League Two Barrow (1) v Rovers (0)

[Sparky]

Thanks for the report RLC. As you say back on home soil next week where we’ve got a chance to respond with 3 points.

 

[dollar'sbloke]

I thought it was a solid performance and we deserved a draw.

The match was essentially a midfield stalemate, with both sides creating very little and looking very strong defensively. I personally think Adkins got the tactics right, with the one moment of quality the hosts produced ending up in the back of the net, whereas the one moment of quality we produced (from Hawkes) hit the post. They are the fine margins of football sometimes.

Barrow have an excellent home record and are only one point behind Wrexham and three behind Stockport for a reason. Yes, they did not show much quality in the final third today, but that is largely down to our defensive organisation. Barrow were strongest down their left side through Newby, and I think Adkins did not want to play Hawkes ahead of O'Connor on that wing and leave him exposed defensively, given Josh's reluctance to track back. Hawkes might have come on earlier, but when O'Connor went off injured it probably would not have been a good idea to play Hawkes ahead of the left-footed, out of position Norris.

It was noticeable that the winning goal came down our right, with McAlear and Norris failing to get tight enough to Newby.

We definitely missed Apter's dynamism in the final third, but some of our attacking play was decent up until the eighteen yard box and we simply struggled to break Barrow down due to their organisation at the back. It was always going to be a completely different game to Notts County.

Individually, I thought the centre halves and Hendry were very good and Morris again linked well with Wood.

We responded to the Walsall defeat with a victory in the following game, and it is important we do the same next week.

Agree with this. In hindsight Saunders speed was our only real threat and they weren't prepared for it. In the 2nd minute he was through on his left peg and the keeper was off his line, a decent chip and it's in he put in a tame shot. That was the match really.
The crosses and corners were next to pointless we have nothing to threaten that sort of defence. The left side gave them plenty on the outside so Hawkes stepping inside was a gift but not to be.
Tactics against a high flyer were spot on, unlucky

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

I’m not shocked, just disappointed. I would expect Barrow to be favourites to beat any side in L2 at home. The important things are the way we played and how we respond in the next game. We seem to have matched them for most of the game and I think we’ll bounce back next week.

 

[Boz]

I'm not sure would endorse Nigel's assessment that Reece McAlear was superb and RLC makes a valid point about the marking in the build up to the winning goal. James Norris did do an excellent track-back and tackle, otherwise the Barrow player was one on one against McGee.

The next game is the last of 3 toughies against promotion contenders. Milton Keynes have a highly-rated young manager and one of the wealthier clubs in L2 so a challenging game ahead.

 

[ADD]

Disappointing result but not entirely unexpected given their home form and our need to rejig tactics. Apter clearly a massive loss with much less attacking threat now he is gone. He was often marked by 2 or even 3 so even if we didn't get the ball to him we always had other players in space. Now the opposition can set up in the normal way with only Saunders sprinting (and he rarely does anything with it) to concern themselves with given Jennngs was never going to get the better of their CB's in the air.
McAlear on the right wasn't a success which is no great surprise but as others have said Adkins clearly wanted a more defensively minded player in there from the start than Hawkes.
Disappointed also that Taylor didn't get any game time even when Saunders is off injured for the second half. Not sure what Adkins is thinking re Sam - to me far more likely to create a chance with a spot of creativity than Jolley is but looks like he is now at the bottom of the pecking order. As such a loan out to NL or even NLN would seem to make sense for us and him as his development is in danger of getting completely stalled given he has played only 17 minutes since the beginning of October.

 

[Ian]

 

[Sparky]

I'm not sure would endorse Nigel's assessment that Reece McAlear was superb and RLC makes a valid point about the marking in the build up to the winning goal. James Norris did do an excellent track-back and tackle, otherwise the Barrow player was one on one against McGee.

The next game is the last of 3 toughies against promotion contenders. Milton Keynes have a highly-rated young manager and one of the wealthier clubs in L2 so a challenging game ahead.

I thought exactly the same Boz when Nigel said McAlear was superb. I didn’t see the game but from what I’ve read that wasn’t the case. You know what Nigel is like though!!

