Post by stevek192 on Oct 4, 2015 8:46:02 GMT
Remember the old slogan "Eastville for Entertainment" well this can now be replaced by "Away from the Mem for Entertainment"!! Seven goals in two long distance away games and in truth it could easily have been twelve such has been the quality of these two performances with numerous chances being created and this with our supposed Creative player missing. In truth it has not really been down to Lines missing but more to the fact that DC has at last selected a team that has "width" about it and then selected the same team two games running. It seems he has found the right combination of players and also the right balance between defensive and attacking capabilities. We are seeing a variation on the crosses being put in and it actually looks like the team have done something in training because the long hanging crosses that invariably end up in the black hole that exists behind the front one or two have now given way to us actually getting behind the defence and pulling the ball back. With both wide men being capable of holding the ball we now have the exciting prospect of getting as many as four players in the box ready to pounce on the crosses.
Nicholls 5 Although his handling was good and made one very good save in the first half he will know that his error of judgement made the first goal a lot easier for the player to score (although it was a very good finish) and the same indecision was also evident in the second goal where he should have come out quicker. That said there is no reason to doubt his ability and start the Chapman/Nicholls or Mildenhall/Nicholls debates as he has done more than enough so far to show he has the ability to be a regular no 1.
J. Clarke 5 Have not been impressed with his performances at right back where particularly early on he looked very shakey and allowed the ball to bounce rather than get an early interception in. I felt he was caught out far too often and was probably at fault for both the first two goals as Morecombe were allowed far too much room down his side. If we do have to play the game next Saturday with the International call ups it may be a case for playing him centre half and recalling Leadbitter.
Lockyer 8 Well worth his International call up as he is now becoming so consistent in what i have always considered to be his best position. Tackles,wins the ball in the air and reads the game so well that he clears up situations before they really exist. His partnership with McCrystal is looking far more stable than when playing alongside Parkes and can only see him getting even batter.Can we hang on to him? I bloody well hope so!!!
McChrystal 8 A definite challenger for Man of the Match. He has come back in the side again and is such an inspiration to his colleagues. Knows he will never be a ball playing centre half so does what he does best and that is make his presence felt and go on to win the majority of aerial challenges and ensure he doesn't give his opponent any space. When a big boot is necessary then Mac will do it rather than pussyfoot around.
Brown 8 Great variation on the crosses and especially for the goal
. Defended well and attacked at every opportunity. Really looks at his best when an attacking full back rather than a wing back.
Bodin 7.5 This man deserves a contract until the end of the season with a second year based on performances rather than the number of appearances. He is a very skilful player who enables us to hold the ball up well as he keeps it so close to his feet and his trickery is quick and good to watch. Took his goal very well and although his two long range shots were just off target showed a willingness and the confidence to take them on. He could prove to be the signing of the season provided he is allowed the odd poor performance
and not dropped after one indifferent game.
Mansell 7.5 Manse is back and those doubters can now go into hiding. Gives us a biting edge in midfield and his experience shines through. he works hard and another who could have come off with two goals. Took the goal he did score very well and his partnership with Sionclair gives our team a much better balance. In truth Lines can be a luxury which at present we cannot afford. Hard work and graft is what Sinc and Manse together brings to the party and it enables the playing of two "wingers" and enables us to impose our game on the opposition rather than they impose their game on us.
Sinclair 8.5 MOM This was probably a game where as many as 4 players could justifiably claim to be Man of the match but for me Sinclair ran the show and showed consistency in all aspects of the game. He was just always there prompting,winning the ball,running with it and very rarely gave the ball away. A great all round performance.
Gosling 7.5 At last Gosling is delivering and is being given the chance to play where he should be. Was unlucky with two long shots in the first half but was a constant threat to Morcombe as he kept the ball well and looked to attack the full back at every opportunity and when he wasn't out wide he worked hard and prompted from the middle of the park. Has the ability to pick players out from crosses and at last we are getting behind the opposition defence . It is a great shame that it looks like he will miss the next League game due to International duty but i very much hope that Montano will be given the chance to shine rather than changing the set up by playing an extra midfield player.
Taylor 7.5 Back to his best and took his goal very well and could have had more. Was he inspired by the "Cup song"? At last we are starting to see the making of a possible good combination with Easter and both players are aided by a more attacking intent with both Bodin and Gosling providing width.
Easter 7 Gave a way a few too many free kicks but I can see that what he was doing was to let his opponents know he was there early on. Two games in a week was showing and he was rightfully substituted but not before giving a strong performance where he could have come off with two goals. His hold up play and bringing in other players is superb to watch and is now justifying his place in the team.
Subs:
Harrison 6 Thank god he came on to take the penalty as Taylors penalties really worry me. Didn't do a lot else.
