Stanley v York.
 

This game in my view 3 pts will virtually secure us once again, Hopefully Buxton will get a game, now hes back to full fitness. Will not be easy York will fight like hell as survival is the aim, n to be honest its hard fer me to understand how they are in this position?:confused: So come on Reds give me mate Wynonie whos oer from Peru, a real present.:)

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I think Wynonie's prediction Stanley 6 york 4 would put us all in dreamland

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Nah dont concede 4, - 6-1 will do.:D

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Any win to reduce the goal difference tally will do

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Looking forward to the match v York tomorrow, although unfortunately I will have to arrive late!
York always bring good support who are quite vocal so it should be a good gate and good atmosphere! We need our supporters to be up for this one and to get right behind our boys!
Lots of flags waving, singing and support tomorrow guys and galls!:jimbo:
ON STANLEY ON:theband:

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Good news for us (& I mean this in the nicest possible way) is that it looks like Wes Fletcher will play no part whatsoever tomorrow - he was one of the laziest players ever to grace the Stanley shirt but has been a right thorn in our side since his move to York, it'll still be a tough game though, fingers crossed we can lift the 3 points we need to get us that bit closer to safety

Re: Stanley v York.
 

there other forward has been recalled to his parent club

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Poor performance, I fail to understand this so-called messiah, who thinks players should be able to play for 90 mins (He says) Then proceeds to put 2 on with 3 mins to go.:confused: Perhaps he was playing for a 2-1 defeat?:rolleyes: Fortunately Joss beggared that tactic up n equalised at the death.:mad:

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Poor game all round and less than a 1000 home fans on a Saturday poor, as for the game against sides who are below us in the table and set up for a point or steal 3 this 3-5-2-system does,nt work for me would rather see more men pushed forward because we are a better team on the front foot but a point and 2 of them is better than nought. Looked like a bit of trouble in their end always is with them there Yorkies can,t take tha ale cock.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Missed the game due to golfing commitments in Portugal :)
Was it a point gained in the end?,we move up a place and maintain the gap between the bottom teams.
Was never going to be easy against a physical team who are fighting relegation.
I don't think Yorks position reflects what their capable of,so I look forward to reports before I try another beer :)

Re: Stanley v York.
 

York were poor, We were as bad. simple. They relied mainly on the big hoof up field, There defence seemed to panic when we went forward. we failed miserably to take advantage imho. I said in the opening post expected a tough game, I never expected us to play so poorly though.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

It was a dire performance by us and they were a bit better most of the time. However we need to be beating teams like this to have any chance of advancing. Why JC did not make changes earlier is a puzzle, Gornall took a knock and struggled to run it off yet he was left on until the 90th minute. why make two changes that late in the game? I noticed the Argentine player has not had a look in for while along with other players, I still can not get my head round the loaning of James Gray to Northampton. I am afraid young Windass is not as good or experienced as James grey. I have to say the last few home games have confirmed to me that JC and JB have taken this club as far as they can. We need to move on and up to attract crowds and sponsors. I am afraid while we have the current Manager we will remain mid table also ran's. We would appreciate a few more people at the supporters club Meetings along with a few volunteers for various tasks in and around the club on matchdays. and there are a few admin places people could help with. Contact [email protected] he will be happy to hear from you.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

How did the pitch play Cashy?.i know buzzers missing and this time of the year gets a bit "bobbly"which doesn't suit our style.
Chris,bad example Grey,was brought on with Northampton winning (presumably to hold the ball up)and got beat,whilst windass got us a point !! :)

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Dire game of football.

They played like a team that should be at the foot of the table. If elbows were goals they'd be top of the league - their captain especially was a right dirty ******.

We played like it was a pre-season friendly. No urgency. The players on the pitch with the system played just didn't seem to gel.

Thought the game was crying out for Bruna and McCarten. Thought Maguire was played out of position. Crooks was also there.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Don't think we can even use a bobbly pitch fer n excuse, we were lumping up in the air mostly anyway. Why again the liverpool lad was substituted defies logic, he did make n error early doors, fer which Atko berated him,but after that had a very good game i thought.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

We don't normally play that way,did we get dragged into their way of playing?,wasn't surprised with a draw,but must of shown a bit of character to get a point

Re: Stanley v York.
 

