Rovers v Chelmsford City

[Boz]

Next up, the Clarets from Essex, currently occupying a play-off spot in NL South and in fairly good form at present, though they did lose their last away game at Ebbsfleet. Most familiar name Shaun Jeffers, who turned down a contract with Rovers after a successful trial, as we wouldn't pay his accomodation costs, then scored against us when Peterbrough dumped us out of the FA Cup. His career has been on a downward spiral since. Aside from Mickey Spillane, who's cup-tied, I didn't recognise any other names in their squad. Given their decent form and higher level in the pyramid, a tougher battle than against South Park is expected.

Micky could make about 7/8 changes from the last game and still be fielding a decent side, but it won't happen. Not expecting any changes at the back, though wouldn't mind trialing a Sutton-Ihiekwe pairing in central defence. Further forward, if MM adopts the 433, then can see Wallace being rested and the midfield trio which finished at Woking. Up front possibly Dunn for Norwood. While I'd like to see Connor Jennings given a start, it doesn't look that likely.

Prediction: Not seen any estimate of travelling support, so guessing around 100 and probably a similar home turnout too, giving a total crowd of around 2.5k. Think this will be a scrappy game, with a narrow win for Rovers.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I think we should play our strongest eleven in this game to build on the encouraging second half performance at Woking and generate some momentum. We really need a run of five or six wins in a row to have a chance of catching Lincoln, and to do that we need players like Cook back at full mach fitness. The early indications are that Mellon won't be resting many, if any, players for this match.

This match also gives us an opportunity to use the 4-3-3 formation which was so effective on Tuesday. I would certainly be disappointed if we reverted to the diamond and hopefully MM now recognises that we need genuine width in our game, certainly to get the best out of Tollitt. Individually, I get the impression that Dunn is more of a creative midfielder than a forward, while Buxton has presumably just been brought in to provide defensive cover. Norwood looked ok in general play on Tuesday and I would start with him again in the hope that he breaks his duck and regains some confidence.

I think the crowd will be bigger than for the South Park game, about 3,000. From the comments of their supporters, Chelmsford will bring about 150 fans.

Prediction: I think this game will be of similar difficulty to matches against lower table sides in our own division, but I think we will win the match relatively comfortably.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

I think it's too late to experiment and I agree with RLC about the need to maintain momentum. So, I would play our strongest side except that anyone carrying a knock or in need of a rest should be rested for the more important game on Tuesday. If and only if we are winning comfortably, MM can bring on some subs for a run-out. Given the size of the squad, I am now thinking that for league games we should play our best team every week and only replace players who are out-of-form, injured or suspended.

 

[Boz]

Having played 2 games both this and the coming week, if players do need a rest, this rather than the next pair of league games is when that should happen. In principle, playing our strongest side every (league) game is fine, but it's a moot point which central defensive pairing or forward to play alongside Cook would fit that description. With Dunn, there would be an expectation from the parent club that he will get some game time. Fitting him in as a creative midfielder, if that, rather than a forward, is what he actually is, may prove a challenge. Unless he could play wide left in a 442.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Mellon said in his interview that he won't be resting players.

 

[Ian]

There's always the option for a couple of changes in the second half but I don't expect it will be a full workout. We should be able to beat our opponents without working up too much of a sweat.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

Having played 2 games both this and the coming week, if players do need a rest, this rather than the next pair of league games is when that should happen. In principle, playing our strongest side every (league) game is fine, but it's a moot point which central defensive pairing or forward to play alongside Cook would fit that description. With Dunn, there would be an expectation from the parent club that he will get some game time. Fitting him in as a creative midfielder, if that, rather than a forward, is what he actually is, may prove a challenge. Unless he could play wide left in a 442.

The great thing about a large squad is that there is always ample cover for every position and we have specialists even if we change formation. Every player knows they have to play well or their place is in danger. If MM has any selection problems now, they are problems any other manager would love to have.

 

[Cowshed Kid]

Missed South Park cos was in Spain do looking forward to this.
There are at least half a dozen fringe players who would start for any other NL team that would be hoping for a starting shirt but it looks unlikely.
Please, please no place for Kirby Hopefully Tollitts performance on Tuesday has put paid to that.

 

[Ian]

New Missed South Park cos was in Spain do looking forward to this.

Just for the record it was very cold that day!

