Just Back

Phew. Sweating buckets that last 5

It was scrappy, bitty, who cares. One bit of quality got us 3 huge points. Menayese was superb alongside Hewitt. Both my MOM’s

Its still a long way to go we all know that, but Hursty has made us solid at the back and the boys are fighting for him and us. And i cant ask more than that. flipping proud tonight. GET IN

Yes well done to the lads.

We may be struggling up top but with Menayese and Hewitt at CB we might only require one goal in a few of our remaining games to get all three points.

Great feeling tonight but must be followed by another win on Saturday.

Was great to see lessons were learned from the Carlisle game in terms of time wasting etc., even if the end of the game was too close for comfort.

UTM

And to think Barrow have won their last 4 on the spin including beating top of the league Cheltenham. Absolutely nothing in this division to worry about, great win.

I was really worrying that we were going to pull a Carlisle and bring on an extra defender...but then I realised we had no defenders on the bench!

Good result, and as others have said, Hewitt and Menayese have formed a strong pairing and look solid, which means we often need only one goal for at least a point which was not the case a few months ago.

Is five unbeaten our best since returning to the football league? It wouldn't surprise me if it was.

Do you know what impressed me more than anything ...the fight the players showed and the screams at the final whistle...these boys are up for the challenge, we can ask no more than that...

Floating on cloud nine with a nice glass of red wine, bliss absolute bliss what a win. Confidence for the team for Saturday and of course staying up.

Massive win, soooo tense at the end.

Knocking out a bit of Up the Mariners. Tune.

Get it on everyone 😀

Bloody marvellous! Get in!

What a result!

Am I right in thinking we're now beaten in 5?

If so, we've only conceded 2 in 5 games. 4 points from our last 2 games. Closed the gap on Col U, Barrow, Walsall and Southend. But yeah, still a long way to go. What a time to hit a bit of form. Keep picking up points between now and end of the season and you never know... Massive game against Walsall on Saturday now.

The Trannies came back from two down to draw 2-2 with Colchester as well, which was a boon.

Geez my heart rate was thru the roof.. Great win result was everything.. bring on Sat!!

These kind of games are rarely pretty - we're talking about two of the worst teams in League Two this season after all. But Town were dogged, organised, determined and hard working and quite often that's enough. One or two shaky moments towards the end, but other than that we were untroubled.

Fantastic strike from Spokes for the winner who looked good if tired towards the end. Back four were solid, Lennie lead the line well despite some wayward finishing but the Town man of the match has to be Matete - absolutely immense on and off the ball tonight. He's impressed me so far but seems to be getting better by the game.

Still a long, long way to go and we'll rightly remain favourites to go down for now, but we've given ourselves a glimmer of hope tonight and hopefully some confidence, and that will be important. Another huge game at home to Walsall on Saturday - realistically no less a 'must win' than tonight was, followed by some tricky looking fixtures on paper. However, end of season games are often a nightmare to predict based on league positions alone, and I expect even more curve balls given the lack of fans.

It's doable, not much more than that, but doable nonetheless. We live in hope.

So I had a few Guinness tonight while watching the game. Will have to do the same Saturday just out of superstition

A very well battled for 3 points. A fantastic goal. A resolute display from the 4 at the back and more importantly, points gained on those closest to us  

Walsall at home is absolutely massive now! Just looked at the form table and over the last 10 games they've only taken 4 points to our 10 and it looks like they're the team we'll most likely need to catch. Win it and we move within 6 points with 9 games remaining.

Well done to Hurst and the team. Didn’t watch it so can’t comment on the performance but all that mattered tonight was the result. Our faint hope of staying in the league is still there. Utm.

Quoted from DB

Floating on cloud nine with a nice glass of red wine, bliss absolute bliss what a win. Confidence for the team for Saturday and of course staying up.

Same here and it’s meant to be an alcohol free night!!! GET IN THERE!!! #UTM

Not rushing in to a win fuelled emotional outburst ......

Three vital points.

Hurst came out of his comfort zone with the set up tonight and it gave us a good edge and footing in the game, especially with that wind.

Still not enough quality in the attack or chances created despite territorial and possession advantage.

