Changing a winning team (and style)...

[606 Parklands_Cobbler]

I would have posted this whether we won, drew or lost today.

Page has been quoted numerous times how he doesn't want to distrupt a winning team (and also the style of football), but wants to add quality to the squad. What with the loan rules I think page has done this and is nearly there. We all know what we are missing and so does Page (hopefully).

However he clearly has changed the XI and surely this is the most important part of a winning team? He has clearly spun this to his advantage. Only 4 players from last season have been first choice this season. Smith, Buchanan, O'Toole, and suprisingly Diamond (he has done well though).

Moloney (although has been injured)
D'Ath
Byrom (1 sub app)
McDonald

4 players who have played no part this season and I'm struggling to see how they are not all at least on the bench. Last season they all played important parts to a championship winning team. I want to see them rewarded and yet they haven't even been given a chance at the start before these so called quality players have taken the shirts from them.

I am however right behind Page and we are a step up so can't be too judgemental until at least Jan. I just want him to cut the bull s h i t. I don't think he even knows his best team, Hoskins, Revell and Richards in the team. Beautyman out wide, Potter in behind proves this. But for some reason these four players from last year haven't even had a sniff.

P.S. I wish people and more importantly the players would forget about this winning run, it has nothing to do with the previous 24 odd games. We are four unbeaten but haven't won.

[corno_ntfc]

Out of the 4, find it most odd D'Ath hasn't had more involvement.

Just an appearance against Barnsley in the cup.. I think.

[Its_nice_to_michu]

D'Ath is a better player than Gorre everyday of the week and aleast deserves a place on the bench.

[Irchy cob]

We have to remember that page sees the players in training every day and I'm sure he's not the kind of manager to cut his nose off to spite his face - he hinted at this in his post match interview, that the likes of d'ath and byrom are not doing enough to be selected. I've got no evidence for this but I've got a gut feeling that when the championship was won and wilder left complacency set in and an element of believing their own press.

[Its_nice_to_michu]

That's the managers spin on it pal, but I suspect he would play Gorre even if he had a nightmare in training everyday.

Managers always want to bring in their own players and Put their own stamp on the team.

For my money he has gone too top heavy in the midfield which doesn't have the right balance as yet but plenty of time to put that right.

[guest2677]

Would agree D'ath is the most surprising, I don't think he offers any less then Beautyman or Gorre. I can't see an argument for McDonald or Byrom starting ahead or Diamond Zak, JJ or Taylor though.

[Alfred]

Dont panic  .... theres still 42 points to play for ..

its a long season

[Farleymoo]

Beautyman needs to be behind the strikers he's a goal machine when's he's regular in
 Position He's not a right mid look at his 1st pre season it worked y change it all we do is defend and huff it
Need to start passing it about and playing football all this 1 point is better then 0 bollox my arse 3 points is better then 1 is what we should be saying

[defender]

 A new manager, new style of play, Nothing unusual about that, He has made the team strong at the back, which he had to do with us getting to L1, He is building his side by starting at the back, not a lot wrong with that either, before any negative comments are thrown at Rob Page, give the man time, at least ten games, I feel there is nothing wrong that a new good striker won't put right. I do wish that we had at least on defender on the post's, but that could be Smiths choice.

[defender]

Don't panic we are not doomed Mr Mannering !

[606 Parklands_Cobbler]

A new manager, new style of play, Nothing unusual about that

I don't know if I made my point clear enough. That is what you would expect, yes. But Page made a massive point about continuity and momentum. That clearly hasn't happened and he has outright lied about it.

also I know you have to take into account Holmes and Adams, but for me he has changed way too much. Lets just hope its for the better. This is not a point about the start of the season.

[cobbler150]

A new manager, new style of play, Nothing unusual about that, He has made the team strong at the back, which he had to do with us getting to L1, He is building his side by starting at the back, not a lot wrong with that either, before any negative comments are thrown at Rob Page, give the man time, at least ten games, I feel there is nothing wrong that a new good striker won't put right. I do wish that we had at least on defender on the post's, but that could be Smiths choice.

Spot on, some people on here moaning about Page yet telling United fans to give Wilder time. When it sounds like they are falling apart. Look good at the back,  quality in the midfield is there, just need to get the balance right and Revell up top is easy good enough for this league, Rico not so, as much as I love him. New striker and a winger is need. Ether lads from Palace rumoured on here or Enoch the x vale winger will do.

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

Don't panic we are not doomed Mr Mannering !

Mainwaring.

[Wolvo]

Dont panic  .... theres still 42 points to play for ..

its a long season

Just 42 points to play for...?

[Alfred]

Just 42 points to play for...?

im sure u will work it out eventually

[Wolvo]

im sure u will work it out eventually

Do we get to sing 69 undefeated?

[defender]

Mainwaring.

 I stand corrected Sir.

[threeinabed]

Do we get to sing 69 undefeated?

if we are 69 undefeated, then yes.

[bungle]

Page has struck me from day one as an opportunistic manager who makes it up as he goes along without having an overall strategy. Players such as Beautyman, Taylor, Gorre and even Revell seem to have been signed simply because they had a decent rep and were available; he doesn't seem to have thought much about how they would compliment our existing squad or fit into an overall system.

He seems to have based our whole attacking strategy on a 20 year old rookie who will be gone in January.

Fortunately, by hook or by crook he has managed to make us solid and if we can start nicking the odd goal we should survive. 

[defender]

That is as I see it, I think we will keep it tight, and get the odd goal or two. It will be very interesting to see hoe good our defending is against West Brom on Tuesday.