Morecambe (H) Match Thread

2 points dropped and a really frustrating performance.

Our first half an hour put us on the back foot straight away, we never quite looked to know who was playing where. Reggie Lambe was coming to the edge of the box to collect Gillespie's goal kicks and not getting them, our midfield and defence were far too deep in general and Wyke was completely isolated. McQueen looked absolutely terrified to get on the ball and was poor for their goal, albeit they deserved to go ahead.

We did have a spell just before half time but Raynes and S Miller coming on changed the game, we looked more of a threat but our delivery was poor. Devitt needs immediately dropped for the Accrington game, as does Gillesphey. I have to question Gillesphey's intelligence at times, he seems to dawdle on the ball when we need it moving. Devitt is just too lightweight and lacks that firepower we can get from Adams on the other side, not today though, he was another who went missing for large periods.

Liddle was impressive, a touch of class in some tricky situations, he has to start with Raynes next week. McQueen for Ellis too. Then Devitt out for either Ibehre or S Miller, not sure on Jabo's situation. If it wasn't Accy, which will be a scrap, Shaun Miller did enough to start next week I think.

Totally agree wetheriggs, first 20 minutes or so was so disjointed, nobody seemed to know where they were playing and for that Curle must take the blame. Lambe and Devitt were both wandering, Adams switched wings twice, Kennedy was a spectator and McQueen wasn't sure what to do. The team and formation looked a bit strange beforehand and proved to be. We could easily have been 3 down after half an hour with Morecambe having a goal disallowed by a tight offside flag and hit the post from a free kick. Our inability to start games well this season could cost us.

wetheriggscufc wrote: 2 points dropped and a really frustrating performance.

Our first half an hour put us on the back foot straight away, we never quite looked to know who was playing where. Reggie Lambe was coming to the edge of the box to collect Gillespie's goal kicks and not getting them, our midfield and defence were far too deep in general and Wyke was completely isolated. McQueen looked absolutely terrified to get on the ball and was poor for their goal, albeit they deserved to go ahead.

We did have a spell just before half time but Raynes and S Miller coming on changed the game, we looked more of a threat but our delivery was poor. Devitt needs immediately dropped for the Accrington game, as does Gillesphey. I have to question Gillesphey's intelligence at times, he seems to dawdle on the ball when we need it moving. Devitt is just too lightweight and lacks that firepower we can get from Adams on the other side, not today though, he was another who went missing for large periods.

Liddle was impressive, a touch of class in some tricky situations, he has to start with Raynes next week. McQueen for Ellis too. Then Devitt out for either Ibehre or S Miller, not sure on Jabo's situation. If it wasn't Accy, which will be a scrap, Shaun Miller did enough to start next week I think.

Ellis didn't play today!

franksidebottom wrote: Totally agree wetheriggs, first 20 minutes or so was so disjointed, nobody seemed to know where they were playing and for that Curle must take the blame. Lambe and Devitt were both wandering, Adams switched wings twice, Kennedy was a spectator and McQueen wasn't sure what to do. The team and formation looked a bit strange beforehand and proved to be. We could easily have been 3 down after half an hour with Morecambe having a goal disallowed by a tight offside flag and hit the post from a free kick. Our inability to start games well this season could cost us.

Wide players switching sides is hardly groundbreaking is it?

Laffy wrote: McQueen had a shocker-like a rabbit in headlight

If his agent and parents hadn't filled his head full of sh*te then he would have been playing regularly from the start of the season and he would be doing OK now.

Didn't think anybody had a particular poor game, although there was a couple that were only average, it was the system and the way they were set up was the problem to me. We have a couple of poor results and the management team panic like a pigeon stuck in barbed wire!!! was there really need to change everything around like they did? The first twenty minutes was like they had only just met in the car park before the game.
And I thought Liddle was great, but not sure why he didn't play him in the role I thought we had signed him for a 'defensive midfielder', Jones's role. Ah well at least we didn't get beat, roll on next Saturday.

franksidebottom wrote:

Lazarus wrote:

franksidebottom wrote: I had Liddle MoM by quite a distance. Solid, good in the air and really good with the ball at his feet. Everything his centre back partner wasn't

So, Gillesphey is no good at either LB or CB?