Great work ethic from all.  

Clifton , shocking with the ball all night long, yes he is out of position, yes he isnt left footed but has to do better.

Looked comfortable at the back .....until they went a goal down and then upped their own efforts and we then looked shaky. Got the blocks in, got the bounce of the ball this week and a couple of flappy Macca moments went unpunished.

Subs - Hanson should have stayed on just for the aeriel bombardment that we knew would be coming.
          Spokes - should have come off , was like the walking dead and pretty much a man down after he scored.

3 points, hope it releases any pressure on the players to try that riskier play now rather than the safe pass backwards, sideways.

Thank you for the smile on my face this evening.  

Need red wine. Need more red wine.

Got to say that, much as our result was essential, Southend and Walsall drawing was a Brucey bonus.

Hanson did stay on?

Damn you Paul Hurst !!!
Just as I was disappointingly accepting the fact of relegation, you’ve given me that glimmer of hope again !!  🤣🤣

Only Bolton, Stevenage and Mariners undefeated in 5
What a league and opportunity to stay up

Quoted from moosey_club

Not rushing in to a win fuelled emotional outburst ......

Three vital points.

Hurst came out of his comfort zone with the set up tonight and it gave us a good edge and footing in the game, especially with that wind.

Still not enough quality in the attack or chances created despite territorial and possession advantage.

Great work ethic from all.  

Clifton , shocking with the ball all night long, yes he is out of position, yes he isnt left footed but has to do better.

Looked comfortable at the back .....until they went a goal down and then upped their own efforts and we then looked shaky. Got the blocks in, got the bounce of the ball this week and a couple of flappy Macca moments went unpunished.

Subs - Hanson should have stayed on just for the aeriel bombardment that we knew would be coming.
          Spokes - should have come off , was like the walking dead and pretty much a man down after he scored.

3 points, hope it releases any pressure on the players to try that riskier play now rather than the safe pass backwards, sideways.

Thank you for the smile on my face this evening.  

You must have watched a different match, Hanson wasn't sub'd

Quoted from Hagrid

Hanson did stay on?

Did he ?  

Quoted from Hagrid

Hanson did stay on?

He did H, he finished the game..

Quoted from moosey_club

Did he ?  

Yep and I'll have what your on

First game I've missed for a long time. Couldn't get to iFollow before Kick-off so followed on BBC on Laptop. Decided that I must be the jinx so won't be signing on now until we are safe for the final game of the season.
Congrats to Team and Hursty for a  great result.
UTFM

The boys deserved that tonight, they've been fighting hard these lat few weeks, but not getting the rub of the green. Most of them chose to come here, regardless of our predicament, so it's nice for therm to be rewarded with this win. Not getting carried away, but hopefully the beginning of some positivity!

Every win is vital at this point so good on the lads for working hard to hold on to it at the end. It's not done until it's impossible to get out the relegation zone so all the team can do is keep playing the best they can be. Defence looks a lot better with Menayese back in it, he brings some much needed pace to the back and far more solid than other options.

Appreciated that people were more willing to have a go at goal, even if it's off target if you're shooting at the goal rather than messing about you'll eventually get one on target. Goal really came from Spokes having a go at goal and got his reward.

A brilliant effort. Paul Hurst is slowly sorting us out. I fear we will run out of time but if we finish with pride and have the core of a team for next season , a manager with experiience plus new owners we can be optimistic and we bloody well deserve that utm

Walsall only had 3 shots at goal despite Southend being down to 10 men.  

Southend had 14 shots at goal.

Walsall have had 1 win in 17 games as they tumble down the league.

3 clean sheets in 4. If we can keep smashing in screamers we've got a chance!

Menayese and Hewitt forming a solid partnership in defence,both my MOM. Just a quick mention for the officials, I thought they all did a good stint tonight,not very often we can say that.

Quoted from Grimal

Menayese and Hewitt forming a solid partnership in defence,both my MOM. Just a quick mention for the officials, I thought they all did a good stint tonight,not very often we can say that.

Commentary decent too..

Quoted from Mariner93er

Is five unbeaten our best since returning to the football league? It wouldn't surprise me if it was.

