A bit of advice for the Critch re team selection

M

Memphisboy

Well-known member
Oxford are a pacy footballing team so it’s imperative that if fit that Gretarrson must play alongside Ballard. Thorniley has done well but I feel his lack of pace will cost us dear. I understand Gretarrson is back training so let’s get him focused this week ready for Oxford. Likewise Embleton shouldn’t start, too one paced, and the team I would pick is as follows;

Maxwell
Turton. Ballard. Gretarrson. Garbutt

Ward. Dougall. Stewart. Kai Kai

Yates. Simms

Having said that I’ve got a bad feeling about it, Oxford were the one team I wanted to avoid but if the Critch can have them focused and we take the game to them you never know. Go for a nil nil and it’s an accident waiting to happen, attack them because they’re better up front than in defence.
 
Memphisboy said:
Oxford are a pacy footballing team so it’s imperative that if fit that Gretarrson must play alongside Ballard. Thorniley has done well but I feel his lack of pace will cost us dear. I understand Gretarrson is back training so let’s get him focused this week ready for Oxford. Likewise Embleton shouldn’t start, too one paced, and the team I would pick is as follows;

Maxwell
Turton. Ballard. Gretarrson. Garbutt

Ward. Dougall. Stewart. Kai Kai

Yates. Simms

Having said that I’ve got a bad feeling about it, Oxford were the one team I wanted to avoid but if the Critch can have them focused and we take the game to them you never know. Go for a nil nil and it’s an accident waiting to happen, attack them because they’re better up front than in defence.
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I'd be surprised if Ward, Gretarsson and KaiKai start, not even sure they're back from injury layoffs yet, so to chuck them straight into a play-off semi final would be extremely risky.
 
We will need to be focussed all across the back in the first game, not leaving empty territory for Oxford to exploit. Therefore:
Maxi
Turton Ballard Thornily Husband Garbutt
Ward Dougall Stewart Kaikai
Yates
 
I've no problem with a debate on team selection but how any poster on a fans forum deems themselves qualified to advise the manager who they should select is beyond belief.
Especially one who has spent most of the season carping now we've finished the season in third place.
 
Memphisboy said:
Oxford are a pacy footballing team so it’s imperative that if fit that Gretarrson must play alongside Ballard. Thorniley has done well but I feel his lack of pace will cost us dear. I understand Gretarrson is back training so let’s get him focused this week ready for Oxford. Likewise Embleton shouldn’t start, too one paced, and the team I would pick is as follows;

Maxwell
Turton. Ballard. Gretarrson. Garbutt

Ward. Dougall. Stewart. Kai Kai

Yates. Simms

Having said that I’ve got a bad feeling about it, Oxford were the one team I wanted to avoid but if the Critch can have them focused and we take the game to them you never know. Go for a nil nil and it’s an accident waiting to happen, attack them because they’re better up front than in defence.
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Why would anyone listen to a negative muppet like you? You haven’t stopped sniping all season 🙄
 
tango94 said:
I've no problem with a debate on team selection but how any poster on a fans forum deems themselves qualified to advise the manager who they should select is beyond belief.
Especially one who has spent most of the season carping now we've finished the season in third place.
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Jeez he’s not some sort of guru he’s a lower league football manager 😀I don’t think for one minute he’d take my advice but I’m sure he must have a sneaky look hence the title of the thread to grab his attention, it wasn’t disrespectful which is why I referred to him as the Critch in an endearing way. If he thinks different so be it, it’s his decision after all, plus when we get overrun in the first leg it’ll give me an opportunity to say I told you so 😜
 
Memphisboy said:
Jeez he’s not some sort of guru he’s a lower league football manager 😀I don’t think for one minute he’d take my advice but I’m sure he must have a sneaky look hence the title of the thread to grab his attention, it wasn’t disrespectful which is why I referred to him as the Critch in an endearing way. If he thinks different so be it, it’s his decision after all, plus when we get overrun in the first leg it’ll give me an opportunity to say I told you so 😜
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I don't think for one minute he'd take your advice either and I'm very glad he hasn't tbh.
 
tango94 said:
I've no problem with a debate on team selection but how any poster on a fans forum deems themselves qualified to advise the manager who they should select is beyond belief.
Especially one who has spent most of the season carping now we've finished the season in third place.
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It's just a bit of chat Tango. I don't expect anyone thinks that Critchley reads this stuff.
 
Memphisboy said:
Oxford are a pacy footballing team so it’s imperative that if fit that Gretarrson must play alongside Ballard. Thorniley has done well but I feel his lack of pace will cost us dear. I understand Gretarrson is back training so let’s get him focused this week ready for Oxford. Likewise Embleton shouldn’t start, too one paced, and the team I would pick is as follows;

Maxwell
Turton. Ballard. Gretarrson. Garbutt

Ward. Dougall. Stewart. Kai Kai

Yates. Simms

Having said that I’ve got a bad feeling about it, Oxford were the one team I wanted to avoid but if the Critch can have them focused and we take the game to them you never know. Go for a nil nil and it’s an accident waiting to happen, attack them because they’re better up front than in defence.
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I can't see Gretarrson being fit.
So from your team Thorniley has to keep his place.
I agree with Simonized about playing both Stewart and Dougall so I'd leave Stewie out.
I'm not an Embleton fan so I'd go with
Maxwell
Turton Ballard Thorniley Husband Garbutt
Dougall Ward Anderson (Kaikai if Ward not fit)
Yates Simms
Subs
Moore Gabriel Kaikai Mitchell Madine Ekpiteta Holmes/Embleton (not sure).
 
