No Pancakes please on Tuesday. Home v Accrington Tues, 25th Apr. 7.45.

[nicholaldo]

I'm more confident of beating them at home than I would be away, even if we're likely to have to find our way past a parked bus.

[Worthy4England]

TBF. They won't want to play us, either. I doubt they'll be telling themselves "this could be the gimmie that keeps us up."

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Evatt:

Tuesday night is a completely different challenge.

I haven’t seen Accrington go low block against anyone – in fact it could be the opposite where they go man-for-man, toe-to-toe, be really aggressive and try to beat us that way.

It is a different type of game for us and might require different personnel.

It is a huge game for them, a huge game for us, but we will be ready.

I have firm belief in these players and even the ones on the bench who were itching to get involved, they will make an impact will get their opportunity. There is still a lot of hard work to do, we just need to keep going.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ton-clash/

“Different personnel” is an interesting hint. Quite aside from the need to refresh the team in a three-game week, who might he be thinking of that’s braver on the ball, happier in a 1v1? Could it be Kachunga, Nlundulu or even Shoretire for Adeboyejo? Lee or Thomason for Sheehan?

[BWFC_Insane]

Evatt:

Tuesday night is a completely different challenge.

I haven’t seen Accrington go low block against anyone – in fact it could be the opposite where they go man-for-man, toe-to-toe, be really aggressive and try to beat us that way.

It is a different type of game for us and might require different personnel.

It is a huge game for them, a huge game for us, but we will be ready.

I have firm belief in these players and even the ones on the bench who were itching to get involved, they will make an impact will get their opportunity. There is still a lot of hard work to do, we just need to keep going.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ton-clash/

“Different personnel” is an interesting hint. Quite aside from the need to refresh the team in a three-game week, who might he be thinking of that’s braver on the ball, happier in a 1v1? Could it be Kachunga, Nlundulu or even Shoretire for Adeboyejo? Lee or Thomason for Sheehan?

It would be same team for me bar John for Randell and maybe a change for Victor up front.

I think after that its our strongest fit 11.

I've no idea why we'd change anything else round beyond tiredness but at this stage I don't really see why we wouldn't just play our best 11 and try and get over the line.

No need to get too clever.

[Worthy4England]

^^ Slight problem with that, is IE has said previously, he doesn't have a "strongest 11"

[BWFC_Insane]

^^ Slight problem with that, is IE has said previously, he doesn't have a "strongest 11"

Yeah but I do....

[Worthy4England]

^^ Slight problem with that, is IE has said previously, he doesn't have a "strongest 11"

Yeah but I do....

I only had you down as having a strongest 4/5, with the remainder being various shades of King's Head and Queen's Arms...

[Mar]

Evatt:

Tuesday night is a completely different challenge.

I haven’t seen Accrington go low block against anyone – in fact it could be the opposite where they go man-for-man, toe-to-toe, be really aggressive and try to beat us that way.

It is a different type of game for us and might require different personnel.

It is a huge game for them, a huge game for us, but we will be ready.

I have firm belief in these players and even the ones on the bench who were itching to get involved, they will make an impact will get their opportunity. There is still a lot of hard work to do, we just need to keep going.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ton-clash/

“Different personnel” is an interesting hint. Quite aside from the need to refresh the team in a three-game week, who might he be thinking of that’s braver on the ball, happier in a 1v1? Could it be Kachunga, Nlundulu or even Shoretire for Adeboyejo? Lee or Thomason for Sheehan?

It would be same team for me bar John for Randell and maybe a change for Victor up front.

I think after that its our strongest fit 11.

I've no idea why we'd change anything else round beyond tiredness but at this stage I don't really see why we wouldn't just play our best 11 and try and get over the line.

No need to get too clever.

I disagree. I think we should be trying to rotate our squad to keep us as fresh as possible during any play off matches. Last season had 2 games within the case of 4 days (6th and 9th May). If we are to beat Barnsley a good rotation of the playing squad will likely help keep us more of an attacking prospect. I think its a case of ensuring that our rotated squad in the play offs can deliver.

Accy is the last chance we have to do that and see what rotated squad can deliver. I don't think we'll be as brave as dropping Charles in favour of Adeboyejo, but I think it would be helpful to get Adeboyejo starting alongside the likes of Kacha to see what he can deliver. Sort of 60 mins for Charles in the first match with Vic coming on, 60 mins for Vic in the second match with Charles coming on to see out the game.

I think John, Shoretire, Kacha and Lee (depending on injury) should be playing on Tuesday. They're all of a decent level and have performed relatively good at times. N'lundulu and Jerome clearly seem like the impact sub options.

We should be able to beat Accy with a rotated squad as theirs more than enough quality there.

[BWFC_Insane]

Evatt:

Tuesday night is a completely different challenge.

