Just Back

Feels like 3. We deserved a point minimum
Efete was the best player on the pitch, thought he was superb. We never gave up, battled, fought and but for a GK error, we’d have 3 points.

Looking forward to next tuesday

Also seen the goal back. Great ball in and header. And brilliant reaction from Paul Hurst

Watched on the box. Thought a point was the absolute minimum deserved. Was a battling display with loads of heart but also a lot more quality. Crowd sounded like they really stuck with them as well and played their part. Much more like earlier in the season the way we moved the ball and worked it in wide areas. Maguire-Drew looks to have a very good left foot and Sousa was better than he has been for a couple of months. With McAtee back and Wright available (fingers crossed) then it suddenly feels like we have a few more options.

Fully deserved a point on that second half performance . The players battled till the very end so anyone who says they dont care is a muppet .It didnt look like we would get the goal we deserved but what a great goal it was - lets hope its a turning point  

Excellent. Crowd were very good too. A bit of pride restored. utm

Battered them 1-1.

Hope Halifax have got the ref a comfy seat for the journey home.

MoM Efete, honourable mentions for Clifton and Hunt.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Battered them 1-1.

Hope Halifax have got the ref a comfy seat for the journey home.

Exactly.

We looked to be really blowing after 20 minutes. When you see the likes of Fox and Clifton panting then you know our fitness was rusty.

We grew into the game, played some good football and NO DOUBT the players are with PH.  Thought Pearson looked commanding and actually set a few attacks going.

Was saying just before we scored that even though it looked like we wouldn't get what we deserved, I really enjoyed the game, which got better the longer it went on. Then we did what we had failed to do for the previous 90 mins, namely two decisive touches where it counts. Fantastic cross and an equally fantastic header.

It was a game of if only for us. Not quite the right pass or cross or shot when in good positions.  Two or three headed chances that looked like we only had to get a head on it and it was a goal, but somehow we didn't connect properly, or at all.

Thought the Halifax defence was very good and got some great challenges in at just the right moments. Then they score with just about the only move of the game where they got behind us with an overload. Keeper didn't cover himself in glory, but on another day, the rebound goes to safety and we get away with it.

Think Hurst chose to go with experience, which is understandable given our recent run of results and they all played their part in a very good performance that shows we have the basis of a decent side. Put McAtee in there and bring someone in who can sniff out a goal and we would probably have won that game.

Just need to be a bit more ruthless and we can get back to winning ways.

Nearly never went as I have been ill all Christmas, but so glad I did.

Quoted from smokey111

Exactly.

We looked to be really blowing after 20 minutes. When you see the likes of Fox and Clifton panting then you know our fitness was rusty.

We grew into the game, played some good football and NO DOUBT the players are with PH.  Thought Pearson looked commanding and actually set a few attacks going.

Pearson morphed into Denilson and Beckenbauer’s love child in the last 20 mins.

Late in the match, Waterfall mis-hit a square ball to Shaun. I feared the worst. Pearson just cushioned a delicate instep volley over Waters’ head and out to Crookes like he was jogo bonito-ing on Copacabana beach.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Pearson morphed into Denilson and Beckenbauer’s love child in the last 20 mins.

Late in the match, Waterfall mis-hit a square ball to Shaun. I feared the worst. Pearson just cushioned a delicate instep volley over Waters’ head and out to Crookes like he was jogo bonito-ing on Copacabana beach.

Yes saw that with both cheeks clenched. I have to say I thought he was excellent all game.

Well deserved point could and should have been three if we had a decent ref.

Just back. Echo what others have said, felt like 3 points, deserved 3 points. Feel we were a bit weak first 20 mins but Sousa and Hunt dragged us into the game. After 20 mins there was only 1 team on the attack really. Hunt had a good game, Max added something when he came on and deserved his assist. But Pearson was my MoM, definitely. Even brought the nostalgia in with a cheeky stepover as he attacked their left side.

