Possibly one of the worst football matches I have ever seen..

Credit to the team for digging in and getting a point , Morecambe absolutely awful and we were not much different.

I just don't know what to think of us , we are on a good run but that showing today was something of the conference days .

The weather is Crap the stadium was Crap and the food was Crap , safe journey everyone .

Weather won't of helped at all today, wind constantly changing direction made it a one directional match, playing on the ground will of been difficult because of how slick the pitch will of been.

Thought Morecambe were the better side slightly, they had more going on up front and Macca made a few good saves where as we never really troubled their keep, I think he had to make one save.

Out formation was the right idea but it didn't work. Morecambe seemed to be playing a 532 today so it looked like Slade had our wingers tucked in to deal with the number of men in the middle, however it did open up the flanks and allowed their wing backs to cross from where ever they wanted which was when their best chances came from.

We didn't have any real threat going forward today Vernon was anonymous and Jones just had a bad game making poor decisions, poor touches etc and just didn't look himself.

Thought most of the midfield played well, Summerfield and Berrett especially, Woolford didn't have the best of games today his shots often going wide and his passes misplaces, its been a few games like that now and I would like to see DJ get a start he looked full of energy and skill again and looks to have a footballing brain to boot. Dembele wasn't in the game today but we didn't  seem to try and create anything down the right but when he did get the ball he did his usual thing.

Back four looked good, looked solid dealing with Morecambes attacks Dixon got beat a few times but he looked good going forward not much else to say about them.

DJ came on and looked good but got little service. Hooper again didn't get any service so can't make a comment.

Now a real negative. How we defend set pieces, we have no outlet. We did really well dealing with their set pieces but the ball always came back to us because we had no one to challenge them once the ball had been cleared and were so slow pushing it when we did break from a set piece it was 1 vs 6.

Poor conditions made for a poor game but I do think Morecambe dealt with them better then we did a draw was a fair result.

Slade Out

UTM

Didn't go and feel for those who went to watch a poor game in poor conditions, but as previously stated happy with a point as long as we follow it up with a win at home next week. 6 unbeaten in the league and we've not really played that well.
UTM

In the conference days its a game we would have lost. Its a point gained well done team

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

Weather won't of helped at all today, wind constantly changing direction made it a one directional match, playing on the ground will of been difficult because of how slick the pitch will of been.

Thought Morecambe were the better side slightly, they had more going on up front and Macca made a few good saves where as we never really troubled their keep, I think he had to make one save.

Out formation was the right idea but it didn't work. Morecambe seemed to be playing a 532 today so it looked like Slade had our wingers tucked in to deal with the number of men in the middle, however it did open up the flanks and allowed their wing backs to cross from where ever they wanted which was when their best chances came from.

We didn't have any real threat going forward today Vernon was anonymous and Jones just had a bad game making poor decisions, poor touches etc and just didn't look himself.

Thought most of the midfield played well, Summerfield and Berrett especially, Woolford didn't have the best of games today his shots often going wide and his passes misplaces, its been a few games like that now and I would like to see DJ get a start he looked full of energy and skill again and looks to have a footballing brain to boot. Dembele wasn't in the game today but we didn't  seem to try and create anything down the right but when he did get the ball he did his usual thing.

Back four looked good, looked solid dealing with Morecambes attacks Dixon got beat a few times but he looked good going forward not much else to say about them.

DJ came on and looked good but got little service. Hooper again didn't get any service so can't make a comment.

Now a real negative. How we defend set pieces, we have no outlet. We did really well dealing with their set pieces but the ball always came back to us because we had no one to challenge them once the ball had been cleared and were so slow pushing it when we did break from a set piece it was 1 vs 6.

Poor conditions made for a poor game but I do think Morecambe dealt with them better then we did a draw was a fair result.

Slade Out

UTM

Hard to disagree with any of that (apart from the last two words!). I thought Collins was immense but Davies pushed him close for MOM. The conditions in the first half were amongst the worst I've seen. No chance of playing football really. Surface watér second half made even simple passes risky.

Quoted from lukeo

Didn't go and feel for those who went to watch a poor game in poor conditions, but as previously stated happy with a point as long as we follow it up with a win at home next week. 6 unbeaten in the league and we've not really played that well.
UTM

Only league leaders Luton are equal, must turn the draws into wins

Exactly, draws get you nowhere in football due to the points system. It's all well and good not losing but when you think 2 losses & 1 win is equivalent to 3 draws it's not that pretty!

