Just Back  (merged)

This balderdash law about head injuries needs to change. Once again a weak ref simply give the ball to the defenders at the time of a promising attack. All defenders have to do is go down clutching their heads and it all breaks down. The simple way to stop the cheating element of it is for the drop ball to be for the attacking side at all times. Any cheating would stop in an instant.
Just like VAR though, the FA will think they know better and we’ll be stuck with it.

Quoted from Theimperialcoroner

This balderdash law about head injuries needs to change. Once again a weak ref simply give the ball to the defenders at the time of a promising attack. All defenders have to do is go down clutching their heads and it all breaks down. The simple way to stop the cheating element of it is for the drop ball to be for the attacking side at all times. Any cheating would stop in an instant.
Just like VAR though, the FA will think they know better and we’ll be stuck with it.

I did enjoy half the away stand screaming at Glennon to hold his head when he'd been on the receiving end of a heavy tackle and was slow to get up with Rochdale still on the attack though.

excrement game in tough conditions. Great day out and brilliant result.

Smith was spectacular. He looks like a player who is really going to kick on and be an excellent footballer.

First half wasn’t great and town looked a bit off it although for all their huff and puff, aside from their own man blocking it, they really couldn’t finish a dinner.

Second half, town clearly had a rocket up them and dare I say, Rochdale didn’t really know how to stop us. When you look at it, Crocombe hasn’t really had to make a save.

Thought Hurst got his subs spot on and whilst Efete and Clifton didn’t have great games, both looked better once the changes happened.

That pairing of Glennon and Amos looks decent in my opinion and is definitely something I’d imagine we’ll see again and again.

Smith is different gravy, Waterfall was solid and second half our midfield were relentless. The fitness levels of our lads, especially in that heat are something else.

Pebble did well to win the corner which led to the goal, we just never give up.

Great first win in crazy heat. Two good home games coming up…

Quoted from LH

Winning in the last minute is just as good as winning 5-0 imo and I really enjoyed that!

Definitely a game of two halves - Rochdale not very clinical in the final third and we weren’t getting much into ours. It highlighted to me the need for that other striker/attacker to come in and replace McAtee. Second half much improved and Glennon moving forward was a turning point (his family were sat in front of me and seemed happy with that move). Smith brilliant as others said.

There’s not been much point going to the opening 75 mins of our games for maybe 6 months now - we could all survive this cost of living crisis betting on us to score in that period.

Aye.

Four games in and yet to have a striker score a goal.

Quoted from Poojah

Managed to watch bits of the game via my phone from the other side of the pond whilst attempting to entertain my two kids. Wasn’t able to give the game my undivided attention but what stood out was just how good Andy Smith was.

For a lad who looked pretty unremarkable for us in his first game for us at right back, he’s been a revelation ever since. Still only 20; he’ll make it at Championship level at the very least.

Smith did an alright job in his first couple of games at right back when he was an unknown quantity but then it became apparent that the opposition knew he was a centre back playing out of position but I'm sure he learned a lot during that spell. We should also remember in about March that Shaun Pearson and Luke Waterfall were playing really well together and Hurst decided it was only fair for Smith to get some minutes. Full credit to Smith who grasped that opportunity with both hands, made himself undroppable and has seemingly gone up another notch this season.

Didn’t go but watched via tv - it looked like we didn’t get going, should’ve been 2 down at half time. We looked the better side second half, again without hitting our straps. For me Clifton struggled today, Morris doesn’t get much praise but did well, other than the ball Smith let go over his head from the keeper he didn’t put a foot wrong, absolutely ridiculous booking btw..Waterfall great leader again..even before the goal..Crocombe was 👌, Efete had his hands full with their no 11 who was excellent, as did Wearne. Think you can tell from PH’s interview they had a blast at them half time - they came out and responded, and you can also tell from his tone how happy he was at that response. Building that unity as a squad..again. Him and his team are great at doing it..he’s a bloody great manager for us.

The only thing I do feel we need is someone else up top..another option..Taylor gets isolated, but we all know we need that. The effort and commitment from all the squad has been outstanding..still feel we’ll improve.

Real good feeling about the club and it’s not stopping, on and off pitch. We’ve a manager and squad to be proud of..and they get the backing they deserve by an amazing amount of away support…1249 across the Pennines..with train strikes..cost of living etc..that’s some following. 👏

My view on today:-
Difficult first half and a massive bonus we were still in it at half time. Tactically we got it wrong.
Better second half without ever being fluent.
Smith - different gravy!
Love the fact that we can dig in as a team in a league that is clearly a step up!
Three games in and think we can more than hold our own if we can just sign that elusive striker!
Great support. Happy to be a Mariner!!

This is a genuine question, and I am not having a dig at anyone.  I would just like to know why we keep playing a CM on the LW, it showed today when Clifton got into a good position, but his attempted crosses with his left foot were woeful?

Quoted from 123614

This is a genuine question, and I am not having a dig at anyone.  I would just like to know why we keep playing a CM on the LW, it showed today when Clifton got into a good position, but his attempted crosses with his left foot were woeful?

I suspect Clifton gets picked because of work rate his defensive abilities. I agree that his crossing is not much better than school boy stuff.

Perhaps we don’t see other aspects that Hurst expects, today I thought he struggled until he was pushed inside. Conversely, the Glennon/Amos partnership down that side is decent and they both get it. They embrace it which is great to see…