O. Clarke 5 Gave away a totally unnecessary penalty but also broke up a few attacks and brought the ball away. Personally wouldn't have him in the squad if we are going to have Lines on the bench but for me he makes us too defensive if he is played with Mansell also on the pitch. We were well on top but his appearance showed a "close up" intent which we are just not good at and has been our problem at home.
Leadbitter 5 Didn't get long enough to judge but would consider resting James Clarke next game but playing Danny as a full back rather than a wing back.
DC At last played the same team to start the game but for me the substitutions were unnecessary and contributed to a tense finish.Harrison for Easter was the only change that really needed to be made as at 3-2 Easter was starting to tire but as soon as we made it 4-2 IMO we were well on top of the game and quite capable of scoring further goals. Instead we brought on Ollie Clarke and tried to shut up shop which did not come off and we rarely threatened as Morecombe took advantage of being handed the initiative on the plate. Attack is the best form of defence DC so praise for setting out with an attacking intent but have faith in it.
Crowd Gasheads 10 brilliant vocal support and good effort to get so many there after a long journey on Tuesday night. Morecombe's support was almost non existent. I am sure that the players are more relaxed playing in front of a totally supportive away following rather than in front of an expectant home crowd but if we are to do anything this season we must overcome this and IMO this can be done provided we go with two wingers at home and avoid the 3-5-2 which makes us too susceptible to the break.
Ref 5 Average which isn't necessarily very good. Linesman was an absolute disaster but the response he got to most of his decisions probably helped in the penalty decision which was technically right but maybe a little harsh. You win some you lose some and it is about time one went our way.
Morecambe 5 Were very lucky to come off with only a 1 goal defeat as they looked poor defensively but in contrast good in midfiled and up front. We needed to be at our best to contain them and we were for a lot of the game but they saw a weakness down the right side and played on that and took their chances well when they came along.
So we move on to the Mem on Tuesday and a JPT match against our next League opponents. It is a match that possibly should be used to give a few of the players that have been missing games but IMO it is more important now to build on what has been achieved in the last two games .Players need to know that they don't just get their place back easily and for this reason I would be looking to keep the same side and maybe changing the bench by bringing Blissett back in place of Clarke. That would at least give us an extra option in case things aren't working out with a short front two.
Even more important is next Saturdays game which if we do have the option I would get cancelled if we are;as seems likely; missing three players on International duty. If that is not an option then for me the important thing is to keep the same set up and replace Gosling with the other natural winger Montano and bringing in Leadbitter at right back and moving James Clarke back to what looks to me like his stronger position as centre back. I very much hope that DC refrains from his "tinkering" and sticks to a positive offensive game. The substitutions made yesterday worry me that his "hang on to what we got" and over respecting the opposition will see us back to the "tighter" formation that has IMO proven in most of the home games to not work very well...yes we haven't looked like being stuffed by anyone but there again other than Barnet have we really looked like winning?
In truth it is nice to be able to query our defending rather than our inability to score very many!!! UTG
Nicholls 5 Although his handling was good and made one very good save in the first half he will know that his error of judgement made the first goal a lot easier for the player to score (although it was a very good finish) and the same indecision was also evident in the second goal where he should have come out quicker. That said there is no reason to doubt his ability and start the Chapman/Nicholls or Mildenhall/Nicholls debates as he has done more than enough so far to show he has the ability to be a regular no 1.
J. Clarke 5 Have not been impressed with his performances at right back where particularly early on he looked very shakey and allowed the ball to bounce rather than get an early interception in. I felt he was caught out far too often and was probably at fault for both the first two goals as Morecombe were allowed far too much room down his side. If we do have to play the game next Saturday with the International call ups it may be a case for playing him centre half and recalling Leadbitter.
Lockyer 8 Well worth his International call up as he is now becoming so consistent in what i have always considered to be his best position. Tackles,wins the ball in the air and reads the game so well that he clears up situations before they really exist. His partnership with McCrystal is looking far more stable than when playing alongside Parkes and can only see him getting even batter.Can we hang on to him? I bloody well hope so!!!
McChrystal 8 A definite challenger for Man of the Match. He has come back in the side again and is such an inspiration to his colleagues. Knows he will never be a ball playing centre half so does what he does best and that is make his presence felt and go on to win the majority of aerial challenges and ensure he doesn't give his opponent any space. When a big boot is necessary then Mac will do it rather than pussyfoot around.
Brown 8 Great variation on the crosses and especially for the goal
. Defended well and attacked at every opportunity. Really looks at his best when an attacking full back rather than a wing back.
Bodin 7.5 This man deserves a contract until the end of the season with a second year based on performances rather than the number of appearances. He is a very skilful player who enables us to hold the ball up well as he keeps it so close to his feet and his trickery is quick and good to watch. Took his goal very well and although his two long range shots were just off target showed a willingness and the confidence to take them on. He could prove to be the signing of the season provided he is allowed the odd poor performance
and not dropped after one indifferent game.
