Steve Riches: Selection puzzle for Town fans
I'm flooded with emails from you, here's a few quotes: First, Robert Souster who's been supporting the Cobblers since 1963 but now due to work has to read this column online in Shanghai.
He takes a more sanguine view than most, he last saw us when we played Southend at home and was astounded at the 'enormous expectations foisted on them by some sections of the crowd – the fear factor seemed evident in their play'.
Of Cardoza '...he's bankrolled the club, there would probably be no professional team here without him. To some he isn't doing enough. Correct me if I'm wrong, but have I missed the queue of multi-millionaires waiting to take over the mantle? Stuart Gray may not be the most inspirational manager (I'm sick of hearing him say 'The season starts here') but there is little prospect of getting better quality talent'.
Souster then makes the point that the size of a town doesn't necessarily determine the status of its club, and that we've gone through some very austere times.
Tony Jackson says: 'My nerves are shot to pieces. Stuart Gray's team selection is naive. He's shot us in the foot so many times. Why play Jason Crowe as a central defender? I thought Dolman did quite well.'
I was surprised that both Dolman and Mark Hughes have been used as right backs when their main strengths lie in central defending.
Dolman is much better than loan-man Adam Watts who looked totally shaky when we beat Hereford 2-1 on Saturday.
That was a dreadful game, but it was great to get three points and to see the ever-industrious Andy Holt score from Adebayo Akinfenwa's control, and loyal servant Jason Crowe hit a real scorcher from long range.
When I saw the team sheet against MK Dons my thought was that too many players were in the wrong position, and there was no strike power.
Aleksandar Prijovic is clearly no leader of the line, he lacks pace, and didn't get stuck in properly.
Maybe that's what you get with a loan player.
However, Luke Guttridge showed commitment in a weak midfield.
Reader John Davies, who reckons he's had 50 years of joy and despair following the Cobblers says he's now 'Totally frustrated'.
He added: 'MK Dons were able to beat us without going into top gear'.
Davies was deeply unhappy at where Crowe, Dolman and Hughes were played.
'Where is the holding midfield player we need? We need a new centre-half and second goal scorer.'
Mind you, in all this we mustn't forget that Gray can only select from what he's got.
With that in mind, we must wonder what Joe Benjamin and Alex Dyer have done wrong, and why he took until Tuesday to recall Dolman.
Gray's options have been further reduced by the injury list, however when I saw the list of crocks on Tuesday's team sheet, I was struck that the only one we really miss is Liam Davis.
He has a few ball skills, although he's blown hot and cold.
Few of our players can beat an opponent with footwork, and most are slow.
You can wave goodbye to Giles Coke, he gave up ages ago, while I'm afraid it must now be the end of the road for the wonderful Chris Doig.
That's a sadness.
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Weather for Northampton
Saturday 26 May 2012
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