Brave Changes

[Kenny]

Good to see Tilly wasn't afraid to drop Gower and Gray, after Friday you could see there were soem tired legs out there left over from the LDV whilst at the same time we have a very settled team which you don't really want to chop and change too much.

Very encouraging that we can make 3 changes (1 of which was enforced) and still do the business.

For those that went, how did Gutteridge play in his first full start?

 

[lee_sufc]

I agree. I have been a bit critical of Tilly lately regarding changes / subs but tonight it sounds as though he got it SPOT ON!

Well done Tilly and League One here we come (fingers crossed

)

 

[perth shrimper]

By the way Kenny, Looking at your Avatar it is apparent that you look only slightly better in the flesh

.
Having said that, maybe i should keep quiet, especially after the 'mens toilet' meeting.

 

[Clarky_Blues]

I was impressed with Gutteridge. He got the ball down and picked out some great passes, think it was him who put the ball up to Fredy to flick on for the first goal. He also pinged a great ball over the top for Gray but his first touch let him down and the keeper managed to collect it.

All in all a very good performance from Luke.

 

[Barmy Army]

Apparently Petts played a great ball into McCormack to score his second.

Haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere.

 

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (Barmy Army @ April 20 2005,08:59)]Apparently Petts played a great ball into McCormack to score his second.

Haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere.

According to the radio commentary Petts kept the ball in play really well - on SSN it was Eastwood who put Macca through on goal.

 

[Clarky_Blues]

Yes it was Fredy with a reverse pass for Macca to score the 2nd.

 

[Barmy Army]

Quote[/b] (Rayleigh_Blue @ April 20 2005,09:05)]

Quote[/b] (Barmy Army @ April 20 2005,08:59)]Apparently Petts played a great ball into McCormack to score his second.

Haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere.

According to the radio commentary Petts kept the ball in play really well - on SSN it was Eastwood who put Macca through on goal.

OK my fault all I heard on the radio was Pettefer and then McCormack.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Tilly pulls it off again

2 defeats in a row, he wasn't afraid to make a few changes and it worked. Gower and Gray needed a rest and the commentator on BBC Essex said Dudfield was brilliant, which is good because before that Eastwood and Dudfield didn't seem like a good partnership. Feel a bit sorry for Bentley now because he won't be able to get back in the team even though he's been on excellent form, unless McCormack has a stinker at Oxford.

What happened to Tilly on BBC Esex though? Halfway through his interview he got collared by a policeman and got called into the referee's room so Brushy had to gove the post-match comments.

Anyway, WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!

 

[Barmy Army]

Quote[/b] (shrimpboy @ April 20 2005,09:56)]Feel a bit sorry for Bentley now because he won't be able to get back in the team even though he's been on excellent form, unless McCormack has a stinker at Oxford.

Bentley will go straight back into the team I'd imagine.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

After McCormack scores twice? Depends how he plays at Oxford now I guess.

 

[Barmy Army]

Quote[/b] (shrimpboy @ April 20 2005,10:02)]After McCormack scores twice? Depends how he plays at Oxford now I guess.

I'd say yes even after he's scored 2 goals.

Bentley has been great all season.

 

[Upminster Blue]

Quote[/b] (Barmy Army @ April 20 2005,09:58)]

Quote[/b] (shrimpboy @ April 20 2005,09:56)]Feel a bit sorry for Bentley now because he won't be able to get back in the team even though he's been on excellent form, unless McCormack has a stinker at Oxford.

Bentley will go straight back into the team I'd imagine.

If McCormack plays at Oxford as he did last night there is no chance of him being dropped. As I said in another thread, he played the Bentley role better than Bentley last night - awesome.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

I could see Bentley coming back in for Gutteridge, esp after Gutteridge was placed in the Bentley role. McCormick was the man in Gowers role on the left.

 

[SUFC Employee]

A nice headache to have for Tilly!!

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Quote[/b] (The Flying Scotsman @ April 20 2005,11:18)]I could see Bentley coming back in for Gutteridge, esp after Gutteridge was placed in the Bentley role. McCormick was the man in Gowers role on the left.

Mind you, thinking back to it, the midfield 4 covered the whole pitch and switched around, making it very difficult for them to pick up.

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

If McCormack can be dropped after consecutive 3-0 wins to make way for Maher returning after suspension, then he may well find himself on the bench once more.

If Bentley isn't recalled he can consider himself very hard done by. He's been the driving force behind our midfield and been our best midfielder (with honourable mentions for the industry of Petts) all season. With his phenomonal engine and will to win he is a key player both defensively (he must surely lead the tackle count - and how many times has he sprinted 30 yards to make a tackle to stop an opposition break?) and in attack where his driving surges and off-the-ball runs to create space have been key in our success.

Indeed I'd go as far as to say that Tilly recognising that our midfield was static and the signing of Bents to solve this, has been along with the signing of Freddy the masterstrokes of his mangerial career.

Although I rate McCormack highly, it bodes very well if we can win without Bentley.

 

[sufcintheprem]

For those who think Bentley will walk straight in to the team, I think you might be mistaken. The midfield had so much fluidity on Tuesday, something that we were lacking against Orient. Guttridge, Maher and McCormack all have excelletn first touches for this level and are good passers. Orient closed down Maher and this choked our midfield a bit but with the formation we had at Macc, we'd have kept them running all night.

Still, I think it depends on the type of game to an extent and Bentley's aerial threat is a big for argument in his favour.