Not saying he's no good at either, just wasn't very good today. Once he makes a mistake or he gets skinned his head drops and his game is gone, progressively got worse today.

Disagree frank....he had a couple of wobbles but did stirling work with blocks headers and last minute tackles

Curle got it badly wrong in the first half but at least he changed it ..We looked a totally different team 2 nd half. A game we could have been out of after 30 mins we should have comfortably won inthe end. Liddle had a decent game could play in numerous positions and do well.LB is a major concern ,Miller was lost and McQueen at RB was disappointing to say the least.
For me we have 2 players out on loan who are better than our fringe players .

Lazarus wrote:

franksidebottom wrote: Totally agree wetheriggs, first 20 minutes or so was so disjointed, nobody seemed to know where they were playing and for that Curle must take the blame. Lambe and Devitt were both wandering, Adams switched wings twice, Kennedy was a spectator and McQueen wasn't sure what to do. The team and formation looked a bit strange beforehand and proved to be. We could easily have been 3 down after half an hour with Morecambe having a goal disallowed by a tight offside flag and hit the post from a free kick. Our inability to start games well this season could cost us.

Wide players switching sides is hardly groundbreaking is it?

I'm talking about the first 20 minutes here

franksidebottom wrote:

Lazarus wrote:

franksidebottom wrote: Totally agree wetheriggs, first 20 minutes or so was so disjointed, nobody seemed to know where they were playing and for that Curle must take the blame. Lambe and Devitt were both wandering, Adams switched wings twice, Kennedy was a spectator and McQueen wasn't sure what to do. The team and formation looked a bit strange beforehand and proved to be. We could easily have been 3 down after half an hour with Morecambe having a goal disallowed by a tight offside flag and hit the post from a free kick. Our inability to start games well this season could cost us.

Wide players switching sides is hardly groundbreaking is it?

I'm talking about the first 20 minutes here

And........?

seesaw50 wrote:

franksidebottom wrote:

Lazarus wrote:

franksidebottom wrote: I had Liddle MoM by quite a distance. Solid, good in the air and really good with the ball at his feet. Everything his centre back partner wasn't

So, Gillesphey is no good at either LB or CB?

Not saying he's no good at either, just wasn't very good today. Once he makes a mistake or he gets skinned his head drops and his game is gone, progressively got worse today.

Disagree frank....he had a couple of wobbles but did stirling work with blocks headers and last minute tackles

Pretty sure it was his man who was totally free for the goal, his touch was terrible all afternoon and his positioning second half when Morecambe were breaking was poor. If the right ball was played at least twice on the break he was knackered as he'd tucked in. All rounded off by an embarrassing nutmeg late on which could easily have led to a winning goal. He only really looks good when next to Raynes in a flat back four.

Lazarus wrote:

franksidebottom wrote:

Lazarus wrote:

franksidebottom wrote: Totally agree wetheriggs, first 20 minutes or so was so disjointed, nobody seemed to know where they were playing and for that Curle must take the blame. Lambe and Devitt were both wandering, Adams switched wings twice, Kennedy was a spectator and McQueen wasn't sure what to do. The team and formation looked a bit strange beforehand and proved to be. We could easily have been 3 down after half an hour with Morecambe having a goal disallowed by a tight offside flag and hit the post from a free kick. Our inability to start games well this season could cost us.

Wide players switching sides is hardly groundbreaking is it?

I'm talking about the first 20 minutes here

And........?

And what?

bluebry wrote: Didn't think anybody had a particular poor game, although there was a couple that were only average, it was the system and the way they were set up was the problem to me. We have a couple of poor results and the management team panic like a pigeon stuck in barbed wire!!! was there really need to change everything around like they did? The first twenty minutes was like they had only just met in the car park before the game.
And I thought Liddle was great, but not sure why he didn't play him in the role I thought we had signed him for a 'defensive midfielder', Jones's role. Ah well at least we didn't get beat, roll on next Saturday.

