What a difference ....

[CP Gull]

... a few months can make in football, particularly when you are in a L2 relegation battle.

It was just shy of three months ago when we last played Chesterfield, the 16th November to be precise. Yet, since then, not only do we have a completely new management team with Hargreaves and Hodges replacing Knill and Brass but with perhaps 2 maybe 3 exceptions we will also have a completely different team starting the match tomorrow.

That day, we meekly surrendered to what was a comprehensively straightforward 2-0 win for the Spireites. I was however quite staggered at how different our line up was that day compared to what it is likely to be tomorrow. If nothing else it highlights our reliance, this season more than any other in recent memory, on the loan system. It also highlights how different Managers have clearly very different opinions on the abilities of certain players.

We lined up with Rice in goal (Poke had returned to fitness but was on the bench) and coincidentally Mansell at Right back (replacing the dropped Tonge) we can only guess as to whether he will still be in that position tomorrow! Cruise was the first choice at Left Back(with the out of favour Nico on the bench). Our centre halves were Pearce (only back in the team because O'Connor was on international duty mind) and (the now seemingly out of favour under Greavsie) Downes.

Our midfield consisted of young loanee McCourt (departed), Mozika (departed) and Craig (who you would think is unlikely to feature tomorrow).

Our strikers were loanee McCallum (departed), Hawley (currently out of the starting XI) and Chapell (only back in because of an injury to Bodin on Tuesday).

Our subs were Benyon (currently starting under Greavsie), Sullivan (on loan at Bideford) and Cameron (completely out of the picture now it seems).

I happen to think that the squad we will take up there tomorrow is actually quite a bit stronger, but it is still amazing to think that of the 14 players that featured that day, just three short months later in all probability only Pearce, Chapell, Benyon and perhaps Mansell, maybe Hawley, will actually get some action.

[wivelgull]

And this is exactly why we are in such trouble and will undoubtedly be relegated. Looking at football club statistics it is possible to argue that the teams who parade more and more players in a desperate bid to get out of trouble only get themselves into worse trouble. The most successful teams play with settled sides and, at the end of the season, their statistics show that they used the fewest players whereas those who are relegated used the most.

[PhilGull]

Only need to look at our own history to see the more players we use in a season the lower we finish.

[Burnhamgull]

And this is exactly why we are in such trouble and will undoubtedly be relegated. Looking at football club statistics it is possible to argue that the teams who parade more and more players in a desperate bid to get out of trouble only get themselves into worse trouble. The most successful teams play with settled sides and, at the end of the season, their statistics show that they used the fewest players whereas those who are relegated used the most.

Too many constant changes and too many loan players. I think we have to write tomorrow off, hope that the teams around us don't pick up points and then go again next week against Accrington.

[PhilGull]

Never write a game off. If the boys go out, work hard, challenge in every area of the pitch there is no reason why we shouldn't be looking for at least a point. If we can manage to play hard we may be able to get more.
Yes, even a point is unlikely but never out of the question.

[Burnhamgull]

Nico will work hard but hard work doesn't beat pace on the outside.
Mansell will work hard but hard work doesn't beat composure.
Benyon will work hard but hard work doesn't beat balance and the ability to stay on your feet.

You can't always fault the guys for working hard but hard work will only occasionally get you a result. Over the course of a whole season, it's about ability and that's where we've failed.

[Gullscorer]

That's true. And confidence, determination, team spirit and self-belief are important factors, and we don't seem to have possessed those qualities this season, though Chris Hargreaves is certainly trying to instil these into the squad.

As for team changes and loan players coming in, well, you can see a brown cow and deduce (incorrectly of course) that anything that's brown is a cow. It would be just as incorrect to assume that because a team is settled and unchanged it's automatically a successful one. Changes in team selection and personnel are the result of a lack of success as often as they are the cause of it.

[Dave]

hurrah at last Wivel gull had actually taken the time to post some relevant opinion rather than "I agree with Brucie" and yes I agree with Wivel, the season we were relegated last time, can't remember the exact number, but think it was 50+ were used, and this season we seem to be going head long down the same path.

[Swanny]

.....and the season we were relegated our pitch was in a dreadful state. Oh dear, another bad omen. You really do wonder how different the Northampton match would have been had the pitch not made it a lottery. I've never seen a ball bounce so inconsistently, sometimes it did not bounce at all!

[hector]

It seems a little strange to be signing another forward when the last one O'Brien, has not featured. We now have FOUR on loan forwards, Stockley, Goodwin, O'Brien, Wilkinson plus O'Connor in defence.

I think CH should go for a O'Connor at RB with Downes recalled. Mansell was not up to it at RB and probably wouldn't be away at the best team in the division.