I haven’t seen Accrington go low block against anyone – in fact it could be the opposite where they go man-for-man, toe-to-toe, be really aggressive and try to beat us that way.

It is a different type of game for us and might require different personnel.

It is a huge game for them, a huge game for us, but we will be ready.

I have firm belief in these players and even the ones on the bench who were itching to get involved, they will make an impact will get their opportunity. There is still a lot of hard work to do, we just need to keep going.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ton-clash/

“Different personnel” is an interesting hint. Quite aside from the need to refresh the team in a three-game week, who might he be thinking of that’s braver on the ball, happier in a 1v1? Could it be Kachunga, Nlundulu or even Shoretire for Adeboyejo? Lee or Thomason for Sheehan?

It would be same team for me bar John for Randell and maybe a change for Victor up front.

I think after that its our strongest fit 11.

I've no idea why we'd change anything else round beyond tiredness but at this stage I don't really see why we wouldn't just play our best 11 and try and get over the line.

No need to get too clever.

I disagree. I think we should be trying to rotate our squad to keep us as fresh as possible during any play off matches. Last season had 2 games within the case of 4 days (6th and 9th May). If we are to beat Barnsley a good rotation of the playing squad will likely help keep us more of an attacking prospect.

Accy is the last chance we have to do that and see what rotated squad can deliver. I don't think we'll be as brave as dropping Charles in favour of Adeboyejo, but I think it would be helpful to get Adeboyejo starting alongside the likes of Kacha to see what he can deliver. Sort of 60 mins for Charles in the first match with Vic coming on, 60 mins for Vic in the second match with Charles coming on to see out the game.

I think John, Shoretire, Kacha and Lee (depending on injury) should be playing on Tuesday. They're all of a decent level and have performed relatively good at times. N'lundulu and Jerome clearly seem like the impact sub options.

We should be able to beat Accy with a rotated squad as theirs more than enough quality there.

Honestly if we're playing Shoretire etc then I worry we'll lose.

Win this game and then in all likelihood the last game of the season away is a dead rubber meaning we can rest some then and bring back Santos etc if they are fit enough to get them up to speed.

We're in a run in and its madness to take chances and rest players until we've secured the points necessary. Indeed I think at times we've hurt ourselves by rotating the squad too much. We only need look at Cambridge and how poor we were until we brought the cavalry on to see why its dangerous.

Strongest team for this game and the Fleetwood one - Bristol Rovers IS where we can rest up IF we've secured it already - or near as damn it have.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I only had you down as having a strongest 4/5, with the remainder being various shades of King's Head and Queen's Arms...

Speaking of which, I see Santos is in the divisional team of the year. Trafford unlucky not to be with him, but Plymouth's Cooper was (also) phenomenally good.
.

We're in a run in and its madness to take chances and rest players until we've secured the points necessary. Indeed I think at times we've hurt ourselves by rotating the squad too much. We only need look at Cambridge and how poor we were until we brought the cavalry on to see why its dangerous.

Strongest team for this game and the Fleetwood one - Bristol Rovers IS where we can rest up IF we've secured it already - or near as damn it have.

Thing is, Evatt's not talking about "resting" players but choosing what he sees as the strongest XI for the opposition we play. Two teams on the pitch.
.

I think we should be trying to rotate our squad to keep us as fresh as possible during any play off matches. Last season had 2 games within the case of 4 days (6th and 9th May). If we are to beat Barnsley a good rotation of the playing squad will likely help keep us more of an attacking prospect. I think its a case of ensuring that our rotated squad in the play offs can deliver.

Leaving aside the debate on changing the XI tomorrow, just a note on playoff dates, from Ilesy's Saturday column:

"The exact schedule for the play-offs will ultimately be decided by TV but I understand that finishing fifth would mean a Friday (May 12) home game followed by a return the following Saturday lunchtime away. Sixth would mean home on the Saturday (May 13) and then a return leg the following Saturday with a late afternoon kick-off."

So while those dates are TBC, it looks like a week's gap before and after each match. (Final has long been confirmed as Monday 29 May.)

Sun 7 May Game 46 - Bristol Rovers
Fri 12/Sat 13 (tbc) First leg at home
Sat 20 (tbc) Second leg away
Mon 29 Final at Wembley

[BWFC_Insane]

So while those dates are TBC, it looks like a week's gap before and after each match. (Final has long been confirmed as Monday 29 May.)

Sun 7 May Game 46 - Bristol Rovers
Fri 12/Sat 13 (tbc) First leg at home
Sat 20 (tbc) Second leg away
Mon 29 Final at Wembley

Those dates are confirmed btw. Friday if we finish 6th. Saturday if 5th. So lets try and finish 5th as be much easier for me!

But yeah - its an odd schedule to basically have 9 days only between leg 2 and the final, I mean - who thinks that's a good idea?

Why do the leg 1 and 2 need to be so far apart?

