League Two Hartlepool v Rovers

[Boz]

Pools have had the better chances and maybe should have put one of them away. Some good play in and around the box from Rovers, but only an effort from McAlear on target, that at a comfortable height for the keeper. Ref seemed a bit of a homer.

 

[bigmart]

Nevitt should really have scored but hits his shot wide, they really are there for the taking, hugely frustrating if we don't best these

 

[Ian]

Another good chance for Nevitt goes way wide.. we've had some chances but been wasteful with them. We are still pushing forward though so still time.

 

[bigmart]

Hawkes for Turnbull, head injury of some sorts

 

[Ian]

Another chance for McAlear, well over the bar. Brilliant run from Bristow to set it up.

 

[bigmart]

Mumbongo for Nevitt, it's one of those nights

 

[bigmart]

Hemmings appears to be playing in a 3 behind Mumbongo instead of alongside him

 

[bigmart]

Pretty decent performance in parts, played some good football but lacked composure in front of goal but first point on the road though against such a poor team it's 2 points dropped

 

[Sparky]

2 points dropped. 13 shots with 6 on target with the hosts having 7 shots and 1 on target. Despite the gillingham win we still need more goals

 

[Ian]

Definately. Should have won that, but lacked composure in front of goal. Still a point away from home and unbeaten in three.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I thought it was a good performance. It is frustrating not to win the game, but we clearly had the greater quality and composure which is encouraging. As on Saturday, the midfield trio controlled the game and Merrie in particular was excellent.

The best chance was probably Nevitt's in the second half on his left foot, which he simply should have buried. It was a feeble effort in the end. However, Elliott's movement was good and caused them problems, whereas Mumbongo made little impact when he came on.

I thought the centre halves were excellent in the first half, but Jameson struggled a bit when we switched to a back four.

Man of the match was probably between Merrie and Bristow, who was brilliant again both defensively and going forward. Credit also to Doohan for the one v one save in the first half.

 

[bigmart]

Mumbongo didn't look anywhere near fit to me, had no impact when he came on, not sure I would've switched system when Turnbull went off

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Mumbongo didn't look anywhere near fit to me, had no impact when he came on, not sure I would've switched system when Turnbull went off

Yes, we did not look as effective in midfield after the formation change. I think Mellon wanted to avoid having two youngsters in the back three when Turnbull went off.

 

[Sparky]

We’re in desperate need for a striker. Nevitt will get the odd goal but not enough. Mumbongo hasn’t impressed me yet and doesn’t sound fit at all. That just leaves Hemmings who hasn’t scored in the four games since Stevenage so we badly need more

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

We’re in desperate need for a striker. Nevitt will get the odd goal but not enough. Mumbongo hasn’t impressed me yet and doesn’t sound fit at all. That just leaves Hemmings who hasn’t scored in the four games since Stevenage so we badly need more

I am not sure we are that desperate. We scored five goals in the previous two games, but Hemmings had a really quiet evening tonight and none of the chances fell to him. I am more encouraged that the football tonight was much better than the stuff we produced away from home last season.

I am sure another body will arrive before the end of the month.

 

[Sparky]

Perhaps desperate was too strong a word but we need a fit striker to come in and add some competiton. Hopefully soon as lots of games coming up.

 

[drwhoman]

Perhaps desperate was too strong a word but we need a fit striker to come in and add some competiton. Hopefully soon as lots of games coming up.

I agree. Nevitt will never score enough goals however hard he tries.

 

[frenchrover]

Simply not good enough upfront, total lack of composure when chances offered. MOM by a country mile.....Bristow, and that sums up our attacking threat

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I don't think there is anything wrong with our creativity and attacking threat. Merrie, McAlear and both wing backs played well again tonight, and Hawkes did ok when he came on and had a couple of decent chances. A finish was lacking tonight, but we scored five in the previous two matches.

 

[Sparky]

Early days but another winnable game on Saturday at second to bottom Newport who lost at home to Salford tonight.