Let's talk about the Morecambe game

[selby]

 A game against a side that came to the Eco Stadium in mid December and gave us an early Christmas present of a 5-0 wupping at home that saw us the supporters in despair of our lack of skill and fighting spirit, and numerous supporters giving up the ghost and wanting big changes in the board room and some the manager his cards plus most of the players.
  Well it was great to see the support for the club and super Grant McCann last night ,what a change and great to see.
  The only negative is the injury to our skipper who has been immense lately along with the rest of the team, and coupled with Anderson's silly sending off leaves us short in an area that has been the bed rock of our revival.
  We are in the position of having to win every game, nothing will change that to the end of the season and we are all hoping the impossible  is really possible, it's a long shot but we have to go for it and whoever plays has that one aim, win the game.
  McGrath and Olowu who himself was magnificent last night could be our central pairing for the next few weeks and young Flint the back up, a chance for all to step up and prove their worth.
  Hopefully others are fit after two hard physical games as we try to end the season on a very high note, something not many foresaw the last time we played Morecambe, with Morecambe having the benefit of an extra days rest and will no doubt will have watched closely our game last night.
  Morecambe also had a very good Easter beating Accrington and Barrow 2-1 so are in fine form and are currently 8th in the table two points off the play off spots Mellon their top scorer on loan from Burnley up to Christmas is now at Dundee and unfortunately has sustained a bad head injury while up there, I   hope he is OK and think  he was the best youngster we have played against this season so happy he is not there to worry about.
   So a lot on our plate to go for a very illusive sixth win on the trot with injuries, playing another side coming back into form and confident, who have already given us a good hiding this season.
   We are on a good run, but our depth of squad will be tested  in that central  defence  position, but those who play have a chance to make a statement themselves that they can do a job when required.
   Lot's to discuss, and with a new found enthusiasm in our supporters willing the team on to make the impossible possible, please have your say.   




   

[Alan Southstand]

Sorting the central defence out for the next 2 games is going to be key, if we’re to keep this magnificent run going, Selby. But, your short summary has missed one key ingredient- Bailey! Mr dependable when he’s played as a cb not so very long ago. Yes, it would disrupt the midfield, but we now have Westbrooke fit and able, along with Broadbent and Tommy Rowe, who can step in.

Let’s see how it goes, but however it goes, this has been one hell of a turn-round by everyone at the Club.

[Chris Black come back]

Their home form is not good this season. They are 8th in the League Two table, yet ranked 16th for home form. They concede regularly at home - their last 10 home league games only two clean sheets - against Sutton and Crawley.

[Avsuptem]

I have a feeling that this will be the game that bursts our bubble. Having said that we have tremendous fire power in this squad and if we turn the chances we create into goals rather than fluff them as in the last 2 games we could finish up mullering them.

[Rovers91]

Huge game, win this and hopefully Crawley slip up at Mansfield and its game on we've got a chance and it will set Tuesday night up massively.

[Butchers Red]

I'm comfortable with the pairing of McGrath and Olowu - who coming off the back of last night must be brimming with confidence and self belief, Jay is a very calm and confident lad so let's trust them and leave the midfield as it is. Bailey and Craig are superb in protecting the back 4 so again why disrupt that pairing.

It's up top where we can win this game, and we still have the full compliment of attacking players available so let's not get too hung over about losing Tom and Woody.

RTID

[Jimmydee]

I already had my Morecambe ticket for Saturday, I wonder how many extra were inspired after last nights performance to go and support the boys, we might take up the full allocation.

[ncRover]

No team in the last 5 games have conceded more than Morecambe (13).

Hopefully Ironside can break his duck, get off 14 league goals and get his best EFL tally.

[IDM]

We have won 5 games on the bounce.. confidence is surely high.?  At this level, that can mean players who we think can be inconsistent, could be better, and the team spirit must be great at the moment.

It’s not a must win game.  Getting to the play offs would mean winning 10 or 11 games out of 11.  Not impossible and as we continue winning the chances improve. But realistically we are building for next season so a slip up or 2 in the run in isn’t the end of the world.

[Campsall rover]

Morecambe concede goals. They have conceded over 70

If we can be solid at the back and don’t concede more than 1 goal on Saturday then I am confident we will win this game.

Massive game for Olowu and McGrath assuming the latter plays.

Personally I would keep Bailey in midfield. He and Craig have been quite brilliant over the last 8/9 weeks and have provided the protection for our back 4 that has been so much missing for the best part of 3 seasons.