What an incompetent anus that ref was though. My dad is probably the least biased town fan I know. He's one of them who you ask 'who's side are you on' usually. He was messaging me from home watching on BT sport and said we should have had at least 2 pens, probably 3. Think the ref is the difference between 1 point and 3 today. Players definitely playing for Hurst, no doubt about it. UTM

Thought we were great once we got going after half an hour, deserved to win but for a ref that seemed a tadge on the blind side. Even if we had lost I would have been proud of the way we played and how we didn't score 3 in 2nd half is beyond me, Watched on telly and deffo a pen just before they scored. Its great how we can attack with passing/a bit of movement when the players have a couple of weeks without Hurst teaching them about defending before anything else  . Play like that against the also rans and we will be well on for the playoffs.
Thought Efete and Pearson best players but everyone put in a decent shift and nobody played badly.
Lets put them to the sword in the next game if we get a decent ref.

Another thought.

We are too honest for our own good. I’m surprised there was any shirt left on Ryan Taylor today yet Slew, probably their best player, went down as soon as we breathed on him.

JMD makes such a big difference. He was my MOM before his goal. McAtee is going to enjoy playing with him.

I thought the game was played in good spirits today. Halifax tried every trick in the book on Pearson and Taylor but that’s football and every team does the same. Only difference is the referee would usually put a stop to it but today he let it all slide for Halifax. He was shitting it walking from the pitch and so he should because he was that bad… but you have to take your chances and we had a few today which is encouraging. We edged it today and could have won comfortably so that is 1st and 2nd in the league that have been here in the last two games and neither have deserved to beat us. We’ve only taken a point when we would have had 4 so hopefully those issues will be addressed.

The game started off pretty normal, but as time went on it developed into a real humdinger.  The ref played his part (in a bad way) and our players and fans responded to the challenge in a (very!) good way.  We really, really deserved to win, if only for the way we relentlessly bombarded their goal in the second half.  I was literally on the edge of my seat towards the end, and so proud of our players - I went home buzzing!

Nobody had a bad game, but there were four who I thought were outstandingly good.  JMD impressed me by plugging away at their goal relentlessly until he got his reward.  A few weeks ago I remember wishing that Efete would go bombing forward a bit more, like he used to.  Today's performance was exactly what I wanted to see from him, and he was awesome.  He's very powerful, and if I'd been a Halifax defender, I'd have been scared.  Shaun Pearson: what can I say?  Superb game from him - some of his passing was super-classy.   The other player who stood out was Alex Hunt - he didn't play the full 90 minutes, but as soon as he set foot on the pitch he seemed to be oozing confidence and effort, and made a real difference.  Any of those four could have been my MoM and I don't want to choose between them.

If our players can perform like that without John McAtee, then I can't wait to see what they're  like when he's back stoking the fire.

Thought we was excellant tday great attitude after a soft goal think he should have held it or parry it wide , when hunt came on he made a massive differance proper front footballer please sign him , also thought erico was good scared them to death , waterfall & pearson can play together tday proved it neither put a foot wrong , efete best i'v seen from him brilliant fullback play both defensivly & attacking , to sum it up if we continue to show that attitude & desire we will win more than we lose for sure

Watching at home...  cracking performance... really wish i'd been in the pontoon for that.  Even if we'd lost the performance felt like a turning point.  Lets hope so

We probably don't do it because we're not very good at it. When Efete was well-tackled in the box in the second half, his attempt to go down like a dying swan was just dreadful.

Reading this back has certainly cheered me up.

Sounds positive.

I saw the first goal pop up and carried on with the decorating fearing the worst.

UTM

Well done to the players, great fighting effort in the end.

Positives :, Really enjoyed watching the game (except the ref) felt Taylor held it up well and the wingers did their jobs well. Defence did well most part, Waterfall is for me a changed man. Class. I love Efete and the forward runs he does. Again I enjoyed it and cheered a bit too loud when we got the deserved equaliser.

Negative : For me we had nothing in central midfield and felt Clifton was doing 3 man job. Coke wass invisible from what i saw and fox was bang average... Also felt Hunt was way too deep collecting the ball, especially when we're 1-0 down.

The most pleasing thing for me was the way we responded straight after conceding. Let's face it, we were well on top, it was nothing more than a speculative shot that Crocombe should have dealt with, and, with the run we've had, it could have knocked the stuffing out of us. Instead, with the crowd responding as well, we had 35 mins of constant pressure and good noise. I was really impressed with the Halifax defence to almost hang on. They kept their composure really well, played the weak ref and that's why they are second. The weaker teams in this league would have crumbled (like Barnet did). We found that extra bit of quality in the final third that we've been missing with Max's delivery and the finish. Be good to see both John McAtee and JMD on the pitch at the same time with Max staying fit for some late impact off the bench.

