Newport 2 Morecambe 1 [Mendes-Gomes] LIVE iFollow Thread

[Vinny]

Lack of substitution tactics lost us that. They all worked their socks off, played well, created plenty of good chances, but if only Hendry had been subbed whilst on first yellow, we'd still have had 11 players and fresh attacking options. Spurious subs or lack has perhaps cost us two games.

[parceldave]

Completely agree, can't understand his way of thinking, especially when no game on Tuesday.

[Little Shrimp]

They were all over us at the start, but the goal got us back in it and we competed relatively well for the rest of the game.

I'm in two minds about the subs thing, and I would definitely not put the defeat down to it. Generally, our system was working pretty well. We'd restricted them to barely any proper openings (Halstead didn't have any real saves to make), and had a couple of moments ourself up the other end of the pitch. Maybe Toums might have given us a bit more on the ball to steady the ship, but I think that DA understandably didn't want to lose the defensive cover of Kenyon/Songo'o, despite some ball playing woes from both.

All this 'get AJ on' yes I understand he's another striker, but for who? Songo'o/Kenyon and lose cover in midfield and very likely get overrun? Phillips and Mendes Gomes had been our most threatening players with their link play. Slew maybe? But then what, rain balls down on AJ to physically battle with their CBs? It's not as simple as just stick on an attacking player to move up the gears. You need to have balance and a plan on how to work it up the pitch. I would have more been considering McAlinden to get in down the sides of their CBs in behind the wing backs.

I think their reaction to scoring told us that we'd given them a proper game. An excellent possession side who keep the ball superbly and use the pitch so well completely folding back into their own area against 10 men and giving reckless fouls away. And then the cheer at the end.

I can't have too many complaints about the result. They are a better side. But after our equaliser we restricted them, gave them a few scares and made a proper game of it. I think we'll have a better chance at home with a better and smaller pitch (they were very adept at handling their big turnip patch).

[SimplyRed MFC]

Totally agree Little Shrimp You can’t give sides like Newport a more open door in midfield for the last 10 or 20 minutes or so

I think we’ve discovered that DA has faith in his starting eleven and belongs to the “if it ain’t bust .... “ camp as at Salford and probably was content with holding on for the point

Unlucky today against a good side

[BerlinWaller]

Totally agree once again with Little Shrimp. Questions were asked about lack of subs against Salford and DA answered by saying his players were really at it and told him they could maintain the levels.

I have no problems at all with no subs being made. What is the point in a like for like sub unless someone is injured or blowing out of their arse? If you want an extra attacker you are going to leave yourself short elsewhere.

[vanillaturtle]

Gibson Cooney are better than Hendrie Mellor so get them on when fit. Kenyon has to start and Songoo has to sit. Stockton Wildig in when fit and take off slew. Our team will instantly win more games its so simple. CMG Osullivan on the wings sub bench AJ McAlinden Price Pringle NKP Mellor Diagouraga sub people off when they are tired. Does not have to be hard, keep this same formation every game save the headache

[black morse]

Gibson Cooney are better than Hendrie Mellor so get them on when fit. Kenyon has to start and Songoo has to sit. Stockton Wildig in when fit and take off slew. Our team will instantly win more games its so simple. CMG Osullivan on the wings sub bench AJ McAlinden Price Pringle NKP Mellor Diagouraga sub people off when they are tired. Does not have to be hard, keep this same formation every game save the headache

Sounds as if you could take over when DA goes!

[Little Shrimp]

Cheers fellas! Far too much simplistic 'just sign a striker'/'just throw a striker on' nonsense gets banded around everywhere (not just here). Remember how we all used to find it so infuriating when Jim Bentley would just throw loads of strikers on with no real shape when we were chasing games!

Drum roll please for the xG map:

https://experimental361.com/2020/12/05/ ... usel-25900

Reflects quite well on us - penalty aside it was a very even game in terms of shots/chances. Although you can't really discount the value of the penalty in this situation given it was won by their man being fouled when through on goal.

[tim-sanchez]

I think that's a fair reflection of the match. For the majority of the match we created nothing, but we did have a few great chances. They on the other hand clearly created a lot, but very few chances of actual quality.

