EFL Cup Rovers v Newcastle

[Boz]

Hopefully that's just Micky playing things down as it sounds like budget is all gone

Finally got around to listening to this. It was a good interview but didn’t sound to me like we definitely won’t be bringing more players in ~ is more equivocal depends on the budget

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Finally got around to listening to this. It was a good interview but didn’t sound to me like we definitely won’t be bringing more players in ~ is more equivocal depends on the budget

I think his insistence that this is a development squad and there will inevitably be inconsistencies in performance was significant.

Just reflecting on last night's game and I was really impressed by our athleticism. The amount of ground covered by our players was remarkable and the effort was sustained for ninety six minutes. It would have been easy for us to capitulate in the period after their second goal when they were dominating the ball, but we hung in physically and mentally and restricted them to relatively few chances. We then had the energy to get right back on the front foot in the final twenty minutes. I was exhausted just watching.

Whatever other shortcomings this squad has, there is plenty of youth, dynamism and energy. The Rovers team of McNulty, Buxton and co. could not have put in last night's performance.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I don’t see Merrie as a direct alternative to O’Connor, he’s a more attacking player and given the opportunity could have done a decent job alongside O’Connor last night.

They are both essentially defensive midfielders, although very different players, so it is unlikely they would be picked together.

I thought Nolan and McAlear were both fine last night. The latter showed some very nice touches.

 

[drwhoman]

They are both essentially defensive midfielders, although very different players, so it is unlikely they would be picked together.

I thought Nolan and McAlear were both fine last night. The latter showed some very nice touches.

McAlear has the potential to play at a higher level.

 

[Goody Two Shoes]

Just want to echo all the positive comments about last night. Strange feeling satisfied after a defeat. Got home and the Mrs thought we’d won such was my good mood. We’ve clearly got plenty of potential and need to show up consistently in the league. The only downside is the bitterness from many Newcastle fans who clearly live in some sort of deluded bubble.

 

[Boz]

They are both essentially defensive midfielders, although very different players, so it is unlikely they would be picked together.

I thought Nolan and McAlear were both fine last night. The latter showed some very nice touches.

Interesting. I'd have classed Merrie as more of an attacking midfielder. However it wouldn't be the first time we'd played two defensive midfielders together.

I think McAlear is a decent prospect. Corner taking remains a weak point though.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

The only downside is the bitterness from many Newcastle fans who clearly live in some sort of deluded bubble.

Some of the comments on social media were unbelievable. Very different to our attitude to non league teams we have met in cup competitions, for example.

Interestingly, we have reached the latter stages of the League Cup more often than Newcastle: appearances in a final and a semi final, compared to their single final defeat. Plus, we beat them three times in a single season (1991-92), something they have never done to us.

Bet the Twitter warriors don't know that.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Corner taking remains a weak point though.

I agree in general, but his set pieces were much better last night.

 

[ADD]

Interesting. I'd have classed Merrie as more of an attacking midfielder. However it wouldn't be the first time we'd played two defensive midfielders together.

I think McAlear is a decent prospect. Corner taking remains a weak point though.

I agree Boz, Merrie isn't attacking in the same way as Lewis is but he is equally not set up to be defensive either - I would personally describe him as a playmaker - always showing and looking to link play up. I think he and O'Connor could play in the same team with McAlear pushing forward but MM we all know whatever our personal views does not rate Merrie sufficiently so I don't expect it to happen.
Nolan may well come on with more game time and familiarity of players around him of course so we will have to wait and see but I didn't personally think he was any improvement. MacAlear not surprisingly seems a bit inconsistent to me at present but has shown some nice periods of play and also will likely improve significantly as he plays more.

 

[Sparky]

As much as I think merrie has been unlucky at times, it wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t start another game for us and drifts away. Unless we have an injury crisis of course.
It looks like McAlear will always start and probably OConnor. That just leaves one place in the middle 3 and merrie is up against Lewis and Nolan and I’m just not convinced Micky would pick him when everyone is available

 

[Ian]

I think Merrie is probably the weakest out of that bunch anyway. If Nolan gets games and keeps fit, he could be a real good player for us.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

As much as I think merrie has been unlucky at times, it wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t start another game for us and drifts away. Unless we have an injury crisis of course.
It looks like McAlear will always start and probably OConnor. That just leaves one place in the middle 3 and merrie is up against Lewis and Nolan and I’m just not convinced Micky would pick him when everyone is available

Yes, I agree. However Merrie is described, he is basically a holding type player that occupies similar areas of the pitch to O'Connor. It would be quite cautious to play both of them, certainly at home against weak opposition, and I don't think Mellon will want to very often when he has more attacking options such as Morris, Hawkes, Lewis and Nolan (when fully fit) available.