Memphisboy said:
Jeez he’s not some sort of guru he’s a lower league football manager 😀I don’t think for one minute he’d take my advice but I’m sure he must have a sneaky look hence the title of the thread to grab his attention, it wasn’t disrespectful which is why I referred to him as the Critch in an endearing way. If he thinks different so be it, it’s his decision after all, plus when we get overrun in the first leg it’ll give me an opportunity to say I told you so 😜
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Jeez Memphis, you are either paralytic or in cloud cuckoo land if you think he will visit this forum let alone take a sneaky look at you post
And as for “when we get overrun in the first leg”. WTF is that all about?
Critch has probably forgot more about football than you will ever know so my advice to you.
Don’t offer the pros advice ‘cos it’s embarrassing.
 
Eternaloptimist said:
Jeez Memphis, you are either paralytic or in cloud cuckoo land if you think he will visit this forum let alone take a sneaky look at you post
And as for “when we get overrun in the first leg”. WTF is that all about?
Critch has probably forgot more about football than you will ever know so my advice to you.
Don’t offer the pros advice ‘cos it’s embarrassing.
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I disagree EA this is the one forum for Pool fans so I think sheer curiosity would draw you to it to see what the general mood is and the fans opinions of his team selection. I don’t think he’d change his mind on team selection but it reassures me to at least know I’ve pitched in with an opinion. Oh and please don’t belittle the paying public by cracking on they know nothing about the game because there’s plenty of the so called pros who are clueless beyond belief.
 
If anyone thinks we should go into the playoffs with Kai Kai out left and not behind Yates, they are mentalists.
Be strong enough to play your best team, in the best formation. Ward fit, he plays in the middle of midfield with either Stewart or Dougall.
 
Memphisboy said:
Oxford are a pacy footballing team so it’s imperative that if fit that Gretarrson must play alongside Ballard. Thorniley has done well but I feel his lack of pace will cost us dear. I understand Gretarrson is back training so let’s get him focused this week ready for Oxford. Likewise Embleton shouldn’t start, too one paced, and the team I would pick is as follows;

Maxwell
Turton. Ballard. Gretarrson. Garbutt

Ward. Dougall. Stewart. Kai Kai

Yates. Simms

Having said that I’ve got a bad feeling about it, Oxford were the one team I wanted to avoid but if the Critch can have them focused and we take the game to them you never know. Go for a nil nil and it’s an accident waiting to happen, attack them because they’re better up front than in defence.
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Good to see you've picked Yates despite slagging him off all season
 
Middxile said:
Since Garbutt moved up to left midfield, and Husband came in at LB, Pool have looked much more balanced. NC will not change that.
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Strictly speaking Husband has been playing left centre back in a back five with Garbutt at left wing back, so just behind where a left mid would play. But yes I agree, I think that’s been the most solid yet most creative formation that we’ve played all season.
 
If everybody is fully fit I would go with
Maxwell
Ballard Thornily Gretarrsson
Gabriel Ward Dougall Garbutt
Kaikai
Simms Yates

Moore, Turton, Husband, Stewart, Anderson, Mitchell, Embleton

Would be fairly easy to alter the formation to 4 4 2, 5 4 1 or 4 2 3 1 or 4 3 3 as the bench is strong. Good to have options again, Critch usually gets it right but I'm not too keen on the 4 4 2.
 
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Memphisboy said:
I disagree EA this is the one forum for Pool fans so I think sheer curiosity would draw you to it to see what the general mood is and the fans opinions of his team selection. I don’t think he’d change his mind on team selection but it reassures me to at least know I’ve pitched in with an opinion. Oh and please don’t belittle the paying public by cracking on they know nothing about the game because there’s plenty of the so called pros who are clueless beyond belief.
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Why should he be curious to see this forum, if he is 100% truthful he didn’t look at the league table until after 45 games.🤔
 
Ahhh the irony that one of this board's most negative posters should profess to offer our, ' doing quite alright anyway,' manager some postive advice beggars belief.
Memphis Boy, if that's where you hail from, perhaps stick to baseball, Indy car racing, American football, basketball etc. Basically some sport you actually know something about.
 
Can't play 4-4-2 against Oxford, we'll be overrun.

Has to be 4-2-3-1 with

Maxwell, Turton, Ballard, Thorniley, Garbutt, Stewart, Dougall, Keshi, Kaikai, Mitchell, Yates

Keshi at LW and Mitchell at RW with Kaikai behind Yates. Dougall and Stewart to hold and run the middle.

Two up top is asking to get dominated.
 
