Yeovil v Mansfield - The Wrath of Khan

[GloverGing]

After our opening day capitulation against Bury, we take on Mansfield and welcome back Otis Khan. It was a shame how his time here ended, but he was quality for the most part and there's a good chance we would have been relegated without his goals and assists. But the big question is, will we keep 11 men on the pitch? Our poor discipline record has continued into this season and Ways blasé attitude to it isn't helping. Given that Mansfield's forward line might give us the runaround I hope our players don't lose their heads.

With Nelson, Gray and Browne injured, and Green and James suspended our options are pretty limited at the moment, but new captain Sowunmi is back from suspension (picked up against Mansfield last season) which is a boost.

----------------------Baxter
Mugabi--Sowunmi--Donnellan--Dickinson
Arquin---Santos------D'Almeida--Jaiyesimi
-------------Fisher------Zoko

I think we'll be in for a long afternoon, 3-1 Mansfield. (Fisher and Khan x3)

 

[Conker]

I imagine we will line up exactly the same, 352 with Khan playing just behind the strikers. Main downfall with that formation is our most threatening midfielder last season CJ Hamilton is sort of wasted on the wrong side of the pitch at RWB.

Hopefully we have Angol on the bench this time, we only had the young lad Graham as a striker option on the bench against Newport.

Otis Khan had a fantastic second half and scored two great goals, although the game passed by him in the first half but that can happen easily in the number ten role.

 

[AmbiguousBon]

After our opening day capitulation against Bury, we take on Mansfield and welcome back Otis Khan. It was a shame how his time here ended, but he was quality for the most part and there's a good chance we would have been relegated without his goals and assists. But the big question is, will we keep 11 men on the pitch? Our poor discipline record has continued into this season and Ways blasé attitude to it isn't helping. Given that Mansfield's forward line might give us the runaround I hope our players don't lose their heads.

With Nelson, Gray and Browne injured, and Green and James suspended our options are pretty limited at the moment, but new captain Sowunmi is back from suspension (picked up against Mansfield last season) which is a boost.

----------------------Baxter
Mugabi--Sowunmi--Donnellan--Dickinson
Arquin---Santos------D'Almeida--Jaiyesimi
-------------Fisher------Zoko

I think we'll be in for a long afternoon, 3-1 Mansfield. (Fisher and Khan x3)

Agree with the both the team and scoreline.

I dread to think what that leaves on our bench. A 40 odd year old keeper coach, a half fit Gary Warren and 5 kids with about 4 league games between them?

Hope Khan gets a good reception, was an excellent player in the main for us - knowing our fans though...

Angol ruined us (an Sowunmi in particular - hence the suspension) when he came on last season, I'm a little surprised Mansfield seem so keen to get rid. I'd certainly have him at Yeovil.

 

[spireite]

Try to do the deed Yeovil, I've got a horrible feeling Mansfield might go and do something horrible like win the league this season...

 

[S42 Stag]

Very unlikely, I'd have us down in the play offs as our most likely destination.

If Yeovil can keep within 1 goal for the first 60-70 minutes then their is every chance that they'll get something out of this game. Against Newport we scored the 2nd goal at a crucial time, it killed them off and we were relatively comfortable in seeing out the game, had that goal not arrived then I feel like we would have fallen into the habits of last season, particularly under Flitcroft towards the back end, the Port Vale game springs to mind in where we had bossed the game for the majority of it and then sat back in order to protect our lead.

I'm hoping for a comfortable 2-0 away victory, but I can't help but feel this will be a score draw.

 

[Conker]

Please play nice tomorrow Yeovil, one injury to Davies or Walker upfront and we are in a right state without any additional signings in the striker department.

 

[spireite]

Please play nice tomorrow Yeovil, one injury to Davies or Walker upfront and we are in a right state without any additional signings in the striker department.

Still hurts to see Craig Davies turn out in yellow!

 

[Conker]

Still hurts to see Craig Davies turn out in yellow!

I was a tad skeptical paying a figure for a 32 year old but he's definitely the sort of big striker we have lacked. A full season and he should get double digits like he managed to last season in L1.

 

[spireite]

I was a tad skeptical paying a figure for a 32 year old but he's definitely the sort of big striker we have lacked. A full season and he should get double digits like he managed to last season in L1.

He's a great striker for tight away games, because he's got the ability, strength and quality to drive past a few players and blast one in, out of absolutely nothing.

