Morecambe are not in a happy place at the moment having parted company with long-term, two- time manager Derek Adam’s who took them to the play-off places after relegation, but who left the club amidst off-field troubles a month or so ago. In his place the club quickly made an internal appointment (Ged Brannan) who found himself up against Wrexham away in his first game which they lost 6-0. Since then they have won only once, away to Wycombe who chose to field a reserve team in the FA Cup and were duly punished 2-0. However more recently they held Stockport County at home to a 1-1 draw which was rather one-sided, but nevertheless a defeat averted.
They had a good run to occupy a play off place for the first dozen or so matches of the season and their more recent decline has coincided with off-field troubles and tough fixtures mixed up with the two impressive away FA Cup wins - they beat Lincoln away in Round 1.
So maybe they are pulling themselves around, the players are the same and the coach, now manager, brings an underlying stability. We need a win of course and there are grounds for believing that the opposition will not be particularly confident, so we could be justified in believing we have more than just an edge.
So I’ll go for 2-0 (Molyneux/Faal)
DPL v Morecambe
posted on 16/12/23
Alfie May has scored more goals this year than Erling Haaland! What a waste by us.
posted on 16/12/23
Rovers 2-1 Morecambe. Faal, Ironside.
posted on 16/12/23
Rovers 2-1 Morecambe
Ironside to score ⚽
posted on 16/12/23
An unforeseen disaster at a very bad time. Rovers are hardly an attractive proposition for potential January signings. Hirst and Biggins have not developed as we might have expected, the defence is unreliable and Jones, as ever, blameless.
posted on 17/12/23
Luckily,Pauline and I had been out late to a dinner well lubricated by wine, and I did not wake-up in time to see the kick-off. I woke and thought I'd watch the second half. However, seeing the half-time stats where we were better than Morecambe in everything but attempts on goal and shots on target, I thought this is a disaster in the making, and so I watched the second half of Newcastles\ vs. Fulham. Still, I was absolutely shocked when I saw the final result.
How can we get so bad?
Donaldo is right about Biggins and Hurst. Last season they were about the only two who seemed to improve when S***** was manager. I thought both showed great potential. I know they have both had injuries this season, but do they have a problem with Grant as manager?
I just cannot understand this team the moment.
Donaldo - I'll wait to see the "highlights" to see if Jones was "faultless"!!!
posted on 17/12/23
What is happening at Rovers? I did have some confidence GM would turn things round but that's not the case. He can't really blame injuries for that dire performance. Does he really do his homework on the opposition? Somethings not quite right. Olowu and Jones should never be first choice players. Anderson past his best now too and no stand out midfield player.
posted on 18/12/23
Terry Bramall back as chairman.Wonder if he will change things? I doubt it. But it's positive news for continuity or do we need some new blood and investment?
posted on 19/12/23
I've watched the Extended Low-lights, and my main concern is the ease in which the Shrimps either waltzed through our so called defence, or passed through it. Then we get to the person whose job is being goal keeper. OK, being behind a defence like that on Saturday, you need a GK up to the job.
Donaldo has always said Jones is too static, and I agree, and it seems he cannot follow the game to appreciate what he may have to do. Again, our terrible defence does not help him.
However, of the five goals, only the fourth, the rocket into the top corner was unstoppable many most League One and Two GKs. The first may have come through a crowd of players, but it was not exactly a rocket, so a better effort at saving it was open to a good GK. Otherwise, the other three should have been stoppable.
Our new chairman should pony-up for a new GK in January - but where would you get one to come to the Rovers? We have had good loanees in the pat - some who went on to play internationally.
I'd like it to be a good holiday season for our beloved Rovers, but have no confidence it will be.
posted on 20/12/23
If anybody knows what he is taking on it is Bramall and if he says he is aiming at the Championship he certainly knows how much that will cost.
I don't think we can do better than McCann and despite the investment in the summer we still seem to be stuck with players who cannot remain fit and and let us down badly. There are just too many who are old enough to be playing at their peak, yet who either cannot maintain consistency or have reached their peak and won't get any better. Faal and Nixon apart, the other loanees are a total waste of money since they are not good enough to get selected.
The club decided that it was too reliant on loanees and cut back and got relegated when in fact it was crucially reliant on loanees. Since we've lowered the quality, they just have not been good enough to make the first team. It makes you wonder whether those who manage the budget ever talk to those who spend it about the concept of "value for money". .
posted on 22/12/23
Well said Donald. In recent weeks we have seen some steady progress, but last Saturday was a giant leap backwards. We can write this season off in the hope we don't get sucked into a relegation battle and GM can build a more resilient and consistent team of players for next season.