Doncaster


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I believe it is a leap to explicitly state that Johnson has effectively crocked our best player as if he's solely responsible. Certainly without any degree of medical knowledge and without being privy to exactly what's gone on.

I don't believe that bad injury records are down to luck (it was one of my biggest frustrations following the lads hearing Bruce bemoaning his luck after another spell of being decimated by injuries) so I don't deny that there were possibly failings with Willis but I believe it's unlikely that that falls solely at Johnson's door. The medical team, consultants and the player himself will all have to take some responsibility. I also believe that had we of won our last two games but the exact same thing had happened then far fewer people would be making that suggestion.

Maybe it is unfair to lay the blame solely at Johnson's door I dont know. To be honest I think its more reasonable to be angry at whatever decision making lead to Willis with a patella problem playing twice a week in meaningless games on terrible pitches, coming off injured in them and playing the next and then completely f***ing his patella rather than it is to accept it as 'one of those things'.

I admit i'm angry and perhaps we just aren't going to agree on this
 
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Like every single game this season that we've played, or will play, if we take our chances we'll win.

There hasn't been many games this season where that hasn't been the case (Especially since the change of manager). I cant see that changing now.
 
I think Johnson has taken a gamble with Willis absolutely. I doubt you would have had a situation where the medics would say 'no you cant play him because he will definitely be crocked if you do' but his policy of playing him every game is certainly different to what the club were doing earlier in the season with the same medics. What we do know for a fact is:

Willis has had a big problem with his patella. The club acknowledged this early season and were going to try and manage him.
The club have decided to manage the problem rather than operate.
He comes off early in the Plymouth game with pain in that area but immediately plays the next game
He is selected to play in every game twice a week including the pizza cup games
All this during a period where pitches are heavy and shit
Eventually he completely fucks his patella
So it’s the club not just Johnson ?
 
Flanagan still out, McFadzean could be fit. I'd play O'Nien left back before Vokes.

James Hunter suggesting Younger could get a chance.

I’d prefer him to Vokins

Speaking of how Sunderland will contend with the loss of Willis

“And in the short-term, Ollie Younger may get a chance to step up and be more involved. #safc
 
James Hunter suggesting Younger could get a chance.

I’d prefer him to Vokins

Speaking of how Sunderland will contend with the loss of Willis

“And in the short-term, Ollie Younger may get a chance to step up and be more involved. #safc
Unfortunately I think that will more likely just be taking the centre back bench spot until Flanagan returns.

I've seen a few saying Younger should be in at left back, I always had him down as a centre back (it's the only position I've seen him play), can he play full back too?
 
Unfortunately I think that will more likely just be taking the centre back bench spot until Flanagan returns.

I've seen a few saying Younger should be in at left back, I always had him down as a centre back (it's the only position I've seen him play), can he play full back too?

Didn’t he play left back at Fleetwood in the Papa John’s game?
I know injury forced him off early in that game but he looked pretty good before that.
 
So it’s the club not just Johnson ?

Johnson is the only one who chose to select Willis twice a week on shit pitches in some meaningless games with a patella problem despite seeing him physically struggle with his injuries during games, have to get substituted because of it and still play him next game. So yes its Johnson's fault. If you want to give him a free pass for it suit yourself.
 
Didn’t he play left back at Fleetwood in the Papa John’s game?
I know injury forced him off early in that game but he looked pretty good before that.
He looked very good in that game but he was playing on the left of a back three, as he was when I've seen him for the U23's.

He came on on the right of a two against Port Vale (and the right of a three against MK Dons) but wasn't tested defensively.
Left side of a back three. Mcfadzean was left wing back.
We went through about 8 left wing backs that game! It was a cursed position. Vinnie Steels ended up there didn't he?
 
Unfortunately I think that will more likely just be taking the centre back bench spot until Flanagan returns.

I've seen a few saying Younger should be in at left back, I always had him down as a centre back (it's the only position I've seen him play), can he play full back too?
Apparently Doncaster play with essentially a back four of centre backs, well centre backs that can play full back and they've looked solid in the main, particularly from set pieces. I feel that something we could do, especially with Johnson having us playing quite narrow. Sanderson, McLaughlin, Flanagan and Younger can all play full back. Don't have to bomb forward, let the wingers do that.
Trouble with Power, mcfadzean and Volkins is they get caught out badly positionally.
 
Apparently Doncaster play with essentially a back four of centre backs, well centre backs that can play full back and they've looked solid in the main, particularly from set pieces. I feel that something we could do, especially with Johnson having us playing quite narrow. Sanderson, McLaughlin, Flanagan and Younger can all play full back. Don't have to bomb forward, let the wingers do that.
Trouble with Power, mcfadzean and Volkins is they get caught out badly positionally.
In a back four when you've got a particularly effective attacking full back but with defensive limitations then I'm a fan of having a more defensive option on the opposite side particularly behind a very advanced winger who would not be expected to do as much tracking back. My first choices if everyone was fit, on that basis, would be Hume and Sanderson.
 
There’s no real mention on here but we’re playing them tomorrow- the team with the best PPG (that’s a thing now after last season) and the best form, based on results, in the division.
One of the reasons there's been little mention is because our season objective is pretty much dead in the water, so there's nothing to be excited about on the football side. Most are just trying to concentrate on the takeover and next season now.
 
One of the reasons there's been little mention is because our season objective is pretty much dead in the water, so there's nothing to be excited about on the football side. Most are just trying to concentrate on the takeover and next season now.
Aye, that's fair enough. I think if we were to win tomorrow then there'd be renewed interest and many would think our season's objective would be back on (I personally wouldn't).
 
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