 

[Claret Rob]

Evening all, It's my 60th birthday tomorrow. So looking forward to the visit to your club tomorrow It's a tough tie for us but looking forward to the occasion. Any suggestions for a nice friendly pre match pint?

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Evening all, It's my 60th birthday tomorrow. So looking forward to the visit to your club tomorrow It's a tough tie for us but looking forward to the occasion. Any suggestions for a nice friendly pre match pint?

The best place by far is the marquee outside the main stand run by our supporters' trust. Craft ales, decent food, Chelsea v Arsenal on the big screen and home and away fans happily mingling.

If you want a traditional pub, there is the Birch Tree next to the club car park, The Prenton Park opposite your away turnstiles, or The Sportsman's Arms a couple of hundred yards up the hill on Prenton Road East.

 

[Claret Rob]

The best place by far is the marquee outside the main stand run by our supporters' trust. Craft ales, decent food, Chelsea v Arsenal on the big screen and home and away fans happily mingling.

If you want a traditional pub, there is the Birch Tree next to the club car park, The Prenton Park opposite your away turnstiles, or The Sportsman's Arms a couple of hundred yards up the hill on Prenton Road East.

 

[Claret Rob]

Thanks RLC we will give the marquee a look.

 

[Ian]

Hope you have a nice birthday Rob and enjoy the game.
It would be great if you could pop back on here and give us your post match thoughts too!

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Same teams as Tuesday. Pleased with that.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

Same teams as Tuesday. Pleased with that.

Wouldn't mind the same result.

Oh, and another bench full of attacking potential. No defenders but Lois could cover for any injuries to the back four.

 

[Boz]

Unable to make this, but not sounding too good from the Wirral Radio commentary. Chelmsford seen to be getting the rub of the green, but seem to be on top.

 

[Ian]

It's awful. Can only get better second half.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

A hugely disappointing performance. The first half was truly dreadful and while you have to credit the players with showing spirit to get back into the game after half time, the overall quality on display was nowhere near the standard required.

Chelmsford came to sit deep and soak up pressure, but we played into their hands with a pedestrian first half display. The build up was too slow, Hughes and Wallace were too deep and there was no movement from the front three. I don't blame Mellon for starting with the 433 again, but that system did not work against a side that came to defend as there was no space for Tollitt or Norwood to operate in. However, our major problem today was not tactics, but the complacent way we started the game and the lack of tempo. Chelmsford created very little, but once they scored their good goal against the run of play it was a nightmare scenario for us of chasing the game against a packed defence.

In the second half we changed formation twice to accommodate the substitutes and did show spirit to force an equaliser. Although we completely dominated possession there was still a lack of quality in the final third, while Jeffers' pace on the break meant we could not rest easy defensively. You do have to give Chelmsford some credit for the way they defended, blocking shots and throwing themselves into fifty fifty challenges to earn the replay.

Individually, I thought seven or eight players were below their normal level of performance. Tollitt was poor in the first half, but improved when we switched to 442, but James Norwood was just dreadful throughout and seems completely devoid of confidence. The only real positives were the performances of Stockton and Dunn coming off the bench, the latter impressing in a wide midfield role. I did also think McNulty had his best game for a few weeks.

A reply is the last thing we need and we now miss out on the opportunity to gain ground on our rivals in midweek.

 

[Boz]

The impression from the radio was of a patchy game, with a weak referee allowing Chelmsford to get away with some physical stuff, the main culprit being Chris Bush, trying to help out his old Lincoln pals by taking out Rovers players along with time-wasting from their keeper. However it also sounded like the visitors deserved their draw and probably had more efforts that tested Davies than vice-versa.

Surprising that Micky took off Maynard at h/t, who'd run at their defence once or twice, when Wallace had been beaten in the build-up to their goal and generally indifferent. He didn't seem to have improved greatly after h/t and was struggling by the end, when all the subs had been used. Norwood sounded as bad on the radio as RLC says he was in the flesh. McNulty rescued by Ihiekwe late on after a poor ball apparently.

The NL results didn't go for us either, 2 late goals giving Dagenham a win and Aldershot also winning. FGR out of the FA Trophy, while Lincoln and Barrow march on. Sutton's draw means that the midweek game would have been postponed anyway. If we were complacent today, then MM needs to make some changes for the replay as a wake-up call.