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Post by andyg on Nov 5, 2016 22:27:18 GMT
The match report, with interviews and other stuff to follow, is here.
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Post by tangerinedream on Nov 6, 2016 8:02:13 GMT
Andy, your opening paragraph sums up the game perfectly and probably covers what I would have posted last night if I hadn't been so bloody tired and had an early night. Perhaps the lack of any real action in the first half might have been a contributory factor in my need for a good sleep and pretty much followed up on a couple of recent performances at Moor Lane where we only seem to come awake in the second half.
For Harrogate it was evident that they had come with the intention of halting their losing streak by at least grabbing a share of the points whereas we probably came close again to replicating some of the match statistics in our previous home defeat at the hands of Tamworth where we had 21 attempts on goal against their 8 and 27 crosses as opposed to their 13. Perhaps those numbers weren't exactly the same yesterday but I would wager that we would have been dominant on both counts.
The problem at the moment very much appears to be our lack of clinical finishing with no one forward presently enjoying a noticeably consistent rich vein of goal scoring with defender Simon Grand probably grabbing the headlines more than anyone at present with his seemingly regular contribution to our goals for column. Without being personal Jordan should have buried the chance he had midway in the second half with the general consensus being if that one had been put away it would have spurred us onto a comfortable and indeed deserved victory. As we all saw at Telford last week, it's of course not all about how many chances you create over the ninety minutes but what you do with them that is the over riding factor. Let's hope our forwards rediscover their shooting boots ahead of next weeks must win game at local rivals Altrincham.
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Post by Chris P. Bacon on Nov 6, 2016 9:00:07 GMT
It's now 2 games unbeaten and as we approach Xmas, it's a good time to go on a run. I thought we were much better in defence. For the first time in ages, I didn't think we looked like conceding on every attack.
Many chances again and didn't put one away. That's disappointing, but right now, I'll take another clean sheet. As Jonno says, there's no point if the player crossing the ball is the player you've put there with the intention of being on the end of those crosses.
Better performance from us, but we now need to start taking the chances we create.
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Post by salfordiandude on Nov 6, 2016 9:09:43 GMT
So.... overall fair result yesterday!
1st Half - Controlled the first 15-20 minutes, but then let Harrogate Town have a spell in the game.
2nd Half - Again had a good 10 minute start, then it went flat for about 15-20 minutes, neither team doing much, then we dominated the final 10 minutes.
I think the back 4/5 (Inc. Jay Lynch) were solid throughout.... in fact it was the first team in a long while I actually thought we wasn't going to concede. Won everything that came into our box.
PLAYER ANALYSIS
1) Jay Lynch - Made an unbelievable save in the first half, top draw. Caught everything that he needed to, and once again had a solid performance. 2) Michael NOTTINGHAM - Solid defender, was great getting forward in the 2nd half, jinxy runs into the opposing 18 yard box. Passing though (distribution) isn't his strongest point. 3) Patrick Brough - Solid and composed at LB, had his head up and was always looking for a red shirt. 4) Scott Burton - For me, best player so far this season. Don't think it was his best game of the season, but gave a consistent performance. 5) Simon Grand (c)Again, made some excellent defensive headers to relive the pressure, and formed a solid partnership with Deaman. 6) Jack Deaman - Probably my Man of the Match yesterday, was absolutely solid at the back, and managed to get into promising positions on our corners. 7) Jordan HULME - Looked frustrated slightly, but Hulme always gives his all. Going forward he needs to ensure opposition players don't wind him up. 8) Sam Walker - Not his best game unfortunately, thought his passing was a little sloppy at times, but we know how good he can be. 9) Mike PHENIX - Just needs to score again, didn't do much wrong yesterday, and looked annoyed at being substituted. 10) Matt WARBURTON - Had a great game IMO, was all over the pitch... dragging defenders out of position, looking for the ball. 11) Richie Allen - Don't think we used him that much in the game, would of liked to see the ball at Allen's feet more and let him run at defenders.
12) Steve O'HALLORAN 14) Billy Priestley 15) Chris Atkinson 16) Craig King (for PHENIX, 71st min) - Didn't make a noticeable impact. 17) Nick Haughton (for ALLEN, 61st min) - Again, not really a noticeable impact, although his shot from outside the box in the first 2-3 minutes of coming on was superb. Again, like most substitutions, didn't make much difference to the team, but I'm sure he will make a difference in the coming weeks.
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Post by Chris P. Bacon on Nov 6, 2016 9:56:40 GMT
I'd agree on Deaman. Thought he had a cracking game. I'd also say that Jordan had a poor game by his standards. I thought the game was ripe for a bit of magic from him towards the end, but it didn't come.
That save from Lynch was something else. Despite him getting a hefty touch on it, I still thought it was going in.
Nottingham - Absolute beast in defence, but please, once you win the ball, don't try and make a difficult pass.
I'm not too down about yesterday. We're coming off a very poor run and we probably had the better of a very good team yesterday. With the new influx, I'm sure wins will come. Now is the time to build a run. Despite our recent form, we're still only 3 points off the playoffs. Teams around us are having mixed results and a team that can build a run up to Xmas can make serious gains in the league table.
