Morecambe v Blackpool Official Matchday Thread 30.07.21

voyeur said:
Quick ish but not CJ quick.

Too much negativity on here. Yet again. Default setting.

We are missing Simms and Embo but TJJ has just arrived and Carey looks promising. The front 4 that started didn't really work today but it's extremely early days. Long season ahead. Be patient folks.
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Yeah but nothing wrong with calling what we've seen over various games.

Weve not just created a load of chances and just not put them away, we haven't been that creative overall.

Have to ask someone who was there today how many clear chances we created today.

The games I've been to at Southport we passed nicely and scored 2, had a few more chances but didn't set the world on fire, first pre season game of course and yes about fitness.

Obviously we lost at Accy but no one could see any of it.

I didn't go to Carlisle but by all accounts didn't set the world on fire with creativity.

Next one Burnley we were up against a well drilled lower prem side but with our own passing we didn't do enough and gave them the ball back until 30 odd mins, when we actually turned it on and passed and moved and created some great chances, but the finishing was very poor, from both sides really.

Its honestly impossible to say how well do against Bristol City, as you'd think they won't sit back which may help us. But without some key players like Dougall, the missing loan players etc we just don't know.

The players we have got in are still complete unknown quantities largely.

Not an ideal pre season with the covid and injuries (again) and results dont always follow the pre season pattern, but I think we'd much rather us scoring for fun, beating teams and full of confidence going into the new season.
 
That's another game and more mileage in the players legs.
My slight concerns with just a week to go to the Bristol game and a tough month ahead are; scoring goals is a habit for all top strikers and (like the beginning of last season) Jerry has lost the habit; and our key players Dougal / Madine / Viking etc haven't had any game time.
If Critch is happy with the situation then I'm happy - maybe City will loan us a couple of their young stars after Tuesdays friendly.
 
Brett scores for fun said:
That's another game and more mileage in the players legs.
My slight concerns with just a week to go to the Bristol game and a tough month ahead are; scoring goals is a habit for all top strikers and (like the beginning of last season) Jerry has lost the habit; and our key players Dougal / Madine / Viking etc haven't had any game time.
If Critch is happy with the situation then I'm happy - maybe City will loan us a couple of their young stars after Tuesdays friendly.
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Also need to hear about Mitchell who went off potentially injured but hopefully not? Maybe just a precaution....
 
JJpool said:
Yeah but nothing wrong with calling what we've seen over various games.

Weve not just created a load of chances and just not put them away, we haven't been that creative overall.

Have to ask someone who was there today how many clear chances we created today.

The games I've been to at Southport we passed nicely and scored 2, had a few more chances but didn't set the world on fire, first pre season game of course and yes about fitness.

Obviously we lost at Accy but no one could see any of it.

I didn't go to Carlisle but by all accounts didn't set the world on fire with creativity.

Next one Burnley we were up against a well drilled lower prem side but with our own passing we didn't do enough and gave them the ball back until 30 odd mins, when we actually turned it on and passed and moved and created some great chances, but the finishing was very poor, from both sides really.

Its honestly impossible to say how well do against Bristol City, as you'd think they won't sit back which may help us. But without some key players like Dougall, the missing loan players etc we just don't know.

The players we have got in are still complete unknown quantities largely.

Not an ideal pre season with the covid and injuries (again) and results dont always follow the pre season pattern, but I think we'd much rather us scoring for fun, beating teams and full of confidence going into the new season.
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Yeah we just don't know. Pre season is about fitness and shape primarily I think. We created more chances after the changes today than before, I reckon. We are stepping up, we've lost and gained players, it's unknown. And it's far too soon to worry. People will though, it's what people do.

Ward and James looked ok today. Connolly was solid but unspectacular. Bowler and John-Jules look like they have a bit of unlockability about them. Lavery 3as very lively and determined and got a good shot in that was well saved. We've got a few options. I'm not sure about that formation though. Two up front and two out wide but nobody behind them, just the two holding players.
 
