Wrecsam (I Ffwrdd)

[Johnnyrotten]

6 minutes ago, CumbrianWhite said:

Yeah I’d agree with that, our best two chances today both came from Tutu. Apart from maybe Mendes Gomes he’s our only real pace and his ability to beat defenders can’t be underestimated. 
 

Murphy looks a little nervous. I think he’ll play higher than league one though.

I'll agree to disagree on Murphy.  As someone else mentioned, very one paced and if fans have taken to Schon for his attitude and obvious endeavour, the opposite seems to be true of Murphy, yes he's calm and unflustered but seems to lack something.

[Winchester White]

I really want Murphy to work but I am not seeing it at the moment. Hopefully he's just bedding into the team. Schon is a right little terrier and I love his tenaciousness.

[Eddie]

7 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Agreed on Morley, glad it wasn't just me.  Agreed on Forrester and Murphy.

Not sure who you would start instead of Tutu - someone has to play there, what are the satisfactory options?  Whoever it is, we'd have less of a threat from out wide.

I think it’s more horses for courses for me. Start home games against shite, fine, but against better teams and away from home I just think he’s a luxury player. Last half an hour fine, but it took a lot of effort from others to cover him today and we were lucky that Wrexham had little quality to take advantage down that side.

Who the player is that replaces him in those other games, I’m not sure. Personally I’d have Schon on the left and then figure out who plays on the right. Maybe Collins, maybe Randall, maybe Jones if you want to sure it up, Dempsey when he’s back.

[gonzo]

This seasons Ashworth. 

[Johnnyrotten]

14 minutes ago, desperado said:

Not sure whether it’s one of those where you get a different perspective watching it live.

He was covering every blade of grass today. Putting himself into physical challenges, defensively covering a lot of ground, marshalling that midfield and generally doing a lot of the dog work he was criticised under IE for not doing.

I took time out to watch him round the pitch today, he was everywhere

Between him and Forrrster for MOTM today for me.

Fair enough I'm happy to be corrected on Morley.  I'd be lieing if I said I'd watched him closely, so I'll bow to your observations in the flesh (agreed its different being there than just watching on TV) - the defensive stuff is vital and I've noticed it plenty in previous games.

I didn't notice him enough in possession, none of his usual eye catching passes of 30 yards plus.  And not his fault but I thought we missed his set piece delivery which would have elevated his contribution.

I'd have him on most free kicks and corners. 

[ianofcleveleys]

3 minutes ago, gonzo said:

This seasons Ashworth. 

Yes, a bit of that about him. There's times I think he's trying a touch too hard to look like he's more time than the rest, then wonder if that's just how he is, a bit languid in his movements and actions (though he can shift over a distance once he gets going).

Him with Tutu in front is ok at home / against modest opponents, not so sure against the top end outfits. A few times in the last few games Murphy's not put a ball up to Tutu crisply enough, he's been eased off it then Murphy's been exposed. Up to them both to iron those things out if they can and solidify their partnership

[Tonge moor green jacket]

41 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

We've played 9 games against current top 6, conceded 15 and scored 2!

OK 9 of those were in 2 games so its misleading, but still only 6 points from 9 games and only won 1.  Failed to score in 7.   Not complaining with 0-0 at Wrexham but another game away from home we've under performed offensively.

One way of looking at it.

Last week we did the double over Orient, which has led to them dropping out of the top six.

We've beaten Huddersfield, held Wrexham twice, and drawn at Wycombe.

Still to play top two at home, and Stockport.

I think someone has drilled a hole in your cup, well below half way.

Negativity reached new heights tonight.

[desperado]

3 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Fair enough I'm happy to be corrected on Morley.  I'd be lieing if I said I'd watched him closely, so I'll bow to your observations in the flesh (agreed its different being there than just watching on TV) - the defensive stuff is vital and I've noticed it plenty in previous games.

I didn't notice him enough in possession, none of his usual eye catching passes of 30 yards plus.  And not his fault but I thought we missed his set piece delivery which would have elevated his contribution.

I'd have him on most free kicks and corners. 

Good post.

I agree, his contribution wasnt eye-catching from an on-the-ball, creative perspective, (not sure anybody, both sides, stood out here) more his work rate and coverage. 

And another point I agree on, I’d like to see him on more set-pieces. 

[Johnnyrotten]

In Wrexham's last 8 home games, they've been either drawing or losing going into the last 2 minutes of normal time in all 8.  They got 3 late goals to win 3 of them, but now failed to win 5 out of last 8.

A point was decent today but we're overrating it if we think we've achieved something above par.

