What do we still need to seal the deal?

[Back of the Kop]

Always a big inquest when we lose a game of football.

Thankfully we don't have to listen to bullshit too often. 6 defeats in our last 64 games

[FrostyCanadianLad]

PM will again, soon, get back to being SPM. He missed a huge chunk of training. Not a knee problem or bad ankle. Fully healed soon, still got the smarts and competitive fire. Dude will get it done. Bank on it.

[Wrex4life]

Look there will always be inquests after a bad result. Personally I am still not convinced by our tactics or latest signings, but I can't really argue with the results.

Apart from Mullin and Lee, we've had better players in every position during our time in National league - when we were paying pennies on the dollar. Keates, Harris and Manny would have all walked into this team but time will tell I guess.

[windjc]

Not impressed by the “analysis” of that podcast. I doubt PP and the players think this is easy.

That said, the season is going to be a grind. It seems that long stretches of not losing is enough to eventually separate into the top 3.

Just need to keep the grind going.

[Hatter1]

Interesting to read the comments on Mullin - often our tormentor. I've no idea on how a punctured lung heals but do you think you rushed him back?

He seemed to be back playing much sooner than expected and straightaway was starting. The plan seemed to be to play him back to fitness - vs us he definitely wasn't fit.

Besides seeing him miss big chances twice Saturday in highlights, I'm not sure how he's playing but if he's not himself - could it be that? And generally that he's missed the hard yards of pre-season? So much of his game is about energy and running in behind. We had the luxury of easing Wootton very gradually back into the side (albeit from a longer injury) and that looks to be paying off now.

[davewilli]

Originally Posted by Hatter1

Interesting to read the comments on Mullin - often our tormentor. I've no idea on how a punctured lung heals but do you think you rushed him back?

He seemed to be back playing much sooner than expected and straightaway was starting. The plan seemed to be to play him back to fitness - vs us he definitely wasn't fit.

Besides seeing him miss big chances twice Saturday in highlights, I'm not sure how he's playing but if he's not himself - could it be that? And generally that he's missed the hard yards of pre-season? So much of his game is about energy and running in behind. We had the luxury of easing Wootton very gradually back into the side (albeit from a longer injury) and that looks to be paying off now.

There's little evidence there is an issue with PM, he put a bit too much on both shots but a slight adjustment, they fly in and we are talking about him scoring in 3 consecutive games. I'm sure with his mentality, Saturday will just spur him on to be more of a pain in the @#£% for defenders and go searching for chances to make amends.

[Prodigal Dragon]

Originally Posted by Hatter1

Interesting to read the comments on Mullin - often our tormentor. I've no idea on how a punctured lung heals but do you think you rushed him back?

He seemed to be back playing much sooner than expected and straightaway was starting. The plan seemed to be to play him back to fitness - vs us he definitely wasn't fit.

Besides seeing him miss big chances twice Saturday in highlights, I'm not sure how he's playing but if he's not himself - could it be that? And generally that he's missed the hard yards of pre-season? So much of his game is about energy and running in behind. We had the luxury of easing Wootton very gradually back into the side (albeit from a longer injury) and that looks to be paying off now.

I think he returned far sooner than ideal because we had too few good options up front. He deserves a lot of credit for what he has put himself through but, unfortunately, he's probably only 60% the player he was last season. We see glimpses of the 'old Mullin' but he mostly looks sluggish and uncertain. I hope he recovers fully, but there has to be a question mark whether he will ever recover fully. It was a very nasty, possibly life-threatening, injury.

Stockport County have rejigged themselves well, and look likely champions. Whilst it would be nice to displace them, finishing 2nd or 3rd might be more realistic, and good enough to achieve the object of instant promotion. We are clearly there or thereabouts, but some of squad are clearly either not good enough or waning. I do not share the majority, optimistic view that 'we'll come good'. We are missing probably 4 high quality players if we are to guarantee promotion.

When fully fit, we have good options at GK and WBs (we will stick with 3-5-2 whilst PP is in charge):

GK - Okonkwo, McNicholas, Howard.
RWB - Hosannah (post Jan 24), Barnett, Forde.
LWB - McClean, Mendy.

But I think we need 2 better and quicker CBs, a midfielder with pace and power to run at defenders, and 2 strikers: a target man and someone with pace.

Fletcher might come back from surgery a new player or totally crocked. He is much better than anyone else, but age and injury are against him.

Despite having good, individual midfielders, we have never quite got it right. One key player might be the catalyst we need, but we also need a striker who puts the chances away when they come.

Our biggest issue has been the defence, especially at the beginning of the season. Our better CBs have been 2 re-roled midfielders (O'Connor and Evans) albeit Evans is currently needed in midfield because we don't have anyone else who can hold it all together.

It may sound like we are a basket-case, but that is not so. It's more that we are not as good as we should be or need to be. I am sure PP thinks the same, too. The January Window offers us a great opportunity to polish-up the squad but, as we have discovered, it doesn't always happen due to numerous reasons.

However, what we must not lose sight of is the fact we are back in the EFL after years in the wilderness, have owners who demand success, and have a squad which is about 80% good enough. We might catch Stockport, but my head says they have done their homework and corrected all the issues we are now facing. But anything can happen, and it's never over until it's over. A lot of water to flow down the mighty Gwenfro before the die is cast!