Nope not worried, too early. 138 points still to play for. Thought we were complete in control of the whole game. Granted were not quite at it yet and a few still seem off the pace. Morcambe scored with pretty much the only time they got behind us, ( good goal to be fair) except a bit of a daft wobble late doors. Patience peeps.
 
voyeur said:
Yeah we just don't know. Pre season is about fitness and shape primarily I think. We created more chances after the changes today than before, I reckon. We are stepping up, we've lost and gained players, it's unknown. And it's far too soon to worry. People will though, it's what people do.

Ward and James looked ok today. Connolly was solid but unspectacular. Bowler and John-Jules look like they have a bit of unlockability about them. Lavery 3as very lively and determined and got a good shot in that was well saved. We've got a few options. I'm not sure about that formation though. Two up front and two out wide but nobody behind them, just the two holding players.
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I thought Ward was poor today but I've never liked him in the defensive mid-field role but he's not going to start there when Stewart and Dougall are fit.
Neither do I like CJ playing alongside Yates.
I thought Garbutt was poor today and was at fault for the goal.
I think we are probably going to need Keogh. He probably had 100% success rate with his passing today and 95% of those were to Hubby. To be fair to him I thought he looked a bit frustrated with the lack of options. Expecting Hubby to then be creative is a big ask.
So 2nd half with Stewart picking up the ball from Eky and Casey we looked a lot better.
Bowler played well but didn't get a lot of the ball.
Jerry needs a goal but I think he needs a more competitive game.
Connolly did OK at RB but he's not creative.
I'm not doom and gloom but I am slightly worried that we'll start the season under strength.
 
I generally underwhelmed by our performance today i thought both fullbacks looked a yard to slow and we created very little and yes i know its only a friendly but we did look disjointed with Reece James in midfield and Connally at full back lots of side way and backward passing to very little end on a plus note Stewart got some valuable minutes on the pitch and i thought Lavery looked good.
 
I’m refusing to panic but hopefully we make another step forwards for next weekend. We really don’t know how things are going to pan out and the squad may yet have a few additions between now and the end of the window. Had a great day out though and can’t wait for Bristol City now. 😀
 
Insider said:
I thought Ward was poor today but I've never liked him in the defensive mid-field role but he's not going to start there when Stewart and Dougall are fit.
Neither do I like CJ playing alongside Yates.
I thought Garbutt was poor today and was at fault for the goal.
I think we are probably going to need Keogh. He probably had 100% success rate with his passing today and 95% of those were to Hubby. To be fair to him I thought he looked a bit frustrated with the lack of options. Expecting Hubby to then be creative is a big ask.
So 2nd half with Stewart picking up the ball from Eky and Casey we looked a lot better.
Bowler played well but didn't get a lot of the ball.
Jerry needs a goal but I think he needs a more competitive game.
Connolly did OK at RB but he's not creative.
I'm not doom and gloom but I am slightly worried that we'll start the season under strength.
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I agree with everything you say except I thought Ward was fine. In an anchor sense. And Keogh was ok but Morecambe did very little to bother him and one of their strikers went past him like he wasn't on there on a rare attack.
 
Memphisboy said:
We’ll be competitive in most games but we simply haven’t got any X factor, we just won’t score enough goals. Certainly be nowhere near the play offs and would be happy just staying up as things stand. Unless we get a couple of stellar loan signings. And I’m usually optimistic by nature.
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Says the man who still thinks Yates is a waste of time.
 
voyeur said:
I agree with everything you say except I thought Ward was fine. In an anchor sense. And Keogh was ok but Morecambe did very little to bother him and one of their strikers went past him like he wasn't on there on a rare attack.
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I remember the Keogh incident you mention. That will be a problem if we play him.
Ward was as guilty or innocent as nearly all 11. We are good at playing the ball backwards and square but not so good playing it forwards. That's not always an on the ball problem but more to do with movement off the ball.
Not sure who we have to fill that creative role currently.
 
