Stanley vs. Rochdale match thread

[shakermaker]

It's time for Billy Kee to really step up now. As Oldgobbin quite rightly says, Kee isn't going to have the strong centre forward alongside him to play off for the next few games. For what it's worth I'd rather see a 4-4-1-1 with Jimmy Ryan playing just behind Billy Kee in the way Coley tried with Ian Craney some time ago. In my mind that would be more effective than a ~75% fit Bobby Grant spending 90 minutes failing to win the ball against a big centre half, getting frustrated and picking up bookings! It'd also give Turner the start he deserves in Jimmy's place in midfield.

[vicburdett]

Well said, to replace michael is going to be hard, to all those who say hes tired well he played 14 games last season in shrews 2nd team, and here he is having played 40 first team games so thats prob why,but i would rather have a tired symesy than bobby and billy leading the line, both have done great with him along side them,and for those who say we will play it on the floor a bit more,thats what symesy has done all season,hes been the reason why we are where we are,rest up mick, get back soon.player of the season by a mile,

[Pendle Red]

Thing is I rate Symes highly but for whatever reason I think he has suffered lately, I am not sure if that is fatigue, lack of service, ongoing contract talks?

But it is a chance to give the team perhaps a different dimension and players a chance to come to the fore who may not have had that chance otherwise?

Not sure if Bobby starting for a full ninety minutes is the ticket if he is not yet fully fit?

We have Chris Turner, Gary King and Mconville all of whom could play the free role tucked in behind Kee and have the pace to pull defences around and create chances.

While not maybe being natural front men the link up with Kee and the rest of midfield could give us extra options.

Kee is no slouch with his pace and has a position of being able to hold the balll up well when played to feet and bring other players into play see yesterdays goals for that.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by vicburdett

Well said, to replace michael is going to be hard, to all those who say hes tired well he played 14 games last season in shrews 2nd team, and here he is having played 40 first team games so thats prob why,but i would rather have a tired symesy than bobby and billy leading the line, both have done great with him along side them,and for those who say we will play it on the floor a bit more,thats what symesy has done all season,hes been the reason why we are where we are,rest up mick, get back soon.player of the season by a mile,

agree wi vic, a tired so called symes has scored 2 good goals in last 2 games, how many goals have those who aint tired scored? ok he was below his par against rotherham, fer my money was n off day nowt else. still scored, who else does that regular? players always played 3 games easter weekend, back in the day, saying he needs a rest is a crock of crap imho.

[vicburdett]

Hope your right pendle,but casheys right, heres to 3 wins out of the next games,also i think we bossed that game yesterday for an hour, bit hard to take.

[Pendle Red]

Originally Posted by cashman

agree wi vic, a tired so called symes has scored 2 good goals in last 2 games, how many goals have those who aint tired scored? ok he was below his par against rotherham, fer my money was n off day nowt else. still scored, who else does that regular? players always played 3 games easter weekend, back in the day, saying he needs a rest is a crock of crap imho.

While not disagreeing Cashy and as a striker you are judged rightly or wrongly on your goals tally

However the difference for me again rightly or wrongly has been his link up play and one of his main attributes is being able to bring other players into play, his understanding with Grant in particular up till January was almost telepathic and sometimes breathtaking to watch that has gone missing slightly since then and he seems to have to drift to the left having to look for the ball more over recent games and seemingly wants that extra touch to bring it in?

These are only my observations and my views, maybe likewise to the Team when you are playing well week in week out expectations may rise too much

[vicburdett]

Maybe, but for someone to play 40 odd games and not have days off wouldnt be right,as for a striker judged on goals i have heard that one before,bobby would not have had half the goals hes had were it not for michael,when your not scoring you must be creating and thats what hes done all season,i have seen us play poor in some games early in the season with michael and bobby not clicking and win,then play well and lose,thats football son,

[vicburdett]

I seen michael get clobbed yesterday twice by their no 33 form behind in the first half and struggled to run for a while, then gets an elbow in the face from the same no 33 from the throw in the rest was history,good to see mick do him though and wanting more, no 33 didnt want to know,

[VALAIRIAN]

For what it is worth, I agree with Macca on this, Dale won this one, they did not let being 2 down bother them, granted they got 1 back quickly and the second shortly after that, but all in all Dale were the better Team!

The first half was even and for us to be 2 up on 65 mins was a little surprising - if we had been 2 down then, I would have been gutted! - but it did not get them down, in fact it spurred them on, yes their second was very lucky, but they used that luck and turned it into belief.

Before yesterday, they had won 22 times already this season, scoring 71 times, this is a very good Rochdale side, that we matched for 70 mins!

Yes I am gutted that we did not win from 2 goals up, but I will be more gutted if we do not beat Burton on Tuesday night!

On a seperate note, I am very pleased to see Coley using his bench for the third game in a row, he did it with great effect in the last 2 games and at least he gave it a go yesterday

As has been said already - I think - it is a measure of how far we have come, that we look on yesterday as match lost!!

Bring on The Brewers!!! 1 more win to beat the best we have had in the FL!!!!!

ON STANLEY ON

[Outback Ozzy]

If I could add a little footnote here, some of you are going on about how the players need a rest - reality check, they only play 90+ minutes per game with a 15 minute break after 45 minutes, running around maybe twice a week and get paid for it. I wish I could do the same but unfortunately I average 48 hours a week over 4 days for my money. Yes, they do train as well, but we don't have the biggest squad in the world but it could be rotated for different matches as it will have to be for the next 3 with Grant coming back from injury (not yet ready for 90 minutes) and Michael being banned for the next 3 games.

[shakermaker]

Longer highlights here: BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | A | Accrington

Edit: Don't bother, there's nothing more. The fella just takes longer to read the script...