If Olowu performs to the standard he did last night then that can only rub off on Jay McGrath a player I think has considerable potential based on what I have seen of him so far. He like Bobby Faulkner is physically strong and won’t get bullied.
We have 2 young centre backs who if we can hold on to long term might be our spine at the back as we make our climb back to play Championship football again.
Early days but both have the potential to be Championship standard players in 3 years. They will be 22 and 23 yrs old by then. Still very young but with much more experience and having the benefit of learning their trade from Wood & Anderson.

Gone off track a bit here   
Back to the OP  Yes we can win v Morecambe.
Take our chances, keep it tight. SIMPLES  if only it was. 

[DonnyBazR0ver]

The players are setting their own standards now and I'm sure they'll need very little encouragement. All the hard work and blood spilt for each other recently is inspirational. .

[Chris Black come back]

While Morecambe don’t have an amazing home record or keep too many clean sheets at home, overall they are not so leaky at home. They have only shipped 23 at home, considerably less than we have (27) and the same as Wrexham have.

[colincramb]

It will be a tough game. I think last night will have took a considerable amount out of us (we looked dead on our feet in the last 10/15 mins). With wood very likely to be out (possibly won’t play again this season if it’s as serious as it looked), Tom missing, then it could be a game too far. Hope not.

[bpoolrover]

Only 87 tickets left out of 1k unless they send any more

[Colin C No.3]

I know McGrath hasn’t had that much game time (some on here have gone as far as to call him rubbish!?) but if GM sticks with Owen in midfield where he’s best position is in my opinion, then Jay will have the knowledge that his manager has faith in his ability to rise to the challenge & I’ve no doubt he will.

As has been said, we win this game by playing the way we have been, on the front foot.

Another victory for me.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

With Crawley playing a tough one against Mansfield this is a big game for both sides, very much a must fin if the 7th place fantasy is to happen.  The fear for me is the injuries we're picking up though.

[selby]

  McGrath has been brought in as a future first team player, and to be fair to the lad has only played games when we were in poor form throughout the midfield and defence.
  We need to keep our current form up for the rest of the season and keep improving, he needs to take his chance if he starts, and play well, that's why he is in the game and I am sure will give his best.

[normal rules]

55 terrace tickets left

[ncRover]

Morecambe’s goalkeeper on that day in 2022 they beat us 4-3 was Kyle Letheren - our current goalkeeping coach.

They now don’t have any players that played that day, apart from one on the losing side - Jordy Hiwula.

Our only ones are Joseph Olowu and Louis Jones.

[5minstogo]

Watched them on Monday when they beat Barrow. Neither side looked special.  Dangerous down the left with Tutonda and Slew. Slew v Sterry could be a bit of a mismatch. I'd like to think our current midfield would outwork theirs (depends if Bailey drops back into defence) and Hakeeb would cause them problems up top.

[Pancho Regan]

I already had my Morecambe ticket for Saturday, I wonder how many extra were inspired after last nights performance to go and support the boys, we might take up the full allocation.

I was! Got my ticket on Wednesday!

[StocktonRover]

If you haven't got your tickets yet, you need to act quickly - just 20 terrace and 3 seating remaining available now

Must have released a further batch as now just over 200 available

[Chris Black come back]

Darren Drysdale confirmed as ref. 

[sf9944]

Darren Drysdale - ironic as it seems like its going to be wet. Is the standing area covered?

[StocktonRover]

Darren Drysdale - ironic as it seems like its going to be wet. Is the standing area covered?

Yes

[Colin C No.3]

  McGrath has been brought in as a future first team player, and to be fair to the lad has only played games when we were in poor form throughout the midfield and defence.
  We need to keep our current form up for the rest of the season and keep improving, he needs to take his chance if he starts, and play well, that's why he is in the game and I am sure will give his best.

How would you rate McGrath against Bobby Faulkner selby?

Comparing their different strengths, attributes etc & how far apart are they in terms of development?

[pib]

200 extra tickets have been given.

[steve@dcfd]

If Wood is not available and I would be surprised if he was then Olowu and McGrath should be given the chance. Bailey would start in Midfield and be available for CH if required. We might have to put Will Flint on the bench as a precaution as I don’t think Bobby is fit yet.If the rest of the team are fit then the only choice is whether we start Biamou or Ironside.

[Dutch Uncle]

Might Jack Senior be brought back onto the bench?

[selby]

  It might be stating the obvious but we very much need to win, just go for it if we play well we have every chance of getting the result we need.
  If we lose go down fighting that will do for me.