I actually thought the ref had a good game, other than demanding Mighty got back in the stands. Our penalty appeals can't have been that blatant because our players never made any fuss and that tells me a lot.

Their centre back came off with a torn shirt so it wasn't just them giving it out either. We did play well, it's clear Hurst has them playing for him but I thought Halifax controlled the tempo of the game.

We certainly had more purpose when Hunt came on as I thought our passing was very slow first half. 2 training ground moves broke down when Crookes and Clifton both slid the ball through to nobody and there was a sense of here we go again when Crocombe fumbled the shot on the counter. A counter attack where their keeper misjudged a cross and 2 of our own players failed to make contact with the ball. 30 seconds later, their player is following in a parried shot and an already defensively solid Halifax became even more disciplined.

Maguire-Drew deserved his goal for that superb effort against the woodwork and it was a great cross from Wright with his left foot. I actually thought Wright and Bell should have come on 10 minutes before Wright came on.

We played well, especially given the circumstances, but Halifax are a good team. Play like that against teams that aren't as organised as Halifax and the winless run will be over soon enough.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Our penalty appeals can't have been that blatant because our players never made any fuss and that tells me a lot.
.

I assume you was at the game? Every corner before it was taken Pearson was shouting to the ref and showing him he wass being grabbed. Then the one that then lead to them going up to the other end and scored Pearson was going mental.

Quoted from lukeo

Positives :, Really enjoyed watching the game (except the ref) felt Taylor held it up well and the wingers did their jobs well. Defence did well most part, Waterfall is for me a changed man. Class. I love Efete and the forward runs he does. Again I enjoyed it and cheered a bit too loud when we got the deserved equaliser.

Negative : For me we had nothing in central midfield and felt Clifton was doing 3 man job. Coke wass invisible from what i saw and fox was bang average... Also felt Hunt was way too deep collecting the ball, especially when we're 1-0 down.

Completely disagree about Hunt. His passing is far more progressive than Coke’s who played meaningless triangles with Waterfall and Pearson for 20 minutes. When Hunt came on, we looked a far greater threat.

Big upgrade in performance on recent weeks.Seemed to be pack to higher press that we started season with before sitting back against better teams
Maguire -Drew has some quality and hopefully an upgrade.
Coke and Fox together can’t work massive improvement when Hunt came in for Coke . If Hunt going we need an alternative too Coke..
Halifax the poorest of the promotion contenders seen at Blundell Park would be suprised if they were more then lower play off contenders at the end

He needs to be higher up the field.. 1-0 down he doesn't need to come next to or even behind the cbs to receive the ball... I think he's a very good passer no question but he needs to receive the ball higher up field.. Not one pass he did today Pearson couldn't have done.
I'm not saying he's excrement. I think Hunt would be class further up field slotting balls through etc.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I actually thought the ref had a good game, other than demanding Mighty got back in the stands. Our penalty appeals can't have been that blatant because our players never made any fuss and that tells me a lot.
.

You got that completely wrong, I was at the game and then watched some highlights on BT sport.
Pearson went absolutely ballistic after he was rugby tackled down

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Completely disagree about Hunt. His passing is far more progressive than Coke’s who played meaningless triangles with Waterfall and Pearson for 20 minutes. When Hunt came on, we looked a far greater threat.

Agreed Hunt was excellent, Coke is way too defensive  And has several have pointed out the midfield of Coke Clifton and fox is too similar.

For me Clifton the star of the three, Fox didn’t have the best of games but you could not fault his effort. coke seems to slow the pace down too much for me. If we cannot retain hunt a playmaker type midfield player for me is a major January priority

Big upgrade in performance on recent weeks.Seemed to be pack to higher press that we started season with before sitting back against better teams
Maguire -Drew has some quality and hopefully an upgrade.
Coke and Fox together can’t work massive improvement when Hunt came in for Coke . If Hunt going we need an alternative too Coke..
Halifax the poorest of the promotion contenders seen at Blundell Park would be suprised if they were more then lower play off contenders at the end

Coke has been well off the pace for virtually the whole season. Doesn't do anywhere enough in terms of winning back possession and slows down our forward play considerably, often choosing to go sideways when a forward pass is on. Good for us last season but has to be taken in to context that he was alongside the outstanding Matete and players like James Morton had been so bad that just doing basics was an improvement. However, he is nowhere near good enough to be starting in a team that has any realistic ambition of getting promoted from this league.