We've not had any play offs to worry about since we beat Preston (more than two decades ago) but I find it a strange schedule.

[BWFC_Insane]

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ley-clash/

Toal in training - might be available before end of the season Santos hopefully back in training for next week.

Interesting comment from Evatt that both will face a fight to get back in. Which is fair enough given how well we've done.

I did some analysis and our PPG when Santos has started (he's come on as a sub once) is 1.71
Our PPG when Santos hasn't started is 1.8.

Which now over a statistically relevant set of games is interesting. I'd not be putting MJ in ahead of him for a play off game but what is happening here - are we defending better as a team to protect Aimson and then MJ in the middle? Are we somehow more focussed or alert? Do we rely too much on Santos' recover ability? Its noticeable how little teams have got behind us. I don't think we've stepped up quite as much but still haven't been deep either.....I think its partly how we've been asking the strikers and midfield to play without Santos and Toal. We've definitely been a little more compact.

[TANGODANCER]

I wote this before reading the previous but as it's related.....Speaking of strongest sides begs the question of Santos, Toal and M'J ( Maldini) Williams (assuming our two main central defenders are fit of course). Is Evatt thinking rotational here, using all three, or whom does he upset?

Edit. Just seen Evatt's comments which more or less answers the question,

[boltonboris]

Traff

Bradley
Jones
MJ Williams
Johnston
John

Morley
Sheehan
Dempsey

Charles
Kachunga

Would be my guess - Perhaps a change in midfield with Shoretire in for Dempsey, but that'd be a little too lightweight for an up and at em side, in my opinion

[Worthy4England]

^^ I could live with that.

[boltonboris]

I don't think we need to tinker too much - Win tomorrow and 1 point should be enough to secure 6th with 2 games left

[The_Gun]

The tinkering vs not tinkering debate presumably needs to be informed by the fitness of the respective players. It's all well and good saying we should just play our 'strongest 11' every match, but if one of our regular starters is only 70% fit, then there's a strong argument that a fresher alternative would be a better option.

Unfortunately there are some positions (centre back) where we don't have the option to rotate, so we're pretty much forced to play certain players regardless of fitness. In other positions, the drop off between starter and back up is so marked that it's not worth the risk.

With the above in mind, I would consider rotating John in for Williams, although I feel they're roughly the same level overall. Central midfielders I'm happy to rotate based on fitness/suitability for Accy. Partner for Charles again I don't have a strong preference between Victor, Dan and Jerome, and would pick on fitness.

Whoever we select, we need to come out of the gates quickly and get the home fans into the game. We say this every game, but early goals tomorrow really would be huge for us, and Accy are not the type of opponents who are likely to be able to recover from a multiple goal deficit.

I'll go for a 2-1 home win, with Accy's goal being a late 'consolation'.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

So while those dates are TBC, it looks like a week's gap before and after each match. (Final has long been confirmed as Monday 29 May.)

Sun 7 May Game 46 - Bristol Rovers
Fri 12/Sat 13 (tbc) First leg at home
Sat 20 (tbc) Second leg away
Mon 29 Final at Wembley

Those dates are confirmed btw. Friday if we finish 6th. Saturday if 5th. So lets try and finish 5th as be much easier for me!

But yeah - its an odd schedule to basically have 9 days only between leg 2 and the final, I mean - who thinks that's a good idea?

Why do the leg 1 and 2 need to be so far apart?

We've not had any play offs to worry about since we beat Preston (more than two decades ago) but I find it a strange schedule.

Ta for confirmation - good to know.

There's three weekends between the end of the league season and the final. No World Cup later in the year to speed things up for. One game per week makes perfect sense to me... and probably to Sky.

[BWFC_Insane]

So while those dates are TBC, it looks like a week's gap before and after each match. (Final has long been confirmed as Monday 29 May.)

Sun 7 May Game 46 - Bristol Rovers
Fri 12/Sat 13 (tbc) First leg at home
Sat 20 (tbc) Second leg away
Mon 29 Final at Wembley

Those dates are confirmed btw. Friday if we finish 6th. Saturday if 5th. So lets try and finish 5th as be much easier for me!

But yeah - its an odd schedule to basically have 9 days only between leg 2 and the final, I mean - who thinks that's a good idea?

Why do the leg 1 and 2 need to be so far apart?

We've not had any play offs to worry about since we beat Preston (more than two decades ago) but I find it a strange schedule.

Ta for confirmation - good to know.

There's three weekends between the end of the league season and the final. No World Cup later in the year to speed things up for. One game per week makes perfect sense to me... and probably to Sky.

I'm sure play offs used to be weekend - midweek then longer till the final....

Which to me makes sense. But whatever - its a minor point. Just get there and deal with it however it works out.

[nicholaldo]

Tommy Leigh, who played very well against us in the semi-final, and Liam Coyle, a right pain in the arse of a player, are both out for them.