I’m expecting at least one signing this week, and Gabriel is top priority for me. Getting Kenny back is going to make a real difference in the middle.

It’s going to be tough, but we are a strong unit, and we need to grind out a few results early on.

We need not to panic or make early judgements. Let’s get behind the team, no matter how things are going, because we know at Pool, things eventually come right.
 
So pre season seems to suggest we are struggling to Create and finish up front and let a few weak goals in at the back.

Seems a lot of work to do then 🤔.
 
CumbrianTangerine said:
I’m refusing to panic but hopefully we make another step forwards for next weekend. We really don’t know how things are going to pan out and the squad may yet have a few additions between now and the end of the window. Had a great day out though and can’t wait for Bristol City now. 😀
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But as it stands with the squad we have and whats available and not out, it's looking a fair bit off where we'd want to be.

Meaningless games or not youd expect to see more creativity than we've seen overall.

What is up with Dougall? Is Mitchell OK?

One struggle I've seen has at times been defence to midfield, which given some of our best midfielders have been out does explain a bit, but taking the ball on the half turn and then progressing. Thats key to go from defence to attack. Also an end product.
 
When Burnley were last in this league, they lost to Accrington and Chesterfield in preseason before proceeding to win the title.

Preseason tells you nothing at all about how the season will go. Just four days ago our youth players were holding their own against some of Burnley's first team, but you wouldnt expect them to compete in the prem. We aren't finished in the transfer market either.
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
I’m expecting at least one signing this week, and Gabriel is top priority for me. Getting Kenny back is going to make a real difference in the middle.

It’s going to be tough, but we are a strong unit, and we need to grind out a few results early on.

We need not to panic or make early judgements. Let’s get behind the team, no matter how things are going, because we know at Pool, things eventually come right.
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Gabriel isn't the top priority, for me. Agree otherwise.
 
Insider said:
I remember the Keogh incident you mention. That will be a problem if we play him.
Ward was as guilty or innocent as nearly all 11. We are good at playing the ball backwards and square but not so good playing it forwards. That's not always an on the ball problem but more to do with movement off the ball.
Not sure who we have to fill that creative role currently.
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Demi and CJ are both good at haring from one end of the pitch to the other but not in situations like today. Not technically great are they? You need players with good feet, like Embleton, Carey, John-Jules, I think. Very few people seem to rate Embleton, but I do! Oh, and the Sunderland fanbase, since he went back! 🤣
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
I’m expecting at least one signing this week, and Gabriel is top priority for me. Getting Kenny back is going to make a real difference in the middle.

It’s going to be tough, but we are a strong unit, and we need to grind out a few results early on.

We need not to panic or make early judgements. Let’s get behind the team, no matter how things are going, because we know at Pool, things eventually come right.
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I can see Kenny playing against Citeh on Tuesday, just a hunch 🤔
 
Thought we were too predictable first half and almost entirely played in front of Morecambe. Second half we had more energy and played forward a lot more and looked all the better for it.

We have to be careful we're not a 'nice' team in the Championship where everybody gives us plaudits for neat passing and playing 'in the right way' while beating us 2-0 and not breaking a sweat defensively. A bit like MK Dons last season.

Connolly had his best game but he doesn't strike me as a naturally attacking full-back. Reece James looked ok but nothing special in midfield and is unlikely to displace Stewart or Dougall and I'm afraid Keogh just doesn't do it for me. As well as his lack of pace (not his fault at his age) he must be blind in his right eye because how he couldn't see a pass to the right-back on several occasions I've no idea.

Ekpiteta was excellent when he came on, Casey and John-Jules did well and Lavery seems a very similar player to Yates which could bode well.

We're not there yet but I doubt any team is atm. I'm not sure John-Jules will give us the mobile physical presence that Simms brought and we're maybe still a bit lightweight up front.
 
hertfordseasider said:
I agree, a creative midfielder who can sit in front of Dougall and Stewart is priority, but we do need a right back as Connolly isn't the answer there.
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We do need a right back, and we might need Connolly in central defence, I think. He looks pretty solid and dependable.
 
