Hmmm what to say. A bit better than last week, but to be honest not much, and a point was all we deserved. First few minutes were a scrappy affair with Argyle looking the better team but as so often recently without really threatening to score. Morcambe were well drilled, got behind the ball and defended in numbers. The ref was rubbish- there were numerous 'comings together' that the vast majority of refs would have given as a foul but this one didn't. Therein lies the problem; the players are used to certain types of fouls being given and when they aren't they get confused and don't know how to play/react to challenges. He wasn't biased but just didn't give many fouls for 'robust' challenges. Bobby Reid looked a class act as usual; not his best match but he produced a couple of stellar passes including the one that led to Reuben's goal. To be fair RR did well to take it past the keeper and score-other than that he had yet another poor half. The only other notable incident in the first half was Luke's injury. Their forward accidentally kicked him on the hand (true to form the ref didn't give a free kick) and he was clearly in pain. He played on almost one handedly but had to use his injured one to tip a looping header over the bar. No surprise he didn't come out for the second half- lets hope it isn't too bad. 2nd half just got worse and worse. they scored from a set piece, the reserve keeper looked a bit iffy but in the end did ok. We never really put them under much pressure until Brunt and then Thomas came on and injected a bit of pace and desire. We are not a bad team but for whatever reason seem intent on passing it to death and not getting players into the box. Too many poor passes and a lack of serious intent in the last third inevitably resulted in frustration for the players and fans alike. Morcambe were only average but will be pleased with a point. MOTM for me Mchugh or Nelson with mentions in dispatches for Allessandra and Bobby Reid. Mellor has gone off the boil-possibly carrying an injury. Cox poor,Lee Collins failed to impress. If Reuben hadn't scored then I would have dropped him-did nothing else and looked lazy and disinterested as usual. The only saving grace is that we are still only 1 point off the playoffs. Moving on to Hartlepool- this really is a 'must win'.
Thanks for your report Lyndhurst it was really hard to listen to so early over here.. Funny thing was when Argyle did score we lost the feed it went dead so i didn't know who had scored until half time.. For the 2nd half we got the feed back..pity..
Nothing to argue with their lyndhurst. I thought we huffed and puffed without doing anything serious and this would not have surprised me at 0 - 0. I was just waiting in the second half for them to poke in the winner. Their No.7 was a live wire and somebody should have kicked him in the knee or something. Anything to slow him down. I was not looking forward to our reserve keeper but have to say he did do ok in the end. Their goal was nothing to do with him and his distribution of the ball was in fairness faultless. I hope Luke isn't crocked though. What to say indeed. There were too many players not fully on their game today including the suposed stars of the show. How many times we failed to get a shot off when in a proper range only to have a shot from twice the distance a few seconds later. This is not the form of a promotion chasing side and neither is it the standard either. I cannot understand why they could play so well previously and yet don;t seem to be able to perform now. Something is sadly missing and it may be Hartley and his leadership. He is due back so I hope it is. As you say lyndhurst we are one point off the play offs which is a surprise really given we have only taken 3 points from the last 18. If we are going to challenge though we have to start now.
Thanks gents, a disappointing result from a game I thought we'd win. This poor run must be arrested soon before it's too late.
Again restricted to listening to Sparksy, this time in the company of Peter Hartley. Highlight of Hartley'a appearance was him corpsing when a Morcombe attacker fell over with the goal at his mercy. He did say he does try not to laugh at the opposition when he's playing as it tends to cause ill feeling. He also gave Luke McCormick the accolade of the best goalkeeper he's ever seen at any club he's been at. That would have been just before he got injured. Sparksey was his normal self, although yelling "Get In Reuben" as the latter scored does raise some suspicions as to his neutrality. This is all coming unstitched. It's been a much better squad this season but there isn't a lot of strength in depth especially with the reliance on loan players and a long injury list. This is I suppose inevitable in this league when you have the legacy of a a disasterous recent financial history. I know most won't agree but Brent & Sheridan have at least got Argyle moving in the right direction and I hope both stick around to see it through. All is not lost yet but I believe the transfer window closes in a week's time, so let's hope there's some activity, especially to bring Kellett and O'Connor back.
Maybe just for balance we should compare ourselves with Portsmouth. You have the club with by far the biggest following and therefore budget you would think who are 3 points above the relegation spots. You would not have guessed them to be where they are would you so our situation doesn't look quite as bad. I can't believe they won't turn it around but the above is the current situation.
And Portsmouth have reportedly already cleared their debts so they don't have that excuse to fall back on.
Portsmouth have the incentive of their neighbours Southampton having success beyond their wildest dreams.......two years of being upward mobile and a academy churning out talent to replace the selling of stars. That must be the biggest kick up the pants.....and the desire to get back on track must be immense for Pompey who used to be the top dogs in Hampshire. Maybe we need Exeter or Torquay to hit the big time.......would that inspire PAFC to get stuck in........I doubt it.
