I thought Branston had had it. (but I was wrong)

[chippygull]

Ok; this may cause ructions, but having travelled to Crewe and then down for the Bury game, and having seen two goal leads chucked into the drain, I feel the blame lies with the Pickler for most of the trouble. Three penalties and numerous stupid errors, no pace and an increasingly poor lack of awareness. OK he scrapped hard for us at the end of last season (but we did Ok at the death when he was out suspended(!)) His time has come; Charnock, Ellis, Robertson &c. are worthy succesors. Thanks, Pickler. Close the door on your way out
*waits to be shot down in flames*

[Fonda]

I think it's much too early to suggest he's finished. If all players were written off after two poor performances, we'd not have a squad left. Having said that, i wasn't one of those clamouring for his signing in the summer - i thought talk of 2-year deals was unwise and unecessary, as it was only a matter of time until the cracks started to appear. His lack of pace and mobility will naturally get exposed against quick, tricky strikers. Ian Atkins is a 'fire-fighter' as a manager - if you're back's against the wall, he's the man you'd want leading you. And Branston is a player in a similar mould. His presence has been beneificial as he's helped Ellis progress, but he can only keep Charnock out of the team for so long. I'm not surprised that his weaknesses are being exposed, but am surprised there's been such a dramatic change. Let's not write him off just yet...

[Dave]

Why should you be shot do in flames chippy? ,fans forums are about expressing your opinions.

However i do not argee with you,looking at his performance levels as a whole since he joined us,i think its fair to say he has been a rock at the back for us,and there is no doubt he has helped Ellis and Charnock develop think its wrong to suggest he is finished.

I do admit from the reports from Crewe and what i saw saturday he has had two bad games,Bury had a very quick forward line who passed the ball very well,was Branno exposed by this..yes,so was robertson who also has been a rock for us,i still think some credit has to go to bury rather than completely slating our defence.

As for Branston i agree with in many ways with fonda,and would suggest maybe a short spell on the side lines may help Branno regain his form/confidence,which must have taken a real knock giving away 3 pens in 2 games.

The problem stems back to the same thing money,it counts the same for us as it does Bury,if Bury could afford to bring in the quailty at the back that they have up front they would win this league at a canter,if we could afford to bring in a top quailty CB,MID,STR,then so would we.

If Buckle moved Branston out,who could he bring in with the money we have,that could do a better job?.

[chippygull]

Fair points.... I sort of hope I'm wrong...

[RussianGull]

You forget that the Charnock-Ellis partnership also let in 2 goals in yesterdays match.

Maybe the pickler should polish his head a bit more, blind the opposition rather than foul them.

[yellow]

Two poor games it is true. But note that both were against pacey and tricky forward lines playing progressive football on the deck.

Crewe wove their way around him and by the sounds of it so did Bury.

The Picklers strengths are about positioning and repelling aerial balls. They are not about pace.

So it is not really that much of a surprise is it?

It is far too early to write him off...but he is accountable for some silly decisions in our own penalty box.

[tommyg]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but in my opinion it is wrong to write off a player after two bad games. It's clear Buckle gave him an absolute rollocking on Saturday and I think Branston is the type of man to take it on the chin and respond on the pitch.

While the Pickler has come in for some stick, let's not forget that the golden boy, Mr Ellis, has also struggled at times which appears to have gone unnoticed. Defensively at Crewe he was caught out by some routine balls over the top, but his mistakes were masked by the fact that he scored two goals. I only caught the goals from Saturday, but it also looked like he was out of position and at fault for Bury's second. Then there was the horrible mistake at Shrewsbury. I still rate him as the best player at the club, but it's not only Branston who has been struggling.

Robertson is another who is starting to become exposed at RB, but in his defence he is playing out of position and has been doing a sterling job which he hasn't received enough credit for in the past. Ironically, the player who was written off about this time last year has looked our most solid defender over the few games. Nicholson was halfway out the door, but trained hard and returned to the team looking a much sharper player.

It's far too early to write off the Pickler. I like Charnock but the problem with a partnership alongside Ellis is a lack of communication leading to a lack of organisation. Ideally you need a Woods/Todd/Branston figure at the heart of your defence who can lead the backline.

[Fonda]

Ellis had a pretty decent game on Saturday actually. Unfortunately he was sandwiched between Branno and Robbo, who were in the middle of a simultaneous nightmare.

[Awayday]

We know he does have a habbit for picking up cards in his career, however have to agree with most, too early to write the bloke off. Even though the results haven't been going our way at late, he has had more good games than bad. Be interesting to see how he will be against Gillingham and Morecambe now he has had a telling off.

[chippygull]

I bet Zeb must be pretty pissed off...two great goals and then all that undone by idiots at the back.

[JamieE]

The one thing that did worry me with Branston was the complacency that seemed to have set in on Saturday. Obviously the penalty which was bordering on harrassment in the area - 100% avoidable. The second goal Guy made absolutely no attempt to cover the gaping space down the middle, and then no attempt to clear the ball off the line. Just little things that show maybe his head isn't completely on the game. Very disappointing last two games for him but don't drop him - lets try and get the back five to rediscover their form after a kick up the arse from Saturday. Many more performances like that though and Bucks will have no choice.

[royalgull]

Every player goes through patches of good form and bad form. Branston's good still by FAR outweighs the bad in his TUFC stint. I thought the penalty decision saturday was ludicrous in all honesty. The equaliser v Crewe was definitely a pen but as it happens their guy would have scored anyway i reckon had he not gone in with the challenge.

To write Branno off already as well as the defense wh at the start of the season were unbeatable is a bit fickle and a bit of a shame in all honesty.

I mentioned it elsewhere, too many goals go in against us from long range. I look at the goalie and to be honest they've all been unsaveable, which means the midfield and defense are giving the opposition too much time and space to shoot from range. We have let in at least SIX goals from outside the box. That's far too many.

[Plymouth Gull]

I think that Buckles being a bit harsh on Branno in his criticism. Nicky Wroe's been poor for months (lets face it); Branston has two dodgy games and gets slated.

As said above, all players have bad patches, and I'd imagine this is one for Guy. And to be fair, I was just as worried with Charnock playing on Saturday - he seemed to be caught way out of position on a couple of occasions..

[royalgull]

Some players need different treatment. Branno may just be one of those that needs a rocket up his arse and 'i'll prove you wrong' kind of attitude. Wroe may be different.

[Fletch]

I think (having just watched the penalty in slomo several times) that Branners was a bit hard done by. He jumps at a forward angle to be fair, however his arms at no time appear to make contact with Sodje or hold him down. Sodje actually jumps backwards into Branners who is already in the air and collides with him. Im sure the qualified refs on here may correct me but surely thats not a penalty?