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How deep is the rift?
#1
We have a full back. He is consistently rated as the best at our level, and as being capable of holding down a place in the EFL.

Last night he was on the bench for us. Sometimes recently he hasn't even achieved those heights. In his place we chose an attacking midfield player, who in terms of goals and assists has been one of our most important forward players this season.

Our manager Paul Cook knows football. He was a top player and he has proved himself as a manager. He hasn't just forgotten to pick Jeff King. So when did King piss on Cookie's shoes, and will he ever be forgiven? Because we can't afford to waste Mandeville at the back whilst Jacobs misplaces passes in midfield and King, who could improve us both at the back and going forward, just sits down all night?

But then, if Kairo Mitchell can so readily locate the channel that always exists between our centre backs, why aren't we making any move to plug it? My suggestion is three at the back with Naylor sealing the Lewis Carroll sized magical black hole.

My other question, whilst we are riding high and winning every week, is what do we gain by playing out from the back so inefficiently? Mostly we manage two or three passes, look as though we are in danger of surrendering the ball in a dangerous position, and decide to lay it back to Tyrer, who then has no option but to hoof it long.

My suggestion would be, if we want to play out in that way, giving the ball to a King or a Mandeville might have a future. Never give it to Grimes, its like giving a lap top to an anteater.

I know this is a very cruel assessment of a currently successful and potentially league-winning team, but if no-one has the courage to say it now that potential will again go unrealised. We aren't so good that we can mess about and still win every week.
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#2
Dev, King lost his way towards the end of last season and has been a shadow of what everyone expected. His free kicks and corners were just awful. The rumour is simply there is no rift but he has personal problems. He played last week and looked more like his old self.
I agree our pissing about with the ball at the back is frustrating and sometimes costly, but I assume its what the manager wants.
To be honest 5 points clear at this stage in the campaign is not a bad return so if thats the way Mr Cook likes it , who am I to disagree.
Big Bore Exhaust = Small Dick
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#3
King dressed in civvies, would be better than Mandeville in that position, and we miss Mandeville further forward. It is no use Cookie moaning about yesterday when he isn't moving to put right the faults. Bromley and Borehamwood are up next. Are you backing us to win either game?

We are in if it ain't broke don't mode. Good sides get to be good by a process of continual improvement. Are we improving or do we think we've done enough?

If King has issues, on or off the field, and they have been known about since last season and we haven't helped ......... that is even worse than I imagined. His welfare is our concern. If it affects his form on the field it is very much in our interests too.

We are top more by luck than judgement. If we do nothing I'll be proved right in the next few weeks, and this is the most winnable the National League has been since we fell, or were pushed to this level.
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