Quoted from lukeo

I assume you was at the game? Every corner before it was taken Pearson was shouting to the ref and showing him he wass being grabbed. Then the one that then lead to them going up to the other end and scored Pearson was going mental.

It's not a penalty though when he's grabbing you before the ball is back in play. When they went up the other end, the keeper was in no mans land and two players failed to head it into an empty net. Crocombe then had one thing to do all game and he ballsed it up.

Although Crocombe only had one thing to do, Halifax played well. They were very solid and we had to work very hard to score.

Bearing in mind we hadn't played for 16 days, reduced training during that period because of the Covid outbreak and the position of our opponents, I would have happily accepted a draw before kick-off. But, given those circumstances, I thought the performance was superb and a draw the very least we deserved. It's the sort of performance that might just kickstart a season.

Quoted from mariner91

Coke has been well off the pace for virtually the whole season. Doesn't do anywhere enough in terms of winning back possession and slows down our forward play considerably, often choosing to go sideways when a forward pass is on. Good for us last season but has to be taken in to context that he was alongside the outstanding Matete and players like James Morton had been so bad that just doing basics was an improvement. However, he is nowhere near good enough to be starting in a team that has any realistic ambition of getting promoted from this league.

I think this is a season too far for Coke. I said to someone earlier that it's easy to think someone is a good player when they are a poor player in a terrible team.

Encouraged to see the players playing with confidence , despite the run of form … shows they believe in what they are being coached and are backing themselves . Feel much after today , played really well .. hopefully the start of some momentum . Crowd backed the players too ..

Quoted from lukeo

He needs to be higher up the field.. 1-0 down he doesn't need to come next to or even behind the cbs to receive the ball... I think he's a very good passer no question but he needs to receive the ball higher up field.. Not one pass he did today Pearson couldn't have done.
I'm not saying he's excrement. I think Hunt would be class further up field slotting balls through etc.

In the games when Hunt hasn't played, our defenders just hit hopeful balls into the channels, generally leading to an immediate loss of possesion. Hunt taking the ball off the CBs and feeding good balls into midfield is the key to building better and more sustained attacking play.

I read someone on here this morning saying something along the lines "Hunt has been excrement, need to get rid" and I just shook my head in despair. I really hope he stays, but fear someone higher up will take him on loan for the 2nd half of the season.

No point in complaining about the ref, won't change anything and we'll certainly see a similar quality of officiating a few more times before the seasons out.. just have to live with it I'm afraid.

Looked rusty in the first 20 minutes. Seemed odd Halifax come out of the blocks so quick, thought they would try to take advantage of the lack of fitness later on in the game but seems as if their plan was to get an early goal then shut up shop.

Eftete seemed to make a few good runs first half at a time when no-one else was really doing a lot but the second half seemed like wave after wave of attack and was fantastic to see.

Crocombe's mistake wasn't great but felt like we was caught on the counter, following a quick throw that even we weren't ready for! The mistakes happen, at least it wasn't slipping through his fingers or anything daft like that. Would be harsh to lose his place though didn't think Macca did a lot wrong to lose his place either!

Not the win we needed, but the performance was enough to give us some hope considering we had a shot cleared off the line and hit the crossbar or post too. Probably our best performance without McAtee too.

Quoted from goldenfish

Encouraged to see the players playing with confidence , despite the run of form … shows they believe in what they are being coached and are backing themselves . Feel much after today , played really well .. hopefully the start of some momentum . Crowd backed the players too ..

I thought we'd played really well against Notts County & Chesterfield as well, and we were extremely unfortunate to have lost both. Appreciate that our away form has been abysmal, but our performances at home have been good all season - some better than others, but I can't think of any home match this season where I've walked away thinking that was poor.

With McAtee coming back, I still think we will make the play-offs. Just need to sort out the away form.

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

Just need to sort out the away form.

We'll be OK, play-offs have a home leg and Wembley is our 2nd home  

Quoted from Jaws

We'll be OK, play-offs have a home leg and Wembley is our 2nd home  

Play-offs are one leg so it depends where we finish. Need to finish 2nd or 3rd to not play an away game before Wembley.

