⚽ Match Thread vs. Morecambe 28.09.24 [EFL L2]

[SmiffyPie]

The long and short of it is we play a hard press possession game that opponents deal with by being physical. Our skilful players are getting hammered and need protection from the referee but that's not going to happen at this level. Obviously the ref's at Prem and Championship do look to protect players but for some reason (and it's a skill that can be taught) L1/L2/NL ref's are incapable of doing it. Now whether that is down to a more compact, hectic game or an ego thing with the ref's (I'm the ref, I know better (look at JJ and DC pleading for protection to no avail))? Whatever it is we are stuck with it!!!
I really do wonder whether the people that evaluate a referee's performance do a wash-up and point out where improvements can be made? I rather doubt it.

[LeftPeg_Pie]

A young striker on the up coming through, you can play two up front, so you need 4 in the squad. You can only play one keeper, we have 3, the fact we can play more than one striker means we need 4.

Would this have been a ‘young striker on the up coming through’ on loan from an academy? Because from memory you’re not a fan.

Or could it have been a ‘young striker on the up coming through’ from our academy? Because from memory you weren’t happy two academy players made the bench on the opening day.

[maddogslater]

Was dat ball in ? In😝 out😃 in 😝out 😃shake it all about, da ref said nah 😃 couldn't tell from my seat, or the replays, freez frames I've seen

[durhampie]

We had too many undersized players in midfield, and got bullied off the ball far too easily.. We won very few first and second balls, which was a problem we had last season...

[The_Pie_Man]

What are you talking about?
So you’re now being proved right because we haven’t got another Jodi Jones? That’s incredible insight, how did nobody else see it?!
We’re not going to have backup players in every position that sit on a bench but when called upon are among the best players in the league.
Thats called Man City!

Apologists gonna apologise!

[LeftPeg_Pie]

Apologists gonna apologise!

I think the Jones issue is slightly out there on its own. You’re never going to get anyone of his ability or profile providing squad depth. We do have good options in those wing back/wide midfield areas; Tsaroulla, Gordon, Austin, Chicksen and now Martin. Bar Martin, they’re less attacking than Jones, but all offer their own strengths to the side.

You take Jones out of any L2 side and it’s a loss. No arguments.

Hopefully with Robertson coming back in, this can compensate for the loss of Edwards. Obviously, Edwards has played further forward, but Robertsons availability should free Crowley up to play higher and maybe Abbott too.

Up front, it’s unfortunate to lose two established strikers at the same time. McGoldrick has done excellently and Brown can play up there too.

I think our squad depth is fine. I think the Jones injury highlights how outstanding he is, rather than how ‘lacking’ the rest of the squad is.

[SmiffyPie]

I think the Jones issue is slightly out there on its own. You’re never going to get anyone of his ability or profile providing squad depth. We do have good options in those wing back/wide midfield areas; Tsaroulla, Gordon, Austin, Chicksen and now Martin. Bar Martin, they’re less attacking than Jones, but all offer their own strengths to the side.

You take Jones out of any L2 side and it’s a loss. No arguments.

Hopefully with Robertson coming back in, this can compensate for the loss of Edwards. Obviously, Edwards has played further forward, but Robertsons availability should free Crowley up to play higher and maybe Abbott too.

Up front, it’s unfortunate to lose two established strikers at the same time. McGoldrick has done excellently and Brown can play up there too.

I think our squad depth is fine. I think the Jones injury highlights how outstanding he is, rather than how ‘lacking’ the rest of the squad is.

And with JJ and AJ missing the whole dynamic of our game changes (and the oppositions response). I think it is commendable that we are still trying to play the game in the style we want to. We are 8 games in with a ruck of new players being forced to play together in line ups that have had to change more or less game by game, we haven't done too bad and will only get better.

[maddogslater]

We had too many undersized players in midfield, and got bullied off the ball far too easily.. We won very few first and second balls, which was a problem we had last season...

You're right there, noticed how much more control we had when Robbo came on

[durhampie]

You're right there, noticed how much more control we had when Robbo came on

He gives us the bit of aggression that others lack. I was surprised that Cundy replaced Macari in the starting line up, Ive not been too impressed with him so far..

[the_anticlough]

He gives us the bit of aggression that others lack. I was surprised that Cundy replaced Macari in the starting line up, Ive not been too impressed with him so far..

That's 2 away games he's been brought in for - 3 goals conceded in the first 8 minutes of play - it hasn't worked.

Maybe as a understudy in the centre for Platt, or a partner for him in a 4, but no way should he replace Macari in a 3.

Bass didn't want to give him the ball and Cundy didn't want it - when he got it, he was dispossessed right away.
What are we doing? You can't play the possession game picking players that can't do it - it's Rawlo at RCB all over again.