But no doubt about it, if we are in the play offs there's no fear about playing Wrexham or Huddersfield even with the 2nd leg away.  I know I've pointed out our poor record against top 6 but we've gone to Wycombe, Huddersfield and Wrexham in the last couple of months and not conceded, that should give us some confidence if we meet them in the play offs. 

[desperado]

7 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

A point was decent today but we're overrating it if we think we've achieved something above par.

Par in this context is a difficult leveller to define.

We are not getting that point 2 months ago. Is that par? We’re better now 

Lots of times in the last 3 seasons against teams above us away we’ve lost? Were those games par? Portsmouth, Plymouth, Sunderland, Derby.

That point felt like a good point today, akin to Sheffield Wed away, Ipswich away, Wycombe away - definitely above par in my mind. It was hardly surrendering at Cambridge under their  intimidating fans, now that was below par.

Par would be drawing next week at Burton. Somewhere we’ve never won, yet always feel like we should. Draw there, then that would be par.

[Johnnyrotten]

25 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

One way of looking at it.

Last week we did the double over Orient, which has led to them dropping out of the top six.

We've beaten Huddersfield, held Wrexham twice, and drawn at Wycombe.

Still to play top two at home, and Stockport.

I think someone has drilled a hole in your cup, well below half way.

Negativity reached new heights tonight.

No negativity, just stats 😀

But good response - you're right, I hadn't looked at it that way, if Orient had beaten us they'd be top 6.

Its the opposite of Charlton, the only reason they are even in with a shout is because Evatt gave them 6 points, they shouldn't even be in the conversation.

You're also right that we've got 3 massive home games to come - and thank god its SS managing us in those and not IE.

[Johnnyrotten]

5 minutes ago, desperado said:

Par in this context is a difficult leveller to define.

We are not getting that point 2 months ago. Is that par? We’re better now 

Lots of times in the last 3 seasons against teams above us away we’ve lost? Were those games par? Portsmouth, Plymouth, Sunderland, Derby.

That point felt like a good point today, akin to Sheffield Wed away, Ipswich away, Wycombe away - definitely above par in my mind. It was hardly surrendering at Cambridge under their  intimidating fans, now that was below par.

Par would be drawing next week at Burton. Somewhere we’ve never won, yet always feel like we should. Draw there, then that would be par.

This is an observation, I'll be accused of being negative, all I'm doing is talking about what I've seen:

Surely we did get an equivalent point 2 months ago, at Wycombe?  2 dull, low quality games where we defended well and deserved a draw, but no more.

Pompey, Plymouth, Sunderland, Derby all finished top 2 didn't they?  Wrexham don't appear to have that in them, I certainly wouldn't put them in the class of those 4 teams would you?

Sheff Wed were on a 20 game unbeaten run and murdered us for the first half hour (they were very impressive).  We then played one of the best away games I've seen from us in years in a big game.  In terms of quality in possession, chalk and cheese to today (from both teams) - its hard to say we played great today, and we didn't have to for the point.  At Sheff Wed the game was a class above, presume you were at Hillsborough too, it was a great game.

Just because a point at 10 men Cambridge was below par, doesn't mean today was above par, it was probably par 😀

I'm bored with myself now, we move onto Tuesday.

[Rival Son]

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Not sure who you would start instead of Tutu - someone has to play there, what are the satisfactory options?  Whoever it is, we'd have less of a threat from out wide.

Schon on the left, surely. CMG on the right.

[Eddie]

7 hours ago, Rival Son said:

Schon on the left, surely. CMG on the right.

I’d forgotten CMG in my reply - if he can prove fitness then this is it for me. Those 2 start, Schon benefits from being on his left foot and then Tutu is unleashed against tired defenders later on

[Ani]

I would start….

keeper 

jdc Toal forester Johnston Scone

Morley Sheehan tomo

Collins

and one other either attacker or Matete.

 

2 in midfield imo rarely works. 

[CumbrianWhite]

8 hours ago, Rival Son said:

Schon on the left, surely. CMG on the right.

Schon keeps getting praise for his tenaciousness but his end product just isn’t good enough for someone playing higher up the pitch. 

He had a pretty simple chance to play Collins in yesterday but decided to shoot himself. I’m not quite sure on his best position yet but if we revert to 4-5-1 against Birmingham we’re going to need more of a threat out wide than him. 

On a side note, As others have said. Forrester was again superb. 
 

 

Edited March 2, 2025 by CumbrianWhite

[Dr. Feelgood]

Forrester was truly excellent today. Morley OK, for me. Schön full of industry & obviously enjoying his role. Loved Gomez's cameo. A 'let down' on the day was Sheehan ... he just seemed to be swamped by it all. That happens I guess.

Randall was a mystery when he came on.