Quoted from Jaws

We'll be OK, play-offs have a home leg and Wembley is our 2nd home  

Like your thinking  

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Play-offs are one leg so it depends where we finish. Need to finish 2nd or 3rd to not play an away game before Wembley.

Must admit I didn’t realise that!

Max Wright is a good player at this level. Hoping he finally manages to stay fit for us and for him. Town fan and can really give us something

Quoted from lee65

Must admit I didn’t realise that!

6 teams in the play-offs so it's:

4th v 7th (to play away 3rd)
5th v 6th (to play away at 2nd)
Final

I thought the first 35 minutes were a bit meh, with Halifax looking the slightly stronger on the ball but neither side troubling the keepers. Not sure if it was Hunt coming on for Coke but we looked better in the last 10 minutes.

Second half we were much the stronger side and creating chances, it's just a shame we gave a goal away with a mistake from Crocombe and also the ref being a complete twit. If it wasn't for that I am sure we would have won.

We need some 90 minute performances like that second half, we may then crawl our way back up this League.

There’s nothing massive I can add to what has been said already on here but I had been concerned that maybe the poor run was in a small part down to a lack of resilience but this afternoon clearly put that to bed.

Disappointed with their goal if I’m honest but it has to noted that Crowcombe had little to do for most of the game. Looking back neither keeper has been that busy at home from what I recall.

We finished the game with a lot of young talent on the pitch and I think that energy really kept up the belief and momentum.

Halifax are very streetwise (cheating) and well organised and I’d expect them to be right up there come the end of the season.

If we stay lucky with injuries and add a couple getting in the play offs is more than achievable.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

6 teams in the play-offs so it's:

4th v 7th (to play away 3rd)
5th v 6th (to play away at 2nd)
Final

Thank you for that, so we really need to finish no lower than 5th, or no chance of a home play-off game at all

Thought Hunt changed the pace of our game when he came on, Pearson’s distribution at times was superb.

Deserved that point, feel like we could’ve got 3. Feels much better being able to say McAtee will be back for the next one.

Quoted from lee65

Thank you for that, so we really need to finish no lower than 5th, or no chance of a home play-off game at all

Yep, a bit like the World Cup playoffs nowadays too. For example, if Wales and Scotland win their respective one-leg semis, Wales play a home one-legger against Scotland for a place in the finals. No away goals rule or aggregate scores. At this stage I quite like the idea but if we finish 7th I might whine a bit more I reckon!

I agree that Hunt did well today. In fact, by far his best performance for months that I've seen. Probably helped that everybody was in pretty decent form and showing for the pass.

The fact that Hunt seems to be more effective when playing a bit deeper makes me think that's probably going to be his best role for us.  I'd also hope that McAtee will return to the team and get back to form quickly and this will hopefully allow Hunt to get further forward on occasion.

That's assuming that Hunt stays for the whole season, of course. Is he just here until the end of the month at present?

Very few wasted passes from us today which makes a big difference to most games over the past couple of months!

Who makes way for McAtee? I'm not so sure that he walks straight into the team.

Whilst we could have done with his link up play at times today and closing down of the Halifax keeper, the people you would drop for him him also offer something valuable.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Who makes way for McAtee? I'm not so sure that he walks straight into the team.

Whilst we could have done with his link up play at times today and closing down of the Halifax keeper, the people you would drop for him him also offer something valuable.

Easy, Coke.

4-2-3-1

Crocombe; Efete, Pearson, Waterfall, Crookes; Fox/Clifton, Hunt; JMD, McAtee, Sousa; Taylor

I don't think so. Nice balance, IMO.

Quoted from smokey111

Easy, Coke.

4-2-3-1

Crocombe; Efete, Pearson, Waterfall, Crookes; Fox/Clifton, Hunt; JMD, McAtee, Sousa; Taylor

Very harsh on Hunt that though. Hunt, Fox and Clifton were solid as a 3.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Very harsh on Hunt that though. Hunt, Fox and Clifton were solid as a 3.

???

He is in a 2 with either Fox or Clifton.

All I can say is before the game I was fearing the worst but if we can play like that after Covid in the camp and key suspension/s the future is looking promising... UTM.

You could see the desire in the players.  Sousa caused a lot of trouble, Pearson and Efete were outstanding.  Hunt's substitution was fortuitous but changed the game.  Crookes made a couple of wayward passes and looked a little nervous at first but stuck to his task well. Taylor did a fine job despite Halifax having their paws all over him.

