I think bringing Anderson on was a bad call, the game was already scrappy enough, and Anderson technical ability is a gaping part of his game, we needed a little bit of quality that Gilbert could bring
We were getting outmuscled at the time. Those subs made it clear that we were prioritising not losing over going for the win.
Scrappy game and Stockport managed the difficult conditions a little better than we did, though the number of times the ball went straight out for a goal kick with the wind shows just how hard it was.
Stockport are a very physical side and with another ref the game would have been much more stop-start than it was, with so many fouls let go for both sides. You can see why they are a tough side to beat, particularly at home.
But our defence was very good. Others have mentioned Jones but I thought Gillesphie was just as good and Ramsey made the most important challenges.
I think bringing Anderson on was a bad call, the game was already scrappy enough, and Anderson technical ability is a gaping part of his game, we needed a little bit of quality that Gilbert could bring
Anderson did what he does best and helped prevent the last 10 minutes from being even more of an onslaught than it already was.
The ref awarded six fouls against Stockport all game. As soon as Gilbert gets on, one of their players crunches him, nothing gets given and then he’s anonymous for the rest of the game.
We needed a midfielder who could mix it, not someone was probably going to get bullied out of the game and effectively leave us with 10 men.
Was a poor game of football but I’m happy with the weeks return. As mentioned, the ref let them get away with murder and it really allowed them to get on top.
A great point against a promotion rival and keeps the momentum going. One concern is how shattered we looked, several of our players looked absolutely exhausted and Jones’ injury doesn’t look good.
I can see changes happening on Tuesday, Jones coming out and Campbell needs a rest as his legs are turning to jelly. Onwards and upwards.
Yeah tough game and happy with the point. Miles didn't really take his opportunity here and I think Godden comes back in on Tuesday. Point away to team above us. Clean sheet and game in hand. We won't win every game but importantly we didn't lose.
Poor game but we came away with a point to a promotion rival so I'm happy with that.
Lloyd Jones MOTM. But then again all the defenders plus Mannion played a blinder.
Less said about the forwards the better. Leaburn cant head the ball and Godden who's half a foot shorter wins far more headers. Aneke will get forgiven because he bumped his head but neither of the 2 forwards today should be on the pitch. Yes they both might have been fouled & mauled to the ground but neither did anything when they had the ball at their feet - twice Leaburn was in front of goal & both times failed to get a decent shot away.
Hoping that Nathan just changed things up due to having to play Crawley on tuesday. Would like to see Godden & Gilbett start.
Hearing some comments on here that we played poorly and got away with the result, I thought it was Stockport who played poorly and the ref who let them get away with murder on numerous occasions. No, we played ok in a very physical game, and if the ref had any balls, we would have been better protected against a very dirty fouling team in Stockport. I thought we did well to contain our emotions as it went on, and gained a very valuable point to the total, along with another clean sheet. Anyway, we move on to Tuesday and the re-arranged game with Crawley, and fully expect another three points is on the cards, and we move above this terrible non-footballing side Stockport.
Long time since I saw a game with so much pushing, holding and shirt pulling. More rugby that football at times. Was always going to be that kind of game and wind and ref encouraged it further.
Banana skin game so happy with the point. Gillesphy and Jones probably the two most impacting for us. Only disappointing was all four forward players (TC, Small, Leaburn, Aneke) didn’t offer anything like Wootton and Olaofe did for them. We went up top with Leaburn and Aneke for the last 40 mins and I don’t think they won a single header against Hills & Pye (would definitely be a cowboy solicitor firm).
Don’t think TC or Small won a single dual with the ball at their feet.
All in all just a lumpy scrap fest, but we come away with something and it’s been an excellent week
Two games now where Campbell and Small go missing, Birmingham and Stockport. They were arguably two of our biggest games of the season, if we make the play-offs, you can't afford to carry players in those do or die games. Apart from that I thought the rest of the team were excellent in the face of a team that was allowed to get away with murder by an awful referee, that ref could have got players injured by his attitude of 'let them kick and bite it keeps the game flowing'.
In all honesty it was a poor game and we were slightly fortunate to get a point. But that's what good teams do, they don't give up and fight till the end. I shall be going to Crawley on Tuesday and looking forward to beating them and going on to win 4 on the spin and get that Monkey off our back.
I'd be happy winning 3 & drawing 1 out of the final 3 blocks of 4 matches for the rest of the season. 30 points (inc today) would give us 90 points !
A curious second half. The best defensive display I can remember in a long, long time, but so dysfunctional going forward. Leaburn seemed to be an auxiliary centre half much of the time. I thought before the game I'd be happy with a draw, so well done the lads. However, we do need to get our attacking game back on track for Crawley.
Defence excellent. Midfield and forwards bossed by Stockport, so credit to them. Good point though. Maybe give TC a rest on Tuesday. Not a fan, but thought Anderson did OK.
This felt like Jones was playing for the draw from the start. Starting Leaburn, bringing Chuks and Anderson on early. Not playing Gilbert/godden. He was trying to match their physicality instead of playing to our strengths. In a way it worked but we don’t have the luxury of dropping too many points if we are hoping to catch Wycombe
A point against a play off rival, away from home and in a game where we basically offered nothing going forward, has got to be a point gained.
Whilst the referee was consistent in giving nothing, it played massively into Stockport's hands as their style is largely about physicality and niggly fouls.
Last season we'd have lost that 3/4 nil. Defence showed a good amount of resilience and despite it feeling like we were under the cosh for large spells Mannion only had one save to make.
Not getting that extra wide option in January is starting to hurt us now. Campbell clearly needs a rest, but we have no one to replace him.
Anyone knocking Leaburn, give him a break. Had zero service but did a very good defensive job.
