Craig Stanley

[Trojan 67]

If I'm honest Troj, my own preference would be to have Mansell in there. Being away I feel his added bite in there is what's needed but I'm not sure Ellis can be risked at this stage.

I've been well pleased with Mansell's wholesome contribution this season especially since being made Cap'n.

The problem, as stated, is the disruption to the defence. With Branno being one card away from suspension, then disruption will happen anyway.

Time now for men, not boys, and our young professionals must step up and cope with the pressure and expectation.

[Southampton Gull]

I think all the short-term loans have that clause built-in. Season long loans being slightly different, would be interesting to know exactly how they're worded though.

[gullsdiv2]

See what I mean lies!

Someone said a while back on one of the matchday threads that he'd heard that Branston and Ellis had had a falling out, of course it could be totally untrue, but if you had to choose between Branston and Ellis because they wouldn't play together who would you choose?

I've spoken to Branno on a night out before and he told me he preffered playing with Robbo as he felt he had to babysit Ellis.

[Southampton Gull]

That post could have all sorts of connotations

[basil75]

I'd have thought the same, but then, I would have thought that about clauses about not playing against your parent club as well......

Plus it may rely on the agreement of the player - in most cases the player would willingly return.

[gullsdiv2]

That post could have all sorts of connotations

Haha should have worded it better shouldn't i!

[Trojan 67]

Message received and understood SG.

[Trojan 67]

It's been posted elsewhere, maybe even on this thread, that it was the Branno/Ellis combo that was at the heart of our unbeaten/clean sheet run.

[Fonda]

I'm not sure why you appear to assume I was attacking you. We're both fans of his, both seemingly happy with how he's being used and both capable of making a point without getting upset over it. I was simply offering, or at least trying to offer, explanations as to why he was being wrapped in cotton wool of late. I was told, reliably, that he was exhausted, running on empty and that's all. I'm certain he still has a huge part to play in our season although I'm of the opinion that Bradford away is not the time to use him in a central midfield role, pretty sure you'd agree with me there?

This is all a bit of a soap opera. I didn't 'assume you were attacking me'. I merely got the impression you'd misunderstood me. At no point did i intend to be confrontational, appear paranoid or over-sensitive. It was a straightforward misunderstanding. Shall we leave it there?

As for Bradford, i actually think O'Kane deserves selection ahead of Murray. I'd go 4-3-3, with O'kane one of the three in the middle.

[Southampton Gull]

Impressions can be wrong I guess

4-3-3 away from home without our midfield general is asking to be overrun I'm afraid. Buckle would be wise to go 4-4-2 IMO.

[Fonda]

Well, it's 4-5-1 when we haven't got the ball. The onus is just on Zebs and Robinson (and O'Kane) to support Tomlin. Not seen enough to be convinced bu Murray's workrate yet.

[Southampton Gull]

Too risky away from home. it'll be 4-4-2.

[Trojan 67]

I'm hoping it's not bleedin 4-5-1 !!!

[Trojan 67]

Automatic promotion means we must set our formation to win every game.

4-5-1 for me ain't gonna do it.

[Plymouth Gull]

I'm hoping it's not bleedin 4-5-1 !!!

I think what Shane's saying here isn't flat 4-5-1. It's 4-3-3 when we're in possession, but once Bradford get the ball, it's 4-5-1. After all, not much point in having 3 attackers if we're under pressure, is there?

For what it's worth, I'm expecting the same 4-4-2 line up, only with Stanley out and probably Oastler slotting in. Whether Lathrope is in alongside him, I don't know.

I keep saying it, but this is a big game as we do need the 3 points before our tough looking run-in. Should we come out of this game with the 3 points, I'd also expect a 3,500+ gate for the Port Vale game, at the very least.

We've only lost 3 times since the Crawley game, and we're 7 unbeaten at home (winning 4 in a row at the minute) so surely the crowds have to rise soon?!?