Now, don't tinker too much.  Let those players play and grow in confidence.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Who makes way for McAtee? I'm not so sure that he walks straight into the team.

Whilst we could have done with his link up play at times today and closing down of the Halifax keeper, the people you would drop for him him also offer something valuable.

Easy, Coke.

I appreciate Coke works hard but for me he looks the sort of player you bring in woth 10 minutes to go when you’re defending a 1-0 away.

He wasn’t rubbish yesterday but it always feels like he slows the game down and at times he seemed to take too long, almost putting us under pressure.

I’m not scapegoating him nor am I suggesting he’s rubbish like others have but for me, Hunt gave us an injection of pace but even he at times was looking for that bit of pace around him, Mcatee gives you that.

Hunt with Clifton and Mcatee infront. With the same front 3 as yesterday 🔥

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Who makes way for McAtee? I'm not so sure that he walks straight into the team.

Whilst we could have done with his link up play at times today and closing down of the Halifax keeper, the people you would drop for him him also offer something valuable.

McAtee is our best player by a country mile, as proven by how shite we’ve been since he’s been out.

He walks into this XI with his eyes closed, plenty of the players that played yesterday have had enough off days during that run to justify making way for him.

Quoted from lukeo

Hunt with Clifton and Mcatee infront. With the same front 3 as yesterday 🔥

Hunt isn’t a holding midfielder. Nor is Harry. You need either Fox or Coke for balance.

I know we finished the game without either but I can’t see how you could play 90 minutes like that.

Quoted from Heisenberg

Yep, a bit like the World Cup playoffs nowadays too. For example, if Wales and Scotland win their respective one-leg semis, Wales play a home one-legger against Scotland for a place in the finals. No away goals rule or aggregate scores. At this stage I quite like the idea but if we finish 7th I might whine a bit more I reckon!

No whinging from me if we finished 7th, under the old system we would have zero chance of promotion

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Hunt isn’t a holding midfielder. Nor is Harry. You need either Fox or Coke for balance.

I know we finished the game without either but I can’t see how you could play 90 minutes like that.

The next 2 games are against Halifax and Altrincham. Both are good, organised teams so I think McAtee will be on the bench as we will probably opt for 3 in the middle.

I certainly think some of McAtees attributes would have helped yesterday but I also think having him in the team would have been at the expense of some other things we did well.

We've lost 9 of the last 11 games and I get that McAtee has missed a very large proportion of those but I think he will be on the bench as Hurst will see that it's important to still be in the game defensively.

The last minute equaliser has got fans off his back for 10 days because although we deserved to not lose against Chesterfield, certain fans were baying for blood after that game.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Hunt isn’t a holding midfielder. Nor is Harry. You need either Fox or Coke for balance.

I know we finished the game without either but I can’t see how you could play 90 minutes like that.

I hear this ‘balance’ thing that Coke offers us a lot but yesterday disproves that. We often look slow and disjointed with Coke in midfield, you don’t need a defensive minded midfielder to be balanced in midfield. Yesterday proved that with Fox, Clifton and Hunt all doing both parts of the job which made us far more balanced as an attacking threat.

McAtee ran Altrincham ragged at their place (despite missing 3 great chances), would be very surprised if he's on the bench against them.

Quoted from pontoonlew

I hear this ‘balance’ thing that Coke offers us a lot but yesterday disproves that. We often look slow and disjointed with Coke in midfield, you don’t need a defensive minded midfielder to be balanced in midfield. Yesterday proved that with Fox, Clifton and Hunt all doing both parts of the job which made us far more balanced as an attacking threat.

Yep. I wasn't advocating Coke at all, just that we need one of that type in a midfield three.

Quoted from pontoonlew

I hear this ‘balance’ thing that Coke offers us a lot but yesterday disproves that. We often look slow and disjointed with Coke in midfield, you don’t need a defensive minded midfielder to be balanced in midfield. Yesterday proved that with Fox, Clifton and Hunt all doing both parts of the job which made us far more balanced as an attacking threat.

Halifax could have done with keeping Coke on the pitch yesterday. Clifton and Fox have a lot more energy as they are 12 years younger whilst Hunt looks to do something useful with the ball every time.