Joint best, by my quick reckoning. Four other times (most memorably the last 5 games of 17/18 ).

Quoted from Bigdog

Commentary decent too..

Have to agree with that, thought they were generally pretty impartial up until Quigley hit that last shot at which point I thought they'd had a gulp of Nitrous Oxide with a side dish of amphetamine...🤣

Quoted from Hagrid

Hanson did stay on?

Why was he playing after Saturday does he have a groin injury or not was he playing not fit if so why wasn’t Jackson in with more energy?

Quoted from essexexile

Why was he playing after Saturday does he have a groin injury or not was he playing not fit if so why wasn’t Jackson in with more energy?

Hurst’s kidology

Quoted from DB

You must have watched a different match, Hanson wasn't sub'd

And Harry had a very good game especially as he was playing out of position

Quoted from Garth

And Harry had a very good game especially as he was playing out of position

Yeh but near the end he gave the ball away under no pressure which resulted in a free kick for them just outside our box, we need to be more composed and learn to manage the game better

Quoted from Abdul19

3 clean sheets in 4. If we can keep smashing in screamers we've got a chance!

If
Williams Saturday, Spokes tonight, who on Saturday?
Like to see us creating more from midfield from open play but can’t deny the energy which has got us 4 points from 6 away from home

The playing conditions were as tricky as they come tonight. Gale force wind, open stadium, heavy bobbly pitch drying in places. Sometimes you have to ignore the standard of football on offer, apart from the goal, and just sit back and admire the players' collective willingness to chase, compete, defend and also the desire to come out on top in a must win game..

Menayese and Hewitt were immense.. again. But all played their part..

We go to an in form team who have won their last four games and beat them on their own pitch.

Well done to all this win gives us hope we can get out the bottom two.

Come on you mariners !!!!

Quoted from Abdul19

Joint best, by my quick reckoning. Four other times (most memorably the last 5 games of 17/18 ).

We had a run of 7 unbeaten in the league earlier in the 17/18 season (albeit with a cup loss in the middle of it).

Quoted from mike502

We had a run of 7 unbeaten in the league earlier in the 17/18 season (albeit with a cup loss in the middle of it).

I really did not remember us having such a run but you're right.... won 2 and drew 5

Let's hope we can go on and do even better as we fight for our survival

UTM

Quoted from FishOutOfWater

I really did not remember us having such a run but you're right.... won 2 and drew 5

Let's hope we can go on and do even better as we fight for our survival

UTM

Was just about to point it out when you edited your post!

Quoted from mike502

Was just about to point it out when you edited your post!

And I thought I'd got away with it Mike!  

That's the trouble with Soccerbase though...all the games get mixed in so it was difficult to pick up those seven undefeated games amongst the B team trophy and FA cup games ( funny how I remember a few of them quite well too )

As I recall that season we did ok until the game with Notts County then the wheels fell off spectacularly once the board thought we were safe and sold our players in the January window without really doing much to cater for the rest of the season

In some ways we have a harder task with these last 10 games now than Jolley had when he came in but you never know.... I know a lot of folk don't like the word momentum but we do have some of sorts right now. Just hope we can keep it going until May. Fingers crossed

UTM

Ah yes, Cheltenham away where Dembele got 2!

Nice to read so many positive posts.

UTM

I think it would be difficult to criticise anything last night. The tactics were spot on and the players all carried out their jobs properly. Hurst often gets criticised for subs and timings but last night they worked spot on for me.

The pitch was awful, as was the wind. Barrow never set up to win the game and once we scored it scuppered their plans.

Hopefully it’s the much needed confidence boost.

It’s certainly a nicer feeling waking up with a win...

Their commentators called it saying Grimsby are shooting all the time, eventually one is going in.  How right they were, and what a cracking goal it was.  UTM

Main thing that stood out to me, is that Ben Davies did the interview....
Runaway would of come out, lapping it all up, giving it the big 'look at me', and Hurst has sat in the background, and just carrying on with keeping this little run going...

If this team had started the season, we would stay up, no questions IMO.
They are now gelling, Hurst is understanding his best team, and grinding results.

