Three Must Win Games...

[Keith]

Problem is, we lost the first one of them

Two **REALLY** must win games now, Beat Gillingham and Shrewsbury and we're at least out of relegation, briefly. If we lose them both, we really are in trouble.

[marky No.1]

Robbo says they aren't make or break games tho

[RedRedWine]

Last night was disappointing because of the result - a defeat meant that Lincoln City went away from us in the table and gave them a bit of breathing room. But whilst there are teams just one strike away, we can’t be too despondent… because in reality the likes of Fleetwood and Wimbledon are not really capitalising either ATM. As long as this continues to be the case, we will always have hope. 50 points to stay up is a guide, not necessarily a requirement or conversely a certainty. The games against teams around us are important, but oddly for me not as vital as at the start of the season - because I think we now look as though we are capable of getting a result from anyone if we are able to play to to our potential.

The first half last night was unlike us of late - since the arrival of Bedeau and Carson, and Toums getting back into the team (why was he ever left out?!?) we look like a different side. Despite that we should’ve overcome it and taken a point at least, such was the strength of our second half showing. That’s the form that we need to take into our upcoming games.

Home games/form will be important - but when has this ever not been the case? If we can replicate form in the last 5/6 games I’m confident that the wins will come. One team usually goes on a run - hopefully it can be us.

Keep The Faith

UTFS

[Redalert1970]

Anyone who thinks Gillingham will be easy on Saturday think again

Yes they shipped 7 against Oxford but they have also kept three clean sheets in the last five games

[Keith]

But whilst there are teams just one strike away, we can’t be too despondent… because in reality the likes of Fleetwood and Wimbledon are not really capitalising either ATM. As long as this continues to be the case, we will always have hope.

The problem is, we've consistently failed when playing against teams around us. Yes, there are three teams potentially within catching distance, but they all have games against other relegation threatened sides. After our next two games, we are on a run against mainly promotion/play-off challenging sides. If we fail to pick up six points in the next two games, I really don't see where the points will come from. I don't want us going in to the Sunderland game, with them needing points for a play-off spot and us needing points to avoid relegation, although, after the first half last night, I suppose even still being in touching distance, come the last day, will be an achievement.

If we're relegated by a point or two, I'll look back at the disgraceful referee at Doncaster, who allowed their keeper to get away with a rugby tackle, as the reason we were relegated. But in reality, it will be atrocious performances such as that 45 minutes that will have cost us. We can't afford any more like that.

[SEASIDECLARET]

I think it’s always difficult to pin any particular incident as the one reason for success or failure, things develop over a season, and whilst I accept some people will disagree with me, but league tables very rarely lie. You are where you are and you yourselves have to change it. Currently, along with Dover we have conceded 60 goals, which is the most of the 7 highest divisions. Even the most ardent/rose tinted spectacle wearing supporter would have to concede that that without doubt is the reason we are struggling to gain points. In reality we are having to score 3 goals in quite a lot of the games to gain a win! I haven’t been sad enough to check the EFL records of the average amount of goals relegated teams concede, but if we carry on at 2 goals per game, we will I fear be far above that average. I think it would be very difficult to pin our disappointment at this point anywhere other than the goals against column.

[Keith]

Currently, along with Dover we have conceded 60 goals, which is the most of the 7 highest divisions. Even the most ardent/rose tinted spectacle wearing supporter would have to concede that that without doubt is the reason we are struggling to gain points.

Totally agree. Our 'goals for' is the same as Sheffield Wednesday, one place outside the play-offs!

102 goals in 31 games? We're certainly an entertaining side to watch!

[P/T Indie]

We should have beaten Bolton
Should have got a draw last night
Were 2v0 up at Accy but let our lead slip

There is 7 points just there we could have got but instead we came away with 2! It seems to be the story of our season just when we get into a good position we shoot ourselves in the foot.

We are not taking advantage of Wimbledon not pulling away.

Is it lack of experience would more older heads be able to see games out and better game management which Robbo says let us down against Bolton for example and there are many more examples.

I was hoping the defence was coming together now since the new arrivals but we still made it too easy for Lincoln last night.

[Posh]

I was hoping the defence was coming together now since the new arrivals but we still made it too easy for Lincoln last night.

Nothing to do with the defence or the new arrivals. When the two opposition full backs have the freedom to maraude into your box then it’s the fault of your midfield and front three who failed to go with their runners. Sadly, a weakness of several of our team where we have to compromise their potential creative influence with their defense frailties. In my view we looked stronger defensively with Arthur and Aaron than we did with Adam and Connolly.

[RapidShrimp]

I was hoping the defence was coming together now since the new arrivals but we still made it too easy for Lincoln last night.

In my view we looked stronger defensively with Arthur and Aaron than we did with Adam and Connolly.

Agreed, although Aaron seems to be injured. You can add Ryan McLaughlin to that as well, Cooney has been suspect with following runners and getting out to stop crosses this season. You can get away with that in L2.

[CityShrimp]

We have this worrying habit of playing well against good sides but losing narrowly or only getting a point and we all say “well if we play like that every week we’ll be fine”…

But then we lose/draw against the bottom teams too… at this stage of the season, ‘promising performances’ and ‘oh well there’s always next Saturday’ isn’t good enough anymore.

The main frustration is that we DO have enough quality to stay in this division and we’re not showing it often enough. I’ll be so disappointed if we go down.

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

Well one things for sure folks, following Morecambe is very rarely boring!!! Most seasons the games mean something right up to the last kick virtually. OK it's usually at the wrong end of the table but just occasionally we go berserk and stun everyone ending the season with yet another victory at Wembley

If we're honest we watch football for the drama of it all and we want the games to mean something. We certainly get that at Morecambe. Imagine following one of those clubs who seem to finish in mid table every season, with the drama finished round about February. Preston or Accrington anyone ?

UTS.

[Keith]

Three must win games.

None out of two.

We're now having to take points of the better teams in the league. I'm glad we got a point, but really, I am really getting worried now.

One of our 'must win games' left.

[Gone_Shrimping]

We need say 6 wins and 2 draws for 50 points which would possibly be enough.

On that reckoning Crewe and Doncaster need 9 wins and a draw for 50 points which would be play-off form and unlikely.

Gillingham with a much inferior goal difference to us need an unlikely 8 wins to reach 50 points.

We need to start winning and move above teams like Fleetwood and Wimbledon but 4 of our next 5 are away and the home game in there is Ipswich ! Let's start with a win at the Shrews next Saturday.