“AL - Good post, but I disagree with your thoughts about Smikle + Artus. Smikle hasn't done much in the last 2 games (he was brilliant against Crewe - where's that performance gone?) + apart from his wonder goal on Sat, Artus hasn't hit his best yet either since the season has started. Compare that to the impact that Melligan has had when he has come on in the last 2 games. If I was JJ, I'd be gutted not to be starting against Stevenage - Now that Artus is out for 6 weeks, he might just his deserved chance.

You're right about Gallers - he isn't blessed with loads of pace, but he's got more than Bird + he's done OK in that position before. Be good to see him get a run in the RB slot to how he fares. Think we'll prob have to wait until Jan until we can get more defensive players anyway - let's just hope the Goal Conceded column in still in 2 figures by then!!”

“Some interesting and crazy comments as per the norm,I really wonder at times if people who watch football have ever player or understand the game let alone watch the matches in ront of them,most I think watch the game through a 5 year old's point of veiw following the ball where ever it goes not realising what goes on off the ball,how anyone can say Smirkle or Artus should be replaced is beyond me as for replacing Bird at right back with Gallers it does not really matter because neither player is blessed with the pace to play full back ,this is a position that needs addressing as for the goals on Saturday OK you cant blame Brown completly however stuck to his line on 1st and 2nd goal and absolutly feeble attement at stopping their guy for the 3rd.
The defence know they have a poor keeper ignor any support for SB just look at the goals and the body language of the players.
Anyway still early doors ,I think MY is on the right lines but he might have to look at his tatics, away from home especially,also this is a very young side resting a player every now and then gives them a reminder they have to play for the place.
Roll on Saturday nothing better after a dissapointment then getting back out there after a rocket from the gaffer.”

“The early season optimism is already wearing thin and nine goals conceded in two away games shows there is something seriously wrong, especially three given away to the poorest team in the division. The other big worry is that we cannot win games in which we get off to a flying start and score first. If it's the formation, that can be tinkered with - if it's the quality of the players, that is a problem because nothing can be done about that. Mark Yates is a good man but the playing staff has been cobbled together from other clubs' cast offs so he will need more time to try and get them to play above themselves. This was Stewve Cotterill's great skill at Conference/ League 2 level but not everyone can do it. It needs to happen before confidence levels sink to the level they have in recent seasons. On the goalkeeping issue, there is no doubt that a defence always looks shaky playing in front of a goalkeeper who does not command his area. This is probably more important than the abilty to make wonder saves, which a keeper my be required to do perhaps once every three or four games.”

“phil, dont expect miracles, PLEASE. we are going to get games like this and im sure it wont be the last. but this is a young, new and raw team that are still getting used to each other. if, at the start of the season we got asked 'would you like to be midtable with 5 games gone', i think most of us would have said thank you very much, because there are bigger teams than us in a lot worse position. i think everyone can be assured that yates will not be resting until these problems are ironed out.

BTW, the reference to fabio, every manager can learn, as demonstrated on friday. they just need a little faith and patience to be shown by the fans.”

“Such a shame that the fighting spirit shown against Burton last week dissipated after 2 minutes of yesterday's game. MY has to bear alot of the responsibility for this. Player's attitudes are something he MUST be able to influence, otherwise there's not much point in him being there. This is something Don Fabio so disastrously demonstrated in South Africa. I believe MY has to be given time to mould his own team but one serious problem is already apparent - inconsistency. He needs to get this sorted, and quick! I know CTFC aren't going to win every game but their mental approach to each match should be the same. Let's see what happens on Saturday.”

“In terms us still conceding goals - or not hopefully.”

“In what respect?”

“I will be interested to see the comments after the next game to see if anything has changed.”

“Richard. The keeper should take charge in the box. He should be talking to his defenders all the time. The defenders HAVE to know when the keeper is coming for a ball and when he is going to stay on his line. It has to be instinctive. The central defenders can't keep turning round to see what the keeper is going to do. If they have to do this then they will not be marking up properly. I can't put it more simple than this.”

“Jock - I think Low was put at RB becuase Bird was being skinned every time by their pacy winger - that's why I would I would put Gallingah there for the next match.

Bogey - You may be right about the defence, but if they have low confidence in Brown, then surely they should be taking charge of the situation themselves - ie: defending set pieces + crosses properly in the 1st place, not leaving the oppo umarked in the area. Whatever is the case, it needs to be sorted this week in training.”