Raynes couldn't play the full game after suffering the noro virus ...Curle asked him if he could manage 45mins and decided to use him 2nd half.
Jabo has it as well.
Kennedy is not playing well..... he's either not in the box when required as an attacking midfielder, or too far forward when the opposition are attacking so he leaves a hole.
Devitt is lightweight and I've yet to see him have a good game.
Lambe shows useful touches, not slating him like others have .
McQueen wasn't the player we saw last season ..ring rusty!

Some thoughts:
- Liddle had a good game I thought, kept it simple and looked comfortable on the ball. Presume that Mullen's ridiculous trapper hat restricted his view...
- Ellison was influential (i.e.dirty) for them again, right up to the point where he got clattered by MG, after which he did nowt. Like most bullies, doesn't like a taste of his own medicine.
- McQueen was diabolical and shouldn't play for us again. Looked more comfortable when we went to 3 at the back, perhaps that is the answer while Danny is out.
- Their keeper won them the point today, we were all over them for most of the game and he made some outstanding saves - the one in the first half where he pushed it onto the crossbar was astonishing.
- A decent point against a dirty side but not good enough; today was the ideal opportunity to dole out a thrashing and send a message that the first half of the season wasn't a fluke. Lucky to still be third but need to get back to winning ways sharpish

Mullen sitting behind me-thought it was deputy dawg before I saw his girlfiend!

Laffy wrote: Mullen sitting behind me-thought it was deputy dawg before I saw his girlfiend!

I need something to cover my big ears!

Talisman wrote: Some thoughts:
- Liddle had a good game I thought, kept it simple and looked comfortable on the ball. Presume that Mullen's ridiculous trapper hat restricted his view...
- Ellison was influential (i.e.dirty) for them again, right up to the point where he got clattered by MG, after which he did nowt. Like most bullies, doesn't like a taste of his own medicine.
- McQueen was diabolical and shouldn't play for us again. Looked more comfortable when we went to 3 at the back, perhaps that is the answer while Danny is out.
- Their keeper won them the point today, we were all over them for most of the game and he made some outstanding saves - the one in the first half where he pushed it onto the crossbar was astonishing.
- A decent point against a dirty side but not good enough; today was the ideal opportunity to dole out a thrashing and send a message that the first half of the season wasn't a fluke. Lucky to still be third but need to get back to winning ways sharpish

I was refraining from posting "dirty team" ....but used the words to my pal who agreed, especially Ellison. As you've said it Tallisman , yes they were. Was at Morcambe and they weren't as dirty that day. Pressure on them with their situation but no excuse

Ellison still a decent player, always looks dangerous on the ball. Great run and pass for the goal, absolute perfect ball. It's his workrate which impresses me though, puts defences under pressure with his constant running and closing down, not bad fitness for a 37 year old!

Aping the Chelsea formation and playing three at the back with two protecting midfielders is worthy of serious thought but I wouldn't mind seeing how it goes in a bounce game before unleashing it in the league.
The Money League's Champions in waiting have a fairly immobile back three so for Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Cahill read Gillesphey, Raynes and Miller. Liddle and Joyce are competent league two versions of Matic and Kante. Adams, Kennedy, either Lambe or Devitt (until Jones returns), S Miller and Wyke complete the line-up.

franksidebottom wrote: Ellison still a decent player, always looks dangerous on the ball. Great run and pass for the goal, absolute perfect ball. It's his workrate which impresses me though, puts defences under pressure with his constant running and closing down, not bad fitness for a 37 year old!

Nasty man though

seesaw50 wrote:

franksidebottom wrote: Ellison still a decent player, always looks dangerous on the ball. Great run and pass for the goal, absolute perfect ball. It's his workrate which impresses me though, puts defences under pressure with his constant running and closing down, not bad fitness for a 37 year old!

Nasty man though

And? We could do with a streak at times, it would get us over the line in these sort of games.