Quoted from GyMariner

Exactly, draws get you nowhere in football due to the points system. It's all well and good not losing but when you think 2 losses & 1 win is equivalent to 3 draws it's not that pretty!

Yes but we have picked up 4 points this week from 2 away games. Promo form. We need to back it up with a long overdue home win on Sat.

Shout out to the absolutely amazing 462 Mariners who went all the way to Morecambe!

Terrible spectacle, McKeown's efforts and their No 9's inability to finish earning us the clean sheet.  Going forward very little on offer, zero service really for any of the strikers or attacking players.
While the weather was terrible and conditions difficult we still chose to play a hoofball approach, balls zipping through or holding up and coming backwards, just the wrong thing to do IMO...when we did get it down early on in the first half we pinned them back but poor decisions around the edge of the box broke our play down. After around 20 - 30 mins we looked like were done as an attacking force.
As the game wore on we sat deeper and surrendered territory at will making it all more difficult to create. Hooper spent more time around our area defending than he did in possession in their half being an example of that.

Sounds like the conditions made playing football almost impossible did well to keep a clean sheet.

Conditions absolutely terrible for football. Chucks your game plan out the window, and a point on the road on the opposite coast ranks as a really good outcome.

UTM

Quoted from chaos33

Conditions absolutely terrible for football. Chucks your game plan out the window, and a point on the road on the opposite coast ranks as a really good outcome.

UTM

This!

Was really hoping for 3 points today and a move up the table but over the two games this week, 4 points is a good return.  

Being hard to beat is a good habit to get into.  Start to convert a few draws to wins and we will make the play offs.  

In terrible weather, anything can happen.  The players have had two long journeys and they should be happy with 4 points.

After the optimism of Tuesday, I was expecting a typical Town defeat so a point is ok.

Onwards and upwards

Here's Morecambe's Manager view on the game

https://audioboom.com/posts/6416156-boss-jim-bentley-confident-goals-will-come-for-his-morecambe-side-after-they-draw-0-0-today

I am watching a 0-0 bore draw at the moment,

Two highly paid prem teams can not master the wind and rain,

So what chance have L2 players ?

Well done to the 462 mariners that went.

Anyone being critical of the 'style' of play today needs to give their heads a wobble IMO,

A strong swirling wind in an open stadium and lashing rain simply made football impossible.

Neither side deserved to win as neither side really had any clear cut chances. Defences on top with their number 5 given their MOM and IMO ours was either Clarke or Collins which sums up the game.

Dembele simply wasn't in the game at any stage and when he did get the ball he seemed to lose it very quickly whilst Jones seemed on a mission to collect a 2nd yellow card. Vernon was dominated by and large and Summerfield did the work of two men in the middle.

DJ was lively when he came on

Bottom line is that we dug in and took a point, not as good as three but better than none, keeps the run going and hopefully get 3 at home next Saturday

Didn't think it was too bad today in possibly the worst wind and rain I've ever seen us play in. One town corner almost ended up back with the taker. Some excellent individual performances from Collins, Clarke and Summerfield who needs a midfield partner with the same legs. We looked tired towards the end and settled for a point when it would have been nice to see us test them a bit more. Why we don't leave someone up when defending a corner I don't know as everything inevitably comes back at us. Having said that Jones and Vernon in particular were excellent at defending in their own box. All in all nice to see us grind out a result through grit and determination. Chants of 'Slade play the ball on the floor again' were a bit harsh in today's conditions but the debate about our style of play isn't going to go away.

Quoted from Cloudy

Anyone being critical of the 'style' of play today needs to give their heads a wobble IMO,

A strong swirling wind in an open stadium and lashing rain simply made football impossible.

My criticism is this....trying to hit channel balls into a strong wind only did one thing, gave the ball cheaply back to the opposition...but they just kept doing it and inviting pressure back.... kicking a ball aerially 30 yds towards an isolated team mate in the vein hope he can firstly win it against 3 or 4 opponents, then hold onto it long enough for the rest of the team to push up and help was ridiculous in those conditions but it just kept getting repeated.
There were plenty of times a 10 yd pass to a team mate in space could have been used to both retain possession and to gradually gain territory. Its frustrating to watch.. while readily accepting it was difficult conditions today.

