2022/23 Matchday Thread

[Kenneth E End]

So next season starts on the last weekend of July… for obvious reasons, but that is stupidly early. Means that the play off teams have far less time to prepare and teams will be back for preseason around June 20th. That said, I think everyone always play one friendly too many, so 4-5 games should be enough to get up to speed.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Are they having an AGM or anything in between the season? Wondering if the 5 subs thing is going to be agreed for next season or not. For me with the intensity of the schedule, short break between seasons it’s really needed for next season.

 

[Laker]

But the schedule below the Championship should be less intense as we’re not stopping during the World Cup so we have the same number of fixtures spread across a longer period (and League 1 finished at the end of April this season). So shouldn’t be a need for more subs at our level, just gives rich clubs more opportunity to fill their benches up with expensive wages.

 

[Super_horns]

Same old problem as in the Premier league.

The clubs with big squads and more players will vote for such a thing but others won't.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

But the schedule below the Championship should be less intense as we’re not stopping during the World Cup so we have the same number of fixtures spread across a longer period (and League 1 finished at the end of April this season). So shouldn’t be a need for more subs at our level, just gives rich clubs more opportunity to fill their benches up with expensive wages.

Definitely feel it’s needed at championship level with the international breaks in place and a World Cup stoppage. The number of injuries in this league last year, not just us although we were bad, were terrible. It’s not sustainable with how fast paced the game is now and with intensity of pressing required to be a good side in this league.

Also I get the view about richer clubs having that option, but I think smaller clubs can take some advantages of the extra subs too. Barnsley pretty much developed a whole style of play around it last season and made the playoffs. Would have hugely helped us this season too if it were available because we could just keep pressing teams like mad with fresh players.

 

[Laker]

Definitely feel it’s needed at championship level with the international breaks in place and a World Cup stoppage. The number of injuries in this league last year, not just us although we were bad, were terrible. It’s not sustainable with how fast paced the game is now and with intensity of pressing required to be a good side in this league.

Also I get the view about richer clubs having that option, but I think smaller clubs can take some advantages of the extra subs too. Barnsley pretty much developed a whole style of play around it last season and made the playoffs. Would have hugely helped us this season too if it were available because we could just keep pressing teams like mad with fresh players.

I think that’s one flaw of the pressing game that currently dominates - playing at that intensity will lead to more injuries. It’s like the difference between Nadal and Federer - Nadal possibly had more flair and dominated more devastatingly when he won but his style of play often led to more injuries. That’s why Federer was so good.

I don’t know…. teams don’t have to press that heavily if they don’t want to. Surely it’s their choice which is leading to increased injuries?

 

[SF_]

Our injuries racked up massively when Alex Neil came in and played an intense pressing game, it pretty much ruined Sean Maguire's career at this level.

It was very good to watch though, and effective, but yeah, pretty unsustainable unless you have a top squad that you can rotate, like Bielsa at Leeds.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I think that’s one flaw of the pressing game that currently dominates - playing at that intensity will lead to more injuries. It’s like the difference between Nadal and Federer - Nadal possibly had more flair and dominated more devastatingly when he won but his style of play often led to more injuries. That’s why Federer was so good.

I don’t know…. teams don’t have to press that heavily if they don’t want to. Surely it’s their choice which is leading to increased injuries?

I am not saying you HAVE to press like that, but its definitely something the smaller clubs can do to make a potential move to 5 subs work for them. Seems you were suggesting 5 subs only benefits the big clubs, which is certainly a widely held view, but i really think its something us smaller clubs can use to our advantage too.

Plus you can keep your "top line" players fresher for longer, so midweek games dont become the low quality slug fests they often feel like right now at this level.

 

[Laker]

I am not saying you HAVE to press like that, but its definitely something the smaller clubs can do to make a potential move to 5 subs work for them. Seems you were suggesting 5 subs only benefits the big clubs, which is certainly a widely held view, but i really think its something us smaller clubs can use to our advantage too.

Plus you can keep your "top line" players fresher for longer, so midweek games dont become the low quality slug fests they often feel like right now at this level.

I’m saying that if you have a strong bench, or strong players outside your starting 11, then it’s easier to cope with injuries and therefore an intense pressing game is more achievable across a whole season. If you have a smaller squad, as we do, then covering injuries is harder. I don’t think five subs would help us compared to the likes of Ipswich, Wednesday, Portsmouth etc who can afford to put first team quality on their bench.

I do agree with your second point though that validates my original comment as there’ll be more space between games for us which gives more time to get first teamers back and not rely on the squad quite so much.

 

[Daz_3000]

Think i’ll post on here now. Good to see the Luton lads after my first season in league one. Unlucky against Hudds mind.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Think i’ll post on here now. Good to see the Luton lads after my first season in league one. Unlucky against Hudds mind.

Congratulations, a deserved win yesterday. Looks like you have got a good core group of players there to build around too.

I must admit i did want Wycombe to come up, purely because I think they would have been far more likely to occupy one of the relegation spots next season which will remain my over riding concern until we are in a new stadium at least!

Tough old league next season with some big clubs about, in particular if If Leeds come down as i think looks most likely. Quite a few clubs will have designs on at least mid table finishes and many more looking at at least playoffs. No real basket cases like Derby last season although Readings hiring of Ince full time seems uninspired and Birmingham teetering on the edge of that too.

