It's very important....

[Proud Shrimper]

...IMHO that Gower starts tomorrow and on Saturday. Most sides are coming to the Hall now and packing 10 men behind the ball to go for a point. It's not so much of a problem away as the onus is on the home side but at home we need our most creative players in the starting XI to "unlock the door" so to speak. Its clear that the times we have struggled to do that this season have been when Gower was injured or left on the bench - these 2 home games are vital to our top 3 ambitions and for me Gower simply MUST play.

 

[Technician]

Mark Gower has been a revelation for us. He either provides an assist or scores himself and I would certainly have him as a starting XI... but as indicated by Tilson on the official site, Gower was unwell on Wednesday and didn't train with the squad on Thursday. This was the latest reason for him being a substitute on Saturday.

Gower was unfortunate to sustain a back injury after Xmas, which may still be giving him problems. That, combined with the fact that Nicky Nic was keeping him out of the side, meant that he has had to be patient.

I would like to see him start tomorrow if he is fully fit. This is also providing the impending cold weather doesn't affect this fixture.

 

[Hooly]

I would agree, but listening to Tilly this morning on BBC Essex it appears he was ill from Thursday last week & wasn't fit to start on Saturday.

We've done exceedingly well by being undefeated & taking 8 points from 12 in the last 4 difficult league games (not enough for some people as we know!).  But now is the time with these 2 home games to try & kick into another gear & get back to some of the attacking football we were outplaying teams with at times before Xmas.  Apart from Lincoln & Yeovil at home & Maccs away I can't see that we're playing any teams who are likely to feature in the battle for playoff places & although "there are no easy games in Europe" we must go into these games with a positive formation & outlook.  

Also I'd like to see Tilly be more adventurous with his subs if the games not quite going to plan (not as bold as Jose) & it'd be nice if our subs could actually be vaguely prepared to come on rather than the 20 mins it seems to take from Tilly calling them back from their warm up.  I swear Tes the other week had to go home for another pair of shorts before coming on.

 

[Technician]

When we called for Gower 15 minutes into the second half of our match at Sixfields on Saturday, Tilson sent him on within 5 minutes, so he does listen.

I referred to Gower's illness starting on Wednesday, because it was the official site that stated that fact in the pre-match thoughts. He didn't train on Thursday, but was expected in on Friday.

 

[Proud Shrimper]

Tilson makes his own decisions, he wouldn't have been affected by our Gower chants.

 

[The Artful Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Proud Shrimper @ Feb. 21 2005,14:22)]Tilson makes his own decisions, he wouldn't have been affected by our Gower chants.

unlike that memorble occassion when Alvin Martin was just about to bring Livett on as a sub but then, when the crowd started shouting No! changed his mind sent him back to the dugout and the crowd duly applauded

 

[Hooly]

Quote[/b] (Technician @ Feb. 21 2005,13:43)]When we called for Gower 15 minutes into the second half of our match at Sixfields on Saturday, Tilson sent him on within 5 minutes, so he does listen.

I referred to Gower's illness starting on Wednesday, because it was the official site that stated that fact in the pre-match thoughts. He didn't train on Thursday, but was expected in on Friday.

He did have a slight delay to iron his shorts though!

Hopefully he'll start to consider the earlier substitution on a more regular basis. I think with the players we've got in Fredy, Wayne, Duds & Tes (if he can get his *rse in gear) we've enough variety & quality to vary our play to cause the opposition trouble by making a change if necessary. Scunny certainly weren't happy when Duds & Gower came on the other week.

I posted at the same time regarding the illness & hadn't seen the official site re Wednesday. Tilly on the radio indicated that Gower still wasn't well on Saturday but they thought they could get 30 mins out of him if necessary.