Bergen Blade
Well-Known Member
Think it was a decent game, certainly much better than I thought having listened to the radio.
Our formation was 4-4-1-1 with McNulty playing deeper than the main striker who was Sammon:
Howard 5 - Not very convincing. Flapped at some crosses, lost an easy loose ball, was slow to get down when their free kick hit the post. His body language, the fact that he looks a bit more commanding than Long will probably make him a first choice on Saturday.
Freeman 9 - Excellent offensively and defensively. Constantly on the run forward, trying to contribute and help us create chances. Skilful and neat, combining well with Scougall, Wallace and McNulty in particular. I've seen people criticise his final ball. Don't agree with that, but often the problem was that Morecambe had so many players back that it was hard to find someone free in the box. There was one massively overhit cross at the end, and my suspicion is that a lot of people thought "he's been down that side a lot, but we haven't scored, i.e. his balls in haven't been good enough. Defensively he was also covering behind the centre halves a few times, although he was probably lucky to escape a sending off in the first half when his risky last ditch tackle saw him get very little of the ball.
Edgar 7 - Solid debut where he won every header. Also looked suprisingly good on the ball for a centre half. There was especially one touch and direct pass to Wallace that was superb. Some good passes apart from that too. There was one occasion on a defensive corner where he was blocked, therefore losing his man, and then desperately pulling him down. Think that would have been a penalty if the referee had seen it. Just before half time his man (Edwards) was allowed a free shot as well, not sure why Edgar lost him there.
McEveley 7 - Lost two headers first half and there was the odd pass that didn't find a team mate, but generally solid, calm and composed game. A few important blocks and challenges.
K.Wallace 6 - Doesn't look outstanding and I don't think he's a long term answer. I think he lacks pace and will struggle with quick and tricky wide men. He was in control most of the time vs Morecambe though and as he's a six footer he does make us a little bit stronger aerially.
Scougall 8 - Excellent and every bit as positive as in his first season. Took some time to get going, but eventually made himself available, found space, ran on the ball and tried penetrative passes. Linked well with teammates and Morecambe struggled to get near him, let alone stop him. Should gain confidence from this match as he looked to really enjoy it.
Basham 6,5 - Often looks a bit awkward and he is limited as a holding playmaker. Morecambe soon realised that it was his partner that was more important to close down, and thus Basham was often given a bit more time on the ball. As he's often a bit unsure of what to do, this slows our tempo down. Gave it away dangerously once or twice, but also won a lot of headers and got some challenges in. Agree with those saying he looks a bit lost in a central midfield duo though. Last season he was a ball winner/box to box man, so it's going to take a bit of getting used to for him to do this new role. I'd let him continue with Wallace for now though.
J.Wallace 8 - Excellent on the ball many times, lots of creative passes and through balls. Delighted to see him back and do so well. Was well closed down at the start of the game, but gradually started having more impact. Can get rid of a marker, run on the ball and spot runs into the box. Good corners too. At times (especially first half) he and Basham struggled to cover enough space behind them and that could be a problem in a 4-4-2. Clough would have gone mad if he'd seen the amount of times Morecambe found space between our defence and midfield. Disappeared later on and looked tired before he went off. Wallace must be a starter though, let's hope he stays fit.
Woolford 5 - Sadly I still haven't seen him play well, and it's time to let him start on the bench and see if he can come in and have a greater impact from there. Lacks pace for a wide man and doesn't seem exceptionally skilful. I think Adkins would like to see him chip in with goals, but he didn't threaten nor set anything of note up in this game.
McNulty 7 - Played behind Sammon and looked good when he got on the ball. His touch was good and he linked play a lot better than what he did last season. I think his fitness is improving after some reports of him looking heavier than before in the summer. He fluffed two good chances of scoring though. A third attempt looked a sure goal, but was blocked by a defender throwing himself at it.
Sammon 5,5 - You could see why he doesn't score many goals. Finished poorly when he got the chance. A second half back post header from a cross was his best effort. Worked pretty hard and is a good athlete and played a couple of decent passes. A better team player than goal getter.
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Adams 6 - Came on at half time for Woolford and played on the left. More involved than MW, but not as impressive as in pre season. Their right back was a competitive, stocky guy, who didn't look easy to get past. Couldn't really make use of his pace, but had a couple of shots and won the corner that we scored from.
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As I said I think it was a decent game with some great performances and some mediocre. In the second half there looked to be a gulf in class and at times we almost got too much time and space on the ball - until we got the ball in the box! Morecambe dropped very deep at times and defended well in their box. If one of our earlier efforts had gone in I think we would have scored more.