Agree with Frank, Ellison's workrate is excellent, seems to always do well when plays against us.

seesaw50 wrote:

franksidebottom wrote: Ellison still a decent player, always looks dangerous on the ball. Great run and pass for the goal, absolute perfect ball. It's his workrate which impresses me though, puts defences under pressure with his constant running and closing down, not bad fitness for a 37 year old!

Nasty man though

Exactly what you want at times, wish we had signed him ten years back as he is proper value for money and still can hold his own in League Two now.

I thought looking at that starting line-up KC had been having a ratch in the cupboards and found the Tombola which was heavily in use under the Abbott and Kavanagh reigns. McQueen played like he was afraid to make a mistake,I'd rather have Liddle in MF to replace Jones whilst he remains out and I'd keep Gillesphey in at CB. I've seen enough of Devitt now,powderpuff and once again I thought he was a passenger. Shaun Miller must start more games,his runs create more room for players like Kennedyrunning from MF rather than a static frontline.

We could've been three down in the first half as the defence was all over the spot, no one marking and Morecambe had loads of runners not getting picked up. We've hit a bad patch that is plain to see, what we need is to get out of it before too much damage is done to our promotion chances.

Folk question why McQueen never gets a look in and this is why, same with McKee, they are just filler for the quality that we already have.

munchymagic wrote: Folk question why McQueen never gets a look in and this is why, same with McKee, they are just filler for the quality that we already have.

Harsh on McKee? The form of Jones and Joyce meant he didn't get a look in, then he was injured when Jones got his knock...

Curle's said in his interview: "Alexander McQueen has been chomping at the bit for his chance."

Did not see that at all on the pitch today.

Thought the ref was poor again today.. Gave us nothing 1st half .....made up for it slightly 2nd half..but what was going on with the free kick we got when Lambe was felled just outside their box...No Way was their wall 10 yards away, the ref was too busy sorting something else out to notice... Mind we didn't brother complaining either

Same ref who gave Doncaster that penalty.

seesaw50 wrote: Thought the ref was poor again today.. Gave us nothing 1st half .....made up for it slightly 2nd half..but what was going on with the free kick we got when Lambe was felled just outside their box...No Way was their wall 10 yards away, the ref was too busy sorting something else out to notice... Mind we didn't brother complaining either

Complained about f uck all today. Might have got something if we did.

Jones is a huge miss in the centre of the park

crunchblue wrote:

STH wrote: Can someone think of a softer player of recent years than Jamie Devitt? Rafa Nade is the best I can come up with.

Andy Welsh possibly?

David Amoo.

Was just reading that Andy Welsh and Danny Cadamarteri now run a successful Bradford-based kids soccer academy together: www.thesoccerakidemy.co.uk/

Yet another case of players only being missed once they aren't available, if you'd put Raynes in the search on here over the past couple of months you'd think he was our worst player, especially when some were hoping he was going to Orient, then all of a sudden there's complaints that he's not starting.

We are unfortunate right now that we've had a couple of influential players suffer injuries and another couple go off form. Fortunately we have Wyke still scoring to keep us in games, God forbid we do sell him.

Hopefully the 2 others signings KC is wanting arrive sooner rather than later before some of the bed wetters on here have a full on breakdown.

DeckchairBlue wrote:

crunchblue wrote:

STH wrote: Can someone think of a softer player of recent years than Jamie Devitt? Rafa Nade is the best I can come up with.

Andy Welsh possibly?

David Amoo.

Agree, once went down to the bottom of the East Stand during the warm up and seen the size of Amoo and how muscular he was, then on the pitch a slight breeze was enough to make him cower away.

wetheriggscufc wrote:

DeckchairBlue wrote:

crunchblue wrote:

STH wrote: Can someone think of a softer player of recent years than Jamie Devitt? Rafa Nade is the best I can come up with.

Andy Welsh possibly?

David Amoo.

Agree, once went down to the bottom of the East Stand during the warm up and seen the size of Amoo and how muscular he was, then on the pitch a slight breeze was enough to make him cower away.