 

[dollar'sbloke]

I did see the game and McAlear, a player I had given up on, was very good. The test was what came down their left flank and the result was a very little. If you expected him to do an Apter, I believe that is a bit unrealistic. Hawkes may have got more crosses in but to no one really. When Hawkes plays, Morris switches and so yesterday our left flank would have been weaker; all a game of cards. I'd expect that switch next home game when Dennis should be back.
The goal was nodded back into central midfield where again we allowed a hole to appear on occasions. Walker reads the game well and tends to be where needed, Hendry responds with urgency but I suspect the crude tackle on him early on may have hampered him throughout. Anyway given a few loose seconds the striker hit a peach that you don't see often in this league or on such a pudding of a pitch, c'est la vie.

 

[bigmart]

Rumours that O'Connor broken a toe and will be out for a while

 

[Sparky]

Rumours that O'Connor broken a toe and will be out for a while

That’s a shame as he’s been in good form. An opportunity for Pike now.

 

[dollar'sbloke]

Rumours that O'Connor broken a toe and will be out for a while

Now this raises something which puzzles me. Subs come do nothing wrong get dropped from bench. Other substantial players appear on the bench don't get on and get dropped. Is Nigel doing some curious keep everyone a bit happy management here and not actually selecting on pure merit?
Unless Pike wasn't available yesterday, it was very odd to drop him. He covers both full backs and while Norris did well, he could be an accident waiting to happen at right back.
Was actually expecting the bigger Yarney on yesterday. I actually wonder whether a back five maybe tried?

 

[Sparky]

No way Nigel will stray from 4-4-2 anytime soon. Why would you after our recent form? Likely that either Pike or Yarney will play RB, or even McAlear at a push

 

[dollar'sbloke]

No way Nigel will stray from 4-4-2 anytime soon. Why would you after our recent form? Likely that either Pike or Yarney will play RB, or even McAlear at a push

We haven't play 442 apart from when Norris played with Dennis. We play 4411, Saunders is always beyond Jennings when out of possession understandably. I don't think Nigel will do anything on a whim but injuries may lead to it. Let's face it McAlear for Apter was a far bigger change than many numerical orders.
There are only 16 games after the window and I doubt many would play straight away, maybe MP will keep his funds dry? Let's see if any move this week

 

[Am on mobile]

It should be Hawkes playing not reece but we have to see how it goes in next few weeks

 

[Higgy 2]

I thought it was a solid performance and we deserved a draw.

The match was essentially a midfield stalemate, with both sides creating very little and looking very strong defensively. I personally think Adkins got the tactics right, with the one moment of quality the hosts produced ending up in the back of the net, whereas the one moment of quality we produced (from Hawkes) hit the post. They are the fine margins of football sometimes.

Barrow have an excellent home record and are only one point behind Wrexham and three behind Stockport for a reason. Yes, they did not show much quality in the final third today, but that is largely down to our defensive organisation. Barrow were strongest down their left side through Newby, and I think Adkins did not want to play Hawkes ahead of O'Connor on that wing and leave him exposed defensively, given Josh's reluctance to track back. Hawkes might have come on earlier, but when O'Connor went off injured it probably would not have been a good idea to play Hawkes ahead of the left-footed, out of position Norris.

It was noticeable that the winning goal came down our right, with McAlear and Norris failing to get tight enough to Newby.

We definitely missed Apter's dynamism in the final third, but some of our attacking play was decent up until the eighteen yard box and we simply struggled to break Barrow down due to their organisation at the back. It was always going to be a completely different game to Notts County.

Individually, I thought the centre halves and Hendry were very good and Morris again linked well with Wood.

We responded to the Walsall defeat with a victory in the following game, and it is important we do the same next week.

