Boreham Wood v Rovers

[Boz]

No mistaking that this is a big match for Gary Brabin and Rovers after Tuesday's debacle. Giving the same side and tactics another run out would be a big error in my view.

Our opponents are where it all started going wrong. They stifled our play in the first half at PP, before realising that we weren't that good, grabbing the initiative and running out two goal winners. Given the calibre of players they've recruited, the Wood might even feel that they're performing below par. Two ex-Rovers in the squad, Danny Woodards,who didn't feature last game (surely not injured...) but looked comfortable in the home game and Mustapha Tiryaki, who seems to be a fringe player atm.

I think we've got to set up more defensively and drop the under-performers. Maybe 4-4-1-1;
Davies
Sutton McNulty Hogan Hill
Mekki Maynard Harris Ridehalgh
Taylor-Fletcher
Norwood

Prediction; I'm dragging two Herts-based mates to this one. They've never seen Rovers win, while the last time I saw an away victory was Stockport under Les Parry. The omens aren't good.

 

[frenchrover]

Well Boz the omens aren't good with that record. I certainly go along with strengthening the defence but I think I'd prefer to see Riley replace McNulty, who for me has added none of the attributes Brabin espoused in him on his signing. At least Riley is mobile! I also like your midfield and agree with dropping Jennings who has not performed well all season and is certainly not worthy of the captains armband. Upfront I think I'd prefer Mangan to GTF and play 4-4-2, given the possibility that Mekki and Ridehalgh could provide some width and crosses for the 2 strikers .
Just hope you and your 2 mates get to see Rovers win, that Stockport game now seems light years ago, but I guess I'd settle for an inconsequential draw.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

This will be my first game of the season and I'm apprehensive more than I am excited. Ever the optimist, I wouldn't be surprised if we won - but only if (as Boz suggests) we bring in new blood and change our approach. I'd be quite happy to start with Boz's team with Turner, Riley, Jennings, Mangan and Askew as subs. I'd give Hogan the armband, although I can see McNulty getting it long term. However, I think GB will play Jennings, Tomlinson and Mangan, which would be a mistake in my view.

 

[Brightonian]

Lois Maynard for Jenno in central midfield is a no brainer and we all seem to be agreeing on this but will GB? However this may not be the long term solution and hope we can strengthen in this area in January after releasing one or two fringe players.

Also agree with Boz that bringing in Liam Ridehalgh left midfield makes sense as he competes well and will add some defensive cover. I do not get to all the games but whenever I have seen Liam play this year, he has done well enough and been one of the better players. We got the season off to a good start and he played was good then and links well with Matt Hill.

Must say I would be tempted to re-establish the Sutton/Hogan central defensive pairing with Ihiekwe at right back if fit but doubt that this will occur. Anybody know what has happened to Michael as he seemed to be returning from his injury but is no longer even making the bench? He is a young guy with some potential in my view, although better at centre back is worth keeping within the squad.

Certainly agree with having Norwood back into the central striker role. He runs his socks off out wide but despite his superb last minute consolation solo effort the other night he does at times let good moves fall down by trying to beat one too many or running into traffic. He is the only striker likely to score with his head as well as the hard running and is the one scoring,albeit missing a lot so yes to leading the attack. Really a hard choice between another chance for GTF to add his quality and build fitness, or team up Mangan with Norwod again but not all three. Probably go with GTF to start and intoduce Mangan without hesitation for GTF if we are not finding the net.

Despite the imploding of the team at Woking I am still going to go and looking forward to us making amends. Given up predicting the result but trying to persuade my wife to join (with difficulty) as this will ensure at least a point as she never sees Rovers defeated.

 

[Higgy]

Possible slight rethink to Boz's selection preference above, as I am sure he will be delighted (as am I) that we have signed a specialist R.B. from Cheltenham on loan = Lee Vaughan.....the only way is up now Agree Jenno should benched.

Also Margetts out on loan to Stockport and Kirby recalled.

