Unconvincing

[Northants Nomad]

League Two is an awful standard and we frequently get dragged down to playing in the same style as the opposition. The pitch tonight really didn’t help us break out of playing that way. About three games ago we played Milton Keynes Dons in what was a great game of football. We definitely have it in us when we play against a more footballing team. Don’t underestimate the impact of playing against a team that doesn’t want to play football. Remember where Morecambe are in the league and I think it’s fair to say we should not expect them to be playing like Brazil.

[pib]

I thought we were good last night. Totally in control until the red card and then a great effort to see it out against a big, physical team.

Only criticism is not putting the chances away. First half we were dominant and I didn’t want the half time whistle to go as it felt like a 2nd goal was inevitable.

We started like a house on fire and could’ve been 2 or 3 up in the first 20 minutes. The early goal helped to draw them out a bit, and I think it was the correct tactic to play from back to front and try to get Street in behind and running the channels on a shocking surface.

Morecambe were awful though, tougher tests to come but 3 points on the board is the important thing.

[edlored]

Trouble was when Street went off we had no out ball unfortunately Ironside and Sharpe couldn't catch a cold

[oggycompton]

Street just needs games and the sharpness will come back. Miles better and more of a threat than Ironside towing his anchor

[Belle Vue Boy]

After Saturday regardless of performance it was to get 3 points and we got that on blackpool beach so for me credit to the lads last night they did what we needed and it was never gonna be a great game on that pitch. we just played at their level better and got the goal 

[drfchound]

I thought we were good last night. Totally in control until the red card and then a great effort to see it out against a big, physical team.

Only criticism is not putting the chances away. First half we were dominant and I didn’t want the half time whistle to go as it felt like a 2nd goal was inevitable.

We started like a house on fire and could’ve been 2 or 3 up in the first 20 minutes. The early goal helped to draw them out a bit, and I think it was the correct tactic to play from back to front and try to get Street in behind and running the channels on a shocking surface.

Morecambe were awful though, tougher tests to come but 3 points on the board is the important thing.

We also had two glorious chances in the second half.

[Avsuptem]

In the early part of that game we looked like the team i expected us to be at the start of the season and was just delayed in appearing. Then it all reverted to mediocrity again. Not sure why. But our goal diffence tells the story compared to our promotion rivals. Go to admit I am finding it hard to sustain my optimism now.

[Reg of the Rovers]

It was very unconvincing, but a win is a win. The key is what happens next. Accy Stanley, Newport, Bromley then Swindon. If Grant wants to keep his desire to win the league alive we need to go five in a row (including yesterday).

Then it's toe to toe with our recent arch-nemesis Crewe and promotion rivals Salford.

It's not a good league, and we've still not looked anything other than unconvincing. But we're still right up there. It's up to Grant now to push us up a couple of levels.

Street to start next game up top. We're still crying out for 3-5-2, Ironside on to support Street and go back three to compensate for no available right backs. Come on Grant, it's time to shine again now.

[GazLaz]

In the early part of that game we looked like the team i expected us to be at the start of the season and was just delayed in appearing. Then it all reverted to mediocrity again. Not sure why. But our goal diffence tells the story compared to our promotion rivals. Go to admit I am finding it hard to sustain my optimism now.

I said to the lad I was with last night at HT, if you took each 15mim period of the first half and analysed it, you wouldn’t have thought it was the same team playing in each 15min period. We were fine generally yesterday but it’s all so inconsistent, even within games. No real pattern. Just players on a pitch, trying hard, and in some sort of basic shape.

[Bills view]

If we continue to show that fight and tenacity across the pitch for the full 90 mins going forward we should do fine.

As has been said we created more chances, proper ones, and that's been missing.

We do need to tuck more away and make the right decisions when in good situations.

[drfchound]

Gaz, we have started the last two games really well but in both of them the opposition have somehow contrived “an injury break” which has changed the pattern of play.
Either we have struggled to keep doing what we were doing or the opposition manager has changed things and Grant hasn’t been able to counter it.
These injury breaks happen all the time in football now and are as important to the tactics as anything the players have been doing.
When a team has built up a good head of steam and put the other side under pressure which has resulted in say, a corner, how many times do we see a defender sit down in the box and need treatment.
By the time the corner is taken the adrenaline levels of the attacking team has dropped and the crowds too.

[GazLaz]

Gaz, we have started the last two games really well but in both of them the opposition have somehow contrived “an injury break” which has changed the pattern of play.
Either we have struggled to keep doing what we were doing or the opposition manager has changed things and Grant hasn’t been able to counter it.
These injury breaks happen all the time in football now and are as important to the tactics as anything the players have been doing.
When a team has built up a good head of steam and put the other side under pressure which has resulted in say, a corner, how many times do we see a defender sit down in the box and need treatment.
By the time the corner is taken the adrenaline levels of the attacking team has dropped and the crowds too.

Happening every game after 20 odd minutes aren’t they. Does my head in. No excuse for dropping off like we have though, managers always make tactical tweaks. It’s an intensity drop off I think as much as anything.

[jmt23]

I am not having this was not a tactical issue last night.
We scored and created at least four good goal scoring chances by playing fast paced passing and moving - I was in no doubt they were gonna get a right hammering and we were only 6 mins in to the game.

THEN the “tactical” change happened instead of keeping up with playing how we were, we went high and long with everything!Just lump it away anywhere?

My frustration is, that could have been a real confidence builder but it has left a lot of fans feeling flat and concerned we can get promoted, and we are third in the league.

[Copps is Magic]

I don't think any team in the FL could have put a 'convincing' performance on that pitch last night. We did what we needed to do, and a complete turnaround from the Grimsby game where lacked testicles.

It also seemed to build the confidence among the lads, an intangible quality but vitally important at this stage of the season.

[BobG]

How did Derby County win the Football League? That pitch was about a million times worse than Morecombe's last night. Kevin Héctor and John O'Hare flying down the wings, Roy McFarland doing the cultured centre half thing and John McGovern oozing class. Different times I know,  but it is possible to play footer in a mud bath. You have to adjust pace and expectations of pitch behaviour.

BobG

[i_ateallthepies]

We are not a great time to watch.

Lacking quality all over the pitch, only Molyneux Olowu and Anderson showed up tonight.

I know street got a goal but he should of had loads more with those chances

No player scores all the chances he gets and some of Street's chances he made for himself.  The one he hit the post with you've got to consider the pace he was travelling at and that he only missed by half a ball width.