Accrington 3 Morecambe 1 [O.G.] LIVE THREAD

[shrimp in cyprus]

AND ....... St Mirren won today (with 10 men) and are now 3rd in the Scottish Premiership.

[redrobo]

DA is a stubborn Scotsman who will NOT change his footballing style come what may.

In fairness the Radio Lancs game summerizer did feel that the referee made 2 questionable decisions that cost us.....and that he praised DA by bringing Cole on and going for it.

He felt that we are not a bottom of the league team confirmed also by last Saturday's game summerizer.

From what I've seen so far of Callum Watts we need his skill badly back in the team as he does the unexpected at times.

[Pandashrimp]

This is DA's defense so the blame for not closing down and allowing players too much space rests with him and on the training field.

I don't think it is the defence is the problem as such, it is simply that they are under constant pressure, so eventually, the sheer weight of attacks brings a goal. We can't get out. We're not putting the opposition under any pressure at all. Phillips never had a sniff when up front on his own. Once Stockton came on, we actually looked more threatening, but by then, it was too much to ask.

Start with two up front. It creates more space. Phillips and Cole to start, alongside each other.

'Derek ball' relies upon the opposition having lots of possession, but not creating anything. I think that's why it works in League Two, but in League One, the quality of opposition means they do actually, use the ball well and create far more opportunities.

Completely agree with this. Have to impose ourselves and give defence a break! We sadly don’t have the quality. It would help if our wingbacks had any attacking quality but we simply can’t get up the pitch and stay there.

[redrobo]

Such a shame that we got rid of Toums who had the experience to add weight and tactical awareness to our midfield who are under so much pressure.

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

If the rules say red, fair enough. My point was that the ref didn't see it, only when Accrington players surrendered him did he take any action. Anyway, it's backs to the wall now and hopefully we can keep it tight for a point at least.
COME ON YOU MORECAMBE REDS.

My assumption is, the linesman gave it. Don't forget, they are mic'd up, so can talk to each other without going over.

Can't see us getting anything now.

You are correct. We were sat on the halfway line directly in line with the incident. The Stanley player went down like he'd been shot and commenced rolling about on the floor. The Stanley players rushed in (as they did all day) and began badgering the ref for a red card. The ref looked vacant and obviously hadn't seen anything so looked towards his liner and shrugged his shoulders. The liner said a few words to him and a red card ensued. The incident happened quickly but it appeared innocuous, certainly not worthy of a red. Will be very interesting to view it back this evening. So the sending off was entirely due to the liner because the ref hadn't seen anything wrong like the vast majority of us in that vicinity. Up to that point we were well in the game but then understandably struggled in the second half.

One thing I will say is that when Cole came on we looked a different team today and for the first time this season he looked 'on his game'. He adds so much too us when he's at it properly, but of course he needs to be if he wants his big transfer and it's still debatable if he's doing it for the club or selfishly just for himself.

Either way the only way out of this is with him firing and today in a brief cameo I thought he was definitely firing.

UTS.

[lancaster shrimp]

First off and before anyone questions it. This IS NOT A Derek out post, far from it. I think one of the reasons we are where we are is. "Derekball" for me dosen't work in League One when you're up against technically better players. I also think he is too defensive. (why bring Cooney on today for Taylor when a goal down?

Keep the faith.

[Redalert1970]

Think Taylor was injured that`s why he was taken off

[Keith]

One thing I will say is that when Cole came on we looked a different team today and for the first time this season he looked 'on his game'. He adds so much too us when he's at it properly, but of course he needs to be if he wants his big transfer and it's still debatable if he's doing it for the club or selfishly just for himself.

Either way the only way out of this is with him firing and today in a brief cameo I thought he was definitely firing.

I agree, but I also think that is in part, at least, because we had two up front. Phillips movement and Stockton's 'presence' worked together. For goodness’ sake, let's start with two up front and look like we actually want to score occasionally.

[BerlinWaller]

One thing I will say is that when Cole came on we looked a different team today and for the first time this season he looked 'on his game'. He adds so much too us when he's at it properly, but of course he needs to be if he wants his big transfer and it's still debatable if he's doing it for the club or selfishly just for himself.

Either way the only way out of this is with him firing and today in a brief cameo I thought he was definitely firing.