 

[drwhoman]

We can but wait and see! Have a look at the Dover goal against Chester on the BBC website. What happens when you have confidence and everything goes right! Described as a 'wonder' team goal.

 

[Brightonian]

Thanks Higgy you are really on the ball with latest developments.

Pleased about the specialist RB although don't think I can recall Lee Vaughan but several Rovers fans screamed at GB on Tuesday to do something about RB, so nice to hear he has been listening!

In that Jake Kirby played at L1/ L2 quite a few games and seems to have done well end of last season in the reserves and at Stockport according to their forum, this is a welcome and overdue development. Sure he can do more than Ben Tomlinson has displayed so far.

 

[Boz]

There certainly has been a lot happening at PP this afternoon; thanks to Higgy for the update.

Lee Vaughan, a proper right-back, but only third choice at Cheltenham, though highly thought of when at Kiddy a couple of years ago. Don't recall seeing him play, so will reserve judgement until seeing him in action.

Kirby recalled from and Margetts loaned out to Stockport. Jake can play out wide or up front and seems to have done well at Stockport. I feel Margetts has been given limited opportunity by Brabin and would have preferred an early termination of Tomlinson's loan spell.

Marlon Jackson also released. No great loss, but one of the few squad players with any pace.

Vaughan replacing Sutton from my initial line-up suggestion. Is there an element of panic in this from the manager?

 

[Sparky]

I see GB is saying the usual things of having faith in the players!

Bringing kirby back makes sense. I'm pleased we have a RB but it's not the answer to our problems. At least it means Maynard can go in the Middle plus poss Sutton alongside Hogan but will GB drop McNulty??

Jackson did nothing so not surprised he's gone.

However I feel sorry for Margetts. He had one bad game against Barrow I recall, and hasnt had a look in since, despite our inability to score and recent poor form/injuries to Mangan. He'll bang them at Stockport without a doubt and I think should have been given a run in our side.

Are we signing another striker then?

 

[Ian]

I think that's pretty much it for the signings at the moment. So we have a right back which is good news. Please drop Jennings and let's have a midfield duo of Harris and Maynard.

I've been pretty harsh on Kirby in the past but he's been performing well on loan so only fair to give him a chance. I think we are pretty weak on the wings so maybe a change here would be good. Difficult to call with the strikers as I'm just not sure who would be best up there with Norwood who has been finding some form in this mess.

Really must win this one.

 

[Sparky]

I don't want to go on about strikers but do we have enough?

We have Norwood & Mangan. The latter has been poor of late. GTF isn't a striker and we have Stockton and now Margetts both out on loan.

We can't just rely on Norwood. For all the talk about a RB, I'd rather have bought more firepower in given Margetts has gone.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

The transfer activity today suggests Brabin knows he is in the last chance saloon. I am pleased that Kirby is back, but I have never thought right back was an urgent priority and I would still play Sutton there on Saturday. The signing of Vaughan seems a bit of a sop to the supporters. (edit: Vaughan has actually had rave reviews from other supporters at this level and looks a good signing) I also feel sorry for Margetts. He has had four starts, two of which were impressive (Halifax and Bromley) and two very poor (Altrincham and Barrow), but the whole team was abysmal in those games. Brabin clearly does not fancy him, but I think he has real potential.

As for Saturday's game, I really don't have a clue what the best line up would be, save for replacing Jennings with Maynard as everyone else has suggested. If we play with two wide men I would consider giving a straight recall to Kirby.

If we were to lose this it would surely be the most ignominious 'double' over us by another club in our history. BW have brought in some decent players, but nothing less than a win will do really.

If it had not been for Tuesday's debacle I think we would have had a really good following for this one. It will probably still be a decent turnout (not least from the White Reviewers) and there is a good chance we will outnumber the home fans as Lincoln did on Wednesday night.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I don't want to go on about strikers but do we have enough?

We have Norwood & Mangan. The latter has been poor of late. GTF isn't a striker and we have Stockton and now Margetts both out on loan.

We can't just rely on Norwood. For all the talk about a RB, I'd rather have bought more firepower in given Margetts has gone.

