DPL v Lincoln City

BVZ: He’s got the message today re Amos, but like his predecessors he’s taken too long. Watters was Ferguson's signing I think and he was not given a chance by McCann or Moore. I have felt sorry for so many of the academy players over the years...

Donaldo
I've bit the bullet and paid for todays game now I've seen the team selection. Moore must have some sort a plan up his sleeve.

just remembered to put prediction in - 20 mins into game and still 0-0 -im going to go for 1-1 with sims with goal

I cannot say that I really enjoyed the match. There was more than a degree of chaos at times in the organisation. Wright is almost as unsuited to the right wing back role as I am, and neither James nor Amos seemed to know where or how they were supposed to fit in. Neither seemed to want to carry the ball upfield. In total contrast, Sims was utterly brilliant in defence as well as attack and seemed to put in more than twice as much effort than everyone else apart from Smith and Taylor who also played with much needed drive and determination. Anderson was competent too thankfully, but the majority did not seem to know what they should be doing. At least half a dozen times they passed the ball all the way back to Bursik when level with the edge of the Lincoln penalty box. Okenabirhie inexplicably seemed unwilling to put himself out, in complete contrast from the previous two games, James moved around aimlessly and Bursik showed his weakness in (failing to) claim the ball from crosses. How we miss the young loanees and what a difference the 20/21 Gomes makes! I think they were fortunate to win. Halliday was unlucky to get dropped too.

Donaldo, I think you are being a little hyper-critical. I know it was chaotic at times, but that was to be expected with the starting eleven with many in unusual positions. However, it worked and we got three points and their only effort that Bursik had to save would have been an own goal by Whiteman. OK, they missed some good chances as we did, and got none on target.
To me, based on this performance, DM’s deals on the last day of the window will be his best. Smith and Sims were great, even better if Sims had scored from his two chances. I thought the first was curling in and was a very good attempt, and I’m sure he will feel he should have one better with the second that just went wide of the post. His ability to win the ball back and to come back and defend were, as you say, brilliant. Smith was a revelation playing higher up - I thought he was brought in to be the defensive mid-fielder! His ability to win the ball back was like Sims. Taylor’s work rate and coming back to defend were very good, just a pity he went for the near post when his was clean through. I think he should have shot slightly earlier for the far post.
Whiteman, of course was Whiteman, and long may it continue - especially the goals.
My main concerns were the lack of communication/understanding among the back four, especially John with Bursik and John with Anderson, which led to some of the chaotic defending. I thought Wright did a little better at right back than I thought he would, and Amos had a pretty good first full game. I agree about all the passing back, as I have hated it for the whole season. It is not just this game when many times we have the ball in the attacking third and the ball finishes with Bursik. I bet this season it has been more times than any team in the EFL. I thought Bursik had a mediocre game, many times seemed very hesitant making his mind up with to come out or not causing some of the chaos, miss judged and flapped at too many crosses, and his longer range kicking distribution was terrible. Was it the Ipswich game when it was excellent and I said it was like Man City’s Ederson?
I do not know whom I would play as a starting eleven. The attacking three would be Taylor, Okenabirhie and Sims, although I’d like a better striker than Okenabirhie, but we do not have one at the moment. Whiteman and Matt Smith would be there as well as Wright and Anderson as the central defenders. Then I’m not so sure. I think we do miss Gomes, but I would not drop Smith. Play Gomes just behind the front three with Smith alongside Whiteman, but then would we miss the attacking threat Smith gave today? I do like Amos at left back, and to me it is a toss up with James. Halliday is good going forward and linking up with Taylor, but Plymouth showed he can have defensive frailties. Bursik makes me nervous at the moment.
However, I did enjoy the game, besides the nail biting last few minutes, and look forward to Tuesday.

I suppose that one might congratulate the manager for fielding personnel in a formation which could not possibly have been anticipated by the opposition, thus ruining their counter-strategy.

The general reaction following a win especially against powerful sides is predictably complimentary I suppose, and the danger is that its numerous flaws will not be identified and Moore’s description of “a complete performance” is worrying.

There were several individuals of which Bursik stands out who whose errors could have been very costly. His outstanding distribution was not on view, largely because Amos and Wright were just not there to be found to put attacks into motion. So that was not his fault, but I did identify some of his apparent weaknesses - which need fixing ASAP - in videos of his time at Accrington Stanley.

I just hope that this set up is not repeated with the same players.

Ive heard DMs selection policy for the next match is to put all the squad numbers of fit players into a hat and pick them out at random. The formation too. Thatll fool the opposition.

perhaps to be more succesful against the midtable defence packers we need a really good midfield set up and a striker to hit the net more regularly. Smith and Whiteman fit the bill but who else?

I do not think I was too positive because we won against a top team, but the fact they did not have a shot on target says something about our defence - or rotten Lincoln shooting. I think we have the right ingredients (with everyone back and fit) except a really good striker. I have problems with Okenabirhie in that when he has great chances, some from his own hard work, he does not convert enough into goals. People say about his holding up for other players, but to me too many times he causes refs to give fouls against him. While I'll admit I think many are unfair, we have to live with the modern game. At times I'm glad we do not have VAR in our league based on what I've seen in some Premiership games on NBC!

My comments on fan reaction were general, not pointed towards your judgement Micky. In any case, your praise was qualified.

I certainly agree Okenabirhie had a bad game against Lincoln, yet his performance in the previous game in winning the ball was really good. Perhaps when a player is closely marked it becomes a personal duel which on Saturday O lost.