the mighty whites v the moors

[bring back the cowshed!]

The goalkeeping issue I raised above remains. Looking at the league tables, there is a fair chance we will meet Fylde in the semis. Being aware that a situation might arise where Davies is unavailable, makes it important that Wharton is given some match time on Saturday. While I realise that it’s highly unlikely he’ll be needed in any game v Fylde, should that situation arise, it’s better to be prepared.

It does make you wonder what the point was in playing Taylor.

 

[ONIGP]

Rather disappointing last night. If I'd have foreseen the ultimate circumstances of this fixture I would have not purchased the original ticket and avoided 2 hours of rain and rush hour to get there.
Whilst understanding the logic, it was scant entertainment. As already mentioned it was very disjointed and nobody suggested that they are good enough to challenge for our first XI at the moment.
Taylor may have had his best game for us with some great saves although his style of keeping verges on the theatrical. We know that Ginnelly is a decent player and I thought that Green showed he had something about him.
The performance of the youngsters was poor and those lads who have tasted the first team (Clarke, Duggan etc) looked weaker without more experienced players around them. Dunn just winds me up the wrong way and I'd be disappointed if he was still here next season.
It really did feel like men versus boys. Anyway, I suspect that's one to put down to experience and hope and trust that MM plays his full team (barring niggles) on Saturday.

 

[joe]

Yes, it was a team that showed that they hadn't played together as a unit. Subdued at atmosphere due to weather, cold and LFC match. With them knowing it would almost be a 'reserve' match they could have admission £10? The one who annoyed me the most was Drysdale who kept passing to players under pressure which led to one of their goals. He was one of a few who disappointed.

 

[Ian]

I’d have been a bit annoyed if I’d have paid full price for that to be fair.

Touching on what Joe said above, when do these players get to play competitively together now that we don’t have a reserve team ?

 

[Cowshed Kid]

I have to say I was relieved when I saw the team.
Yes, it was poor fodder.
Yes, the weather was foul.
And having a season ticket doesn't mean I didn't have to pay for the doubtful privilege of being there.
But the first team are intact (Buxton aside).
Solihull were not great but they didn't have to step up a gear. If our team had been majority first eleven then it would have been more feisty (after last season) and greater risk of injury. Particularly given the pitch. If this weekend hadn't been the last then it may otherwise have been called off again.
Green - great speed, good goal.
Dunn - bye
Drysdale - can see why Fulhams interest, if it was ever there, has wained.
Duggan - (I know you're a fan Boz) was trying too hard to impress and errors ensued.
You really can't be downbeat about the result because it's of no relevance to this season and, in particular, the games ahead.

 

[Ian]

Dunn - bye

Cutting! Very true though..

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

MM in his post-match remarks described the game as like an exam for the young players. From what’s been reported, sounds like there will be a few Es and Fs.

He also said Buxton hadn’t been able to train, with a stomach problem. Adam should take it gently, absolutely no need to rush him back for Saturday.

The goalkeeping issue I raised above remains. Looking at the league tables, there is a fair chance we will meet Fylde in the semis. Being aware that a situation might arise where Davies is unavailable, makes it important that Wharton is given some match time on Saturday. While I realise that it’s highly unlikely he’ll be needed in any game v Fylde, should that situation arise, it’s better to be prepared.

I don't think we should play Wharton on Saturday. The situation you describe is highly unlikely and blooding him for one game would make little or no difference anyway.

We should revert to as strong a team as possible on Saturday. Putting in another display like last night would be a real downer going into the play-offs, plus there will be a decent crowd in attendance. By all means bring the strikers off early and rest anyone carrying a niggle, but we need to put out a competitive team, win and lift the mood.

 

[aldoes mustache]

hey chapps . this is from hospital . couldint go last night as not to well . but quite glad . with the team put out cant blame mm for it but must play the strongest team possible on sat then they have another week off . also now 2100 season tickets sold . have only been awake an hour or so and drugged up . realy gutted gonna miss the fun at the seasons end . but football is not the be all and end all . i cant wait to see my little monkey an my beautyfull wifey tomoz

 

[drwhoman]

Best of luck mate! Go the mighty whites!

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

I’d have been a bit annoyed if I’d have paid full price for that to be fair.

Touching on what Joe said above, when do these players get to play competitively together now that we don’t have a reserve team ?

In the Cheshire Senior Cup and Liverpool Senior Cup. We usually get knocked out in the first round by Marine or Sandbach, so the answer you want is twice.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

The absence of a reserve team is the reason we send so many players out on loan. The Senior Cup games were as disjointed as last night's match, as the majority of them never play together.