[masi 51]

Murphy is a young inexperienced player who may well force his way into a Newcastle squad or have a decent career lower down but he is our weak link and as he is going back come May i would take him out and bench him now. We have no natural left back but plenty of options if we went to a back four.  Jones if fit would be the obvious answer, Johnston is another who would be comfortable there allowing Toal to get into the team. Schon for me needs like TuTu to be more forward so would rule him out at left back........Wildcard would be Thommo ...would not get turned as much as Murphy and i think would ease into that position

[Eddie]

53 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

Murphy is a young inexperienced player who may well force his way into a Newcastle squad or have a decent career lower down but he is our weak link and as he is going back come May i would take him out and bench him now. We have no natural left back but plenty of options if we went to a back four.  Jones if fit would be the obvious answer, Johnston is another who would be comfortable there allowing Toal to get into the team. Schon for me needs like TuTu to be more forward so would rule him out at left back........Wildcard would be Thommo ...would not get turned as much as Murphy and i think would ease into that position

Jones for me. Experienced, knows the role, alright on his left foot and means you don’t shift Johnston from the centre where he’s working well alongside Forrester.

I’d be much more comfortable seeing Jones and Schon down the left and JDC and CMG down the right against Birmingham. Otherwise I think they’ll just hammer our left hand side.

[Whitesince63]

1 hour ago, masi 51 said:

Murphy is a young inexperienced player who may well force his way into a Newcastle squad or have a decent career lower down but he is our weak link and as he is going back come May i would take him out and bench him now. We have no natural left back but plenty of options if we went to a back four.  Jones if fit would be the obvious answer, Johnston is another who would be comfortable there allowing Toal to get into the team. Schon for me needs like TuTu to be more forward so would rule him out at left back........Wildcard would be Thommo ...would not get turned as much as Murphy and i think would ease into that position

Why can’t we move Johnston to left back if we bring Toal into the side. He gets forward well enough to give support to Desmond and tackles and blocks better than Murphy. I’m hoping Max Conway will fill that position next season as he scored another excellent goal for Crewe yesterday and looks to have really come on.

Edited March 2, 2025 by Whitesince63

[marple whites]

For me a decent point.  If you can’t win then don’t lose.

forrester was immense and Gomes little cameo was decent.

sheehan got smashed time after time and thought thommason should have come on earlier for him.

they missed 2 sitters second half, but overall a point gained.

we would have lost that game under the old regime.

quite a few results went against us, but get over Tuesday and then let’s see.

[bolty58]

4 minutes ago, marple whites said:

For me a decent point.  If you can’t win then don’t lose.

 

All that needed to be said really but the anal-ysts want to deconstruct every play and dissect every coulda, woulda, shoulda.

My reaction was that it was a positive result. With IE in charge I believe we would have lost this game - possibly heavily.

Onwards and upwards. The Whites are going up.

[Arrested development]

1 hour ago, masi 51 said:

Murphy is a young inexperienced player who may well force his way into a Newcastle squad or have a decent career lower down but he is our weak link and as he is going back come May i would take him out and bench him now. We have no natural left back but plenty of options if we went to a back four.  Jones if fit would be the obvious answer, Johnston is another who would be comfortable there allowing Toal to get into the team. Schon for me needs like TuTu to be more forward so would rule him out at left back........Wildcard would be Thommo ...would not get turned as much as Murphy and i think would ease into that position

I can't see Murphy breaking into the Newcastle side. Definitely not good enough for that level. But I thought Owen Beck was shite too and he's gone on to do ok. 

He gets caught out of position too many times, not great going forward and not particularly quick. His only standout attribute is his height. Maybe he would be a better CB, but at the moment he's definitely a weak link. 

[Burndens Bogs]

16 minutes ago, Arrested development said:

I can't see Murphy breaking into the Newcastle side. Definitely not good enough for that level. But I thought Owen Beck was shite too and he's gone on to do ok. 

He gets caught out of position too many times, not great going forward and not particularly quick. His only standout attribute is his height. Maybe he would be a better CB, but at the moment he's definitely a weak link. 

Not convinced he's ready for Lg1 football

[Lostock Whites]

Schuey has had some difficult games since he's come in and yet we are one of the most in form sides in the league, also counting the brilliant job Jules did in his 2 matches.

He's got us competing against the top 6 so far, something Evatt massively failed at.

We've also got Wycombe and Stockport to play at home and take points off.

Birmingham is a bit of a free hit but one in massively looking forward to. I don't think there's any really expectation or pressure on us due to Birmingham's league position, but I genuinely think we can beat them.

They're used to playing small clubs who let them have all the ball, in small stadiums.

Time to show them in front of at least 25,000+ and make them as uncomfortable as possible.