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Post by mozzer on Nov 6, 2016 10:32:34 GMT
Dude, I will have to disagree with you about Haughton. I thought he injected skill, pace, and drive in a game that had started to lack in those areas, especially in the absence of Pooley. He looked lively and almost scored with an exquisite chip. I know we had similar views of the pitch, so it's interesting that we have very different opinions. Many observed that he reminded them of young Lewis, and is certainly that type of player we have been missing for almost a year. I, for one, can't wait to see more of the kid.
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Post by Chris P. Bacon on Nov 6, 2016 10:34:36 GMT
I thought all the new lads did well, especially coming into an established team.
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Post by mozzer on Nov 6, 2016 10:59:34 GMT
I thought all the new lads did well, especially coming into an established team. The defence has looked solid in the past two games since the introduction of Deaman to the back four, though Jay has to take a fair portion of the credit for this. Brough really slotted in well at left back yesterday, too. I agree with your earlier post that for the first time in a while we haven't looked like conceding every time the opposition break away. If we can add a bit of creativity and a few goals, for which we have the players to do so, then we'll be fine this season.
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Post by salfordiandude on Nov 6, 2016 11:06:03 GMT
Dude, I will have to disagree with you about Haughton. I thought he injected skill, pace, and drive in a game that had started to lack in those areas, especially in the absence of Pooley. He looked lively and almost scored with an exquisite chip. I know we had similar views of the pitch, so it's interesting that we have very different opinions. Many observed that he reminded them of young Lewis, and is certainly that type of player we have been missing for almost a year. I, for one, can't wait to see more of the kid.
Obviously noted his quality attempt at goal, maybe he was under the radar for me, that's not to say he didn't have a good game. Maybe collectively the team played well and no-one really stood out.
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Post by mozzer on Nov 6, 2016 11:59:57 GMT
Aside from lacking a touch of quality in front of goal, I thought the lads did alright yesterday. They worked hard, and sometimes that is all that you can ask for.
With Phenix being the only main striker in the sixteen yesterday (Hulme and Allen on the wings; Warburton more of a support striker, and to be honest is yet to impress me) I was a little concerned when he came off. He worked hard yesterday, but that one good chance never really came his way, despite putting in a decent shift. I think we were missing the creativity of Pooley, plus he knows where the goal is, and that's what I think Haughton can offer the team (the creativity/drive, if not necessarily goals). I'd like to see Haughton get a start against Alty.
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Post by local1957 on Nov 6, 2016 13:41:14 GMT
Am I the only one to be disappointed and more than a little bored with the quality of football on offer this season? For quite a lot of the games this season I've had neck ache trying to follow the ball as it gets "lumped" upfield in the hope of finding someone, yesterday with the wind I expected us (and Harrogate) to play the ball on the floor and to feet but no and again quality was sadly lacking. With the class/quality of players we have the football should be much better whether this is down to Bern and Jonno I don't know but we should be playing a more fluent game on the floor, we should be better producing much better football.
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Post by returntosender on Nov 6, 2016 13:52:07 GMT
Sorry but I don't think either side would have scored if the game had ended at midnight.I was personly glad when the final whistle came.I am sorry dude I have to disagree with regards to Scot.Yes you can say on the games you have seen.But having seen all our games but one I would not say that Scott as been our best player so far.In fact at this stage I would find it difficult to give that accolade to anybody.
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Post by asalfordfan on Nov 6, 2016 13:56:30 GMT
I wholeheartedly disagree 'local'. I actually feel we play 'too much' football at times when a more direct ball (as seen at telford) seems to spring the attack!
I've always felt we look more exciting away from home and I believe that is due to the home team having the onus on them to come out and attack which in turn means we can play very quick on the counter attack. As jono says in his interview, all we are lacking is the finishing touch at the minute yet 2 weeks ago we were saying we need to tighten up defensively.
Darlo are second and have lost 3 games yet we have only lost one more and I'd say we've had much tougher opposition too. Harrogate are known for being the biggest budget payers in the league so to be disappointed with a 0-0 against a team whom are up in the top echelons of this league every season shows we are progressing quite well.
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Post by asalfordfan on Nov 6, 2016 13:58:29 GMT
As I was typing RTS has posted.
3 points behind the playoffs in November in the toughest league in the country and you don't see any reason to give a single player any plaudits?!?
What the bloody hell has happened to this club man.
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Post by returntosender on Nov 6, 2016 14:00:14 GMT
Am I the only one to be disappointed and more than a little bored with the quality of football on offer this season? For quite a lot of the games this season I've had neck ache trying to follow the ball as it gets "lumped" upfield in the hope of finding someone, yesterday with the wind I expected us (and Harrogate) to play the ball on the floor and to feet but no and again quality was sadly lacking. With the class/quality of players we have the football should be much better whether this is down to Bern and Jonno I don't know but we should be playing a more fluent game on the floor, we should be better producing much better football. If that's what you think.And that's the way you see it.Thats your opinion and you are entitled to that view.Its a forum not a love in.
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