Just back

Ogbu decent going forward but doesn't track back as much as he should. I thought Robson and Hess as a centre 2 looked very good and Gibson did OK too. Very hard to look past Pollock for MoM though.

I was shocked by how few were there but guess the England game was a factor for some.

Thought we were the better team overall after improving after half time. Max Wright's cameo was hugely impressive and Ogbu did all his Ogbu things. As others have said Hess did very well at breaking up the play and then getting us going.

For those who were there, was the switch to 4-4-2 what improved our game? Or was it just the second half in general?

We were better in the second half from the off (not too difficult as we were awful for the middle part of the first half). The referee helped to galvanise the team through some absolutely ludicrous decisions - Hanson was practically rugby-tackled on one occasion but he waved play on.

I thought we looked much improved following the arrival of Wright. Possibly in part because of his extra pace, in part because of the change of formation and in part because Robson went off. One decent pass aside, I really don't recall Robson doing anything at all during the game which is not good for a central midfielder. Gave Hessenthaler and Whitehouse a heck of a lot of work to do.

I thought it was a lively and entertaining game and, for all their nice passing and runs from midfield, I'm not sure McKeown had a difficult save to make? Lots of potshots from outside the area which he fielded well.

I was disappointed by Green once again. We need to see more from him because he's obviously capable of it. Might be the formation which is why he isn't as involved as he could be? Fluffed the chance which came to him last night.

Quoted from Maringer

We were better in the second half from the off (not too difficult as we were awful for the middle part of the first half). The referee helped to galvanise the team through some absolutely ludicrous decisions - Hanson was practically rugby-tackled on one occasion but he waved play on.

I thought we looked much improved following the arrival of Wright. Possibly in part because of his extra pace, in part because of the change of formation and in part because Robson went off. One decent pass aside, I really don't recall Robson doing anything at all during the game which is not good for a central midfielder. Gave Hessenthaler and Whitehouse a heck of a lot of work to do.

I thought it was a lively and entertaining game and, for all their nice passing and runs from midfield, I'm not sure McKeown had a difficult save to make? Lots of potshots from outside the area which he fielded well.

I was disappointed by Green once again. We need to see more from him because he's obviously capable of it. Might be the formation which is why he isn't as involved as he could be? Fluffed the chance which came to him last night.

I have to disagree with the part about green I felt he rose to the occasion when the rest of the team did, like you said the change in formation could've helped, despite having his shirt pulled constantly he was fighting and holding up the ball and causing them plenty of issues. Im not sure if Ethan Robson was supposed to be playing attacking mid that game, but I think if cook had been there instead he'd have linked the front 3 together better, Robson probably needs time to build confidence

Do we miss Clifton in the middle along with Hess + Whitehouse? Thoughts?

Anyone heard / read how he got on last night for Wales?

Clifton was brought on in the 74th minute and Germany smashed them 5-1. I hope he can get back in the team when he gets back as he will be competing with Whitehouse and Hess for the 2 workhorse spots in midfield.

Overall it was a pretty even game in my opinion. Ogbu may have some detractors but sometimes it seems like he has glue on his boots with his ability to hold the ball.

Wright for me was superb when he came on and as well as being a genuine attacking threat he also wasnt afraid to track back and put a tackle in. Probably should've squared it to Hanson after that amazing run but he'd earnt the right to try and finish it.

Pollock as I mentioned on another thread looked a little nervous at times but defended well and didnt get drawn into fouls. Only real criticism was him hoofing the ball whenever he had it at his feet but I'm not forgetting that the lad is only 17 and still has some developing to do. A fantastic prospect for town.

Exciting times when we have 3 home grown lads pushing for 1st team places and credit has to go to the youth setup, and Jolly for not being afraid to play them.

UTM

Really important to get back to winning too after last Saturday. There was a time when one defeat would start a bad run for a couple of months. Great team spirit. They look like they're actually enjoying themselves. Unlike at the other end of the M180.

Literally a game of two halves again but overall I think town deserved it!
Just a mention on maccs number 6 vassell, I thought he was a very good player, surely if the management thought the same then could we be in a position to go for him?

Quoted from Malta_Mariner_90

For those who were there, was the switch to 4-4-2 what improved our game? Or was it just the second half in general?

We started the first half very well, and were well on top.

Then there was a pause, Macc came back into it with good play themselves, but then we started to get on top again towards half time.

The second half was all about movement and tempo. Tempo is the key rather than formation per se - we can play some good football but we have to play it with a tempo that unsettles the opposition and it certainly had Macclesfield on the back foot for most of the second half.

Ogbu was superb.

We fully deserved to get through.