I agree, but I also think that is in part, at least, because we had two up front. Phillips movement and Stockton's 'presence' worked together. For goodness’ sake, let's start with two up front and look like we actually want to score occasionally.

They started the previous 3 games together and you were ranting about Cole's performances. He deserved to be dropped for poor performance and Arthur deserved a chance to play with Phillips.

Has RR got hold of your password Keith?

[Keith]

They started the previous 3 games together and you were ranting about Cole's performances. He deserved to be dropped for poor performance and Arthur deserved a chance to play with Phillips.

Has RR got hold of your password Keith?

Yesterday, Stockton was dropped to the bench. He came off it and performed really well. That's why I'd have him back in. Previous games, we were playing a kind of 5-3-1-1. I want to see Phillips and Stockton alongside each other. Yesterday, Phillips was entirely isolated and never had a sniff, until Stockton came on.

If we play 4-4-2 we can improve the midfield, taking some pressure off the defence.

I know you've got a shrine to all things Derek, but surely, even you don't believe him when he says we're playing well and just being unfortunate? In his interview, he said we've had lots of difficult games... ...wait until we play more teams from the top half of the table!

[Redalert1970]

Derek says we have had tough games ... yes we have but league 1 is a very tough league

We play Wycombe, Derby, Ipswich, Portsmouth and Barnsley in the next few weeks !!!!

[BerlinWaller]

They started the previous 3 games together and you were ranting about Cole's performances. He deserved to be dropped for poor performance and Arthur deserved a chance to play with Phillips.

Has RR got hold of your password Keith?

Yesterday, Stockton was dropped to the bench. He came off it and performed really well. That's why I'd have him back in. Previous games, we were playing a kind of 5-3-1-1. I want to see Phillips and Stockton alongside each other. Yesterday, Phillips was entirely isolated and never had a sniff, until Stockton came on.

If we play 4-4-2 we can improve the midfield, taking some pressure off the defence.

I know you've got a shrine to all things Derek, but surely, even you don't believe him when he says we're playing well and just being unfortunate? In his interview, he said we've had lots of difficult games... ...wait until we play more teams from the top half of the table!

A sort of what? It has been 2 up front, anybody without an agenda can see that. You even started a thread on here digging Cole out and now after a 20minute Cameo he is a must starter?

There should be a shrine for Derek, right out side Derek's bar in the Derek Adams Stand for the 2 miracles the man has produced. All he is missing is a poop a scoop isn't it? Get a grip man.

[Keith]

It's good that you are happy with the way we're playing and our position in the league. Nothing needs to change, just keep on with the same.

[BerlinWaller]

It's good that you are happy with the way we're playing and our position in the league. Nothing needs to change, just keep on with the same.

You loved 8 years of it, wouldn't have a bad word said against it. Much prefer to be in L1 for the 2nd season than NL oblivion but maybe it's me that is wrong.

I'd be changing your password Keith.

[redrobo]

Having been away on holiday for the last 3 games I can only comment on what I read and hear and i found it interesting how the Radio Lancs game summarizer felt that we are a team that works hard and doesn't get the breaks we deserve. He felt that crucial decisions went against us yesterday but despite that we stuck together and in his opinion we are a good side who will turn the corner sooner than later and are no way a bottom of the league team and there was little difference between the sides other than they got the important (if wrong) decisions that affected the game and result.

However unless DA changes his tactics from being negative to one of positivety I feel that for all the good words spoken yesterday then our season will continue in the same vein as it has to date.

[BerlinWaller]

Having been away on holiday for the last 3 games I can only comment on what I read and hear and i found it interesting how the Radio Lancs game summarizer felt that we are a team that works hard and doesn't get the breaks we deserve. He felt that crucial decisions went against us yesterday but despite that we stuck together and in his opinion we are a good side who will turn the corner sooner than later and are no way a bottom of the league team and there was little difference between the sides other than they got the important (if wrong) decisions that affected the game and result.

However unless DA changes his tactics from being negative to one of positivety I feel that for all the good words spoken yesterday then our season will continue in the same vein as it has to date.

Have you been on Holiday? Really? You should have mentioned it.