I think we did well. The shape was good and it is clear the lads know their roles - Credit to Nigel.
I have a lot of time for McAlear, but thought it was a strange one playing g Wimbledon in front of LOC. Not sure I agree, but can see Nigel's point if he was looking for a more defensive set up. My view is that I don't think it was a job for Reece. At time he looked disappointed with himself getting mugged with the ball at his feet. Often forced backwards. Unless, as Bigmart mentioned before the game, he was in there for his height?? Playing out there with little room for manoeuvre is a specialist job. Can't understand why you wouldn't play another,more mobile full- back in front of LOC. It would be better for said defensive reasons and you wouldn't loose anything in the attacking third. Whether you played Pike or Norris they would likely attack the opposite full back better than Reece given their superior speed and athleticism.
For the goal RLC is right Newby wasn't closed down properly, but when their player in the box was pointing for the pass to go to Cambell lurking outside the box, you'd think Hendry could have got there and got a foot in.
That said I though we did ok and may have nicked a point. BTW I thought Jolley made a couple of nice runs to receive the ball and may have done better but for slipping on the dodgy pitch.

 

[Boz]

I did see the game and McAlear, a player I had given up on, was very good. The test was what came down their left flank and the result was a very little. If you expected him to do an Apter, I believe that is a bit unrealistic. Hawkes may have got more crosses in but to no one really. When Hawkes plays, Morris switches and so yesterday our left flank would have been weaker; all a game of cards. I'd expect that switch next home game when Dennis should be back.
The goal was nodded back into central midfield where again we allowed a hole to appear on occasions. Walker reads the game well and tends to be where needed, Hendry responds with urgency but I suspect the crude tackle on him early on may have hampered him throughout. Anyway given a few loose seconds the striker hit a peach that you don't see often in this league or on such a pudding of a pitch, c'est la vie.

I was at the game and in the first half, we were defending the goal where the SWA were gathered and our fans were either behind or at the side of the right hand side of our line-up. Few, if any, were expecting McAlear to replicate Apter's attacking play, although his attacking contributions were minimal, but I was certainly expecting better defensively from Reece. He didn't cope well and was pulled out of position or beaten regularly in the opening stages. It was worth trying, but hopefully to be classed as an experiment that didn't work and Adkins to try something else.

The bad challenge on Hendry happened just before h/t. I was quite surprised that he appeared and played so well in the second half, given the injury seemed so nasty when the physio was treating Regan. The primary responsibility for the goal still falls to those on the right, although perhaps you and Higgy 2 are right that he could have put a challenge in. Generally I felt Hendry was the better of our central midfield at Barrow and there was an argument for subbing Walker and putting McAlear into the centre when Hawkes came on.

Now this raises something which puzzles me. Subs come do nothing wrong get dropped from bench. Other substantial players appear on the bench don't get on and get dropped. Is Nigel doing some curious keep everyone a bit happy management here and not actually selecting on pure merit?
Unless Pike wasn't available yesterday, it was very odd to drop him. He covers both full backs and while Norris did well, he could be an accident waiting to happen at right back.
Was actually expecting the bigger Yarney on yesterday. I actually wonder whether a back five maybe tried?

McAlear and Norris had both played well in their preferred positions when featuring in the previous two games. The primary argument for recalling Walker and Wood was their experience. I thought Wood had a good game and deserved his return to the team. Norris had played right-back in one of the local cup competitions, so could also be said to cover both full-backs and he can play left/central midfield. Having someone as versatile on the bench makes sense. Though agree with the point you make about sub selection generally.

 

[Higgy 2]

Hard to believe an injury in the previous half would impair Regan's ability to get to Campbell before he got the shot off towards the end of the next half. I think he just got caught napping. Maybe tiredness mental/physical in a hard game on a dodgy pitch.
Many positives to take out of it though.

 

[dollar'sbloke]

Hard to believe an injury in the previous half would impair Regan's ability to get to Campbell before he got the shot off towards the end of the next half. I think he just got caught napping. Maybe tiredness mental/physical in a hard game on a dodgy pitch.
Many positives to take out of it though.

I was thinking long before the goal, Hendry was off the pace. However as you point out, those circs might make his natural 90 min shift nigh impossible. We fell to ground about five times in their box, Jolley, Morris and Jenno might have been the telling factor- the mud more than Ray!!

 

[drwhoman]

That pitch was dodgy when I went to Barrow over 50 years ago! I recall that the coach seemed to take for ever to get there along the coastal road! We lost!

 

[dollar'sbloke]

That pitch was dodgy when I went to Barrow over 50 years ago! I recall that the coach seemed to take for ever to get there along the coastal road! We lost!

Still in Lancashire back then!