Mansell 7.5 Manse is back and those doubters can now go into hiding. Gives us a biting edge in midfield and his experience shines through. he works hard and another who could have come off with two goals. Took the goal he did score very well and his partnership with Sionclair gives our team a much better balance. In truth Lines can be a luxury which at present we cannot afford. Hard work and graft is what Sinc and Manse together brings to the party and it enables the playing of two "wingers" and enables us to impose our game on the opposition rather than they impose their game on us.
Sinclair 8.5 MOM This was probably a game where as many as 4 players could justifiably claim to be Man of the match but for me Sinclair ran the show and showed consistency in all aspects of the game. He was just always there prompting,winning the ball,running with it and very rarely gave the ball away. A great all round performance.
Gosling 7.5 At last Gosling is delivering and is being given the chance to play where he should be. Was unlucky with two long shots in the first half but was a constant threat to Morcombe as he kept the ball well and looked to attack the full back at every opportunity and when he wasn't out wide he worked hard and prompted from the middle of the park. Has the ability to pick players out from crosses and at last we are getting behind the opposition defence . It is a great shame that it looks like he will miss the next League game due to International duty but i very much hope that Montano will be given the chance to shine rather than changing the set up by playing an extra midfield player.
Taylor 7.5 Back to his best and took his goal very well and could have had more. Was he inspired by the "Cup song"? At last we are starting to see the making of a possible good combination with Easter and both players are aided by a more attacking intent with both Bodin and Gosling providing width.
Easter 7 Gave a way a few too many free kicks but I can see that what he was doing was to let his opponents know he was there early on. Two games in a week was showing and he was rightfully substituted but not before giving a strong performance where he could have come off with two goals. His hold up play and bringing in other players is superb to watch and is now justifying his place in the team.
Subs:
Harrison 6 Thank god he came on to take the penalty as Taylors penalties really worry me. Didn't do a lot else.
O. Clarke 5 Gave away a totally unnecessary penalty but also broke up a few attacks and brought the ball away. Personally wouldn't have him in the squad if we are going to have Lines on the bench but for me he makes us too defensive if he is played with Mansell also on the pitch. We were well on top but his appearance showed a "close up" intent which we are just not good at and has been our problem at home.
Leadbitter 5 Didn't get long enough to judge but would consider resting James Clarke next game but playing Danny as a full back rather than a wing back.
DC At last played the same team to start the game but for me the substitutions were unnecessary and contributed to a tense finish.Harrison for Easter was the only change that really needed to be made as at 3-2 Easter was starting to tire but as soon as we made it 4-2 IMO we were well on top of the game and quite capable of scoring further goals. Instead we brought on Ollie Clarke and tried to shut up shop which did not come off and we rarely threatened as Morecombe took advantage of being handed the initiative on the plate. Attack is the best form of defence DC so praise for setting out with an attacking intent but have faith in it.
Crowd Gasheads 10 brilliant vocal support and good effort to get so many there after a long journey on Tuesday night. Morecombe's support was almost non existent. I am sure that the players are more relaxed playing in front of a totally supportive away following rather than in front of an expectant home crowd but if we are to do anything this season we must overcome this and IMO this can be done provided we go with two wingers at home and avoid the 3-5-2 which makes us too susceptible to the break.
Ref 5 Average which isn't necessarily very good. Linesman was an absolute disaster but the response he got to most of his decisions probably helped in the penalty decision which was technically right but maybe a little harsh. You win some you lose some and it is about time one went our way.
Morecambe 5 Were very lucky to come off with only a 1 goal defeat as they looked poor defensively but in contrast good in midfiled and up front. We needed to be at our best to contain them and we were for a lot of the game but they saw a weakness down the right side and played on that and took their chances well when they came along.
So we move on to the Mem on Tuesday and a JPT match against our next League opponents. It is a match that possibly should be used to give a few of the players that have been missing games but IMO it is more important now to build on what has been achieved in the last two games .Players need to know that they don't just get their place back easily and for this reason I would be looking to keep the same side and maybe changing the bench by bringing Blissett back in place of Clarke. That would at least give us an extra option in case things aren't working out with a short front two.
Even more important is next Saturdays game which if we do have the option I would get cancelled if we are;as seems likely; missing three players on International duty. If that is not an option then for me the important thing is to keep the same set up and replace Gosling with the other natural winger Montano and bringing in Leadbitter at right back and moving James Clarke back to what looks to me like his stronger position as centre back. I very much hope that DC refrains from his "tinkering" and sticks to a positive offensive game. The substitutions made yesterday worry me that his "hang on to what we got" and over respecting the opposition will see us back to the "tighter" formation that has IMO proven in most of the home games to not work very well...yes we haven't looked like being stuffed by anyone but there again other than Barnet have we really looked like winning?
In truth it is nice to be able to query our defending rather than our inability to score very many!!! UTG