Higher tempo may have helped break them down, but it's not easy to just switch that on. It could be necessary with a better playmaker than Basham (but then we'd possibly be overrun). No doubt Harris/Murphy would strengthen our left hand side, which wasn't great vs Morecambe. We must also look at which forwards will be our strongest and make sure we maintain enough pace in the side as we try to fix other things. In any case I think it was a definite step in the right direction.
Our formation was 4-4-1-1 with McNulty playing deeper than the main striker who was Sammon:
Howard
Freeman Edgar McEveley K.Wallace
Scougall Basham J.Wallace Woolford
McNulty
Sammon
Freeman Edgar McEveley K.Wallace
Scougall Basham J.Wallace Woolford
McNulty
Sammon
Howard 5 - Not very convincing. Flapped at some crosses, lost an easy loose ball, was slow to get down when their free kick hit the post. His body language, the fact that he looks a bit more commanding than Long will probably make him a first choice on Saturday.
Freeman 9 - Excellent offensively and defensively. Constantly on the run forward, trying to contribute and help us create chances. Skilful and neat, combining well with Scougall, Wallace and McNulty in particular. I've seen people criticise his final ball. Don't agree with that, but often the problem was that Morecambe had so many players back that it was hard to find someone free in the box. There was one massively overhit cross at the end, and my suspicion is that a lot of people thought "he's been down that side a lot, but we haven't scored, i.e. his balls in haven't been good enough. Defensively he was also covering behind the centre halves a few times, although he was probably lucky to escape a sending off in the first half when his risky last ditch tackle saw him get very little of the ball.
Edgar 7 - Solid debut where he won every header. Also looked suprisingly good on the ball for a centre half. There was especially one touch and direct pass to Wallace that was superb. Some good passes apart from that too. There was one occasion on a defensive corner where he was blocked, therefore losing his man, and then desperately pulling him down. Think that would have been a penalty if the referee had seen it. Just before half time his man (Edwards) was allowed a free shot as well, not sure why Edgar lost him there.
McEveley 7 - Lost two headers first half and there was the odd pass that didn't find a team mate, but generally solid, calm and composed game. A few important blocks and challenges.
K.Wallace 6 - Doesn't look outstanding and I don't think he's a long term answer. I think he lacks pace and will struggle with quick and tricky wide men. He was in control most of the time vs Morecambe though and as he's a six footer he does make us a little bit stronger aerially.
Scougall 8 - Excellent and every bit as positive as in his first season. Took some time to get going, but eventually made himself available, found space, ran on the ball and tried penetrative passes. Linked well with teammates and Morecambe struggled to get near him, let alone stop him. Should gain confidence from this match as he looked to really enjoy it.
Basham 6,5 - Often looks a bit awkward and he is limited as a holding playmaker. Morecambe soon realised that it was his partner that was more important to close down, and thus Basham was often given a bit more time on the ball. As he's often a bit unsure of what to do, this slows our tempo down. Gave it away dangerously once or twice, but also won a lot of headers and got some challenges in. Agree with those saying he looks a bit lost in a central midfield duo though. Last season he was a ball winner/box to box man, so it's going to take a bit of getting used to for him to do this new role. I'd let him continue with Wallace for now though.
J.Wallace 8 - Excellent on the ball many times, lots of creative passes and through balls. Delighted to see him back and do so well. Was well closed down at the start of the game, but gradually started having more impact. Can get rid of a marker, run on the ball and spot runs into the box. Good corners too. At times (especially first half) he and Basham struggled to cover enough space behind them and that could be a problem in a 4-4-2. Clough would have gone mad if he'd seen the amount of times Morecambe found space between our defence and midfield. Disappeared later on and looked tired before he went off. Wallace must be a starter though, let's hope he stays fit.
Woolford 5 - Sadly I still haven't seen him play well, and it's time to let him start on the bench and see if he can come in and have a greater impact from there. Lacks pace for a wide man and doesn't seem exceptionally skilful. I think Adkins would like to see him chip in with goals, but he didn't threaten nor set anything of note up in this game.
McNulty 7 - Played behind Sammon and looked good when he got on the ball. His touch was good and he linked play a lot better than what he did last season. I think his fitness is improving after some reports of him looking heavier than before in the summer. He fluffed two good chances of scoring though. A third attempt looked a sure goal, but was blocked by a defender throwing himself at it.