AmericanTangerine said:
Can't play 4-4-2 against Oxford, we'll be overrun.

Has to be 4-2-3-1 with

Maxwell, Turton, Ballard, Thorniley, Garbutt, Stewart, Dougall, Keshi, Kaikai, Mitchell, Yates

Keshi at LW and Mitchell at RW with Kaikai behind Yates. Dougall and Stewart to hold and run the middle.

Two up top is asking to get dominated.
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Unless we go 3 5 2, definitely need the numbers in midfield, the 4 4 2 would give us all sorts of self inflicted problems!
 
When we beat Oxford 2-0 away in March we played 4-2-3-1.
The team that day was:
Maxwell
Turton Ballard Thorniley Garbutt
Virtue Dougall
Kaikai Embleton Ward
Yates.
Dougall and Ballard scored.

When we played them at home in December we drew 0-0 and played 4-1-4-1.
Just to show how times have changed Yates was on the bench.
The team that day was:
Maxwell
Gabriel Ekpiteta Gretarsson Husband
Dougall
Hamilton Woodburn Ward Kaikai
Madine
 
Memphisboy said:
Oxford are a pacy footballing team so it’s imperative that if fit that Gretarrson must play alongside Ballard. Thorniley has done well but I feel his lack of pace will cost us dear. I understand Gretarrson is back training so let’s get him focused this week ready for Oxford. Likewise Embleton shouldn’t start, too one paced, and the team I would pick is as follows;

Maxwell
Turton. Ballard. Gretarrson. Garbutt

Ward. Dougall. Stewart. Kai Kai

Yates. Simms

Having said that I’ve got a bad feeling about it, Oxford were the one team I wanted to avoid but if the Critch can have them focused and we take the game to them you never know. Go for a nil nil and it’s an accident waiting to happen, attack them because they’re better up front than in defence.
Click to expand...
Invaluable advice, I don't know what he would do without AVFTT.
 
He won't play an 11 without Turton in it. Whatever 11 is out, will be supported and has a great chance.

If we can get a draw at Oxford I'd really fancy us at our place with fans in the ground.
 
Don't worry about the opposition, let them worry about us.
In our two matches this season they failed to score, and during Feb and March they had 5 home games out of 6 when they failed to score at home.
Matt Taylor is their top goalscorer with 18 goals but I'm confident our defence can sort him out.
 
Insider said:
When we beat Oxford 2-0 away in March we played 4-2-3-1.
The team that day was:
Maxwell
Turton Ballard Thorniley Garbutt
Virtue Dougall
Kaikai Embleton Ward
Yates.
Dougall and Ballard scored.

When we played them at home in December we drew 0-0 and played 4-1-4-1.
Just to show how times have changed Yates was on the bench.
The team that day was:
Maxwell
Gabriel Ekpiteta Gretarsson Husband
Dougall
Hamilton Woodburn Ward Kaikai
Madine
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So over 2 games with plenty of bodies in midfield we didn't concede a goal over 180 minutes, same again please!
 
Happychap said:
Don't worry about the opposition, let them worry about us.
In our two matches this season they failed to score, and during Feb and March they had 5 home games out of 6 when they failed to score at home.
Matt Taylor is their top goalscorer with 18 goals but I'm confident our defence can sort him out.
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Maybe they didn't score in the two games because we did 'worry' about them!
Defence and attack equally important, nullify their threats and take advantage of their weaknesses, but we don't need to tell Critch that.
 
Jesus wept Memphisboy, you must have bollocks the size of basketballs! You've spent most of the season slagging off Yates, Maxwell and anyone else that just happens to take your fancy, everytime we've been poor you've been all over the threads and everytime we've done well you've been nowhere to be seen.

If you think that Critchley would take any notice of your negative ramblings, I suggest you give your head a serious wobble
 
Yarmouth Seasider said:
Jesus wept Memphisboy, you must have bollocks the size of basketballs! You've spent most of the season slagging off Yates, Maxwell and anyone else that just happens to take your fancy, everytime we've been poor you've been all over the threads and everytime we've done well you've been nowhere to be seen.
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He’ll be having Nuttall tattooed on his bollocks next!
 
gjr69 said:
If everybody is fully fit I would go with
Maxwell
Ballard Thornily Gretarrsson
Gabriel Ward Dougall Garbutt
Kaikai
Simms Yates

Moore, Turton, Husband, Stewart, Anderson, Mitchell, Embleton

Would be fairly easy to alter the formation to 4 4 2, 5 4 1 or 4 2 3 1 or 4 3 3 as the bench is strong. Good to have options again, Critch usually gets it right but I'm not too keen on the 4 4 2.
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No CJ Hamilton, Big Marv or the Goal Machine in your squad. Nice problem to have
 
Chunkylad said:
No CJ Hamilton, Big Marv or the Goal Machine in your squad. Nice problem to have
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If all totally fit then Hamilton and Madine on the bench for Mitchell and Embleton. Ekpiteta misses out, good as he is you only want so many defenders on the bench and Husband and Turton are more versatile.
Shows how good our squad is!
 
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