"Agree, once went down to the bottom of the East Stand during the warm up and seen the size of Amoo and how muscular he was"

You have to admit it mate, that does sound a bit dodgy

munchymagic wrote:

wetheriggscufc wrote:

DeckchairBlue wrote:

crunchblue wrote:

STH wrote: Can someone think of a softer player of recent years than Jamie Devitt? Rafa Nade is the best I can come up with.

Andy Welsh possibly?

David Amoo.

Agree, once went down to the bottom of the East Stand during the warm up and seen the size of Amoo and how muscular he was, then on the pitch a slight breeze was enough to make him cower away.

"Agree, once went down to the bottom of the East Stand during the warm up and seen the size of Amoo and how muscular he was"

You have to admit it mate, that does sound a bit dodgy

They're all like that over there, in their seats.

DeckchairBlue wrote: Yet another case of players only being missed once they aren't available, if you'd put Raynes in the search on here over the past couple of months you'd think he was our worst player, especially when some were hoping he was going to Orient, then all of a sudden there's complaints that he's not starting.

We are unfortunate right now that we've had a couple of influential players suffer injuries and another couple go off form. Fortunately we have Wyke still scoring to keep us in games, God forbid we do sell him.

Hopefully the 2 others signings KC is wanting arrive sooner rather than later before some of the bed wetters on here have a full on breakdown.

Raynes is average at best - its just the other defenders are worse

wetheriggscufc wrote:

munchymagic wrote:

wetheriggscufc wrote:

DeckchairBlue wrote:

crunchblue wrote:

STH wrote: Can someone think of a softer player of recent years than Jamie Devitt? Rafa Nade is the best I can come up with.

Andy Welsh possibly?

David Amoo.

Agree, once went down to the bottom of the East Stand during the warm up and seen the size of Amoo and how muscular he was, then on the pitch a slight breeze was enough to make him cower away.

"Agree, once went down to the bottom of the East Stand during the warm up and seen the size of Amoo and how muscular he was"

You have to admit it mate, that does sound a bit dodgy

They're all like that over there, in their seats.

Ah - the sort that used to frequent the third screen at the studios cinema on Botchergate, I often wondered what folks did on their Saturday afternoons after The Studios closed

Must have been a hoot back in the day to have a few beers in The Albion, catch a bit of porn at The Studios, off to Brunton Park to watch Bob Stokoe's team spank some big team in league two, a few more beers and a kebab then home.

Who got hoyed out from B Stand today - and why? Anyone know?

TheLazyLewisGuy wrote: Same ref who gave Doncaster that penalty.

And also same ref that didn't give Morecambe one.

lbtufty wrote: Was just reading that Andy Welsh and Danny Cadamarteri now run a successful Bradford-based kids soccer academy together: www.thesoccerakidemy.co.uk/

Them kids are knackered then.

cousinscotty wrote: Who got hoyed out from B Stand today - and why? Anyone know?

A regular seemed very upset with something, big argument with a Steward, a lot of pointing and gesticulating, but don't think they were actually lobbed out, more left of own accord a few minutes early. They were still complaining amongst themselves downstairs at the end of the match!

The opening 25 minutes was like something from the dregs of the Abbott/Kav years. Absolutely no cohesion.
The defence looked like 4 strangers who'd just met. Got to question the wisdom in not having 1 from Ellis, Raynes and Brisley in the starting 11. No discipline

McQueen was abysmal, his 'tracking' of Ellison for their goal nothing short of embarrassing.

Yesterday was the first time I've blamed KC. Bizarre selection, and seemingly no game plan- unless he asked them to go out and invite a poor side to attack.
Why can't we start games on the front foot? Conceding an early goal every now and again is part of football, but doing it every week is something the manager needs to get on top of. I am tired of seeing us give head starts to the opposition!

Yes, we came in to the game - but how many clear cut chances did we make after the break?

Most of us said at the start of the season that we were lacking in cover at fullback. Unless we bring in a LB, that lack of cover will be the thing that keeps us in league 2.

We got lucky yesterday. Lucky to hold Morecambe to a point. This is no longer a 'blip', and if it isn't halted immediately, we'll start to slide down the table.

