Stockport score thread sponsored by Bouncebackability

[jeevesthestag]

Before the Carlisle game we had a run of 7 very tricky games. I thought at the time that if we were still in touch by the Stockport game we'd be in a good position. Over the 7 games we've got 10 points out of 18 (with the Orient came postponed). I think we're In a good position for the run in. Especially if we get a couple of midfielders back.

[Captain Cunno]

Agreed...
7 from last 11 at home aswell with full home stands..

Bookies have us as 4th favourites at 4/1 to finish top 3 behind Stevenage Carlisle and Northampton ... but above Stockport Bradford and Salford...

They assume Orient are up it seems...

All to play for...

[Cleveland_Stag]

Watched the Stockport goal again. Pym’s positioning very questionable. I think a normal sized keeper would have at least tipped it over too. The goal’s basically gone down the middle of the net. He had some dodgy handling and distribution moments again too.

[yorkshire stag]

Watched the Stockport goal again. Pym’s positioning very questionable. I think a normal sized keeper would have at least tipped it over too. The goal’s basically gone down the middle of the net. He had some dodgy handling and distribution moments again too.

you will be telling us Flinders would have saved it next

[MTFCMusings]

Agreed...
7 from last 11 at home aswell with full home stands..

Bookies have us as 4th favourites at 4/1 to finish top 3 behind Stevenage Carlisle and Northampton ... but above Stockport Bradford and Salford...

They assume Orient are up it seems...

All to play for...

Which bookie? Most I’m looking at have us 6th/7th favs at around 7/1.

[Marky Mark]

[Rob]

Really hope it’s the end of 5 at the back now. A fully fit back 4 of Johnson Hewitt Kikgour McLaughlin. With Johnson back in the next few weeks hope we move to a back 4. Back 5 doesn’t suit us for me and when all our midfielders are back eg Reed and Maris we can fit them all into a diamond in midfield

I have an issue with playing Hewitt at CB. No doubt he is very competent there but we again saw today how dangerous he is coming forward and his cross led to our goal. I'd play him in his best position, which is right back and Johnson will have to compete - at present Hewitt is by some distance our best player. So if we went back 4 I'd put Harbottle, who I also like, there with Kilgour. A back 3 is made or broken by the quality of your wing backs, with Macca and Hewitt at wing back it works well.

Our weakness today was midfield where Wallace and Boateng were very poor. Clarke was also largely ineffective and I remain unconvinced by Pym. Hewitt, despite clearly not being 100%, was outstanding and Akins had another fine game in that attacking role. I think we should try to sign Harbottle.

Surprised no-one has mentioned the behaviour of the two stewards and there OTT handling of the young lad or the shithouse ball boy who, like at Bradford, was removed. I was also worried about the ref early on but he actually had a good game.

[DoomMerchant]

Watched the Stockport goal again. Pym’s positioning very questionable. I think a normal sized keeper would have at least tipped it over too. The goal’s basically gone down the middle of the net. He had some dodgy handling and distribution moments again too.

Pym had an excellent game. There was absolutely nothing he could have done with the goal.

Hat's off to all the vocal blokes behind the goal who were slagging him off the minute he ran towards his goal and carried on with the moronic comments until half time. Great support lads, you have your latest favourite.

[Conker]

I think Pym gets unwarrented criticism but he did look shaky to me today, hesitant off the line and made a mess of simple stuff a few times but not at fault with goal.

[MTFCMusings]

Really hope it’s the end of 5 at the back now. A fully fit back 4 of Johnson Hewitt Kikgour McLaughlin. With Johnson back in the next few weeks hope we move to a back 4. Back 5 doesn’t suit us for me and when all our midfielders are back eg Reed and Maris we can fit them all into a diamond in midfield

I have an issue with playing Hewitt at CB. No doubt he is very competent there but we again saw today how dangerous he is coming forward and his cross led to our goal. I'd play him in his best position, which is right back and Johnson will have to compete - at present Hewitt is by some distance our best player. So if we went back 4 I'd put Harbottle, who I also like, there with Kilgour. A back 3 is made or broken by the quality of your wing backs, with Macca and Hewitt at wing back it works well.