Subs were not right imo. I'd have given Gilbert and Godden 15 mins. Game desperately needed a bit of guile and they could have provided it.
Biggest concern of the day is Lloyd Jones. I'll be amazed if he plays against Crawley and we all know how important he is. He wasn't running freely after the treatment he had and appeared to be limping heavily after the final whistle.
Will take a point - game was awful not help by the conditions and a shocking referee (for both teams), we are no longer a southern softy team - good week, but must beat Crawley on Tuesday.
Good result for us, wouldn't want to face Stockport in the play offs
You would hope that if we do then there'll be a better ref in charge than that clown today. One who wont put up with all their shenanigans and whinging.
This felt like Jones was playing for the draw from the start. Starting Leaburn, bringing Chuks and Anderson on early. Not playing Gilbert/godden. He was trying to match their physicality instead of playing to our strengths. In a way it worked but we don’t have the luxury of dropping too many points if we are hoping to catch Wycombe
Missed the energy from a full away end, as all the atmosphere lost with it having no roof. A shame because it would have driven us on attacking that end 2nd half
Given that was a pretty awful game, it may seem strange that I think that was an outstanding performance by the team. Bear with me whilst I explain.
Stockport were just a bunch of bruisers who fouled, wrestled and grabbed the shirt of our players. (If I had a pound for every time Campbell was wrestled down, I'd be a rich man).Their one tactic was hoof it forward and chase.
We could so easily have collaped given what we faced, especially given a hopeless ref who just let all the pulling and pushing go. But we didn't and every single player stood up big time.
Jones was absolutely outstanding and Gillesphey and Ramsay not far behind him. The 3 of them deserve much credit today.
Definitely a hard earned point that was well deserved.
Every team around and above us is dropping points and will drop more points. If we occasionally draw a game instead of winning or losing it then that’s actually still pretty good. 5 o’clock will tell us if that was a massive point or not, ie if one of the teams around us lose, but a return to winning ways on Tuesday will have the same effect now we’ve stopped Stockport increasing the points gap between us.
Comments
Stockport are a very physical side and with another ref the game would have been much more stop-start than it was, with so many fouls let go for both sides. You can see why they are a tough side to beat, particularly at home.
But our defence was very good. Others have mentioned Jones but I thought Gillesphie was just as good and Ramsey made the most important challenges.
But a point at Edgeley Park is just fine.
The ref awarded six fouls against Stockport all game. As soon as Gilbert gets on, one of their players crunches him, nothing gets given and then he’s anonymous for the rest of the game.
We needed a midfielder who could mix it, not someone was probably going to get bullied out of the game and effectively leave us with 10 men.
Lloyd Jones MOTM. But then again all the defenders plus Mannion played a blinder.
Less said about the forwards the better. Leaburn cant head the ball and Godden who's half a foot shorter wins far more headers. Aneke will get forgiven because he bumped his head but neither of the 2 forwards today should be on the pitch. Yes they both might have been fouled & mauled to the ground but neither did anything when they had the ball at their feet - twice Leaburn was in front of goal & both times failed to get a decent shot away.
Hoping that Nathan just changed things up due to having to play Crawley on tuesday. Would like to see Godden & Gilbett start.
No, we played ok in a very physical game, and if the ref had any balls, we would have been better protected against a very dirty fouling team in Stockport.
I thought we did well to contain our emotions as it went on, and gained a very valuable point to the total, along with another clean sheet.
Anyway, we move on to Tuesday and the re-arranged game with Crawley, and fully expect another three points is on the cards, and we move above this terrible non-footballing side Stockport.
Banana skin game so happy with the point. Gillesphy and Jones probably the two most impacting for us. Only disappointing was all four forward players (TC, Small, Leaburn, Aneke) didn’t offer anything like Wootton and Olaofe did for them. We went up top with Leaburn and Aneke for the last 40 mins and I don’t think they won a single header against Hills & Pye (would definitely be a cowboy solicitor firm).
I thought before the game I'd be happy with a draw, so well done the lads. However, we do need to get our attacking game back on track for Crawley.
I was surprised how physical they are.
miles didn’t really stake a claim on the starting spot for me.
onto Tuesday and hopefully 3 points
Whilst the referee was consistent in giving nothing, it played massively into Stockport's hands as their style is largely about physicality and niggly fouls.
Last season we'd have lost that 3/4 nil. Defence showed a good amount of resilience and despite it feeling like we were under the cosh for large spells Mannion only had one save to make.
Not getting that extra wide option in January is starting to hurt us now. Campbell clearly needs a rest, but we have no one to replace him.
Anyone knocking Leaburn, give him a break. Had zero service but did a very good defensive job.
Subs were not right imo. I'd have given Gilbert and Godden 15 mins. Game desperately needed a bit of guile and they could have provided it.
Biggest concern of the day is Lloyd Jones. I'll be amazed if he plays against Crawley and we all know how important he is. He wasn't running freely after the treatment he had and appeared to be limping heavily after the final whistle.
Stockport were just a bunch of bruisers who fouled, wrestled and grabbed the shirt of our players. (If I had a pound for every time Campbell was wrestled down, I'd be a rich man).Their one tactic was hoof it forward and chase.
We could so easily have collaped given what we faced, especially given a hopeless ref who just let all the pulling and pushing go. But we didn't and every single player stood up big time.
Jones was absolutely outstanding and Gillesphey and Ramsay not far behind him. The 3 of them deserve much credit today.
Definitely a hard earned point that was well deserved.
Lloyd Jones 8.08
Will Mannion 7.92
Brad Hills 7.77
Kayne Ramsay 7.60
Corey Addai 7.43
Macauley Gillesphey 7.35
Josh Edwards 7.22
Conor Coventry 7.15
Greg Docherty 7.06
Lewis Bate 7.06