We did it from the off, no good blaming York, To be honest when we got the freekick,i said to wynonie hope Joss takes it. Why 2 subs wi 3 mins to go and 2-1 down? Thats not good management by any stretch.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Sorry, Football19, but we didn't show much at all, today, especially quality. Windass got us out of gaol and York must be feeling sore that they didn't go home with all 3 points, bad as they were. We were so wasteful of numerous attacking positions and just seemed to pick the wrong options with the final balls into the box. Over hit, under hit, too hurried and no composure. Our two late subs were ridiculous. Ok, I undertand where Coley is coming from when he says the selected 11 should be able to last the full 90 minutes when we are looking good, but not to change things when our play is so dire is beyond belief.We have now conceded more goals than any other team in this division, but Coley said not long ago that our defence is the best he has ever worked with!!! Funny old game.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

One point saved is better than nowt but, according to the Beeb website Stanley had 9 shots to York's 19, and only 3/6 on target!
Are those figures an accurate reflection?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Don't know, but I can't remember their goalie making any saves.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Wasn't counting mate, but sounds about right, we were dire.:(

Re: Stanley v York.
 

A bit unfair really, He was on a loser from the minute he stepped on the pitch.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

A bit unfair really he never had a chance from the minute he stepped on the pitch. I think he simply fell foul of the Coleman way.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Your always fair in your assessment redraine and I must admit I've never been a fan of three at the back and wing backs.
For me it creates problems when you come up against three forwards (4-3-3) as your wing backs get pinned back.
It's also an easy outlet for the opposition to play into the corners.
Young windlass is not an out and out forward so it ends up 3-6-1 !!,or 5-4-1 .
Give me 4-3-3 any day,but we would struggle getting all our best players on the pitch so it's a tricky one

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Today I meant Chris !!!,by the way I like him as a player :)

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Good point, however the attendance figure suggests the crowd have been priced out.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Disagree, to me the attendance figure suggests we aint winning. A winning side anywhere n crowds come.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Not for £20 a time cash unfortunately.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Pretty much yeah - very disappointed with our performance but at the end of the day relieved to take a point from the game, it's never pretty against York & good result seeing as though they're fighting for their lives, how much difference 12 months can make, who's have thought they were in play offs last season

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I think it is more accurate to say they have taken the club as far as it can be taken, without another even more loaded fairy godmother - remembering we've had two of those already, one to get us where we are today in the first place, and one to fend the taxman off when the first overreached himself.

Mid-table in League 2 feels pretty good given my lifetime (64 year) timescale.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

...and mine too, Chimer. Remember this time 50 years ago? Div 2 Lancs Combination football at a slowly-disintegrating Peel Park?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

...and mine too, Chimer. Remember this time 50 years ago? Lancs Combination football at a slowly-disintegrating Peel Park?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

First thing where the hell do we get theses stewards from, there were a group of kids near us only looked about 10 stood there with balaclava on n cigarette in mouth, reported to a steward and they just said we've not seen it we can't do anything, secondly why the hell is Naismith still getting picked he's a useless, lazy lightweight fairy surely we have better on bench, whatever happend to bruna and rest of midfielders that coleys signed, a crowd of 1400? When half the cow shed were empty and the main stand had tons of empty seats, surely we're meant to tell the tax man less not more

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Unfortunately could not make the match today for family reasons, but, if Adam Buxton is fit again, why was he not picked or even on the bench? Or is this a case of the 'Messiah' trying to weed out all of Beattie's signings to replace with his own? Apart from the odd one or two, the team is taking shape around Coleman's signings and they aint mustard. I also agree with others, why oh why is Bruna not playing or at the very least brought on as a sub?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I think everyone can see the Coalman is trying to weed out the Beattie Boys its just a shame a many of the replacements arnt up to it, and before JCs Stormtroopers come on and defend him - 4 wins in 19 games is not an improving team.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