 

[KevinMcallister]

Come on forest

 

[Daz_3000]

Congratulations, a deserved win yesterday. Looks like you have got a good core group of players there to build around too.

I must admit i did want Wycombe to come up, purely because I think they would have been far more likely to occupy one of the relegation spots next season which will remain my over riding concern until we are in a new stadium at least!

Tough old league next season with some big clubs about, in particular if If Leeds come down as i think looks most likely. Quite a few clubs will have designs on at least mid table finishes and many more looking at at least playoffs. No real basket cases like Derby last season although Readings hiring of Ince full time seems uninspired and Birmingham teetering on the edge of that too.

I’d like to think our hierarchy would have designs on a mid-table/play off push but personally i’d take a year of consolidating and building a team capable of getting us back to the prem long term. We have the facilities and fanbase to attract a higher quality of player but that doesn’t always guarantee anything. We need good scouting and shrewd purchases to take the next step. It’ll be another rollercoaster no doubt but i’m under no illusions because the championship is a tough league.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Its a brutal jump with a massive skill gap. Mistakes at both ends are punished hard and very often. Biggest jump for us in our journey, for sure. Only survived first season by the skin of our teeth.

Your expectations are smart and i hope it runs through the Club, despite your obvious size and clout as experience counts for a lot.

This will be our fourth season and despite making the Play Offs this year a lot of fans first thoughts will be to get to 48 points.

 

[Super_horns]

Huddersfield will be ruing VAR if they don’t score .

Could have had 1 if not 2 penalties!

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

At least we will never have to hear about refereeing injustice from Forest fans after that….

In all fairness they deserved promotion this season.

 

[Kenneth E End]

See ya next season Huddersfieldians.

 

[Super_horns]

At least we will never have to hear about refereeing injustice from Forest fans after that….

In all fairness they deserved promotion this season.

Well wait till they play the big boys !

Agree - great performance generally and turn around by Copper .

 

[Ninety Per Cent]

Well pleased for Forest, they have a few fans round here and they're good people. About time they got up.

City Ground sells out most games so no change of floating fans as you see with Lincoln/Peterborough.

 

[KevinMcallister]

Lol Huddersfield

 

[Super_horns]

5 subs can be made next season now.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1535232161955172353

Clubs will say it’s an advantage to us but will it be in reality unless we really improve the squad!?

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Think we had this discussion before but, you already had an advantage with having a strong squad depth anyway and more ability to rotate for mid weeks games

I’m seeing it as us getting some advantage now as well as we can now better press the living shit out of teams with fresh legs off the bench.

It does benefit the big teams but also opportunities for tactically savvy managers and overall fewer knackered players is a good thing imo

 

[Laker]

Are they having an AGM or anything in between the season? Wondering if the 5 subs thing is going to be agreed for next season or not. For me with the intensity of the schedule, short break between seasons it’s really needed for next season.

Club votes against approved substitution changes

Cambridge United voted in favour of all EFL Regulatory changes proposed at this year’s EFL AGM with the exception of Reg 33.4 on Substitute Players…

www.cambridge-united.co.uk

We opposed the motion but five subs has been voted through.

 

[Super_horns]

Think we had this discussion before but, you already had an advantage with having a strong squad depth anyway and more ability to rotate for mid weeks games

I’m seeing it as us getting some advantage now as well as we can now better press the living shit out of teams with fresh legs off the bench.

It does benefit the big teams but also opportunities for tactically savvy managers and overall fewer knackered players is a good thing imo

Yes I agree it can lead to an unfair advantage.

Be nice to have a manager to can use subs in an effective manner.

 

[Super_horns]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1536313848369664000

Surely won’t happen .

He keeps trying to take over clubs !

 

[Bartonyellow]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1536313848369664000

Surely won’t happen .

He keeps trying to take over clubs !

There are too many dickheads hanging around in football - this “fit and proper” test should take these wankers out.
Half of em have no chance of buying a club they just do it for publicity.

 

[SF_]

Wigan away, seems a kind start but the opening day throws out loads of curve balls. We lost 4-2 to Hull at home last season. Sold out away end so should be a good atmosphere at least.

Guessing Lowe would want a full week with Fernandez before starting him, but we'll see.

Woodman
Storey, Lindsay, Hughes
Whiteman
Potts, Browne, Johnson, Brady
Riis, Parrott

Cornell, Bauer, Fernandez, McCann, Ledson, Woodburn, Evans​

 

[Super_horns]

How long will these new guidelines to officials be used for before being forgotten about.

A week or two
A month ?

EFL referees given new instructions on fouls, time wasting and player behaviour

English Football League referees will be told to increase their threshold of fouls, time wasting and look at player behaviour ahead of the new season

www.itv.com

 

[D B Disco]

How long will these new guidelines to officials be used for before being forgotten about.

A week or two
A month ?

EFL referees given new instructions on fouls, time wasting and player behaviour

English Football League referees will be told to increase their threshold of fouls, time wasting and look at player behaviour ahead of the new season

www.itv.com

10 subs during a game that finishes 2-2. So at least 14 minutes added time. Can't see that happening somehow............

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Always fun the first few weeks of the season to see what the refs are “focusing” only for it all to be forgotten come the first international break.

To be fair it’s a tough job and some of that advice is pretty contradictory “higher threshold for fouls” but also “penalising holding at set pieces more”.

Only be a game or so before each official has been chastised for not giving a foul in the build up to a goal or being accused of a soft penalty from a set piece