Quoted from moosey_club

My criticism is this....trying to hit channel balls into a strong wind only did one thing, gave the ball cheaply back to the opposition...but they just kept doing it and inviting pressure back.... kicking a ball aerially 30 yds towards an isolated team mate in the vein hope he can firstly win it against 3 or 4 opponents, then hold onto it long enough for the rest of the team to push up and help was ridiculous in those conditions but it just kept getting repeated.
There were plenty of times a 10 yd pass to a team mate in space could have been used to both retain possession and to gradually gain territory. Its frustrating to watch.. while readily accepting it was difficult conditions today.

I know it's easy to blame the weather but the wind seemed all over the place second half and there was clearly standing water which may have made players unwilling to take the risk of playing short quick passes.

Vane I said the same thing at Cheltenham every time they had a corner. We clear our lines so we but then because we've got no one up near the half way line it just gives their defence time to control the ball and ping it back at us

Quoted from moosey_club

My criticism is this....trying to hit channel balls into a strong wind only did one thing, gave the ball cheaply back to the opposition...but they just kept doing it and inviting pressure back.... kicking a ball aerially 30 yds towards an isolated team mate in the vein hope he can firstly win it against 3 or 4 opponents, then hold onto it long enough for the rest of the team to push up and help was ridiculous in those conditions but it just kept getting repeated.
There were plenty of times a 10 yd pass to a team mate in space could have been used to both retain possession and to gradually gain territory. Its frustrating to watch.. while readily accepting it was difficult conditions today.

Think you made your mind up weeks ago as I don't think we were doing the things you describe.
Opinions eh?

I agree Cloudy
I’ve been to 4 of the last 5 matches including 3 0-0 draws, and my take out is that the team is trying to play good football, on the ground whenever they can. Clearances and balls into the channels happen when a defender is under pressure - thank god. Given any space at all they are always looking for a constructive pass to another player in space.
You also can’t question the commitment of the team and their willingness to put their bodies on the line.
My only real criticism is that while the defence is good and playing well we are not defending well enough. Far too many dangerous balls are getting into the box, usually from free kicks or corners conceded because too many balls are getting into the box....
I think that if we could sort this out, and defend more effectively in front of the back four without conceding free kicks it would result in better quality balls getting out to the wide men and the front two, and I actually think we have the quality up front to convert this into goals. I think we look dangerous with the ball in the opposition half, it’s just not happening often enough. Jones and Dembele must be in the top 5 players in this league in terms of skill.
I don’t know how Slade can address this, or indeed if he can, but PLEASE EVERYONE drop the hoof ball commentary because it ain’t true, and it’s counter productive.
Cloudy, you asked for opinions. I’m not often in a position to offer one as I can’t get to games, but for what it’s worth, that’s mine.

^^ slade came with reputation of hoofball so as soon as results don’t go our way it’s used as a big stick to beat him ( and JF for appointing him ) from the clever dicks . You know who you are .

Quoted from AussieMariner

I agree Cloudy
I’ve been to 4 of the last 5 matches including 3 0-0 draws, and my take out is that the team is trying to play good football, on the ground whenever they can. Clearances and balls into the channels happen when a defender is under pressure - thank god. Given any space at all they are always looking for a constructive pass to another player in space.
You also can’t question the commitment of the team and their willingness to put their bodies on the line.
My only real criticism is that while the defence is good and playing well we are not defending well enough. Far too many dangerous balls are getting into the box, usually from free kicks or corners conceded because too many balls are getting into the box....
I think that if we could sort this out, and defend more effectively in front of the back four without conceding free kicks it would result in better quality balls getting out to the wide men and the front two, and I actually think we have the quality up front to convert this into goals. I think we look dangerous with the ball in the opposition half, it’s just not happening often enough. Jones and Dembele must be in the top 5 players in this league in terms of skill.
I don’t know how Slade can address this, or indeed if he can, but PLEASE EVERYONE drop the hoof ball commentary because it ain’t true, and it’s counter productive.
Cloudy, you asked for opinions. I’m not often in a position to offer one as I can’t get to games, but for what it’s worth, that’s mine.

