forest (A), Newcastle (H)
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Thread | 26 points from 20 games?! Where we need the wins…
at 21:49 29 Dec 2024
20 games to go… I reckon 38 points needed, it won’t be a low survival total this season
We have 12 points, from 18 games - 2 wins, 6 draws and 10 losses - 0.67 PPG
26 points needed from 20 games
1.3 PPG to the end of season, double the rate we’ve had so far
6 wins, 8 draws and 6 losses the potential need - daunting!
Our best chances of wins at home are Brighton, Saints, Wolves, Brentford and West Ham - 5 of the 6 needed!
That would still mean a number of good results at home and away.
For those who thought Leicester at home wasn’t a MUST win, sadly mistaken! And we came so close. The loss of Axel and Hirst has been huge. Those ridiculous saves by Onana such fine margins.
And it has been fine margins… we’ve only really been blown away by Newcastle, we’ve only been non competitive at West Ham, and home to Everton/Palace… but these were due to our own issues. A strong January and some players fit and the season could flip. McKenna is good enough.
Just a few wins over Jan/Feb would be massive and would turn the dial. We have to beat Saints on 1st Feb, it’s a MUST win. Probably Brighton as well before that.
But let’s go through the season fighting and enjoying the ride as fans. We’ll get some great results and performances along the way. Players need our support. No more no shows from the Portman Road terraces.
COYB
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Thread | Let’s go and enjoy Chelsea being in Town and a great challenge
at 17:25 29 Dec 2024
Tomorrow night under the lights
Last game of a fantastic year for the club
A brilliant manager who’s chosen to stay with us is still at the helm
We’ve got some great players in our stable… OShea, Davis, Cajuste, Omari, Delap… and players with room to grow such as Muric, Greaves and J Clark… and we have Kalvin Phillips
We’ve got an exciting team visiting who will come out and play.. and we’ll get to see Cole Palmer live
Let’s make it a memorable night, enjoy it, sing loud and proud
And you never know…. A result could come our way
Savour the moment Blue Army |
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Thread | Confidence, Confidence, Confidence… lifeblood of Premeir League success
at 15:45 29 Dec 2024
Man City have ruled this league for seasons… watching Man City today they are completely shot of confidence, even basic stuff is now hard for their players.
Now in this game the confidence of Leicester is building and their fans are feeding off it… Man City are allowing this Foxes confidence to build by being so nervy and ineffective
It’s a remarkable turn around in City fortunes.
We really need them to hold out here and find some of their attacking verve. Surely Man City still can’t be this weak when they face us at Portman Road on Jan 19th?!
Town fans tomorrow night need to boost our own players belief with some immediate support… build on the good second half at the Emirates. Omari for one seems to have lost a little confidence or is at least being very well marked and needs to play out of his skin!! |
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Thread | Come on Bournemouth and West Ham?!
at 16:23 26 Dec 2024
And obviously come on Man U and Liverpool.
The Premier League is becoming a more even playing field… Everton could have beaten Man City earlier. Our lack of multiple large scale transfer windows is a challenge.
Would be nice to go into tomorrow only 4 points adrift. |
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Thread | Hats off to Block A and these gents on Saturday
at 09:42 23 Dec 2024
Loved the committed singing to the end
And hats off to those of us who stayed to the end to give the players a good clap and cheer off the pitch
Which McKenna said was appreciated
Quite a few fans left the West Stand at half time on Saturday much to the bemusement of the steward on the gate |
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Thread | Everton takeover complete - £400m, and 10th Premier League US owners
at 10:39 19 Dec 2024
As the BBC state been a turbulent time for the Toffees under Farhad Moshiri.
Strengthening the first team is one of the early objectives although not sure of the FFP restrictions for them in January.
They will obviously pull out all the stops to make sure the first game at the 53k Bradley Dock is in Premier League.
With a Portuguese manager coming in from Saudi to Molineux, Saints new manager incoming - Danny Rohl or former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand favourites, and Ruud getting to grips with Leicester.
Fascinating time in the relegation battle.
Town have just go to to grind out some results in this tough period, and do well in January.
Still feel Leicester, Wolves and Saints are our best bet. |
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Thread | So… options for the attacking 4 against Newcastle?
at 11:34 16 Dec 2024
Szmodics was cold/flu so he’ll be back, didn’t seem like we picked up many injuries, albeit Omari did put in one hell of a shift. Obviously Delap is out, which is a huge shame, as he has been pivotal to how we’ve been playing, and was involved in most of our best forward moves and gives us options to go long or into channels.
Chaplin had decent moments Saturday, but a few passes that didn’t come off. Burns was overall pretty good, good shot and cross, but for me still looks unfit/injured and lacking.
Options below, which do you prefer? (Note: I think H Clark will be right back after Saturday performance)
Option 1
——————-Szmodics
Hutchinson—Chappers—Burns
Option 2
——————-Chaplin
Szmodics—Hutchinson—Burns
Option 3
———————Ali
Szmodics—Chaplin——Hutchinson
Option 4
——————-Ali
Szmodics——Hutchinson—-Burns
Option 5
—————Chaplin
Szmodcis—Cajuste!—-Hutchinson
Option 6
—————Chaplin
Szmodcis—Taylor—-Hutchinson
Option 7
———-Chaplin
Szmodcis—-Hutchinson—Johnson
I’ve realised while typing this out there are far too many permutations!!
Anyway do any of the above take your fancy?! Or what other option do you see?
Maybe McKenna will stumble onto something that causes Newcastle real issues. Do they like pace and trickery in front of the CBs? Are they susceptible to running behind them? |
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