Personally I don't think that was a bad result

The performance wasn't as good as it has been the last few games, but that was a result of the change in formation to accommodate for lost bodies. When I saw the team sheet today, I wasn't sure how we'd line up, but I was looking forward to the prospect of Williams just behind Winnall which I thought may suit him.

Sadly he didn't have the greatest of games. As I've often thought with Williams since his return, he's an exceptionally talented player, but his end product seems to be lacking, more so today than before.

Abbott was given the chance to impress but he had a job on his hands filling in for Ben Pearson. For all his critics, it was evidently clear today how much we are going to miss Ben unless an adequate replacement can come in. Brad grew into the game but lost a lot in the middle of the park, and at times, looked a little over confident. I think that Pearson also brought the best out of Hourihane which was also lacking today. And as the midfield were 'off', there was little chance for Sam as a lone striker, who cut the same frustrated figure as he did a month or so ago.

Whilst not bad, Hammill and White were not as effective as they have been down that left side. Fleetwood had identified our left as our strongest side. Because of this, it's no surprise that our best two performers on the day were our right sided players, Isgrove and Wabara. Isgrove looks to be finding his feet more each week and is starting to look a quality little winger.

The game improved for us when Fletcher came on and we went back to an out and out 4-4-2. Although this left us open to the counter attacking game, we looked more dangerous and had a series of chances. An inch higher and I think Aidy White would have broken the net with a shot he had late on which was deflected for a corner. Fletcher looked exceptional on the ball, if not a bit lazy off of it. We were lacking a bit of height up there today, and his towering header for our goal proved this.

Defensively we still look frail. Both Long and Mawson made errors, which went largely unpunished. But we've a week to bring a few more players in before the next game. Let's put the JPT to bed for the time being and focus on reaching the top half in the meantime.

On the whole, a good result, it's only half time. We could have a different team by the 2nd leg, and there's still the chance of a trip to Wembley.

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Enjoyed the game but we didn't deserve to win - all to play for

 

Agree with all of that archey.

 

Enjoyed the game your easily pleased it was like watching paint dry

 

Its been like that for large parts of the season but Ben said we had turned a corner in his interview the other day.

Sounds like were off the road again

 

Rubbish. First half was poor but it was a very entertaining second half.

Think yourself lucky you weren't watching Man U v Sheff U

 

We had a great big hole in centre midfield, again, which needs to be filled.

 

Not a bad result as such because we're still in the tie but you'd have liked to have some advantage going into the second leg.

We should have a few new players in by the second leg and I reckon we'll go through. Although it's going to take us beating them which we never seem to want to do.

 

With the loss of Pearson and Watkins, and considering Williams and winnall are not main target strikers and playing Abbott who is not ready I think it was a cracking result. Ben has a lot of business to do and to be fair to LJ anyone would struggle with our squad as we are light weight.

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Excellent summary Archey. That sums up the game perfectly for me.

I think there are a number of positives today.

1. We had a weakened side without Pearson, and to a lesser extent, Watkins. Hopefully by the second leg we'll have Scowen back, and maybe a signing or two to bolster midfield. Marley Watkins will give an extra option to pair with Sam if we can't expect 90 minutes from Ashley Fletcher, who's movement for the goal oozed class today.

2. Before the recent pickup in performances and results, today's was just the sort of game we'd have folded in a month ago. Great credit to us for levelling.

3. The tie is perfectly poised. A narrow win for us today would have brought a bit of a quandry in regard to how to approach the second leg. Would we defend and get nervous? They'll fancy their chances, having held us at home, but we have a good set-up to counter attack. With what will hopefully be a stronger lineup in February, I quite fancy us to finish the job. The team has shown great spirit away from home in this competition.

 

Agree with all that.

As someone pointed out in an earlier thread, we would have lost that game convincingly a couple of months ago

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Excellent report Archey -

I thought Long had a good game and Davies played an intelligent game.

 

Could turn out a good result if we get a couple of new players in and others fit for 2nd leg

 

All about opinions..I enjoyed both halves.

 

White & Hammill were 2 of our best 3 players today by a mile. Hammill's cross was the assist? Agree on Fletcher. Williams got in great positions, but f@@ked up every time.

 

We are lightweight but I honestly don't think that is an excuse. Pearson decided before Christmas he was off back to Man U so we should have had a replacement lined up for him, considering it's the 9th of January and he still hasn't been replaced. Partner that with Scowen being injured and letting Digby go out on loan, I really question the ability of both Mansford and especially Johnson regarding signings.

 

How do you know when Pearson decided that?