Crawley Town (A) - T's & P's

[Prodigal Dragon]

The R&R United Airlines Dreamliner will soon depart Borras Airfield, taking our pampered heroes on the short hop, skip and a jump to Gatwick for our next clash on the road at Crawley Town.

Our weaknesses have been exposed and our strengths brought to the front these past 11 games, so we must now hope that we start beating the better teams in EFL2. My biggest observation is the claims that there is little difference between the standards in the NL and EFL2 were complete bollox! The standard at this level is far higher. Therefore, whilst we are certainly not dominating our games, there are signs we can compete if all the planets align with our Hollywood stars' smiley faces!

Crawley have a good home record, so this again will be a battle royal. Not one for the faint-hearted; which I don't think we are. However, everything is clearly not yet tickety-boo! Should PP stick with what we have or make a few more tweaks?

I would like to see the following Starting-XI on Saturday, taking account that some won't be available due to injuries or suspension, and that Tozer is Super-Glued to the team sheet!

-------------------------Okonkwo

----------Hayden--------Tozer--------O'Connor

J Jones----------Evans----------McClean------Mendy

-------------------------Cannon

-----------------Mullin------------Palmer

I think Jones has the engine to act as RWB, whilst Mendy would be far more effective at LWB. McClean and Evans would be powerful enough to dominate the midfield, whilst Lee has been treading water recently, and probably needs a rest. Either Cannon or JD could fill the void and link with the strikers. Up top, Mullin is still not fully match-fit, but we need him on the pitch. I would prefer Fletcher ahead of Palmer, but I suspect there are doubts about his fitness levels.

I am still very wary about Tozer, but he gets more support from Hayden and O'Connor. Whereas Okonkwo is a 'no brainer' to start. What do you think? And, more importantly, what will PP do? Just hope he uses his subs sooner than he has done of late.

Creepy Crawlies 0 WXM 1

Late winner from Mullin!

[Wrexy]

Three tough games in a week and this one could be the toughest of them all. Crawley are quite tidy going forwards, they move the ball quick and put crosses in between the defender and keeper so we need to stop balls coming in from the flanks. Defensive wing backs are a must for us.

At the back their CBs get caught out and they leak goals as a result. 30 Will Wright looks like he can be targeted.

Crawley 2 Wrexham 2

[Wrexham Can]

Cannon would have to make a big step up and I'm not sure he could make it, but he does seem to be PPs preferred backup. I'll be more than happy if he proves me wrong.
Agree that Okonkwo is a keeper, literally and figuratively. Have we finally found the keeper that can do more than routine saves?
I think we'll see Mendy and McClean in the WB positions, PP is too set in his ways. But McClean needs to up his game back to where it was when he started with us.
Is another start too much for Palmer after the midweek game? I'd be happy with Fletcher starting provided he's got at least 45 mins in him - and I suspect he has.
Reluctantly I think the best we'll achieve is a 1-1 draw, but please prove me wrong (in the right direction of course. )

[krux]

I'm sorry, but there is no way I would have a team without Lee starting.

[rob_the_red]

Originally Posted by krux

I'm sorry, but there is no way I would have a team without Lee starting.

Nor would I normally, but he's been struggling the last couple of games - probably our weakest player for the last 2 or 3 -I'd consider him on the bench for the weekend just to give him a break , he's probably been our hardest working player since the start of this season

[Prodigal Dragon]

Originally Posted by rob_the_red

Nor would I normally, but he's been struggling the last couple of games - probably our weakest player for the last 2 or 3 -I'd consider him on the bench for the weekend just to give him a break , he's probably been our hardest working player since the start of this season

Running on empty. No goals and giving the ball away too easily and too often.

He needs a rest.

[Wrexy]

Originally Posted by Prodigal Dragon

Running on empty. No goals and giving the ball away too easily and too often.

He needs a rest.

...overplaying far too often and in bad positions which puts us under a lot of pressure especially given the speed at which some of these L2 teams can break.

[wrexile]

If Parky gives his half time pep talk at 2.30 we might stand a chance!

We are always so slow to get into the groove and need to concede or get a sending off, to spark the form we are capable of…. It’s incredibly frustrating to watch. Time to impose ourselves on the game from the off!

I predicted 5 points from Crewe, Mansfield and Crawley.. so I’ve got to go for a win… 1-2 to us. Mullin and Hayden.

[joe]

flip it I reckon we’ll beat these.

2-0. Mullin and Evans