Post by rjdgull on Nov 16, 2010 12:43:12 GMT
A few weeks ago I was rubbing my hands in anticipation of this fixture with Stockport losing 5 - 0 at home to Hereford and then by the same score away to Morecombe! ( Although in the latter case they went down to 10 men in the eighth minute and in the process conceded a penalty for Morecombe to open the scoring – which proves that it is really swings and roundabouts over a season!)
However, subsequently, Stockport had a credible draw at home to Peterborough in the FA Cup ( replay tonight!) and an unlikely 1 - 0 away win at Bury on Saturday. Particularly after the Barnet match, nothing can be taken for granted but Stockport do not have a decent home record ( W1 D4 L2) and at least our players have got all week to focus on this match.
Looking at our team, Macklin serves the last of his three match suspension but a refreshed Zebroski returns and Rose and Branston will hopefully be 100% fit after being doubts against Barnet. Incidentally, I thought Branston had a good match on Saturday and although Rose didn’t have a great impact, a winger just getting over an ankle injury is probably not going to sail past defenders on his immediate return.
Of course, everyone is going to have their own idea about how to pep up the side after a dreary performance on Saturday. Personally, I would keep the same back five and play Rose and Zebroski on the wings. In central midfield I think Oastler was unlucky not to get a start on Saturday and will be exceedingly unlucky not to start against Stockport. I would play him and Mansell to graft in midfield with O’Kane in a forward midfield position in a more creative role. This would leave just Benyon up front but with Kee in the locker so to speak, leaving something meaningful in reserve to bring on as needed later in the game.
Hopefully the state of the pitch will be better than last year when our FA Cup tie was postponed twice due to the big freeze and eventually had to be played out at Macclesfield's ground! At least that comfortable away win will give the players confidence that it can be done again!
However, subsequently, Stockport had a credible draw at home to Peterborough in the FA Cup ( replay tonight!) and an unlikely 1 - 0 away win at Bury on Saturday. Particularly after the Barnet match, nothing can be taken for granted but Stockport do not have a decent home record ( W1 D4 L2) and at least our players have got all week to focus on this match.
Looking at our team, Macklin serves the last of his three match suspension but a refreshed Zebroski returns and Rose and Branston will hopefully be 100% fit after being doubts against Barnet. Incidentally, I thought Branston had a good match on Saturday and although Rose didn’t have a great impact, a winger just getting over an ankle injury is probably not going to sail past defenders on his immediate return.
Of course, everyone is going to have their own idea about how to pep up the side after a dreary performance on Saturday. Personally, I would keep the same back five and play Rose and Zebroski on the wings. In central midfield I think Oastler was unlucky not to get a start on Saturday and will be exceedingly unlucky not to start against Stockport. I would play him and Mansell to graft in midfield with O’Kane in a forward midfield position in a more creative role. This would leave just Benyon up front but with Kee in the locker so to speak, leaving something meaningful in reserve to bring on as needed later in the game.
Hopefully the state of the pitch will be better than last year when our FA Cup tie was postponed twice due to the big freeze and eventually had to be played out at Macclesfield's ground! At least that comfortable away win will give the players confidence that it can be done again!
He does seemingly start off as first choice winger in the summer and fade during the autumn on heavier pitches but I only think this is only one factor and there is more to it than that.