We have gone from conceding for fun..
5 at Tranmere
4 to Exeter
3 at Southend
3 at Morecambe
3 at Port vale
3 at Scunny

to conceding 3 in our last 5 games, which has left us 5 unbeaten - huge difference.

Natural shout out to Hewitt and Menayese for obvious reasons, both done great!
But McKeown again was thrown out (Rightly so), received criticism on all forms of social media platforms, which he would of seen (he is human), and come back in and done superb

Its also no coincidence that LJL has started all of the last 5 games... making a massive, sometimes an unnoticed difference!

I still think we've turned that corner too late, but either way, they are putting up a fight, and having a go, and for that, i have no complaints at all....

^^ LJL bullies the defenders and holds the ball up well, he is still doing a job for us.

Fantastic result, thought the midfield 3 were absolutely superb and that really worked. I'd like to see us try that again but try a front 3 with width and pace (Jackson Jnr, LJL, Lamy./Williams) I think that'd be the key. I don't think Payne offered anywhere enough last night and poor old Clifton had a bit of a nightmare on that left side with no real support (not his fault, he's been excellent filling in there).

Matete and Rose were absolutely class, barely put a single foot wrong and Spokes has really grabbed back his chance after being somewhat unfairly dropped IMO. The back four were absolutely solid yet again, saw a stat that that back 5 (with Macca) haven't conceded a single goal in 3 games playing together, what a stat that is considering our position.

We really need some attacking options somehow though, if we have a defence who will make it easy for us to just need one goal, we need to do that justice up top.

The illegitimates have dragged me back in.

Quoted from 123614

^^ LJL bullies the defenders and holds the ball up well, he is still doing a job for us.

The way he made life difficult for the defender before laying it off for Spokes was class.

Last night was simply a must win. It wasnt pretty , neither side really created much.

But a huge 3 pts. If we hadnt won i think that would have sealed our fate.

A reality check.......we are still deep in the mire and its not like we are playing great. We have 10 cup finals to play starting with another massive game v another struggling team Walsall. We need to build on this win and string a run together. Beat Walsall and that maybe drags them into it and puts pressure on them.

On the positive side 5 games unbeaten.....the defence seems to have tightened up though Macca still gives me palpitations at times. I remarked a couple of weeks ago I thought the players and management had thrown in the towel. They didnt seem to be fighting for their lives to me.

The last couple of games you cant accuse therm of that. The reaction at the final whistle last night told me they do think they still have hope. Looking at recent results in this division  no-one is unbeatable with teams near the top losing to those at the bottom. Form this time of the year always seems to go up in the air.

The odds are still stacked against us but we have given ourselves a slim glimmer of a chance. Gotta keep going....If you are going to go down go down fighting.

A few observations from last night.
A great defensive performance again from Town with all players putting in a shift but sadly the thing that will sadly be our downfall the season is just the lack of goal scoring opportunities we create. One shot on target last night but what a strike! but I just don’t think that can carry on for the remaining games and expect to pick up more points than the other teams above us, unlike the Carlisle game we got a bit of luck and managed to hold on for 3 points.
Hopefully a good win against Walsall on Saturday we can get a few goals which will give the team great confidence in actually scoring rather than keeping clean sheets might change the course of the season. Hope I’m wrong but I just think the teams above us will scrape enough points to see them safe.
On a another note sadly I just don’t think McEwan is good enough, we need Eastwood back, I’ve always said he’s a great shot stopper but he is so vulnerable with any balls into the 6 yard box as shown again last night, he was exposed three or four times,

PH has often said that you have to look way beyond the goals total to assess LJL’s contribution. He works his socks off and makes things happen for the others

Quoted from Sussexmariner

A few observations from last night.
A great defensive performance again from Town with all players putting in a shift but sadly the thing that will sadly be our downfall the season is just the lack of goal scoring opportunities we create. One shot on target last night but what a strike! but I just don’t think that can carry on for the remaining games and expect to pick up more points than the other teams above us, unlike the Carlisle game we got a bit of luck and managed to hold on for 3 points.
Hopefully a good win against Walsall on Saturday we can get a few goals which will give the team great confidence in actually scoring rather than keeping clean sheets might change the course of the season. Hope I’m wrong but I just think the teams above us will scrape enough points to see them safe.
On a another note sadly I just don’t think McEwan is good enough, we need Eastwood back, I’ve always said he’s a great shot stopper but he is so vulnerable with any balls into the 6 yard box as shown again last night, he was exposed three or four times,

The opposition don't create much either; it's the league we are in. How many shots has Macca had to save since he came back in?