In terms of subs, I'd definitely have taken Hendrie off for Cooney, but that's an easy one in hindsight. I'd probably have brought McAlinden on for Slew as well, I think Slew really struggled second-half. Diagouraga for Songo'o as well, I'm worried we're running him into the ground. He's played 473 minutes out of 480 in the past 2 weeks, as has Carlos, it's a lot to ask.

I've mentioned it elsewhere, but I think even if we're not making subs for tactical reasons, I think you have to give players a break when they're playing this often. Especially as Derek doesn't often rotate the starting lineup. He knows their condition better than any of us, but the last thing we need going into Christmas is more injuries.

[BerlinWaller]

I know it is a different branch of the substitute arguement but Gary Neville makes good points regarding concerns on player fitness and the 5 subs proposal. Lots of Managers are on about burnout but Man City never made a sub yesterday and players who are getting injured aren't being flogged week in week out. It ties in with DA and his subs, if he feels that the players can maintain their levels for 90mins then let them. DA has made early changes to change systems with success in the past so it isn't like he hates making subs. The fitness levels of the players should be commended and the coaching staff praised. I am becoming a Little Shrimp fan boy but his comments about Jim and his 6 strikers up top when we were losing is spot on. I would much rather a change be thought about and made with an intention to impact the game than a left back for a left back ala Jim Harvey and Greg Brown.

[thefactsman]

Gibson Cooney are better than Hendrie Mellor so get them on when fit. Kenyon has to start and Songoo has to sit. Stockton Wildig in when fit and take off slew. Our team will instantly win more games its so simple. CMG Osullivan on the wings sub bench AJ McAlinden Price Pringle NKP Mellor Diagouraga sub people off when they are tired. Does not have to be hard, keep this same formation every game save the headache

Mellor shouldn’t be on the bench, I’d say he’s arguably been our best player this season after a shaky start

[Slanester]

From my view of the game, there were definitely some tired legs on that pitch well before the 90, Alex K being one of them, and also Hendrie on a yellow. Big D, and Cooney coming on, would not have changed our shape or team play in any way surely? They would have brought some fresh legs and impetus, plus eliminating any chance of a second yellow for Hendrie. We might have still lost, maybe by more, but on the other hand we might have got something from the game??? To save any verbal sparring, this is just my opinion as a Shrimps fan, not a master tactician.

[BerlinWaller]

From my view of the game, there were definitely some tired legs on that pitch well before the 90, Alex K being one of them, and also Hendrie on a yellow. Big D, and Cooney coming on, would not have changed our shape or team play in any way surely? They would have brought some fresh legs and impetus, plus eliminating any chance of a second yellow for Hendrie. We might have still lost, maybe by more, but on the other hand we might have got something from the game??? To save any verbal sparring, this is just my opinion as a Shrimps fan, not a master tactician.

No, it is a good debate. I can see why people call for subs, i do it myself. Having a Manager who doesn't change his 11 often or make subs is new to us and it is grounds for a discussion.

[Andy D]

lets not forget Alex Kenyon on a yellow has been sent off a few times under Jim Bentley, and possibly Jordan Cranston with many calling for them to be subbed before they got sent off.

just making that point to stop people ganging up.

[Ego Tripping]

Unfortunately Derek doesn’t have the advantage of hindsight. It’s easy to say we should have taken someone off when they are on a yellow, but if we did that every game we’d use all our subs just on that.

Re subs/team selection in general I like Dereks view on this. If you are playing well you stay in the team. Good for players to know that. Not very motivating if you play well but are taken out of the side if a regular returns to fitness. Same with subs. We were playing well in 2nd half so no real reason to change it.

We also need to understand how Derek likes to play, especially away. Wide players drop into full back when defending (depending on the attacking side) so it’s like a 5 at the back. Therefore to get up the pitch we need someone up front to hold the ball up. Stockton is a master at this and Slew is the next best option. A-Jay is not that sort of player and is much better as a 10. Other option can be McAlinden for the ball over the top to stretch them but that works best against a team that defends high and pushes their fullbacks forward