theAnticlough

I'm sure MP and the team will treat the game with the utmost importance, but I don't think us fans should build it up too much. Memories of how they ripped us open time after time a couple of weeks ago are still fresh. Roos has the shakes again and we're still without our first choice central midfield pairing. If offered a point right now, I'd snatch their hands off. MK are a robust unit so it's also a bad game to turn to lighter, creative players who might not be at their most confident. At home to Accrington might be a better time to see Jones, Hall, Palmer start. Changes? It seems that Bennetts might be out. So let's see what the Crawley promotion pairing Tsaroulla and Gordon can do. Deep into the season now with the January window looming, selections now are akin to tests. Can these players really help us get to where we want to go? Other than that, I'd say it's time Kouhyar got a start - as a 10, for either Dennis or Grant. Dennis because he was so atrocious at Chesterfield or Grant because as we've always known 2 goals from 20 games in a forward position is never going to cut it for a promotion aspiring team.

The 5th tier was never his level, so top marks to Montague on that one. He was a regular in a L1 promotion team and then played in the Championship. He was probably desperate to have a go at top tier football, but Brazil was probably too ambitious. I'd guess he could play top tier in places like Chile, Scotland, Scandinavia, maybe places like Switzerland or even MLS, dunno. There's no shame though in plying your trade in English L1. But at 29 who can blame him for taking the highest wage, wherever that might be. Maybe a few months with us might put himself in the shop window for another Championship team to take a punt. Oxford even, De Buckingham liked him but Rowett didn't pick him, but he's just been sacked.

I dug a bit harder, with the help of my daughter :) Ruben has been released, so let's see where he goes. I'd imagine it's back to Europe https://muitainformacao.com.br/esporte/vitoria-renova-com-quatro-atletas-dispensa-estrangeiros-e-inicia-ajustes-para-2026/

I'm more interested in finding out why he doesn't play football. You'd assume serious injury, it's been so long, but I've been unable to find anything so far

A hat-trick yesterday for Cedwyn in a 6-0 win. Also a brace for Cal Roberts in a 1-2 Scunthorpe away win (Maca got a start at Millwall and played the full 90) Another win for TAR at top-of the NL table Rochdale. On a day our play was so anaemic we could hardly create a chance, it makes you think what others might do

No qualms with Platt winning MoM, as you said he was the one heading and blocking everything. I picked Macari for a solid all round game again, including being very tidy with the ball. Bedeau though, I thought he had a rare off day.

Enjoy that @Fan of Big Tone A few months ago on this thread I mentioned a particularly grisly tooth extraction. Well it took 4 months for the bone to reform and last week it was the first stage of the implant. It went OK but it was weird having christmas dinner with an exposed metal bolt sticking up from my lower jaw. Still the turkey never tasted so good, but I guess it helps that I never chew anyway ;)

Absolutely right @McPie ....'find a way to win' 'win when not playing well' are cliches not a strategy and over a 46-game season it'll catch up with you. January has become very important again, especially for that No.10 and Goalkeeping spots

With you on Jones @DangerousSausage . If MP isn't convinced, and I can't blame him for that, Slocs or Montague need to tell him there's a matchwinner lurking there who has only just turned 28, and might be able to win some more matches for us if given the trust and a proper chance to get back into the team

Another thought....it was OK for Richard Montague to state the obvious about everyone having a price, but maybe he didn't need to name names. Pato had lit a fire under those players following the two home defeats in November. it seemed liek we were back to that again today.

I'll go for Macari, who's been having an under the radar good season after a late start. He defended solidly and used the ball well all game. Platt and Norburn also did alright IMO Kouhyar again the pick of the subs. We need to see him given a start.

Really really poor...Two main reasons for defeat? MP's conservative team selection, not bringing in proven creative players to start the game. Players like Grant and Bennetts are not promotion-level, so these results will happen while we continue with them. To add to all that, Jatta was poor but what the hell was that from Dennis? The worst player on the pitch today. And yeah, Roos' error was awful, but they'd have won anyway. The main problem was with the outfield players.

Platt and the CMs are giving us solidity, but we're suffering from poor creative play and the forwards having one of their sleepier days so far. The tussle for the LWB shirt requires Jones to replace Bennetts asap, and let's see what Jodi can do

Been thinking a bit more about MP's Jones v Bennetts decision - probably the tightest fight for a shirt in the squad at the moment. It's tough, I don't think there's a cigarette paper between them based on this season's performances. Jones probably has the best matches between the pair and a set of the worst as well. Bennetts has been very steady. Jones' claims are more historical, based on seasons MP didn't see. It's fair if he asks JJ to show it all over again. JJ can't come in and give us a 5 or 6 out of 10, when Bennetts can guarantee a 6 or a 7. I'd like MP to gamble and challenge JJ to hit his best form, but it'd be understandable if he went with Bennetts.

Stoke City 1-0 Preston End WBA 1-0 Bristol Burton Albion 1-2 Cobblers Luton Town 2-1 Wycombe Stanley 1-1 Barrow Gills 1-0 Cambridge Eastleigh 1-1 Woking Solihull Moors 2-1 Tamworth Joker