todays match

[grafikhaus]

A better manager will be at a better club.

Steve McClaren?

 

[sitwell]

Two seasons back we had our "Crewe moment".

Now we have "Crewe moments" every other week.

One step forward, three steps back.
No comfort to be taken, as far as I can see it.

This is our Crewe season.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think we did well first half. Players seemed up for it, we were first to most second balls and produced some chances. Che looked very lively, as did Cuvelier and we were clearly the better side. Rochdale looked poor.

At half time I think Keith Hill decided that they needed more physique and more aggression to get into the game. He put on Holt and Vincent, two big and strong players and they helped turn the game for them. They also started to close us down better, high up the pitch, leading to us playing it long, which favoured their big and strong back four. Subconsciously, I think our midfielders also became reluctant to go forward too much, being away and with the pattern of the game completely changed, that can happen, and Che and Sharp became very isolated.

With both teams playing a direct, scrappy game on a poor pitch it became apparent that they were more suited to it. Their substitutes scored both their goals. Sharp was through on goal twice and Che also failed to take a good chance following a mazy run by McEveley. Apart from this we had the odd run, followed by a poor cross which was easily won by their defenders. Our corners were a waste of time all game as we couldn't win a header.

The end to the game was a mess with Rochdale wasting time and a poisonous atmosphere among the United fans, who didn't really help by twice not returning the ball when we were chasing the game.

Overall, I think we were a bit unlucky. We should have lead by half time and actually did have a couple of good second half chances before they scored as well. In hindsight maybe Adkins should have put on Collins for Flynn when the game changed in the second half. Moving Basham into midfield would have made us stronger and more competitive. It was also the type of game where a strong target man on the bench could have been useful offensively and defensively.




Some ratings:

Long 6
Basham 6 Edgar 5 McEveley 8
----------Brayford 5 ----------------------------------- Woolford 5 (Done 5)
Cuvelier 7 Reed 6 Flynn 5
Adams 7 Sharp 5
​

The game was a mess by the time Coutts and Scougall came on. I don't think Coutts fits Cuvelier's box to box role. Scougall chased hard as usual, but he couldn't do much going forward.

 

[Bergen Blade]

loyalblade95 Matt done has played left back before and we aren't the first people to do this. He played left back for rochdale it was only because of injurys that his position changed. Also he was playing as a left wing back which allows him to push forward a bit more and think he could work down this side. Can he be any worse than woolford?

Done at wing back wasn't as good as hoped. He made a few runs, showing decent pace, but his crossing was poor, so it was mostly in vain. His composure and passing looked a weakness and he's never really showed great link-up play with us. It was his direct, all action style combined with energy and pace that transformed him from a mediocre to a good League One player. I don't think moving him further back will get the most out of him. We also lost another set piece marker when Woolford went off and I reckon Kieron Wallace may be brought back tomorrow.