[Hightown Brymbo Red]

Originally Posted by Prodigal Dragon

I think he returned far sooner than ideal because we had too few good options up front. He deserves a lot of credit for what he has put himself through but, unfortunately, he's probably only 60% the player he was last season. We see glimpses of the 'old Mullin' but he mostly looks sluggish and uncertain. I hope he recovers fully, but there has to be a question mark whether he will ever recover fully. It was a very nasty, possibly life-threatening, injury.

Stockport County have rejigged themselves well, and look likely champions. Whilst it would be nice to displace them, finishing 2nd or 3rd might be more realistic, and good enough to achieve the object of instant promotion. We are clearly there or thereabouts, but some of squad are clearly either not good enough or waning. I do not share the majority, optimistic view that 'we'll come good'. We are missing probably 4 high quality players if we are to guarantee promotion.

When fully fit, we have good options at GK and WBs (we will stick with 3-5-2 whilst PP is in charge):

GK - Okonkwo, McNicholas, Howard.
RWB - Hosannah (post Jan 24), Barnett, Forde.
LWB - McClean, Mendy.

But I think we need 2 better and quicker CBs, a midfielder with pace and power to run at defenders, and 2 strikers: a target man and someone with pace.

Fletcher might come back from surgery a new player or totally crocked. He is much better than anyone else, but age and injury are against him.

Despite having good, individual midfielders, we have never quite got it right. One key player might be the catalyst we need, but we also need a striker who puts the chances away when they come.

Our biggest issue has been the defence, especially at the beginning of the season. Our better CBs have been 2 re-roled midfielders (O'Connor and Evans) albeit Evans is currently needed in midfield because we don't have anyone else who can hold it all together.

It may sound like we are a basket-case, but that is not so. It's more that we are not as good as we should be or need to be. I am sure PP thinks the same, too. The January Window offers us a great opportunity to polish-up the squad but, as we have discovered, it doesn't always happen due to numerous reasons.

However, what we must not lose sight of is the fact we are back in the EFL after years in the wilderness, have owners who demand success, and have a squad which is about 80% good enough. We might catch Stockport, but my head says they have done their homework and corrected all the issues we are now facing. But anything can happen, and it's never over until it's over. A lot of water to flow down the mighty Gwenfro before the die is cast!

I am not sure we are that far off to be honest.
Stockport are ahead of us but if you look at the table we are only 8 points behind them and they are on a record beating winning run.In addition we have had a tough start already we have played 5 of the top 7 away.
Look at other teams around Mansfield drawn away in the league and won in the cup.
Notts won away Crewe drawn at home but played with 10 men most of the match and won away in cup Barrow drawn away. Teams around us will be more worried about us I think.
Come January of course PP will bring in 3 or 4 to strengthen the team so still very optimistic about a top 3 position at end of season

[Dai Young]

Originally Posted by Prodigal Dragon

I think he returned far sooner than ideal because we had too few good options up front. He deserves a lot of credit for what he has put himself through but, unfortunately, he's probably only 60% the player he was last season. We see glimpses of the 'old Mullin' but he mostly looks sluggish and uncertain. I hope he recovers fully, but there has to be a question mark whether he will ever recover fully. It was a very nasty, possibly life-threatening, injury.

Stockport County have rejigged themselves well, and look likely champions. Whilst it would be nice to displace them, finishing 2nd or 3rd might be more realistic, and good enough to achieve the object of instant promotion. We are clearly there or thereabouts, but some of squad are clearly either not good enough or waning. I do not share the majority, optimistic view that 'we'll come good'. We are missing probably 4 high quality players if we are to guarantee promotion.

When fully fit, we have good options at GK and WBs (we will stick with 3-5-2 whilst PP is in charge):

GK - Okonkwo, McNicholas, Howard.
RWB - Hosannah (post Jan 24), Barnett, Forde.
LWB - McClean, Mendy.

But I think we need 2 better and quicker CBs, a midfielder with pace and power to run at defenders, and 2 strikers: a target man and someone with pace.

Fletcher might come back from surgery a new player or totally crocked. He is much better than anyone else, but age and injury are against him.

Despite having good, individual midfielders, we have never quite got it right. One key player might be the catalyst we need, but we also need a striker who puts the chances away when they come.

Our biggest issue has been the defence, especially at the beginning of the season. Our better CBs have been 2 re-roled midfielders (O'Connor and Evans) albeit Evans is currently needed in midfield because we don't have anyone else who can hold it all together.

It may sound like we are a basket-case, but that is not so. It's more that we are not as good as we should be or need to be. I am sure PP thinks the same, too. The January Window offers us a great opportunity to polish-up the squad but, as we have discovered, it doesn't always happen due to numerous reasons.

However, what we must not lose sight of is the fact we are back in the EFL after years in the wilderness, have owners who demand success, and have a squad which is about 80% good enough. We might catch Stockport, but my head says they have done their homework and corrected all the issues we are now facing. But anything can happen, and it's never over until it's over. A lot of water to flow down the mighty Gwenfro before the die is cast!

A superb analysis of where we're at currently. I concur.