Match thread

Quoted from brad_gtfc

We are missing arguably our 2 most creative players in Nielson and Arnold, don't panic just yet.

Neilson was here last year and we had no service so why should this year be any different.  Every year we sign players who we believe will provide but they do not.  To me this now seems to be less about the players and more about the management style.

A good solid start to the season,

No body had a bad game,

Lets make Blundell Park a fortress again.

0-0, a good point gained and a clean sheet. Utm

That's a good fixture to get out the way. I expect Bristol will improve on that showing as their new players settle in. Like us today they lacked an attacking threat. Town squad worked hard all game and could (maybe should have) nicked it, but hey an away point is always good. We need to get more points at Blundell Park and the next 2 games give us a chance to get some points on the board. Given he has only just arrived, I thought Connell, although a bit rusty did ok. He takes up some good positions and read the game well. His one effort in the first half was well hit and on target, but well blocked. Tired in the second but pleased we gave him for a while. I like Lennie but yes if his chance had fallen to Connell it would have been dispatched. With a patched up team it shows they can all do a job.

Thought Magnay was very average, why leave Connell on for so long when clearly not in the game after 60mins. At leasty at the end when he did take him off, stick one of the young ones on to chase and harry there defence for the last 10 mins, not another midfielder. Brown goes off with a cut that takes 5 mins to sort out, why not just bring on Clay/Winfarrah for fresh legs then, instead of playing for so long with 10 men (if he does not think Clay is good enough to play to 15 mins against Bristol why did we sign him). thought defence did a good job, Lenny usual hard work and Mclaughlin good touches when he got on the ball. Looks like the same boring negative set up as I watched numerous times last season. Good to get a point but Bristol were rubbish.

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Thought Magnay was very average, why leave Connell on for so long when clearly not in the game after 60mins. At leasty at the end when he did take him off, stick one of the young ones on to chase and harry there defence for the last 10 mins, not another midfielder. Brown goes off with a cut that takes 5 mins to sort out, why not just bring on Clay/Winfarrah for fresh legs then, instead of playing for so long with 10 men (if he does not think Clay is good enough to play to 15 mins against Bristol why did we sign him). thought defence did a good job, Lenny usual hard work and Mclaughlin good touches when he got on the ball. Looks like the same boring negative set up as I watched numerous times last season. Good to get a point but Bristol were rubbish.

Err - who did we have on the bench again?!

Not too bad.  Bristol R didn't look as if they had anything much to shout about.  Our new players seemed fairly comfortable although Connell didn't seem to be in the picture at all in the second half.  Agree Aswad had a good game.  Very pleased with a clean sheet, as that was a tough game on paper and psychologically, although not as tough as I expected, in reality.  Looking forward to seeing Shaun and Scott Neilson back in the team asap.  Lenny looking very tired towards the end.

Quoted from mariner2000

Neilson was here last year and we had no service so why should this year be any different.  Every year we sign players who we believe will provide but they do not.  To me this now seems to be less about the players and more about the management style.

Like everyone is saying , patched up team , got a point from potentially a team who will finish in the top 5 . Early doors , first game . Tactics are the key so expect more tinkering ,
Think I'm going to wait a few games before I make a judgement on players or management .

or

Did anyone catch Hursts after match interview? Just curious to know if Arnold, Pitman and Hannah will be available for Tuesday.

Quoted from mariner91

What was he realistically expected to do with so many forward players out? There were no forwards on the bench. Clay isn't a game changer and that left us with Winfarrah who is still a teenager who could come on as a forward option. With a full strength team we'd have had Hannah, Paddy, Arnold/Neilson/Pittman to choose from to make a difference which might have got us a win.

I would have expected him to do...........something!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He has built the squad, a squad with little back up up front, he has had to bring in two loan players before the season has even started because his squad, entirely his squad, is not sufficient.  
He did not try anything to go and win the game, they made three subs and they had the better of the second half, we just absorbed and made a defensive substitution in the last few minutes against a team who hardly managed a shot on target in 90 mins.