JJpool said:
But as it stands with the squad we have and whats available and not out, it's looking a fair bit off where we'd want to be.

Meaningless games or not youd expect to see more creativity than we've seen overall.

What is up with Dougall? Is Mitchell OK?

One struggle I've seen has at times been defence to midfield, which given some of our best midfielders have been out does explain a bit, but taking the ball on the half turn and then progressing. Thats key to go from defence to attack. Also an end product.
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Yeah I agree. A few new players, not yet at that level of understanding of where things just ‘happen’ possibly? Yates playing up top by himself doesn’t help either I don’t think.

I’m unsure with Dougall. Understand the extra rest after international duty but would have hoped he would have played a part in either the Burnley game or today. I think Mitchell will be okay, it was impact and not muscular so that gives me confidence he will be fine.

I think we’ve struggled, like you’ve said. Not having a proper right back limits us down that side of the pitch massively. Connolly today received the ball and mostly went backwards. Lots of sideways balls between the two central defenders.

Still lots of questions that need answering.
 
CumbrianTangerine said:
Yeah I agree. A few new players, not yet at that level of understanding of where things just ‘happen’ possibly? Yates playing up top by himself doesn’t help either I don’t think.

I’m unsure with Dougall. Understand the extra rest after international duty but would have hoped he would have played a part in either the Burnley game or today. I think Mitchell will be okay, it was impact and not muscular so that gives me confidence he will be fine.

I think we’ve struggled, like you’ve said. Not having a proper right back limits us down that side of the pitch massively. Connolly today received the ball and mostly went backwards. Lots of sideways balls between the two central defenders.

Still lots of questions that need answering.
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Update from Critch on Tangerine TV and he said Kenny felt his knee so may return to training soon.... so thats not great he's not looking like he'll be ready for the season start and he's a little worried about Mitchell but hoping for good news.

Its a story were all too familiar with, either very very unlucky or maybe something more 'sinister' is at play.
 
Murciaseasider said:
So what/who is your priority? The situation at RB has to be resolved this week otherwise there will be a gap that will be exploited by Bristol and will probably result in us losing.
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Fair question. Of course we need a right back so in one sense it's the position that needs fixing and we certainly need to sign at least one. But yesterday we coped fine at RB. If we could only sign one more player I wouldn't choose a right back. It would be a toss up between a creative midfielder like Embleton and a striker like Ellis Simms for me. We look a bit short in those two positions to me, and Yates looks frustrated at the lack of support around him. Carey and John Jules may fill those positions but they are young lads with little experience who may need time to develop.
 
It’s only preseason but even so we are not breaking any pots so hoping for a good game against Man City to give us confidence for Bristol on Saturday cause that is when it counts.
 
We need attacking full backs if playing two defensive minded midfielders, so RB is a priority for me, over and above Simms or another like him. We’ve got Gary Goals.
 
TangerinePeel said:
I was really impressed by the Tyreece John-Jules and Shayne Lavery link up, they looked a good partnership. Lavery was really up for it chasing literally everything down and Tyreece looks like he has bags of confidence, great footwork and a handful all round.
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Fingers crossed that they can produce consistently over 90 mins at championship level.
 
62years&counting said:
Fingers crossed that they can produce consistently over 90 mins at championship level.
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I'd be surprised to see Lavery make the step up to the Championship so quickly considering the standard of the league he's come from, no reason he can't though.

Much more likely that Tyreece will be the man we see banging 'em in alongside Jerry
 
TangerinePeel said:
I'd be surprised to see Lavery make the step up to the Championship so quickly considering the standard of the league he's come from, no reason he can't though.

Much more likely that Tyreece will be the man we see banging 'em in alongside Jerry
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6 goals in 25 appearances in league1.
 
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