A next morning reflection

That match yesterday was, in reality, absolutely woeful. But not one part of it sank us to new depths, nothing was surprising or anything we haven’t seen before or shouldn’t expect.

Yes we did create some chances, and Shrewsbury did have ‘only’ 5 shots all game.

Though they are also the worst league one team in a fair few seasons, probably couldn’t believe how the game was going, and still had eleven men all at least ten yards in our half a lot of the time from as early as twenty minutes into the game.

Their five shots were all on target. All of them. We conceded two to the worst side in the league and whilst not worldies, have some good saves from Gauci to thank for it not being more.

We know where the weaknesses are so we learnt very little in that regard.

But looking back there were one or two indicators of what might be to come.

DKD again had a very ineffective and I dare say under committed game. He looked very much to me like a man fulfilling his obligations without risking his next move.

Adam Phillips had an Adam Phillips game to be fair. Didn’t look like he was doing a deal but a really good save at the back post from Blackman after a corner routine stopped him from providing yet another goal, and even in playing comparatively poorly he created more than one chance that ought to have been taken as well - so he was at times anonymous, didn’t look like he’d done much, but could have had a goal and ought to have had one or two assists. As I say, an Adam Phillips performance. I have little doubt he will go. And he will be missed there is no doubt.

I found Connell’s substitution a bit confusing at the time. He’d pulled up no trees ok, but he hadn’t had his worst game in recent times, he’d got control of the middle of the park, and Nwakali did nothing of note when he came on. I did wonder if it was a change more to give him a last goodbye as opposed to an attempt to get back in the game.

I would not be in any way surprised to see all of the three mentioned move on in the summer window. I’d be amazed if at least two of them don’t.

 

I think the connell change was due to the fact Shrewsbury had everyone behind the ball and Nwakali is abit more attacking. And we had nothing to lose. Can you see clubs coming in to sign connell if so which ones?

 

The tippy tappy stuff 30 yards out with 5 minutes to go was doing my head in' when your 1 down with 5 minutes to go you go into sunday league mode' pack the box and get it in the mixer' this obsession with tippy tappy and no end product is getting really boring.

 

Cotters woeful effort that nearly cleared the Ponty roof is inexcusable for a professional footballer

 

He will have suitors should the desire to sell is there(or if he has a desire to leave). Have no doubt.

I imagine it will more likely be another league one team - but the things he does well I’ve mentioned many times on this forum and they won’t be unnoticed in the game, even if a lot of our support like to hate him. We have nobody else with the work rate, the desire or the game intelligence to do what he does. Does he misplace passes and lose the ball? Yeah, especially the second half of this season. But you are very quick to point out the attributes of Jon Russell whilst skirting over his deficiencies - try to afford Connell the same benefit.

As much as many, and I think you are likely one of them, don’t seem to accept it; in terms of covering runs, defensive discipline, positional awareness and game awareness, there aren’t that many better defensive midfield players at this level that I’ve seen. He wouldn’t struggle to get another club.

I could certainly see him back at Bolton, maybe at Wigan. I wouldn’t be hugely shocked to see him at a championship club. Any of Preston, Luton, Derby - should they survive - might have need of such a player. I could certainly see him at Stockport if they win the playoffs. And that’s just assuming he wouldn’t want to go further south or back to Scotland. He’d play every week for every SPL club outside the old firm - he isn’t usurping Callum McGregor at Celtic don’t get me wrong. But players who graft, who do the dirty work, are highly sought.

He’s just turned 24. He has not far off 200 professional appearances already. At a realistic price of maybe £500k to £1million, probably at the lower to mid end of that range, he’d have plenty of options. He’s a great age, has good experience.

Adam Randell, Max Bird, Sam Field for example have all been championship regulars this season and are rated highly by their clubs and outside of them - I wouldn’t say any of them are head and shoulders above Luca Connell at what they do. None of them are goal scorers or hugely creative. They do the graft.

I think he’ll go. He’ll need a strong replacement if he does. I do wonder if young Bland might have it in him but I’d worry if he was thrown to the lions as first choice in that role.

 

It happens in all football, from pub football to the Premier League...even Harland, I wouldn't make too much of it.

 

Neaw not acceptable from someone who’s paid employment it is

 

I can only see him attracting league one teams if I'm honest. Watched his interview before the awards where he said "on a personal level aswell as a group it hasn't been his best season, mentioned its his 1st season back after illness, said we will dust ourselves down in the summer and go again next season" can't see wigan been able to afford him possibly Bolton and a few of the relegated clubs but his best season with us was under Duff.

Time will tell I think the only players who will attract championship interest in the summer are dkd, Phillips and Russell.

 

Losing at home to a team guaranteed to finish bottom was a suitably horrific end to a horrific season. "Thank God it's over" is just about the only post match thoughts I can muster.

 

But you didn't mention the one which brought a good save from the goalkeeper, and the amount of decent crosses he put into the box. Why pick out the negative from many positives?

 

Was the save from Cotter ?

 

One moment of true skill I did see was from Watters , it took real skill to turn that ball away from goal without knocking it in!

 

Pretty sure it won't be a reflection of the starting eleven next season. Sadly if it is we'll go down but got a feeling there's more desire to turn things around under Houriane. Sormez can't oversee another manager going without completing a season because he would be a goner himself.

 

I agree with the majority of that but it seems a bit harsh in Nwakali who did at least try to pass forward.

 

Cotter was my motm. Yesterday he created many chances. (Marquis would have had more of a field day). His shots on goal are sometimes laughable, as many did laugh around me. I can't fault him for effort and he can definitely motor. Maybe he or we has/have found his best position. Too late in the day.

 

Having considered the matter carefully following our exchange yesterday, I’ve risen to your challenge and come up with another real positive from the game.

We’ve only got another 90 minutes to watch this ‘side’ this season. Let that sink in for a moment and tell me it isn’t a wonderful feeling.

 

4 minutes injury time given. We had played about 4:20 so slightly over the allotted time and we played about 3 sidewards passes in about 3 seconds instead of getting the ball forward for an equaliser.

 

And there was zero encouragement or direction from the bench

 

Yes. I believe it was. If I misremember, then I apologize.

 

It shows how poor we are if Cotter was motm. I'm not saying youre wrong but Jesus H. Cotter!! Yet another player who should not be a player. How many have we got?!!!