Sears & squad members

Noticed Wright Spokes and Grant doing some training on the pitch pre-game, be good to see all 3 against Kiddy, unless Spokes goes out again.

Looked like Sears damaged his arm or wrist, in first half, what happened? Wrong end of the lower for me to get a clear view. Don't think hurst mentioned it post game

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

Noticed Wright Spokes and Grant doing some training on the pitch pre-game, be good to see all 3 against Kiddy, unless Spokes goes out again.

Looked like Sears damaged his arm or wrist, in first half, what happened? Wrong end of the lower for me to get a clear view. Don't think hurst mentioned it post game

Spokes cup tied.

For me start strongest possible 11 next week. Any extra funds help

Said in the Tellywag, and I urge caution on believing ANYTHING they say, that it looked like a dislocated shoulder.

Quoted from WayneBurnettsJockstrap

Said in the Tellywag, and I urge caution on believing ANYTHING they say, that it looked like a dislocated shoulder.

It looked like his forearm to me. He applauded the fans by clapping his good hand against the shoulder of his injured arm. Not sure he’d have done that if his shoulder or collarbone was the issue. But maybe he’s just hard as nails?

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

Noticed Wright Spokes and Grant doing some training on the pitch pre-game, be good to see all 3 against Kiddy, unless Spokes goes out again.

Looked like Sears damaged his arm or wrist, in first half, what happened? Wrong end of the lower for me to get a clear view. Don't think hurst mentioned it post game

Hurst said on RH that they aren't convinced about Max's fitness and we know Grant is working his was back. If fit I  would expect both to feature in the squad next week. I would also expect Spokes to go back out on loan as I can't see him getting too many opportunities until the Trophy starts.  

Sears has got an impact injury on his forearm, not serious apparently, well not according to the radio.

Yeah Sears was straight away holding his forearm/elbow area.

I think it happened when he slid in to tackle a player on the touchline, in front of the lower. He won the ball cleanly to put the ball out, but I think he must have dragged his arm along the ground.

I couldn't tell if he'd just jarred his arm or it had been trodden/fallen on after he'd won the ball. Good news if it wasn't anything like a dislocation as that would mean some time out recovering.

You'd imagine that Efete will return next game if fit, but Sears has certainly looked a capable backup in his absence.

Is he back up or first team player?

He's better at defending but not as good at going forwards at pace.

Is their pace that is the deciding factor or their defending?

Quoted from mimma

Is he back up or first team player?

He's better at defending but not as good at going forwards at pace.

Is their pace that is the deciding factor or their defending?

With Crookes being a more defensive fullback, I would prefer to see Efete on the other side, who gives us more going forwards. Sears has done nothing wrong, but think Efete gives us more impetus and puts us on the front foot.

Quoted from blundellpork

With Crookes being a more defensive fullback, I would prefer to see Efete on the other side, who gives us more going forwards. Sears has done nothing wrong, but think Efete gives us more impetus and puts us on the front foot.

I really like all 3 of them to be honest, Crookes just gets on with it and does the basics well, Sears is a good defender and a unit and Efete has lots to offer going forward and can bring Sousa into the game really well. As you would expect Hurst definitely has an eye for a full back.

I think it's horses for courses. Sears is a typical old fashioned full back who will defend first and attack second. Efete is more of a modern full back who will attack at any given opportunity, but that can leave you a bit more vulnerable.

Suppose it depends on who you are playing as to their effectiveness. If you are playing someone less able to capitalise on spaces, Efete is your man, but I have been quietly impressed by Sears. Doesn't look the type to run 50 yards with the ball and score a goal like Efete did though.

Crookes is Mr Steady. 7/10 every game

Have we got a back up left back?

Revan.

Quoted from Maringer

Revan.

Well he certainly isn’t a backup right back.

Quoted from Maringer

Revan.

Of course.  

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Well he certainly isn’t a backup right back.

I fully expected Harry to be moved there with Bopaga being brought on rather than have a predominately left footed player at right back. Revan was though involved in the exchange just before half-time which resulted in a over head kick and a mad scramble at the far post. County saw the substitution as a chance to exploit that side of the field and the first ten minutes of the second half proved more than a bit challenging on that side of the defence and Waterfall again showed he’s quality at this level. In truth after that period I thought Revan adapted and coped ok with the threat and ultimately the goal came as space on the other side of the field.

He was unable to get forwards much in the second half and whilst he would not be my first or second choice for right back I thought given his age and experience he did an ok job.

Frustrating day but hopefully the next close match will see us getting that late winner.

Their sub that came on at half time had some pace. Revan had to hold back a little and not give him a run down the wing.