 

[Richard Cranium]

He nearly did that last week, Took a shot from the corner of the box and just hit the inside of the post and came back out. Opened it up for himself though. Like Conker says he should get 10+ this season.

 

[Conker]

Unchanged except Will Atkinson has replaced Sterling James on the bench, so our only attacking cover is Graham who has one football league appearance to his name.

 

[AdamStag]

Seems like we played ok.

Sounded like we were really threatening upfront but dodgy as in defence. A home win and an away draw is fair for the first 2 games.

Still not sure what flitcroft is playing at with with the forward options, why moan about lack of forward options and a light bench of froward options when you’ve just let Angol go?

 

[Conker]

Did mention after Newport about this defensive three......

Personally find it disappointing not to win at Yeovil, I didn't think it was going to be a easy game or anything but when you look at the two line-ups. Probably being harsh mind, point away at this stage is decent.

Seriously concerned about this 3-5-2 when we play somebody with higher quality players.

 

[Mr Gloverman]

Really pleased with a draw despite taking the lead twice. Mansfield will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season and i also work not far from Stagsville too so no mickey taking out of me next week!

Looking forward to my first game of the season at Notts County on friday night. Another tough game and with them now getting tetchy for a win. Will take a draw at Meadow Lane happily but always hopeful of nicking the 3 points.

 

[GloverGing]

Very entertaining game and a draw was probably a fair result in the end, although its annoying we didn't make the most of our improved second half. Both defences looked shaky and all four goals were poor ones to concede. We were much more composed when Warren came on at half time. Mansfield were very dangerous going forward and I'm sure they will score plenty of goals, but they will need to sort out the defending if they want to reach the play-offs.

Some of the new signings are looking good as well especially D'Almeida who was excellent in midfield tackling well and getting the team moving forward.

Overall lots of positives to take going into a tough week with Villa Tuesday and Notts on Friday. Zoko going off at the end is a worry though with our small squad getting even smaller.

 

[AdamStag]

Seemed a competitive game.

Yeovil fans have always been decent a when they’ve been Came to Mansfield, so I hope the same occurred down your end.

On a different matter, what’s the board doing to stop the slide? Seems as if you seem to be on some downward trajectory - you mentioned the crowds were dipping.

 

[Mr Gloverman]

Cheers AdamStag. I've not yet been to Field Mill for a Yeovil game (although often go randomly as a neutral it's 2nd closest ground to me) but will be doing so this season. Not sure the increased prices across the board at the One Call due to the new QLE Membership will tempt me in to that many this season although i will go some cup games as they are cheaper.

As for the points you highlight about the board / crowds at Huish etc - i think i'll let the more seasoned Glovers fans on here answer that as i've not been supporting the club that long to give you a knowledgeable response.

 

[AmbiguousBon]

After 30 mins of absolute chaos a decent game broke out, both sides looked dangerous going forward and will probably feel they could have won it - draw a fair result.

While it's admirable to play out from the back I am really not sure if we have the players capable of doing so - and cost us the first goal today.

Still, optimistic after that performance, especially second half.

Seemed a competitive game.

Yeovil fans have always been decent a when they’ve been Came to Mansfield, so I hope the same occurred down your end.

On a different matter, what’s the board doing to stop the slide? Seems as if you seem to be on some downward trajectory - you mentioned the crowds were dipping.

In a word - nothing.

With the exception of perhaps the kids area i can't think of anything that has significantly changed since the non-league days. Same poor catering, same tired matchday routine, same 'temporary' beer tent. Finding excuses for the falling crowds 'summer holidays', 'champions league nights' etc. rather than actually facing and dealing with the issues. I can only hope for a change in ownership/running of the club sooner rather than later or falling back to non-league seems inevitable.

 

[Agombar stool]

How has Matt Preston been for you so far stags fans?

I really think we are a lot worse defensively without him, a big loss for us.

 

[Richard Cranium]

How has Matt Preston been for you so far stags fans?

I really think we are a lot worse defensively without him, a big loss for us.

So far looks an excellent addition, Outstanding on the opening day and was my man of the match overall. Also had very good games in the PSF’s that I watched.

He must have something about him as I think we gave him a 3 year deal.

 

[Agombar stool]

So far looks an excellent addition, Outstanding on the opening day and was my man of the match overall. Also had very good games in the PSF’s that I watched.

He must have something about him as I think we gave him a 3 year deal.

I didn't go much last season but every time I saw us, he was consistently good. Our loss is definitely your gain!