obviously I lean towards us not being a total hoofball team but my 'criticism' is not about the defence but the attack.

we currently have the two forwards and Dembele as attacking players who are joined from time to time by Woolford. That is it! 3 or maybe 4 attacking players. The central midfield get nowhere near the opposition penalty box and the full backs do get forward but hardly at flying pace. I'd love to see a  central midfielder get beyond the strikers once in a while rather than treat the opposition penalty box as shark infested waters. Summerfield was one of our better players yesterday once again btw

Great turn out by Town fans, weather was horrible for football. When we clear the ball out under pressure we need it to be cleared to one of our players far too often we clear it and it comes straight back, it's not just this game but in all of them. Fair result in the end from what I saw though Morecambe were the better side.

I don't think we are a hoof ball outfit the midfield are becoming a lot more involved.

Even Macca is looking to give the ball short thus keeping possession and momentum going.

Not sure Woolford has ninety minutes in him to me he struggles later on this is when Tombola or D.J needs bringing on. These players have pace, energy and strength in spades.

Still giving away to many free kicks and corners which law of averages says will cost goals eventually.

Morecambe played the width of the pitch and arrowed passes rather than higher easily defended and wind affected balls. Vernon links play better when given to feet. In the second half we have no players up the pitch when defending corners. Sterling work from Collins and Davies.

Quoted from Cloudy

Anyone being critical of the 'style' of play today needs to give their heads a wobble IMO,

A strong swirling wind in an open stadium and lashing rain simply made football impossible.

Neither side deserved to win as neither side really had any clear cut chances. Defences on top with their number 5 given their MOM and IMO ours was either Clarke or Collins which sums up the game.

Dembele simply wasn't in the game at any stage and when he did get the ball he seemed to lose it very quickly whilst Jones seemed on a mission to collect a 2nd yellow card. Vernon was dominated by and large and Summerfield did the work of two men in the middle.

DJ was lively when he came on

Bottom line is that we dug in and took a point, not as good as three but better than none, keeps the run going and hopefully get 3 at home next Saturday

Whilst the weather does have an effect on the game for the first 10 or 15 minutes we passed it around on the floor and looked in control, then for some reason we started hitting it long which was pretty pointless.

Morecambe also created a number of chances with McKeown having to make several saves as well as their number 9 and others missing some good chances.

I would agree about Collins who I thought was magnificent.

Quoted from arryarryarry

Whilst the weather does have an effect on the game for the first 10 or 15 minutes we passed it around on the floor and looked in control, then for some reason we started hitting it long which was pretty pointless.

Morecambe also created a number of chances with McKeown having to make several saves as well as their number 9 and others missing some good chances.

I would agree about Collins who I thought was magnificent.

IMO the conditions worsened after the first 10 mins. Do you not think that had an impact?

McKeowns two decent saves came from efforts outside the box, hardly clear chances and cant recall Oliver having any clear cut chances unless you include the ricochet in the first half that sped to him at an awkward height in the first half that came off his shin?

Quoted from Cloudy

IMO the conditions worsened after the first 10 mins. Do you not think that had an impact?

McKeowns two decent saves came from efforts outside the box, hardly clear chances and cant recall Oliver having any clear cut chances unless you include the ricochet in the first half that sped to him at an awkward height in the first half that came off his shin?

Erm, so it isn't a chance when the goalkeeper has to dive across goal and punch it round the post and all the goals we have conceded from free kicks around our area aren't chances either?

Mrs Doyle, I get concerned when people say player X , in this case Woolford cannot manage a full game, surely all professional footballers once fit should be capable of playing 90 minutes, a professional 10,000 metre runner doesn't walk of  the track after 9,000 metres, he may not win but he can still complete the distance.

Quoted from arryarryarry

Erm, so it isn't a chance when the goalkeeper has to dive across goal and punch it round the post and all the goals we have conceded from free kicks around our area aren't chances either?

No not really. They had one shot that went out for a throw in, I wouldn't call that a clear chance and Town had a couple of shots from distance that were charged down or went well wide, are they chances?

A clear chance for me is created and someone is through on goal. I wouldn't call a cross into the box as a chance unless someone gets a free header.

If a 25 yard free kick is saved or goes over the bar by 5 yards, are both clear chances? If so I think there must be about 25 chances per team per game