Our weakness today was midfield where Wallace and Boateng were very poor. Clarke was also largely ineffective and I remain unconvinced by Pym. Hewitt, despite clearly not being 100%, was outstanding and Akins had another fine game in that attacking role. I think we should try to sign Harbottle.

Surprised no-one has mentioned the behaviour of the two stewards and there OTT handling of the young lad or the shithouse ball boy who, like at Bradford, was removed. I was also worried about the ref early on but he actually had a good game.

Agree with the majority of this but Akins had a fine game? Apart from one good moment in the first half he was anonymous until of course he popped up with the equaliser.

[Captain Cunno]

Agreed...
7 from last 11 at home aswell with full home stands..

Bookies have us as 4th favourites at 4/1 to finish top 3 behind Stevenage Carlisle and Northampton ... but above Stockport Bradford and Salford...

They assume Orient are up it seems...

All to play for...

Which bookie? Most I’m looking at have us 6th/7th favs at around 7/1.

Paddy Power

[MTFCMusings]

Agreed...
7 from last 11 at home aswell with full home stands..

Bookies have us as 4th favourites at 4/1 to finish top 3 behind Stevenage Carlisle and Northampton ... but above Stockport Bradford and Salford...

They assume Orient are up it seems...

All to play for...

Which bookie? Most I’m looking at have us 6th/7th favs at around 7/1.

Paddy Power

Thanks. Not a very generous price from
Paddy!

[Marky Mark]

Definitely something in the water at the ground today, teenage kids videoing stewards, grown men supporting the same team having to be pulled apart in the ground after 5 minutes of circling, then another group brawling outside after the game resulting in one being escorted forcefully to the meat wagon.

[Vinnie]

Really hope it’s the end of 5 at the back now. A fully fit back 4 of Johnson Hewitt Kikgour McLaughlin. With Johnson back in the next few weeks hope we move to a back 4. Back 5 doesn’t suit us for me and when all our midfielders are back eg Reed and Maris we can fit them all into a diamond in midfield

I have an issue with playing Hewitt at CB. No doubt he is very competent there but we again saw today how dangerous he is coming forward and his cross led to our goal. I'd play him in his best position, which is right back and Johnson will have to compete - at present Hewitt is by some distance our best player. So if we went back 4 I'd put Harbottle, who I also like, there with Kilgour. A back 3 is made or broken by the quality of your wing backs, with Macca and Hewitt at wing back it works well.

Our weakness today was midfield where Wallace and Boateng were very poor. Clarke was also largely ineffective and I remain unconvinced by Pym. Hewitt, despite clearly not being 100%, was outstanding and Akins had another fine game in that attacking role. I think we should try to sign Harbottle.

Surprised no-one has mentioned the behaviour of the two stewards and there OTT handling of the young lad or the shithouse ball boy who, like at Bradford, was removed. I was also worried about the ref early on but he actually had a good game.

Was this when we scored? If so, it looked like Danny Johnson wasn't pleased with the stewards as well.

[DoomMerchant]

Definitely something in the water at the ground today, teenage kids videoing stewards, grown men supporting the same team having to be pulled apart in the ground after 5 minutes of circling, then another group brawling outside after the game resulting in one being escorted forcefully to the meat wagon.

I've just spoken to an old friend of mine who I saw at the ground today. His actual words were 'i didn't realise that there was quite as many bellraspberry in the town I live in.'

Some proper empty heads on parade today.