A genuine question here, how do you turn our available players from a team that has to try and be solid in to a team that can take a game to Ipswich Town?

[lancaster shrimp]

Think Taylor was injured that`s why he was taken off

I know, what I'm saying is I don't understand why we brought on a right back in his place when we were 1 nil down?...

[Keith]

It's good that you are happy with the way we're playing and our position in the league. Nothing needs to change, just keep on with the same.

You loved 8 years of it, wouldn't have a bad word said against it. Much prefer to be in L1 for the 2nd season than NL oblivion but maybe it's me that is wrong.

I'd be changing your password Keith.

You'll find plenty of occasions where I was critical of Jim Bentley when I felt he'd got it wrong. But, unlike you, I also credit him for what he got right.

[BerlinWaller]

Again, another incorrect statement to add to your ever growing collection. I gave Jim plenty of credit, always stopped till the very end to clap Jim and the players off the pitch but I was objective enough to see his time with us was up. I was proven right about that. I was able to move on and enjoy the success that Derek has brought to the club but you still carry that bitterness with you.

[Little Shrimp]

3-5-1-1? That's a bit silly. It's been a 3-5-2 with a front pairing of Stockton and Phillips, two centre forwards. If we play 4-4-2, it will also be Stockton and Phillips. At different moments they'll shift into different areas of the pitch, but to try and call it 3-5-1-1 isn't really right.

Doesn't really matter for the next couple of weeks really though. I've wanted a shift to a back four and was glad to see it yesterday, but it's going to be very tough now with only one available winger (presuming the FA don't overturn Gnahoua's red). I also do kind of get DA's hesitancy to use it recently - we only had two available wingers, so there would have been nobody to come off the bench in case of injury or just to freshen to things up. Until Gnahoua and Watts get back, we kind of have to play 3-5-2.

On the game itself, I thought it was pretty poor and scrappy but ultimately even until the red card. I get why there have been frustrations with DA/the team over recent weeks, but yesterday's defeat wasn't really anything to do with tactics etc. It was because we had 10 men for 45 minutes.

[redrobo]

Having been away on holiday for the last 3 games I can only comment on what I read and hear and i found it interesting how the Radio Lancs game summarizer felt that we are a team that works hard and doesn't get the breaks we deserve. He felt that crucial decisions went against us yesterday but despite that we stuck together and in his opinion we are a good side who will turn the corner sooner than later and are no way a bottom of the league team and there was little difference between the sides other than they got the important (if wrong) decisions that affected the game and result.

However unless DA changes his tactics from being negative to one of positivety I feel that for all the good words spoken yesterday then our season will continue in the same vein as it has to date.

Have you been on Holiday? Really? You should have mentioned it.

A genuine question here, how do you turn our available players from a team that has to try and be solid in to a team that can take a game to Ipswich Town?

Need to reduce the time and space that they could have on the ball and be in their faces from minute1.
DA needs to adopt a more attack minded selection and play to our strengths and that means including both Cole and Callum if fit from the off.

I for one would not play Fane as he gives the ball away too often

[fulwoodshrimp]

I think time seems to be catching up with Fane. He is being caught in possession too often. It’s no secret that I would have retained Toums. Yes, time was catching up with him but what a football brain he has.

[Keith]

I think time seems to be catching up with Fane.

He's only 28 years old. Tooms is 35 years old.

3-5-1-1? That's a bit silly. It's been a 3-5-2 with a front pairing of Stockton and Phillips, two centre forwards.

Well, I'm not sure why Stockton has been so completely isolated then? What would you say it was on Saturday? Four at the back, two defensive midfielders, two wide players, one central midfielder and one up front?

Regardless of what the formation is supposed to be, it isn't working. When we hoof it clear, it comes straight back. The midfield is over-run, or far too deep, so we're under pressure for too much of the game, until something gives way. We're not creating enough and not taking advantage of the scraps when we do create.

Worryingly, Derek appears to be happy with the performances and felt we deserved to get something on Saturday. Even before the sending off, I thought we were fortunate to still be level and if a goal was coming anywhere, it was Stanley who would get it.

[marky No.1]

With the off field antics I think Derek is trying to look after and give the players a supporting heads up

[Redalert1970]

Any news on if the club have appealed Arthurs red card ???