I think there are a few potential captains in the squad - not really said that for a few years
In many ways it will hopefully be academic as to which player ends up actually wearing the arm band - I'd hope that the leaders would still be leading regardless of which one is "officially" the skipper.
My guess is NJ goes for Berry with his experience and previously knows him
I think it will be Docherty, and like eltham addick said it’s rare to have that many choices that we all think 3/4 different people could get it and I’d also change my opinion if Potts signed.
We’ve pretty much drifted since Jason Pearce retired in terms of on the pitch leadership. I think it’s so important to have a vocal and respected team captain. Someone the players look to and rely on. I think from what I’m hearing that Mitchell’s time will come but we’ve got some pro’s now with a lot of experience and that have walked the walk and on that basis I can’t see Mitchell being in the frame just yet.
We’ve pretty much drifted since Jason Pearce retired in terms of on the pitch leadership. I think it’s so important to have a vocal and respected team captain. Someone the players look to and rely on. I think from what I’m hearing that Mitchell’s time will come but we’ve got some pro’s now with a lot of experience and that have walked the walk and on that basis I can’t see Mitchell being in the frame just yet.
My guess is NJ goes for Berry with his experience and previously knows him
I think it will be Docherty, and like eltham addick said it’s rare to have that many choices that we all think 3/4 different people could get it and I’d also change my opinion if Potts signed.
Docherty’s had the armband for the majority, if not all, of the minutes he’s had so far this pre season.
I wouldn’t be massively surprised if it was part of the discussions that got him to sign with us over other options he would’ve had.
Judging by his performances so far and the way he conducts himself, I think we may have a real gem here. A really engaging character and exactly the calm, disciplined, never say die person you want in your defence. Well done whoever managed to lure him here.
The same back 3 had played all the league games so far this season until yesterday afternoon
In those 6 games we have had 4 clean sheets and from the 3 goals conceded 2 of those were 25 yards or more out
Makes no sense to make that decision yesterday. It’s no different if one of your strikers had scored 4 goals in the first 6 games and then you bin him off and he’s not even on the bench
The same back 3 had played all the league games so far this season until yesterday afternoon
In those 6 games we have had 4 clean sheets and from the 3 goals conceded 2 of those were 25 yards or more out
Makes no sense to make that decision yesterday. It’s no different if one of your strikers had scored 4 goals in the first 6 games and then you bin him off and he’s not even on the bench
Agree,
I can see the case for giving REG a start after the Cambridge game but not for Mitchell and especially after another star of the midweek game, Taylor, didn't even get on the bench.
No matter how good REG had been why change a successful back five and solid midfield.
Credit to NJ for taking responsibility but I'm still in the dark as to what his thinking was with the back three, the midfield and the forward line changes.
I'm also thinking that NJ has often spoken of preferring a smaller squad as there are fewer players scrabbling for places but we now seem to have a hell of a lot of fit first team players when you include Leaburn, A Campbell and the soon come Dixon as well as "where does he fit in Hylton"?
All managers make mistakes, it's just that the best managers make fewer mistakes than the others, but this seems almost perverse from NJ.
The same back 3 had played all the league games so far this season until yesterday afternoon
In those 6 games we have had 4 clean sheets and from the 3 goals conceded 2 of those were 25 yards or more out
Makes no sense to make that decision yesterday. It’s no different if one of your strikers had scored 4 goals in the first 6 games and then you bin him off and he’s not even on the bench
Agree,
I can see the case for giving REG a start after the Cambridge game but not for Mitchell and especially after another star of the midweek game, Taylor, didn't even get on the bench.
No matter how good REG had been why change a successful back five and solid midfield.
Credit to NJ for taking responsibility but I'm still in the dark as to what his thinking was with the back three, the midfield and the forward line changes.
I'm also thinking that NJ has often spoken of preferring a smaller squad as there are fewer players scrabbling for places but we now seem to have a hell of a lot of fit first team players when you include Leaburn, A Campbell and the soon come Dixon as well as "where does he fit in Hylton"?
All managers make mistakes, it's just that the best managers make fewer mistakes than the others, but this seems almost perverse from NJ.
I don’t laud him for admitting it - it was a crass decision. Jones has credit in the bank but that runs out quickly if results go south .