It's such fine margins at the bottom that we could have won or lost all the last 5 games.

Delighted with the 3 points. Ugly game of football but style is irrelevant for the next 6/7 weeks as long as we get the points.

Thought the team selection and set-up was good. Perhaps a slight surprise to see Hurst go with 3 out-and-out proper centre-forwards as the 3 forwards in a 433. Probably thought the pitch wasnt great and that we'd just go direct and have a midfield to pick up 2nd balls. One worry could've been that LJL and Payne, as the wider forwards, would've been asked to do too much defensively giving us more of a 451 with Hanson isolated. Thankfully that didnt happen and it was a genuine front 3.

LJL and Hanson were a handful. Payne less so but I'd imagine that role is not something he's done before. LJL was very keen to get shots off in the first half.
LJL had a big hand in our goal - not through brilliant hold-up play as I've seen it described as elsewhere, but by being a flipping nuisance to play against. He never had control of the ball but stopped the defender being able to deal with it, then when it did drop at his feet, had the awareness to set it for Spokes. And what a strike.

Matete was good. The way he shields the ball and quickly swivels his body while he's on the move, to get it between the ball and the man, is excellent. Very calm, composed, and can play in tight spaces. Spokes was good too, he's got a presence about him, is physically imposing, can play off both feet and is mobile for his size.

I thought it was the best Rose had played in a long time. He definitely needs to play in a midfield 3, which has been clear for a while in all honesty but games like last night highlight it because of positive reasons. He was strong in the tackle, mopped up in front of the back 4 reasonably well, and switched play a lot when it got tight on side of the pitch.

Back 4 were pretty solid defensively bar a few moments. They put bodies on the line at the end and I'm sure I wasn't the only one nearly having a heart attack in the last 5 minutes. All these blocks contributed to Barrow only having one shot on target - that easy one Macca dived to his right to save after Clifton misjudged/missed a header. Macca didn't look confident with the aerial bombardment near the end, dropping a couple.

Hendrie really good again, in form at the right time. Hewitt continues to show hes a really good centre back. I don't rate him at all as a midfielder or a full back, but he's been excellent at centre back. Menayese has got stronger the longer he's been here. I've noticed he struggles with really high balls coming down from the clouds though, misjudges it or something but, as he has done previously, he one completely last night (under no pressure) and got another one wrong heading it backwards in the direction of our corner flag.

Clifton was excellent as a defender apart from that one moment not dealing with the bouncing ball that led to their shot on target. I thought he really struggled though when he had the ball. Perhaps suffered from not playing 442 when he has a winger quite close in front of him to pass the ball to. But really poor passing, even when under no pressure at times. His instructions need to be to just play little 5-10 yard passes. Win it and give it to Rose. No shame in that.

Can't really argue with the subs. Coke just slotted in for Rose and carried on with the same job. Green didnt have time to do anything, but I'd have thought Jackson Jr might have been a better option to come on for Payne, just to offer energy and pace. If we're going to keep playing 433 it might actually help Jackson, as it's on the right of a front 3 he played at his last club. Not on the right of a 442 as he did recently with us.

A bit of hope then. Hopefully we can follow it up with a win on Saturday, then things could get interesting. UTM.

Is Matete getting close to 5 yellows?

Quoted from lee65

Is Matete getting close to 5 yellows?

probs, but the cutoffs gone for that mate

Quoted from Hagrid

probs, but the cutoffs gone for that mate

Thank you Hagrid, I realised there was a point where they were "wiped clean", but assumed they then started counting again.
He certainly isn't afraid to get stuck in, and that header away on the edge of the box in amongst the flying feet showed great commitment  

With a keeper rediscovering his mojo and a very good CB partnership, we are hard to beat.

We therefore have the option to attack more with confidence and knowing that the back door is locked.  (We did not even have a back door before).