I thought Revan did really well against their sub, especially on his unnatural side.

I'm in agreement regards playing both Crookes and Sears though, both very steady and dependable but it limits our attacking outlet.  You probably want one steady-eddie type in the fullback roles but not both.  The beauty with Efete is that when he bombs forward, the rest of the back four shift along to become a back three and it creates less gaps to be exploited.

No doubt that Sears is a better defender than Efete, but the balance of the team feels better when it was Efete and Crookes.  I dare say if there's games when Revan plays instead of Crookes, we would be more balanced if Sears is on the other side.

Quoted from diehardmariner

I thought Revan did really well against their sub, especially on his unnatural side.

I'm in agreement regards playing both Crookes and Sears though, both very steady and dependable but it limits our attacking outlet.  You probably want one steady-eddie type in the fullback roles but not both.  The beauty with Efete is that when he bombs forward, the rest of the back four shift along to become a back three and it creates less gaps to be exploited.

No doubt that Sears is a better defender than Efete, but the balance of the team feels better when it was Efete and Crookes.  I dare say if there's games when Revan plays instead of Crookes, we would be more balanced if Sears is on the other side.

Agree, and for the balance reason i'd like us to try Efete on the right, Crookes on the left and Revan at left mid on Saturday, assuming Bapaga plays up front with LJL or Taylor.

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

Agree, and for the balance reason i'd like us to try Efete on the right, Crookes on the left and Revan at left mid on Saturday, assuming Bapaga plays up front with LJL or Taylor.

And drop Harry? No I don't think so, his work rate is even more important without mcatee. I want to see bapaga in the mcatee role but with the reduction in work rate that would lead to it makes Harry's inclusion even more important.

Quoted from toontown

And drop Harry? No I don't think so, his work rate is even more important without mcatee. I want to see bapaga in the mcatee role but with the reduction in work rate that would lead to it makes Harry's inclusion even more important.

Drop Coke for Harry.

Quoted from toontown

And drop Harry? No I don't think so, his work rate is even more important without mcatee. I want to see bapaga in the mcatee role but with the reduction in work rate that would lead to it makes Harry's inclusion even more important.

Maybe, for a cup game, worth taking a look at others and get them fitter.  Particularly interested in seeing revan play more that's all

I seem to remember Revan being trailed as two-footed which would certainly seem to be the case from his goals the other week. I thought he did OK when he came on which is probably about the best you can hope for from a young player with less than a handful of first team games under his belt.

Clifton has done a Sterling job on the left but, with the best will in the world, he's not going to be as effective as a proper attacker, especially on his weaker foot. Would Revan be worth a try there with Clifton moving into the middle? Dunno, really. It depends on how much Revan is seen as a defender and how much as a midfielder. It's good being able to play both roles, but you don't get many players who are effective in those two positions. The balance between being too defensive and too attacking in either role is a very narrow one.

Crookes is actually quite reasonable when going forward as he's pretty tidy with the ball at his feet, but he's obviously not the quickest so is never going to be gung up and piling forward all the time. Not too many Danny Andrews out there.

I love an attacking full back and although the full backs lately have done their defensive jobs well we've definitely missed Efetes attacking threat

Agree with this. As well as Sears has done, I can’t see him cutting in and scoring a goal like the one Efete scored earlier in the season ( v Torquay ?). Horses for courses, I think PH will use them both equally over the course of the season.

Quoted from lukeo

I love an attacking full back and although the full backs lately have done their defensive jobs well we've definitely missed Efetes attacking threat

I think we’ve also missed Efete’s link up with Sousa down the right.

Isn’t it good to have a sensible debate about the respective qualities of our fullbacks and what they bring to the team in their different ways?

No one would have thought this last season.

Quoted from SouthLakesMariner

Agree with this. As well as Sears has done, I can’t see him cutting in and scoring a goal like the one Efete scored earlier in the season ( v Torquay ?). Horses for courses, I think PH will use them both equally over the course of the season.

It's good that we have full - backs that can effectively support the attack but I am a bit more in the camp of wanting them to be principally defenders. The centre backs know that they are supported on either side and not concerned that if one of the full-backs "bombs forward" then who will cover for them from mid-field? Just an individual preference from me, I know.

I don't disagree with you regarding full-backs when you're playing the better teams but if you're facing a 'Park the bus' team, having defenders who can get forward is also helpful.

Efete can get forward (though doesn't nearly enough as Hurst has alluded to in the past) and is also strong in the air so probably the better option to use against the really defensive teams.

It certainly is nice to have a couple of competent players to choose from, however.