[Conker]

Really hope it’s the end of 5 at the back now. A fully fit back 4 of Johnson Hewitt Kikgour McLaughlin. With Johnson back in the next few weeks hope we move to a back 4. Back 5 doesn’t suit us for me and when all our midfielders are back eg Reed and Maris we can fit them all into a diamond in midfield

I have an issue with playing Hewitt at CB. No doubt he is very competent there but we again saw today how dangerous he is coming forward and his cross led to our goal. I'd play him in his best position, which is right back and Johnson will have to compete - at present Hewitt is by some distance our best player. So if we went back 4 I'd put Harbottle, who I also like, there with Kilgour. A back 3 is made or broken by the quality of your wing backs, with Macca and Hewitt at wing back it works well.

Our weakness today was midfield where Wallace and Boateng were very poor. Clarke was also largely ineffective and I remain unconvinced by Pym. Hewitt, despite clearly not being 100%, was outstanding and Akins had another fine game in that attacking role. I think we should try to sign Harbottle.

Surprised no-one has mentioned the behaviour of the two stewards and there OTT handling of the young lad or the shithouse ball boy who, like at Bradford, was removed. I was also worried about the ref early on but he actually had a good game.

Agree with the majority of this but Akins had a fine game? Apart from one good moment in the first half he was anonymous until of course he popped up with the equaliser.

Yeah Akins struggled today lost the ball a lot, offered absolutely nothing untill the goal.

[Rob]

Really hope it’s the end of 5 at the back now. A fully fit back 4 of Johnson Hewitt Kikgour McLaughlin. With Johnson back in the next few weeks hope we move to a back 4. Back 5 doesn’t suit us for me and when all our midfielders are back eg Reed and Maris we can fit them all into a diamond in midfield

I have an issue with playing Hewitt at CB. No doubt he is very competent there but we again saw today how dangerous he is coming forward and his cross led to our goal. I'd play him in his best position, which is right back and Johnson will have to compete - at present Hewitt is by some distance our best player. So if we went back 4 I'd put Harbottle, who I also like, there with Kilgour. A back 3 is made or broken by the quality of your wing backs, with Macca and Hewitt at wing back it works well.

Our weakness today was midfield where Wallace and Boateng were very poor. Clarke was also largely ineffective and I remain unconvinced by Pym. Hewitt, despite clearly not being 100%, was outstanding and Akins had another fine game in that attacking role. I think we should try to sign Harbottle.

Surprised no-one has mentioned the behaviour of the two stewards and there OTT handling of the young lad or the shithouse ball boy who, like at Bradford, was removed. I was also worried about the ref early on but he actually had a good game.

Agree with the majority of this but Akins had a fine game? Apart from one good moment in the first half he was anonymous until of course he popped up with the equaliser.

Yeah Akins struggled today lost the ball a lot, offered absolutely nothing untill the goal.

If you watch the highlights his great play led to our only other real chance 1st half so factually you are wrong. The service to him was truly shocking, but he never stopped and fully deserved his goal. I've been a critic of his, but in recent months when played in that role he has been very effective, as he was today, one of only a few who were.

[Rob]

Really hope it’s the end of 5 at the back now. A fully fit back 4 of Johnson Hewitt Kikgour McLaughlin. With Johnson back in the next few weeks hope we move to a back 4. Back 5 doesn’t suit us for me and when all our midfielders are back eg Reed and Maris we can fit them all into a diamond in midfield

I have an issue with playing Hewitt at CB. No doubt he is very competent there but we again saw today how dangerous he is coming forward and his cross led to our goal. I'd play him in his best position, which is right back and Johnson will have to compete - at present Hewitt is by some distance our best player. So if we went back 4 I'd put Harbottle, who I also like, there with Kilgour. A back 3 is made or broken by the quality of your wing backs, with Macca and Hewitt at wing back it works well.

Our weakness today was midfield where Wallace and Boateng were very poor. Clarke was also largely ineffective and I remain unconvinced by Pym. Hewitt, despite clearly not being 100%, was outstanding and Akins had another fine game in that attacking role. I think we should try to sign Harbottle.

