Academy might be our saviour.

Slightly disapointed that Niall McAndrew hasnt got a bit closer to the squad yet. 2 more goals today, I suspect his time is coming

...or as Tony Weston didnt gef a sniff last night, probably not 🤔

I was surprised and disappointed that Weston got no match time. I thought Sibley was again underwhelming and couldn't complain about being subbed but in retrospect maybe it would have been better to bring him into a central position and ask him to carry the ball towards goal. Not Warne's style though. Barkhuizen achieved very little after his goal and although Wilson was good overall, by the end he was absolutely knackered. Waghorn didn't get involved at all as the crosses sailed past him or over his head. I felt a bit of darting around by Weston or some one-twos around their box might have given Crewe more to think about than the relentless aerial bombardment.

Wellies has it in a nutshell for me. Whenever I get a glimmer of hope this season it seems to get snuffed out again by a reversion to Warne's tried and trusted method of playing in the lower leagues. I can't see why he hasn't watched back the Crewe games, or the Cheltenham game, or others like it, and concluded that this is not going to be a successful way of getting out of this division with these players.

Cashin was great again by the way.

I feel like there's been an attempt since 'The Meeting' to play football and equally the Barnsley game showed how Waz ball and the hunting down of the footy can work well at this level.

The Achilles heel for Waz ball (or the biggest one) seems to be build up play when teams have come to sit deep and get everyone behind the ball.

I don't think it would be too difficult to get a specialist in to work on this with Warne. Even for a month or so. You get ball striking coaches, set piece coaches, throw in coaches, so don't think it's an affront to Warne to have someone work alongside him to develop some strategies to unlock defences.

It's pretty simple switch play, keep concentration, and get the ball between their midfield and defensive line, even if it comes straight back out again to a Derby player, it causes mayhem and then opens up passing lanes to exploit.

Think then we'd be set. Waz ball against the expansive sides, battle of the huff against the hoofers and then the switch against the League One versions of Forest.

Despite Warne's affable persona, I'm coming to think he's a stubborn fecker. Maybe he isn't too bright?

I feel like he listened to players, owner and fans after the Shrewsbury WSHTF performance.

Think owners and manager learned that there are expectations and standards from fans that weren't being met and we did see a change in style of play.

It's just whether Warne has the capability to coach creativity when teams are denying us space and matching or bettering our workrate.

I've now watched the whole game and have to say it was nowhere near as bad as I had been led to believe. Crewe were good, yes, but individual mistakes cost us. Hourihane's telegraphed underhit pass for their second goal and poor marking for the third. This time we did not get any lucky bounces or deflections but as Crewe fought hard they probably deserved it that those things seemed to go their way.

I thought Derbys Live's markings were extremely harsh. Cashin was superb as was Wildsmith and Wilson did well.

So why were we ineffective compared to the Barnsley game? I think we showed more aggression then and we did, maybe in consequence, get a better rub of the green.

The PW tactic of endless crosses in to their crowded penalty area did become pointless. If that is to be the only tactic then we will be easily sussed just as LR's tactics were easily sussed. Surely the ideal is to mix it up with balls out wide, crosses in, balls between the lines and runs forward from midfield. Maybe the crosses in syndrome comes to the fore when we are up against it but it clearly does not work with our present forwards if oppos flood their penalty area.

A bigger drawing board may be needed.

I remember Moo saying top 10 Championship sides are not that different to bottom 10 Premier. Maybe it's the same for League One and Two only perhaps even less of gulf class.

Think we can all agree that the Papa John's Trophy is a far more prestigious piece of kit, than the Mickey Mouse FA Cup though.

Think we can all agree that the Papa John's Trophy is a far more prestigious piece of kit, than the Mickey Mouse FA Cup though.
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If we make it to Wembley (a big IF), at least getting a ticket shouldn't be a problem. Unlike the FA Cup, where every hanger-on but the fans get tickets.

Comment deleted by Article Creator

Cant just leave it with a deletion.
How are you all enjoying/wasting your football-free Saturday ?

Just been out for a run in the dark. My head torch failed half way round and the lanes are flooded in places because the rivers Severn and Vyrnwy are both out. Wellies would be familiar with the geography. The wonderful Royal Hill pub is only accessible via its own "flood bus" which will come and collect you from the nearest bit of dry land and then return you later in the evening when you have had your skinful. I had to take my shoes and socks off a couple of times to wade through the deeper bits. I feel better for it now. Tonight I think I will watch "Kill Bill Vol 2". Many Tarantino fans don't seem to like it but I find the 2 Kill Bills his most stylish films.

Got my football fix today by watching 'Boot Dreams' on iplayer, following talented young players who have not made a success of it, for some reason or another. Not just a case of turning up on a Saturday and performing.

comment by lastapostleofvidal (U1491)
posted about 13 hours ago
Just been out for a run in the dark. My head torch failed half way round and the lanes are flooded in places because the rivers Severn and Vyrnwy are both out. Wellies would be familiar with the geography. The wonderful Royal Hill pub is only accessible via its own "flood bus" which will come and collect you from the nearest bit of dry land and then return you later in the evening when you have had your skinful. I had to take my shoes and socks off a couple of times to wade through the deeper bits. I feel better for it now. Tonight I think I will watch "Kill Bill Vol 2". Many Tarantino fans don't seem to like it but I find the 2 Kill Bills his most stylish films.
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Hope you enjoyed your run, I’m doing the Derby 10 mile today - another step back on the tortuous recovery pst-Covid (yes, I know there are people who are, Hod love ‘em, are suffering more). It’ll be a slow one but I should be back for next match thread.
Watched Kill Bill Vol II - classic - love Darryl Hannah even when she loses her one good eye 👁️

I've had to cancel my athletic comeback after a freak back injury yesterday. I now have a posture similar to Uncle Albert.

comment by 🏁 AnglianRam 🏁 still 'Rockin' ... (U17428)
posted about 10 hours ago
Got my football fix today by watching 'Boot Dreams' on iplayer, following talented young players who have not made a success of it, for some reason or another. Not just a case of turning up on a Saturday and performing.

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It certainly isn't. My footballing career failed due to a George Best lifestyle without the George Best talent.

On the radio the other day the presenters were talking about Bobby Charlton. One of them wondered how marvellous it would have been to have seen Manchester United's great triumverate playing in the same team at thie peak: Bobby Charlton, George Best and Dennis Wise.

comment by lastapostleofvidal (U1491)
posted about an hour ago
On the radio the other day the presenters were talking about Bobby Charlton. One of them wondered how marvellous it would have been to have seen Manchester United's great triumverate playing in the same team at thie peak: Bobby Charlton, George Best and Dennis Wise.
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Could have been worse; George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Duncan.

comment by Scouse (U9675)
posted 2 days ago
I've had to cancel my athletic comeback after a freak back injury yesterday. I now have a posture similar to Uncle Albert.
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To go with your Albert Steptoe appearance?

Very, very rare for there to be a 48-hour gap in communications on comments on the match, prediction, or our other threads. Complacency is not our friend. 🐧

🙁

Fear not Heb, soon be time for another thread, if we have a game this weekend, of course

Thank you. Just a bit cut off and needing proof of life...............