Cue knee-jerk reaction.

Kangshung wrote: The opening 25 minutes was like something from the dregs of the Abbott/Kav years. Absolutely no cohesion.
The defence looked like 4 strangers who'd just met. Got to question the wisdom in not having 1 from Ellis, Raynes and Brisley in the starting 11. No discipline

McQueen was abysmal, his 'tracking' of Ellison for their goal nothing short of embarrassing.

Yesterday was the first time I've blamed KC. Bizarre selection, and seemingly no game plan- unless he asked them to go out and invite a poor side to attack.
Why can't we start games on the front foot? Conceding an early goal every now and again is part of football, but doing it every week is something the manager needs to get on top of. I am tired of seeing us give head starts to the opposition!

Yes, we came in to the game - but how many clear cut chances did we make after the break?

Most of us said at the start of the season that we were lacking in cover at fullback. Unless we bring in a LB, that lack of cover will be the thing that keeps us in league 2.

We got lucky yesterday. Lucky to hold Morecambe to a point. This is no longer a 'blip', and if it isn't halted immediately, we'll start to slide down the table.

Cue knee-jerk reaction.

I agree with your first paragraph. McQueen came into the game a bit more as the half went on and we had a few chances last 20 of the half. We needed to get a goal before half time or early in the second half and then we would of got 3 or 4. Morecambe settled for a 1-0 as soon as they scored.

Brough has been slagged off on here loads but getting him back from Salford as soon as Grainger got injured would have been a better option than who has been player there.

Mush wrote:

Kangshung wrote: The opening 25 minutes was like something from the dregs of the Abbott/Kav years. Absolutely no cohesion.
The defence looked like 4 strangers who'd just met. Got to question the wisdom in not having 1 from Ellis, Raynes and Brisley in the starting 11. No discipline

McQueen was abysmal, his 'tracking' of Ellison for their goal nothing short of embarrassing.

Yesterday was the first time I've blamed KC. Bizarre selection, and seemingly no game plan- unless he asked them to go out and invite a poor side to attack.
Why can't we start games on the front foot? Conceding an early goal every now and again is part of football, but doing it every week is something the manager needs to get on top of. I am tired of seeing us give head starts to the opposition!

Yes, we came in to the game - but how many clear cut chances did we make after the break?

Most of us said at the start of the season that we were lacking in cover at fullback. Unless we bring in a LB, that lack of cover will be the thing that keeps us in league 2.

We got lucky yesterday. Lucky to hold Morecambe to a point. This is no longer a 'blip', and if it isn't halted immediately, we'll start to slide down the table.

Cue knee-jerk reaction.

I agree with your first paragraph. McQueen came into the game a bit more as the half went on and we had a few chances last 20 of the half. We needed to get a goal before half time or early in the second half and then we would of got 3 or 4. Morecambe settled for a 1-0 as soon as they scored.

Brough has been slagged off on here loads but getting him back from Salford as soon as Grainger got injured would have been a better option than who has been player there.

Interesting opinion considering they could easily have been 3 up after half an hour and Gillespie made a couple of good saves second half aswell as the several good openings they had on the break which they didn't make the most of.

Mush wrote:

lbtufty wrote: Was just reading that Andy Welsh and Danny Cadamarteri now run a successful Bradford-based kids soccer academy together: www.thesoccerakidemy.co.uk/

Them kids are knackered then.

Got nothing on Deano. My little 'un is on the list to go there soon as she's old enough.

Apparently he is even expanding and could he opening camps in Belgium/France and Dubai.

Good to see someone who genuinely loves the game.

www.inthebay.co.uk/Morecambe-fans-establ...b690-cb1a3bfe8d00-ds

Was my first league game of the season, only other was the cup tie against Rochdale.
After a rocky 20 first minutes I really enjoyed the match. I don't really understand formations etc but I thought Liddle was decent. Adams seems to be one of the only players who pushes forward. I'd have settled for a point at 60 mins but disappointed we didn't get 3.
A friend came with me who was a neutral and he enjoyed it too.