United 2 Fylde 1 - report

[John Street West Terrace]

Did what we needed to do today and negotiated a potential banana skin ( unlike last season ) we had a lot of possession but it was a bit too showboaty & tippy tippy at times when ball needed to go earlier . Only criticism was I thought e got caught out few too many times for my liking with the ball behind us . Anyway job done

Some polarising opinions and scores today today lads !

Best player Besic 7,5 /10

Under Performed Bryan & Robinson 5/10

Best player for them their no 6 won everything in the air today did well

 

[Champagneblade]

We have an excellent first choice defence but if we got two injuries there, as Norwich had, there would be a massive difference.

Not easy to recruit players as improved back ups given the limited prospect to dislodge one of them.

I feel Rodwell is at least suited to learning the Basham role and has some decent attributes.

There is absolutely no way you would trust Keen Bryan to deputise for O'Connell. And you have to question how useful Steers will be at this level. Decent Champ player I would say. Jags is ok for the odd game but he is winding down his career.

At full back, Baldock has kicked on immeasurably, it's hard to believe we used to debate who was better between him and Freeman. If this were the only change then we might cope but more than this we'd have hearts in mouths. On the left, long terms Norrington-Davies appears an excellent prospect and potential successor but it's looking more and more than Osborn is a more defensive alternative to Fleck rather than anyone that may put pressure on Stevens.

Someone who can play leftback, left centre back and perhaps midfield might be decent. Not sure if that Secoure who we were linked with in the summer could be an option.

Better hope we have a bit of a cup run as I don't see these guys pressuring the first picks at all.

 

[Wards]

Besic got the ball, have seen the slo mo

As did I (watched at home yesterday) even the commentators agreed we got lucky with it

 

[Guesty]

I keep hearing about Morrison 'Oh but he's got unreal ability', 'One thing you can't question is his ability', 'All the talent in the world but just can't get it together'.

Well I want to call time on that today. Those attempted switches of play that sailed into touch, that four yard pass to Osborn that he missed, I don't think he's a once in a generation talent at all. I think he was a skilful kid who had the sort of eye-catching abilities people love to spot (great touch and dribbling etc) but have never had the complete set to make it as a top footballer.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

I don't think lack of pace is the issue, we get past players quickly enough through slick passing. What we're guilty of is over playing. Against Watford Baldock was guilty of getting past the full back and not crossing the ball. Instead he'd pass back, we'd play some nice triangle balls then a cross would finally come in. By then the defence are all back in place anticipating an easy header out.

We need to be more ruthless, put in the early ball when we have a chance and stop playing unnecessary triangle passes when we're hitting teams on the counter. It's pretty, we keep possession but ultimately we fail to achieve what we're setting out to do and make it hard for ourselves to cut open teams. Look at our goals against Burnley, that was us putting in early balls and catching teams on the break ruthlessly and efficiently.

We were guilty of over passing today. Constantly sending the ball sideways or backwards when we're trying to open up Fylde. All it did was give them time to get back and get organised and we made their defence look good.

100% agree , too showboaty & tippy tappy at times when opportunity was there to open them up on the break . There’s a big difference between a long forward pass & long hopeful ball , if you watch the top sides City & more so Liverpool they mix their game up . If we short pass all the time it just allows the team to push up on you as their back line knows there’s nothing or very little going in behind them

 

[cahill]

As did I (watched at home yesterday) even the commentators agreed we got lucky with it

Not seen it on tv but looked an absolutely first class tackle to me. Ref obviously saw what I saw

 

[Woodwardfan]

I didn't go to the game and am really surprised that DB scored Robison so highly.

Shoutbox absolutely crucified him and I expected a 4/10. Pleased he had a solid game. We need him to do well.

The poster one post up on here was one of them.

 

[DaleHillBlade]

Fitbit shows a very flat heart beat for yesterday afternoon... think that finishes my review of the match..

 

[guancheblade]

4 a little harsh on Osborn. 5.5 generous for Bryan. I also thought K Freeman did ok to be fair. Morrison for me was the big disappointment. If he can’t make it happen against mine league then he has no chance. L Freeman was busy and tried to make it happen. Morrison for me just glided and we ineffective. If he is wanted in Holland he can go for me now. The rest did ok and it was a big improvement on the other 2 cup games of this year. Cheers.

See this and the original post shows what's wrong in all the analysis' I've seen of this game.

Why do fans hold Morrison to a much higher standard than the other squad players? Genuinely, what is the reason for that?

McBurnie cost us a fortune and yet many fans tell us "give him a full year first he'll come good next season" yet Morrison, signed for free and injured during most of pre season, gets a full 90min for the first time in months, and fans expect nothing less than a Messi like performance from him. Baffling.

The biggest issue for Ravel is that he's being played in CM but clearly is much better operating in the final third, like a number 10. I've said for months we'd be better off using the time he has here training him as an understudy for McGoldrick. They have a very similar armoury. And it would be good to retain consistency in our style of play whenever McGoldrick isn't available to play or needs to come off the pitch. None of our other forward options allow us to do that.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Not seen it on tv but looked an absolutely first class tackle to me. Ref obviously saw what I saw

Confirmed: first class tackle.

 

[essexblade73]

As did I (watched at home yesterday) even the commentators agreed we got lucky with it

He got the ball first. Don't care what jonny commentator says

 

[essexblade73]

Confirmed: first class tackle.

Yet plonkers on here are saying he got lucky...fckin hell get them a job at stockley park

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

 

[guancheblade]

"Baby. baby, baby ooooooooh"

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

"Baby. baby, baby ooooooooh"

I just thought that he was a full kit (referee) wanker, turning up in his kit!

 

[Bergen Blade]

I keep hearing about Morrison 'Oh but he's got unreal ability', 'One thing you can't question is his ability', 'All the talent in the world but just can't get it together'.

Well I want to call time on that today. Those attempted switches of play that sailed into touch, that four yard pass to Osborn that he missed, I don't think he's a once in a generation talent at all. I think he was a skilful kid who had the sort of eye-catching abilities people love to spot (great touch and dribbling etc) but have never had the complete set to make it as a top footballer.

There were some good moments, but not as many as we'd hoped for.



With the current squad you may wonder if it would be worth to include him on the bench at the expense of one of three strikers though.