I was interested enough by that comment to look back at Dean’s first full season in charge.
Looking at the appearances by the members of his squad does not really go along with your memory, since most of the team regulars made 24 to 31 league appearances. The only player who was an ever-present, was a certain Mat Sadler.
Colin Lee was an odd one.
He played exciting football, going back on memory from a long time ago, he played Corica behind Jorge and Junior, we were scoring a lot of goals. Then we threw away I think a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 v Crystal Palace and he ripped the lot up and made us the most boring team ever.
His first, he was in charge for several years before he built his side. He had his team. Id be more interested in the latter years.
However im laughing at how many games Anton Peterlin played. Also who hell was Dave Martin?
He was certainly an odd one. (we have had a few)
I believe some of the best football ive ever seen at one point then too the worst abject white flag waving rubbish. The Bonserite noose reigned heavy.
By his last full season Dean Smith had built a solid team, but only Adam Chambers and Richard O’Donnell played more than 40 league games.
Im not trying to be funny but that table just proves my point?
The numbers will be similar at the end of the season. The only difference is he used his loan signings.
With nine matches left, there are eight players who have already made more than 30 league starts out of a possible 38 this season.
In Dean Smith’s first full season, there were only 5 players who made more than 30 starts out of a possible 46. In his last full season, there were 7 who made more than 30 starts out of a possible 46.
I don’t think anyone was complaining about lack of team changes when we were winning nine in a row and top of the table by 13 points. But a combination of poor form from some of the regulars, and the number of available untried alternatives, raise justifiable criticism.
They shouldn’t need an incentive.
To me it’s crazy that Evan Weir has only played 5 times.
Any other year in the last 10 years and he’d have walked into the team and probably been our best player.
Quality player.
Yeah great left foot - I think he is our biggest goal threat with his potential for assists as things stand :))
I think that the clean sheet is a real bonus because Connor Barrett is still suspended, Liam Gordon may well be jet lagged and Harry Williams (and Weir) both have excellent long throws.
With Wheatley, Matt, Levi and Osh all above 6’, at least we can attack Wimbledon, whilst being aware of their threat, too (I am aware that playing all 3 big men at the same time is unlikely!)
Really like Weir hopefully he will still be with us next season whatever the division. Don’t think he is a wing back though so he has been competing with Allen for the LCB position. Allen hasn’t been perfect but it is one of the positions I don’t knock Sadler for not rotating. Allen probably makes League 2 team of the year.
It will be interesting to see how many Saddlers make it in this year.
Taylor Allen
Liam Gordon
Connor Barrett
Jamie Jellis
Nathan Lowe
are all in with a good shout, I should think…
Top 3 sides will contribute the majority so hope you are correct.
Can’t be arsed rising to the bait of some of the miserable crap on the three threads currently running.
Simply put if all the top 6 produce the form of the last 8 games for the next 8 games we finish 3rd behind Bradford and Vale.
We can improve on that with a slight improvement where we match the form of those 2.
So looking forward to a resurgence of form starting at Wimbledon, get something at Donny and then tonk Vale.
Why 8 games? Is that to make sure our last two wins are included? I think so.
Why not 5 or 6, or 10 or 13?
I hope you are right. Come out of those 3 games with 7 points and we are almost there. 2 wins in 13 games though, and none in the last 6, you must see why there are concerns.
One win could change everything, but we have to find it soon now.
I seriously wish we could get 7 points from those 3 games and I am desperately trying to remain positive but I just can’t see it…
4 points is more realistic in my opinion…
As I said depends where you want to make the cut off, you can pretty much get any result you want, from champions down.
I picked 8 games because there’s 8 left to play, simple as that, no side, just cus it’s what’s left to play.
The form table over 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 games can be found here, if my maths is correct the following would be promoted automatically (bearing in mind rounding up/down due to decimals).
Last 4 games = Bradford, Vale, Dons
Last 6 games = Bradford, Donnie, Vale
Last 8 games = Bradford, Vale, Walsall
Last 10 games = Bradford, Vale, Walsall
Last 12 games = Dons, Vale, Donnie
I guess you choose the time frame best suited to your argument. 8 games has it most comfortable by 5 points to 4th, whereas 10 games is squeaky bum time. In all the others we are missing out by 2 points.
So in respect of the next victory, it has to come Saturday for me. Lose it gives a further boost to Donnie and Vale for the upcoming games and just continues our poor form at a crucial time.
Nope
Neil Martin
John Barnwell
Michael Flynn
To name but three from three different eras , I’m sure if we went back in time even some of the greats were
Even Dean Smith was accused by some of being stubborn, it’s a Walsall managers trait, I bet you Bill Moore was stubborn although I wouldn’t know.