 

[Boz]

I don't think we should play Wharton on Saturday. The situation you describe is highly unlikely and blooding him for one game would make little or no difference anyway.

Surely we should prepare for all contingencies?

It wouldn't have made much of a difference losing 1-4, rather than 1-2, if Wharton had been given the second half and been unable to match the penalty and other excellent save Taylor made to keep the score respectable last night. There were so many inexperienced/out of position players deployed last night that a rookie keeper wouldn't have been noticed, but gets some match time under his belt.

Suppose we get Fylde in either the semi or final of the play-offs...There's only about 6 sides we could meet in the play-offs , so reckon the chance of that is stronger than 'highly unlikely'. Rhys Taylor wouldn't be available, so if Davies either gets injured against Fylde (already happened once this season) or sent off (has happened in his Rovers career before), then would you feel confident with a totally untried keeper, being thrust into that situation?

It doesn't seem the best judgement on the part of our management team to extend Pilling's loan spell at Warrington, which I think makes him unavailable until the NPL fixtures including play-offs are concluded, as I'd feel more positive with him on the bench rather than Wharton purely on experience grounds.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Surely we should prepare for all contingencies?

It wouldn't have made much of a difference losing 1-4, rather than 1-2, if Wharton had been given the second half and been unable to match the penalty and other excellent save Taylor made to keep the score respectable last night. There were so many inexperienced/out of position players deployed last night that a rookie keeper wouldn't have been noticed, but gets some match time under his belt.

Suppose we get Fylde in either the semi or final of the play-offs...There's only about 6 sides we could meet in the play-offs , so reckon the chance of that is stronger than 'highly unlikely'. Rhys Taylor wouldn't be available, so if Davies either gets injured against Fylde (already happened once this season) or sent off (has happened in his Rovers career before), then would you feel confident with a totally untried keeper, being thrust into that situation?

It doesn't seem the best judgement on the part of our management team to extend Pilling's loan spell at Warrington, which I think makes him unavailable until the NPL fixtures including play-offs are concluded, as I'd feel more positive with him on the bench rather than Wharton purely on experience grounds.

I think you are creating problems that don't exist. Keepers rarely get injured, so the chances of Rovers drawing Fylde and Davies being injured are low.

What happens if Cook or Norwood get injured on Saturday, or in the semi-final ? We would be just as screwed then and there is nothing we can do about it. Stuff happens and you can't have contingencies for every situation.

Do you really believe Wharton is anywhere near ready for a play-off final anyway, even if he had played last night ? There is no way Mellon would use him. He would bring in a PL loanee, or an out-of-contract keeper, or recall Pilling before he used him.

I would rather just enjoy the next couple of weeks rather than obsessing about such bizarre scenarios.

 

[Boz]

If Cook/Norwood got injured, it would be a serious blow to our play-off prospects, given their form and understanding, but as we have other reasonably experienced players who can play up front, not necessarily fatal.

Are Drysdale, Solomon-Davies, Spellman or Walker-Rice likely to make the play-offs given they all featured last night? I’d suggest Wharton is closer to featuring than any of them, because of the specialised nature of the goalkeeping role and the issue of Taylor’s parent club being a possible play-off opponent, so it wouldn’t have hurt to play him last night.

Of the options for goalkeeping cover you suggest, I don’t think we’d be allowed to bring in a loanee given the NL transfer window has shut. Pilling’s loan to Warrington was originally for a month, but now seems to have been extended for how long? If until the end of the season, think we can’t take him back until Warrington’s season is over and they are involved in play-offs of their own. While an out of contract keeper might be an option, even a suitably experienced one would need time to settle in and get used to working with our defence.

Maybe we’ll swerve Fylde in the play-offs and nothing to worry about. However recent experience suggests this is Tranmere, so expect the worst.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Mellon would not play Wharton in a play-off match. He would go down another route, with Palios's assistance.

I believe it is a non-debate.

 

[Boz]

As my earlier post suggests, most other routes have been blocked off...

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

As my earlier post suggests, most other routes have been blocked off...

Good job Davies is not injured then.......

 

[Boz]

Caught up with the highlights. Definite push on Duggan in the build up to their first goal. Taylor made a couple of decent saves, they didn't show the one after the penalty, BUT argably could have done better with both goals. The same might apply to Drysdale. Green finished well for his goal, also a smart through ball which Rokka almost got a decent touch on. Given Green's under contract for next season, some encouragement from that.

 

[Ian]

Green wasn’t bad and took his goal well. He could get better with games but I’ll leave that there..