Sammon 5,5 - You could see why he doesn't score many goals. Finished poorly when he got the chance. A second half back post header from a cross was his best effort. Worked pretty hard and is a good athlete and played a couple of decent passes. A better team player than goal getter.
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Adams 6 - Came on at half time for Woolford and played on the left. More involved than MW, but not as impressive as in pre season. Their right back was a competitive, stocky guy, who didn't look easy to get past. Couldn't really make use of his pace, but had a couple of shots and won the corner that we scored from.
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As I said I think it was a decent game with some great performances and some mediocre. In the second half there looked to be a gulf in class and at times we almost got too much time and space on the ball - until we got the ball in the box! Morecambe dropped very deep at times and defended well in their box. If one of our earlier efforts had gone in I think we would have scored more.
Higher tempo may have helped break them down, but it's not easy to just switch that on. It could be necessary with a better playmaker than Basham (but then we'd possibly be overrun). No doubt Harris/Murphy would strengthen our left hand side, which wasn't great vs Morecambe. We must also look at which forwards will be our strongest and make sure we maintain enough pace in the side as we try to fix other things. In any case I think it was a definite step in the right direction.
Morecambe notes
2nd half
- Basham limited as a defensive playmaker
- 4.25 Great Freeman run, almost sitter for McNulty - airshot
- McNulty deeper than Sammon, 4-4-1-1?
- Edgar looking comfortable on ball, good touch for a ch
- Team looking a bit bigger and stronger. 6-7 six footers
- Looking to Scougall to link play
- Freeman good start
- Our centre midfielders very well closed down, hard for us to use them
- 15 mins M clean through, but Freeman gets a tackle in
- Then good run and shot from McNulty
- James Wallace corner looking good
- Nice play Freeman-Wallace-Scougall, but poor cross from latter
- McEveley takes out linesman
- 20 mins Basham and Wallace struggling to cover enough space.
- 20:30 typical Basham mistake
- Good ball from McNulty to Sammon, but challenged - corner kick
- Howard loses simple ball
- Edgar is blocked at def corner, then probably fouls, but ref don't see it
- Good ball from Wallace to McNulty, poor shot
- Some decent, creative passes from Wallace
- 25' M free kick hits post. Howard slow
- 27 Superb ball from Wallace, Freeman's cross stopped
- 28' Another dangerous corner from Wallace, flicked on at first post
- 29 Great ball from Wallace to McNulty who sends Sammon clear. Poor finish wide
- Edgar winning every header
- 32' Freeman covering very well again
- Once more good play from Wallace, getting forward
- Freeman brilliant 1-2 with McNulty (superb chip). Volleyed shot wide
- Well done Scougs, K. Wallace, McNulty
- Superb defensive challenge from Freeman again
- 41 Decent attack, but midfield then fail to get back to stop break, leading to dangerous M shot
- Howard flaps at cross, dangerous, but shot blocked
- 45 Edgar loses his man at corner, free shot
2nd half
- Superb start by Scougall, run and sending Adams clear
- Wallace-McNulty - good cross, Sammon header saved/blocked
- 3' Scougs can't connect well enough on through ball
- Good start
- Wallace very close to sending Sammon clear again, looking excellent
- Edgar free header from Scougall's corner, but poor connection
- Great link play from Freeman, Scougs, Wallace.
- 9' Unlucky Freeman cross
- Blades dominating, good spell
- Scougs looking good, bright, eager to find space, run on the ball and make penetrative passes. Not always got the accuracy
- Sammon shot wide after Scougs winning back possession
- Great possession play and good cross from Freeman
- 19 McEv taking one for the team, booking after we lost balance
- Scoug's task to block free kicks
- Freeman cross, McNulty first time shot, far over. McNulty doing well though, finding space, distributing well.
- 24 Blades finding a lot of space, looking far superior
- 26 Freeman cross massively overhit (bumpy pitch??)
- Another Sammon effort, doesn't look like a great finisher
- McEve turned (clever, well done by M player)
- Good effort at through ball from Sammon
- Bash winning most headers in midfield
- Wallace quieter as the match went on
- Adams shot saved
- Another McNulty shot blocked, looked a sure goal
- Freeman alone against two M players, manages to stop the pass
- 44 not great free kick from Adams
- Adams wins the corner we scored from
- Lot of game play, but Morecambe always good at having enough man back to block/prevent free shots
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, that we play 4-4-2, or some variant, and look to strengthen midfield, either through players adapting or through transfers in and out.
