Difficult Week

[Old Poolie]

This week's fixtures, Carlisle on Wednesday and York on Saturday, will be testing for Pools; though irrespective of results they won't, IMO, be season defining.
Of concern is the status of McNally and Reid, both of whom appear to have hamstring troubles which could result in their long-term absence!

 

[billytwodogs]

One out of the way, resulting in the biggest defeat of the season [up to now].
Being an exile during the week I only look at the BBC football pages for the line ups and as the goals go in and the table changes.
I’m not sure whether the BBC get the formation incorrect or we really are trying every formation known and unknown to man.
Combine these constant changes with growing injuries and lack of enthusiasm (or footballing nouse) from certain players we should be preparing for a storm of biblical proportions. We could literally find ourselves going through the ‘motions’ and we haven’t got the shoes for it.

 

[billytwodogs]

Saturday will be challenging no doubt, heads will be down, hearts almost empty. But they are beatable, although a draw looks more likely.

Even if we win those keeping us out of the playoff spots are all at home to whom may be considered inferior opposition, other than Yeovil. The outlook unfortunately is we stay the same, at most optimistic, or we continue with our fight to maintain our mid table mediocrity status earned over the last few seasons.
I think some of us on here are in agreement or favour of going, almost, back to basics. We seem to be continually going back to the drawing board and coming out with something new, formation wise, maybe Shanks was right.

 

[Old Poolie]

Shanks was definitely correct Billy2.
However, in mitigation of SG changing formation i think to some extent his hand has been forced by injuries/availability. Fully expect further changes against York especially in defence due to lack of availability.
TBH, I can't see Pools getting anything from the game but hope scoreline isn't too detrimental to our GD!

As for BBC i don't think they try to get formation correct and just put players in any of the 10 outfield positions.

 

[Old Poolie]

Not as bad a defeat as I feared!
Unfortunately, with the absence of McNally and Reid the defence and attack are lightweight - though Oliver looks promising, once fully fit, worryingly there doesn't appear to be a return date for either of them!
Now is NOT the time for a kneejerk reaction and dismissing SG.

I do wonder where Campbell has vanished to? It appeared that Pools were down to bare bones today with Featherstone on the bench.

We now have week to prepare for the FA Cup and will have to hope that loanees aren't cup-tied by their parent clubs!
And just perhaps some of the walking wounded will be fit enough to feature.