Surprised no-one has mentioned the behaviour of the two stewards and there OTT handling of the young lad or the shithouse ball boy who, like at Bradford, was removed. I was also worried about the ref early on but he actually had a good game.

Was this when we scored? If so, it looked like Danny Johnson wasn't pleased with the stewards as well.

Yes, I think the gate opened onto the pitch and he was pushed through it, he was then grabbed by two stewards who dragged him out. Maybe that's what DJ was saying. I'd guess he was no more than 14/15. More than happy to provide a witness statement if the lad needs it but I think the video will show how out of order they were.

[SelstonStag88]

Really hope it’s the end of 5 at the back now. A fully fit back 4 of Johnson Hewitt Kikgour McLaughlin. With Johnson back in the next few weeks hope we move to a back 4. Back 5 doesn’t suit us for me and when all our midfielders are back eg Reed and Maris we can fit them all into a diamond in midfield

I have an issue with playing Hewitt at CB. No doubt he is very competent there but we again saw today how dangerous he is coming forward and his cross led to our goal. I'd play him in his best position, which is right back and Johnson will have to compete - at present Hewitt is by some distance our best player. So if we went back 4 I'd put Harbottle, who I also like, there with Kilgour. A back 3 is made or broken by the quality of your wing backs, with Macca and Hewitt at wing back it works well.

Our weakness today was midfield where Wallace and Boateng were very poor. Clarke was also largely ineffective and I remain unconvinced by Pym. Hewitt, despite clearly not being 100%, was outstanding and Akins had another fine game in that attacking role. I think we should try to sign Harbottle.

Surprised no-one has mentioned the behaviour of the two stewards and there OTT handling of the young lad or the shithouse ball boy who, like at Bradford, was removed. I was also worried about the ref early on but he actually had a good game.

There’s no way Johnson doesn’t play, 150+ games in league one and was one of if not the best right back in the league higher 2 seasons ago. He plays when fit no doubt. We’ve only seen a glimpse of him and he has 2 assists in 4 games. There’s no way Hewitt doesn’t play either so they both go in somewhere. I personally actually think Hewitt best position is as a rcb, his assist today he was actually playing centre back at the time all be it he was left wing taking a throw in. I find him abit ropey 1v1 defending in wide areas. No matter the personell it’s still a back 4 for me think Hewitt was largely ineffective at rwb and was given more space to open up playing rb. A rcb and rb pairing of Hewitt and Johnson is a top level league one pairing. A lot of fans liking Kilgour cause of his early goals, I have some serious question marks about him, poor on the ball not the most dominant. A back 3 of harbottle kilgour perch won’t get us out of this league it won’t even get us playoffs. I think the previous mentioned back 4 would comfortably.

[NEStag]

Really hope it’s the end of 5 at the back now. A fully fit back 4 of Johnson Hewitt Kikgour McLaughlin. With Johnson back in the next few weeks hope we move to a back 4. Back 5 doesn’t suit us for me and when all our midfielders are back eg Reed and Maris we can fit them all into a diamond in midfield

I have an issue with playing Hewitt at CB. No doubt he is very competent there but we again saw today how dangerous he is coming forward and his cross led to our goal. I'd play him in his best position, which is right back and Johnson will have to compete - at present Hewitt is by some distance our best player. So if we went back 4 I'd put Harbottle, who I also like, there with Kilgour. A back 3 is made or broken by the quality of your wing backs, with Macca and Hewitt at wing back it works well.

Our weakness today was midfield where Wallace and Boateng were very poor. Clarke was also largely ineffective and I remain unconvinced by Pym. Hewitt, despite clearly not being 100%, was outstanding and Akins had another fine game in that attacking role. I think we should try to sign Harbottle.

Surprised no-one has mentioned the behaviour of the two stewards and there OTT handling of the young lad or the shithouse ball boy who, like at Bradford, was removed. I was also worried about the ref early on but he actually had a good game.

