Walsall v Barrow: Match thread

[MisterPleasant]

We haven't yet seen Garner and Gordon together. I think PW said Gordon is now back from injury so shouldn't be long before he's back in contention.

[Jonty]

A month ago we had a call to remove our manager, where are they now ?

Can't remember anybody actually demanding his head though the forum being what it is there is always a lot of moaning and bitching. It wouldn't be a forum if there wasn't.

The main worry had the run continued was not that PW would be fired but that we would drift into the seasons end very poorly leaving the question about what happens if we lose a few at the beginning of next season hanging in the air. That has now been squashed and demonstrates that both manager and squad have the quality that we knew they had but might have temporarily "forgotten".

Our defensive performances in the last four games have been nothing short of magnificent and there is definitely a correlation between this and McClellands return. Took him a couple of games to adjust but I noticed a significant tightening of the defence during the Colchester away game that we were very unlucky not to win. Its not just his performances but in the balance he creates with Canavan and Ray. I'd go as far as to say that atm we may have the best back line in the division - odd given our poor GD.

Always good to get the clean sheet but I still think we look vulnerable to switching off and conceding. Walsall had their chances and it was Farmans saves that secured the win (early header, last minute save)

[Bingley Blue]

Can't remember anybody actually demanding his head though the forum being what it is there is always a lot of moaning and bitching. It wouldn't be a forum if there wasn't.

The main worry had the run continued was not that PW would be fired but that we would drift into the seasons end very poorly leaving the question about what happens if we lose a few at the beginning of next season hanging in the air. That has now been squashed and demonstrates that both manager and squad have the quality that we knew they had but might have temporarily "forgotten".

Our defensive performances in the last four games have been nothing short of magnificent and there is definitely a correlation between this and McClellands return. Took him a couple of games to adjust but I noticed a significant tightening of the defence during the Colchester away game that we were very unlucky not to win. Its not just his performances but in the balance he creates with Canavan and Ray. I'd go as far as to say that atm we may have the best back line in the division - odd given our poor GD.

Always good to get the clean sheet but I still think we look vulnerable to switching off and conceding. Walsall had their chances and it was Farmans saves that secured the win (early header, last minute save)

Aren’t those saves part of the defensive performances that have been so good recently? It isn’t so long ago that Farman was coming in for a lot of stick. Now he is up there as one of our best defenders.

[Suffolk Blue]

Agree with that Bingley. Once you have the right players playing in the right positions things do work better and that makes the whole team look and play better.

Farman is a great example of this. Don’t wish to harp back to the Tyrell Warren debate but it has been pretty clear to me that the issues created by Warrens extended run in the starting line affected Farmans own performance. When you have a level of insecurity in your back line it affects everybody’s performance.

Of course you can’t beat winning to boost confidence either.

[Matty]

George Ray also came in for some undue stick. His own performances will have been affected by Warren's defensive vulnerabilities, resulting in him being dragged out of position to cover. Since we've changed the system he's been immense.

[Hitthebar22]

Gotts and McClelland were out for substantial periods after our great start. Only my opinion, but it weakened the side noticeably when they were injured, and now it’s made a big difference for the better since they’ve been back in the starting line ups.
Also Feely and Newby are very positive additions. Garner and Young just need to get started with a goal each. All in all we can look forward to May with enthusiasm.

[barrowaberdeen]

A fans eye view of the day. Apologies for one or two typos which will fix. https://bluebirdstrust.co.uk/all-bluebi ... K3RIPLpgn4