Alternatively,  we can sit it out and hope that we can take 1 chance to score and sneak some 1-0 wins.  (This assumes that we can create good chances in the first place. Previous games show that we will need a number of chances in order to score a goal).

Spokes' goal was probably an exception last night.  A good goal created out of very little.

Confidence is key.

Quoted from Tommy

Delighted with the 3 points. Ugly game of football but style is irrelevant for the next 6/7 weeks as long as we get the points.

Thought the team selection and set-up was good. Perhaps a slight surprise to see Hirst go with 3 out-and-out proper centre-forwards as the 3 forwards in a 433. Probably thought the pitch wasnt great and that we'd just to direct and have a midfield to pick up 2nd balls. One worry could've been that LJL and Payne, as the wider forwards, would've been asked to do too much defensively giving us more of a 451 with Hanson isolated. Thankfully that didnt happen and it was a genuine front 3.

LJL and Hanson were a handful. Payne less so but I'd imagine that role is not something he's done before. LJL was very keen to get shots off in the first half.
LJL had a big hand in our goal - not through brilliant hold-up play as I've seen it described as elsewhere, but by being a flipping nuisance to play against. He never had control of the ball but stopped the defender being able to deal with it, then when it did drop at his feet, had the awareness to set it for Spokes. And what a strike.

Matete was good. The way he shields the ball and quickly swivels his body while he's on the move, to get it between the ball and the man, is excellent. Very calm, composed, and can play in tight spaces. Spokes was good too, he's got a presence about him, is physically imposing, can play off both feet and is mobile for his size.

I thought it was the best Rose had played in a long time. He definitely needs to play in a midfield 3, which has been clear for a while in all honesty but games like last night highlight it because of positive reasons. He was strong in the tackle, mopped up in front of the back 4 reasonably well, and switched play a lot when it got tight on side of the pitch.

Back 4 were pretty solid defensively bar a few moments. They put bodies on the line at the end and I'm sure I wasn't the only one nearly having a heart attack in the last 5 minutes. All these blocks contributed to Barrow only having one shot on target - that easy one Macca dived to his right to save after Clifton misjudged/missed a header. Macca didn't look confident with the aerial bombardment near the end, dropping a couple.

Hendrie really good again, in form at the right time. Hewitt continues to show hes a really good centre back. I don't rate him at all as a midfielder or a full back, but he's been excellent at centre back. Menayese has got stronger the longer he's been here. I've noticed he struggles with really high balls coming down from the clouds though, misjudges it or something but, as he has done previously, he one completely last night (under no pressure) and got another one wrong heading it backwards in the direction of our corner flag.

Clifton was excellent as a defender apart from that one moment not dealing with the bouncing ball that led to their shot on target. I thought he really struggled though when he had the ball. Perhaps suffered from not playing 442 when he has a winger quite close in front of him to pass the ball to. But really poor passing, even when under no pressure at times. His instructions need to be to just play little 5-10 yard passes. Win it and give it to Rose. No shame in that.

Can't really argue with the subs. Coke just slotted in for Rose and carried on with the same job. Green didnt have time to do anything, but I'd have thought Jackson Jr might have been a better option to come on for Payne, just to offer energy and pace. If we're going to keep playing 433 it might actually help Jackson, as it's on the right of a front 3 he played at his last club. Not on the right of a 442 as he did recently with us.

A bit of hope then. Hopefully we can follow it up with a win on Saturday, then things could get interesting. UTM.

Good summary Tommy. Looking at the selection I had the feeling Hurst felt it was last chance time so might as well go for it. His sides have played better when he doesn’t overthink the negative. I was just bothered he would start to play for a draw after we went 1-0!

Quoted from lee65

Is Matete getting close to 5 yellows?

He has 6 yellows. He would only get a ban if he got to 15 at this stage of the season.

Quoted from Grantham_Mariner

He has 6 yellows. He would only get a ban if he got to 15 at this stage of the season.

I wouldn’t put it past him

Quoted from Grantham_Mariner

He has 6 yellows. He would only get a ban if he got to 15 at this stage of the season.

Cheers Grantham, he seems to get one most games