Eric's hometown Vs Eric's club (Morecambe Vs Luton)

[That Fat Centre Half]

After a ground out 2-0 win against 10 men on Saturday we make the trip up to Morecambe for a very tricky game. Long Tuesday night trips up to the North West, just doesn't sound like the sort of game we tend to do well in, even coming off the back of 2 home wins.

Morecambe seem to have to have had a good start to the season and will be looking for a win to kick on to begin to solidify themselves as playoff contenders this season. Last year they did the double over us and where a right handful both times so we shoudnt be under any illusions as to how difficult this game will be.

There are obviously calls for Marriott to start after his 2 goal performance, justifiably so perhaps, but im really not sure this is the right game for him to be honest, especially if we are going to try and shoehorn him in in a 2 up front formation with Mackail Smith, we tried 352 in this fixture last year and got absolutely battered. Other than perhaps O'Donnell given a break i wouldnt change much else of the team, really think we need to solidfy our starting 11 and get some continuity and use Marriott as that impact injection of energy later on. No doubt his time will come this season, just not sure this is it.

Really think this a tough spot for us here and id be pretty pleased if we came away with a point to try to kick off a run of unbeaten matches.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Agree a point would be good. Tough long midweek trip. Wouldn't be surprised to see Doyle play with Smith by the way Still has been talking..

 

[Judge Dredd]

Wouldn't be surprised if you are right there Belize. Still seemed to suggest today that Paddy McCourt was not capable of doing 2x 90 minutes in a week, and given that all the talk pre-game was about the need for character and defensive organisation, I suspect Doyle is a more likely replacement than a Gutts or even Marriott. I do agree with TFCH that this probably isn't the game to start Marriott, harsh as it may seem on the surface. But Still will have to be a brave man to leave him out, if he doesn't start and we lose you can guarantee he'll be slated by the fans.

As an aside, as soon as he is properly fit I would probably start Doyle (and Lee) over Smith the way the latter has been playing tbh. I really love the guy for his enthusiasm and his passion but I can't help but think more and more that he is a big part of our problems. We lose the midfield battle so often it is ridiculous. Games pass Smudger by completely in midfield far, far too often with his headless chicken running act, and when we do have possession he is almost useless as his passing range is so painfully limited. He pops up with the odd goal and occasional driving run between the lines, but beyond that it's often quite difficult to see what positive influence Smith actually has on games. For a nominally defensive midfielder, it's actually pretty rare to see him win possession back via successful tackles or making interceptions in key areas, as as noted his passing is at best below average. Doyle isn't as mobile but he's a lot more disciplined and intelligent off the ball and a lot more cultured on it.

Having said all that, a six-week layoff was the last thing Doyle needed judging by his size and general performance levels in the early season...

 

[Judge Dredd]

Also yeah, I'd take a point right now for sure. I'd take 5 points from the next 3 games without a doubt, anything more would be a bonus.

A win would be fantastic though. Morecambe are in the play-off places currently and we'd go above them with a win, which does suggest that we aren't a million miles away despite our horrendous early season form and general fanbase depression.

 

[Kenneth E End]

which does suggest that we aren't a million miles away despite our horrendous early season form and general fanbase depression.

Well, I've been pretty consistent throughout the season so far to say we haven't been far away and playing better than our position suggests.

9 games is no sample. And in another 11 games, the league could be equally as bunched, as those up at the top with a good start have a bad run and get sucked back into the pack. And those that haven't started well start to pick up and string a few results together. It happens every year.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Wouldn't be surprised if you are right there Belize. Still seemed to suggest today that Paddy McCourt was not capable of doing 2x 90 minutes in a week, and given that all the talk pre-game was about the need for character and defensive organisation, I suspect Doyle is a more likely replacement than a Gutts or even Marriott. I do agree with TFCH that this probably isn't the game to start Marriott, harsh as it may seem on the surface. But Still will have to be a brave man to leave him out, if he doesn't start and we lose you can guarantee he'll be slated by the fans.

As an aside, as soon as he is properly fit I would probably start Doyle (and Lee) over Smith the way the latter has been playing tbh. I really love the guy for his enthusiasm and his passion but I can't help but think more and more that he is a big part of our problems. We lose the midfield battle so often it is ridiculous. Games pass Smudger by completely in midfield far, far too often with his headless chicken running act, and when we do have possession he is almost useless as his passing range is so painfully limited. He pops up with the odd goal and occasional driving run between the lines, but beyond that it's often quite difficult to see what positive influence Smith actually has on games. For a nominally defensive midfielder, it's actually pretty rare to see him win possession back via successful tackles or making interceptions in key areas, as as noted his passing is at best below average. Doyle isn't as mobile but he's a lot more disciplined and intelligent off the ball and a lot more cultured on it.

Having said all that, a six-week layoff was the last thing Doyle needed judging by his size and general performance levels in the early season...

Glad someone else thinks this about Smith. Said something similar to a friend the other week and he looked at me like I had a second head! All about the PASHUN apparently.

 

[mowgli]

Got this down as Morecambe 0 Luton 1.

 

[Kenneth E End]

I'd make a couple of changes tonight to try and freshen it up. Not sure if McCourt will have the fitness to play Sat/Tues; not that I think its 'his' type of game tonight. Lawless to deputise at RB as O'Donnell's confidence is totally shot with Green in front of him to ping the crosses in:

Subs: Justham, O'Donnell, Okuonghae, O'Brien, Doyle, Hall, Marriott

 

[Kenneth E End]

The actual starting XI isn't as adventurous as my one above - in fact, just 1 change - Cuthbert in for O'Donnell which was expected that he was going to drop out.

Our bench - very strong: Justham, Potts, Green, Doyle, Guttridge, Marriott, Lawless.

Shocked that Kevin Ellison isn't starting, with Jamie Devitt also on the bench. I thought the former would be a certainty to score.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Sounds like a lively start.

Morecambe 1-2 Luton Town
Barkuzien Wilkinson, McGeehan

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

3-1 Smith!

Always rated him

Delighted with that, thought we would really struggle to pick much up here as its not the sort of game that we do well in but to get all 3 points is brilliant. Sounded decent first half got a bit scrappy in the second but always was going to i guess.

3 wins on the spin choo, choo eh Oakroader

 

[Judge Dredd]

3-1 Smith!

Always rated him

I covered my bases with the disclaimer "He pops up with the odd goal"...

3 wins on the spin choo, choo eh Oakroader

Watch us go and get hammered by Hartlepool now... although to be fair I would have taken 5 points from the next three games, so a loss wouldn't be a disaster after tonight's win.

 

[Kenneth E End]

What a victory that is. A win on a Tuesday night - in the North?!

 

[Judge Dredd]

Sounds like Paddy McCourt was man of the match by a mile, which he arguably was on Saturday too. Encouraging to see him finding his rhythm as he definitely has the quality to make a big difference at this level.

 

[oakroader]

3-1 Smith!

Always rated him

Delighted with that, thought we would really struggle to pick much up here as its not the sort of game that we do well in but to get all 3 points is brilliant. Sounded decent first half got a bit scrappy in the second but always was going to i guess.

3 wins on the spin choo, choo eh Oakroader

ha ha...the runaway train went over the hill and it blew...choo choo