Mangan is just having a poor spell at the moment and is arguably the best natural goalscorer in the division, although I would agree that his injury record is a concern.

I think we have enough forwards, we just have not got the best out of them. As much of an issue in recent weeks has been the lack of goals coming from midfield, which has not been helped by playing Maynard at right back, as neither Harris or Jennings are going to score on a consistent basis.

 

[Boz]

Aside from Norwood, I think the last player to score for us was Taylor-Fletcher at Forest Green. We haven't had any other contributions from anywhere on the park in a while. Dover aside, all of the recent games, we've had ample chances but haven't taken them. I would have kept Margetts and given him game time. Tomlinson's best position apparently is striker and Kirby can also play there, so there are options.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

This flurry of transfer activity has taken me by surprise. I agree with Boz, Sparky and RLC re Margetts, Although we now have a specialist right-back, we now seem to be overloaded with defenders, but at least we have enough cover and competition for places. The real shock is the return of Kirby, which seems to show there is life after being loaned out by GB. Loans are a good way to keep fringe players match fit and restore their confidence. It's a shame Southport have been struggling and Stockton has gone off the boil.

 

[Sparky]

It'll be interesting how the side lines up tomorrow. Surely GB would not have recalled Jake to warm the bench. Although by releasing Jackson we needed someone else in. I agree with Boz on 2 counts. One I would bring Ridehalgh in who did ok at the start of the season and can combine ok with Hill. Two - Despite Jackson not having much ability, we have even less pace in the squad now.

Part of our problems recently have been too much nice intricate passing trying to get it through the eye of a needle, whereas at least with pace you can be more direct. As stated the signing of a RB is welcome to a degree, but would the money have been better spent on someone with pace in an attacking position? After all, GB keeps saying we are poor in both boxes. We have plenty of defenders but not enough quality up top.

Not wishing to repeat myself but the more I think about it, why we let Margetts go to Stockport baffles me. Not only is GB frustrating me with his square pegs/round holes philosophy at times, and this obsession with experience resulting in a slow side overall, I'm getting frustrated with his recent transfer policy (GTF, McNulty, Tomlinson all not performing).

We basically have 2 recognised strikers in the squad. Norwood & Mangan. And 2 out on loan (Cole & Margetts). GTF does not count in that department so surely GB & MP don't think 2 is enough??????? Ok we have Tomlinson who does have some goal scoring experience, but he has been poor so far and not looked fit. If GB is going to play him up top, then Margetts would have been a better option IMO who has looked sharp overall this season and grabbed a couple of goals.

My team would be
Davies
Vaughan Hogan(c) Sutton Hill
Mekki Harris Maynard Ridehalgh/Kirby
Mangan Norwood

If he picks Jenno again, I give up!

 

[Ian]

The jury is still out about McNulty. I like that he tries to play the ball on the floor which helps eliminate the hoof ball but he's soooo slow. A bad touch ( like in the last game) or a slip and there's no recovery.

Sutton not a bad shout in the middle as Sparky suggests, although his distribution is awful. Also not a big fan of Ridelhalgh so would leave him out. Would like to see if Kirby has improved after his loan spell.

+1 for leaving Jennings on the bench.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I think it is wrong to say that McNulty and GTF have not performed. They have performed, but they have not necessarily brought to the team what we actually need.

You can't deny that since those two players arrived we have played far less hoofball and some of the football has been excellent at times. However, as has been commented, this has been at the expense of a direct threat on goal which is what we desperately need to get back in the promotion race.

McNulty is slow but his reading of the game is excellent; after captaining Luton to 100 points in this division a couple of years ago he has not suddenly become a bad player. However, his arrival has disrupted the more established partnerships we had at the back and you could argue we would have been better off without him.

 

[bigmart]

I would take a draw tomorrow that is how far we have sunk

 

[Mal]

For Pete's sake, the team is making chances and having a lot of shots. No way are they as bad as last season's team. Personally, drop Jennings and I reckon we will go on a winning streak. I reckon we will win at BW.