Was this when we scored? If so, it looked like Danny Johnson wasn't pleased with the stewards as well.

Yes, I think the gate opened onto the pitch and he was pushed through it, he was then grabbed by two stewards who dragged him out. Maybe that's what DJ was saying. I'd guess he was no more than 14/15. More than happy to provide a witness statement if the lad needs it but I think the video will show how out of order they were.

I didn’t see that incident and I’m sorry if someone got treated badly but I did see that the Stags’ fans were winding the stewards behind the goal up quite a lot in the second half. There’s often banter but this went a bit far at times.

The atmosphere outside the ground at the end was awful. It wasn’t helped by the stupid approach of marching the home and away fans down the same road with the traffic moving and only a few police in the middle between them.

Maybe I am getting old but it seems like it’s getting worse, particularly for local away games.

[Rob]

Yes its a real shame because I really like chatting to away fans but you now feel you just have to get away. Some clubs are worse than others and I'm afraid we have a very high dickheadpercentage and have a deserved reputation. Sadly this affects folk like you and I who have no interest in a fight but just want to follow their club. We're in the majority, it's the minority that spoil it.

[stagsfan6493]

Today showed how vital Hewitt is for us. Hoping Clough sticks with the 433 on Wednesday, thought we looked so much better when he changed it up.

We need to get some midfielders back asap, thought Boateng was really poor today.

[gazza1988]

Whether back 3 or back 4 is irrelevant if we don't have a left back or left wing back available.

When we went to a back 4 we had perch at left back and he was murdered for pace. Then we put bowery there and he was murdered by poor positioning just letting them through.

If Macca is out when C. Johnson returns then Hewitt or Johnson will have to play LWB/LB.

Bowery isn't working often enough. Wallace could work if we aren't going to expect him to charge forwards all game.

[MTFCMusings]

Credit to Clough for changing things around at half time, we were better in the second half but I wouldn’t ever say we performed well. It would have been hard to be as ineffective as we were first half, and the change in shape he made could have easily been made after twenty minutes when it was clear they were able to play out from the back with ease. It was as if we were happy to have none of the ball whilst the score was still 0-0.

I appreciate there weren’t a lot of options but we ended up with six strikers on the pitch, and yes still were playing with just one through the middle. Danny Johnson on the left wing was a pointless endeavour.

We desperately need some midfielders back who can handle the ball, especially for these home games coming back. Sadly it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen so we need to figure out a way of progressing the ball down the pitch that doesn’t involve playing through midfield.

[Marky Mark]

Credit to Clough for changing things around at half time, we were better in the second half but I wouldn’t ever say we performed well. It would have been hard to be as ineffective as we were first half, and the change in shape he made could have easily been made after twenty minutes when it was clear they were able to play out from the back with ease. It was as if we were happy to have none of the ball whilst the score was still 0-0.

I appreciate there weren’t a lot of options but we ended up with six strikers on the pitch, and yes still were playing with just one through the middle. Danny Johnson on the left wing was a pointless endeavour.

We desperately need some midfielders back who can handle the ball, especially for these home games coming back. Sadly it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen so we need to figure out a way of progressing the ball down the pitch that doesn’t involve playing through midfield.

Clough said in his interview that Reed is the closest of any player to be back, and that Wednesday might be too soon but may be a week away.

If we'd have started the game with the shape that started the second half then we'd have been murdered down our left - the only reason it worked in the second half was because Stockport took their foot off the pedal after their goal in the same way that Bradford did when they went 1 up - I don't know why teams in this league try game management when they go ahead as none of them are good enough to do it because 4th division sides are all prone to individual mistakes because they're 4th Division players, but even so they were still going down our left at will in the 2nd half. For all their posession and forward movement in the first half they didn't create too much in the way of clear cut opportunities other than the save that Pym made early on.