The same back 3 had played all the league games so far this season until yesterday afternoon
In those 6 games we have had 4 clean sheets and from the 3 goals conceded 2 of those were 25 yards or more out
Makes no sense to make that decision yesterday. It’s no different if one of your strikers had scored 4 goals in the first 6 games and then you bin him off and he’s not even on the bench
Agree,
I can see the case for giving REG a start after the Cambridge game but not for Mitchell and especially after another star of the midweek game, Taylor, didn't even get on the bench.
No matter how good REG had been why change a successful back five and solid midfield.
Credit to NJ for taking responsibility but I'm still in the dark as to what his thinking was with the back three, the midfield and the forward line changes.
I'm also thinking that NJ has often spoken of preferring a smaller squad as there are fewer players scrabbling for places but we now seem to have a hell of a lot of fit first team players when you include Leaburn, A Campbell and the soon come Dixon as well as "where does he fit in Hylton"?
All managers make mistakes, it's just that the best managers make fewer mistakes than the others, but this seems almost perverse from NJ.
I don’t laud him for admitting it - it was a crass decision. Jones has credit in the bank but that runs out quickly if results go south .
True but he also spent a lot of it as far as I am concerned by not wanting Alfie May and replacing him with the less than prolific goalscorer Ahadme.
There has to be more to it than just dropping him, makes absolutely no sense
I agree, unfortunately. When we saw he wasn’t even on the bench we thought he must be injured or sick. He should be one of the first players on the team sheet in my opinion. If there has been a falling out or something let’s hope they can patch it up for all our sakes. NJ doesn’t seem the sort of boss you argue with and win.
The same back 3 had played all the league games so far this season until yesterday afternoon
In those 6 games we have had 4 clean sheets and from the 3 goals conceded 2 of those were 25 yards or more out
Makes no sense to make that decision yesterday. It’s no different if one of your strikers had scored 4 goals in the first 6 games and then you bin him off and he’s not even on the bench
Agree,
I can see the case for giving REG a start after the Cambridge game but not for Mitchell and especially after another star of the midweek game, Taylor, didn't even get on the bench.
No matter how good REG had been why change a successful back five and solid midfield.
Credit to NJ for taking responsibility but I'm still in the dark as to what his thinking was with the back three, the midfield and the forward line changes.
I'm also thinking that NJ has often spoken of preferring a smaller squad as there are fewer players scrabbling for places but we now seem to have a hell of a lot of fit first team players when you include Leaburn, A Campbell and the soon come Dixon as well as "where does he fit in Hylton"?
All managers make mistakes, it's just that the best managers make fewer mistakes than the others, but this seems almost perverse from NJ.
I don’t laud him for admitting it - it was a crass decision. Jones has credit in the bank but that runs out quickly if results go south .
Did I "laud" him or did I give him "credit", quite different things in my mind.
Comments
I wouldn’t be massively surprised if it was part of the discussions that got him to sign with us over other options he would’ve had.
https://x.com/tombrandy/status/1820893253534982654?s=46&t=ynww82GMl7VKBjthBflU0g
Fair play for taking responsibility NJ and hopefully will learn from that.
Mitchell, Mannion and Ramsay surely pick themselves if fit.
In those 6 games we have had 4 clean sheets and from the 3 goals conceded 2 of those were 25 yards or more out
Makes no sense to make that decision yesterday. It’s no different if one of your strikers had scored 4 goals in the first 6 games and then you bin him off and he’s not even on the bench
I can see the case for giving REG a start after the Cambridge game but not for Mitchell and especially after another star of the midweek game, Taylor, didn't even get on the bench.
No matter how good REG had been why change a successful back five and solid midfield.
Credit to NJ for taking responsibility but I'm still in the dark as to what his thinking was with the back three, the midfield and the forward line changes.
I'm also thinking that NJ has often spoken of preferring a smaller squad as there are fewer players scrabbling for places but we now seem to have a hell of a lot of fit first team players when you include Leaburn, A Campbell and the soon come Dixon as well as "where does he fit in Hylton"?
All managers make mistakes, it's just that the best managers make fewer mistakes than the others, but this seems almost perverse from NJ.