Although we created, and missed far more chances than them I didn't think we were good against Blackpool. We were on top in the first 15 minutes and the last 15, in between they were in almost total control (without ever really looking like scoring until they did, granted).
Macclesfield didn't offer anything last night. They had 3 shots on goal, and just 2 on target. From that, they scored twice. That's against a poor League Two team.
They never looked like scoring but we couldn't keep the ball, they looked so comfortable against us it was untrue. The finishing was crap, but I'd say almost everything else about the performance was too.
They didn't keep the ball at all. They were constantly hoofing out of play because they couldn't pass it about as much as they'd have liked too. There really is no positive fan on here is there? Bar me everyones stupidly negative and fails to see when we've actually played well and when we deserved a lot more than what we got. Bar the finishing and Koren, everyone played quite well (some had their iffy moments but who doesn't?) and deserve a lot more credit than what they've actually received.
Actually I'd say most people are realistic about our situation, that we'll be a mid table team, that are a few signings away from the top 6, but if we perform well every week. However, IMO if we play like we did against Blackpool we'll finish between 12th and 16th, like most neutrals have predicted.
If we play like we did against Blackpool every week, and manage to stick the ball in the net on the odd occassion, we'll be in the play-offs, mate
If we can convert at least one per 5 chances we create we'd walk away with this league. We didn't really create that much in the prem.
Based on the Blackpool game (forget Macclesfield, nobody gives a ****, it doesn't count towards the league and the players probably weren't as motivated for it) our formation and tactics are fine. We played well and were absolutely mugged. We carved out enough chances, it was the finishing that was the problem. Fryatt alone up front WILL NOT work. Basso Rosenior Hobbs Chester Dudgeon Koren McKenna Cairney Brady Fryatt Simpson Gulacsi Dawson Evans Pusic Adebola Despite Fryatt and Simpson being poor, I think it's only a matter of time before they get one goal each, which will raise there confidence massively. With the creative midfield of Koren, Cairney and Brady, plenty of chances should be created for Matty and Simmo to start banging them in.
We weren't rubbish against Blackpool, we played some decent stuff, though we didn't certainly didn't manage to keep it up for ninety minutes and the result was disappointing. Macclesfield on the other hand, had no redeeming features at all, it was utter ****e from start to finish. I'd agree with the original line-up mentioned, whatever formation they play, though I'd have Barmby on the bench ahead of Dawson.
Things we learnt from Macc: 1. From what I heard on the radio commentry Dawson got beaten for pace for the Macc goals by Sinclair twice.. this tells me Dudgeon keeps LB from now on. 2. Harper is no improvement on Marney 3. Nobody cares about the Carling Cup 4. Pusic could be useful Fryatt will score goals he's too good not to, Simpson though has his work cut out as NP doesn't rate him apparently so he's running out of time.
I'd go with Fryatt and McLean/Adebola up top for this game. Fryatt can't play on his own it will dash his confidence even more, Fryatt and Simpson didn't lose their markers once the other night so something else needs to be tried. I'm only keeping Fryatt in my side with respect for the ability he has shown previously. ------------Gulacsi------------ Rosenior Chester Hobbs Dudgeon -Koren McKenna Cairney Brady- --------Fryatt--McLean--------