In quality terms, yesterday was the poorest match of the season at home so far!
Did someone say that Buzza was missing? The pitch was not up to his usual standard as it was very dry and the surface was quite bumpy. I would have expected Buzza to have watered it before the match and also at half time.
I am not sure about the current formation particularly defensively. Cal is good when he attacks their full backs as a winger but he is a liability when he attacks their winger from a defensive position! In my opinion Cal should be a full out winger with Pierro doing the same on t'other wing but with them allowed to switch wings too! Pierro was our biggest threat again yesterday even though he didn't get that much ball.
Terry did quite well first half until he took a heavy knock. He was a ghost in the second half and we should have subbed him by 55 minutes with Shay coming on.
I believe that it is our midfield where we are weakest. We lack any real combativity and pace and the number of times this season that I have seen us concede goals when opposing players have waltzed 50 to 60 yards straight down our centre highlights this deficiency. We have played our best and got our best results when we have defended with a higher line with our midfield 'pressing' our opponents in their own half.
We need proper full backs.....Liddle on the left and Deano on the right with Rob and young Jones at centre back with crooks as the deep midfielder to help defensively with headers from their goal kicks and long clearances.
Maguire played better in the first half yesterday but drifted out of the game later on.
Well, it was a poor match but at least we didn't lose and we gained another point towards safety.:)
ON STANLEY ON:theband:

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I agree with most of what you say, Choirboy, but no combativeness in midfield? Come on, you had better not let Joyce and Proccy hear you saying that! I think your dislike of Luke Joyce is clouding your judgement. He is an absolute dynamo in midfield, makes more ball winning tackles than any other of our players and is the fulcrum of most of our attacks. No, in my opinion, our biggest failing is in the last quarter of the field where we time and again waste possession in and around the box. How many times did we test the York keeper yesterday in spite of all our pressing? I can't think of one shot he had to save. From what I have seen Bruna has the quality to unlock defences but never gets the nod. Maybe he doesn't understand Scouse? McCarten too isn't afraid to run at defenders with real venom and finish, but giving him only 3 minutes on the pitch is ludicrous.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Funny things, statistics - 3 wins in 9 or 8 in 24 would sound much better, and are equally true. I'll get my helmet ..........

Re: Stanley v York.
 

None of em sound that great imho.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

1.21 point per game this season compared to 1.24 last season, no notable difference in form but significant attendance drops.

Last year over 2k for this fixture, yet below 1,500 this year.

Who will be loaned out next to balance the books?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

The overall figures shown on here the other week, indicated very little difference in attendances,:confused: Yer highlighting 1 fixture, that aint very significant?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

York had 5 ( possibly 6 ? ) shots in the first 10 minutes ......... one being nearer to hitting the "Control Box" in the corner than the goal , looked a nailed on 0 - 0 at half time !

What worries me is that not that long ago we had players prepared to shoot from distance at any given opportunity , now we are "trying to do a Arsenal" and score the perfect goal .

Poor game in terms of the quality on the pitch but strangely I found it very entertaining in the end ( thanks to the late goal ! )

Re: Stanley v York.
 

177 difference is significant between the seasons averages before this game, but what is more worrying is a downward trend in the mean throughout the season. York was citied as one of the good attendances coming up but still ended up well below last season's average.

The extra £3 won't make up for the drop in gates, and fans get into the habit of not going.

Anecdotal feedback from casual fans I have spoken too who haven't gone this season is mainly due to the price hike. The big mistake was not announcing match day prices when season tickets were being sold at £200, I suspect many more fans would have bought season tickets if they knew what going to happen, rather than not just turn up.

I'm pretty sure the club has real concerns about covering its costs hence the fund raising has started doing. Newport on Friday isn't likely to help given the clash already highlighted, but at least the trains are running for Carlisle to bring a few and hopefully sunshine on Easter Monday with no fixture clashes from local clubs.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Thats a point i certainly agree wi, about the price not being announced wi the season ticket price, n i hope the club take that on board fer next term, York last season were in wi good shout of promotion, as opposed to a chance of oblivion this term, so that would certainly impact on attendance from yon i reckon.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

There are probably many reasons for the drop in attendances. The fixtures still clash with the Blackburn ones even though Blackburn are no longer in the Premiership however Burnley are away and in the Premiership. This means that Burnley fans can "watch" the away games online via many of the dodgy streams for 3 pm kick offs. Anecdotal evidence suggests this as I heard a couple of Burnley fans saying that yesterday in the pub.

Midweek games are going against Blackburn home games and live champions league games on ITV. Given the choice most "neutrals" would probably rather watch TV champions league games than head to the Crown to watch Accy on a cold, wet and windy night especially given the Spartan facilities at the ground.

We have to stop convincing ourselves that our name alone will attract people. Some people I have met on my travels didn't even know we were a real team. We have been in the league for 9 seasons now and probably have the longest continuous spell in Leage 2 at the moment as everybody else has either been promoted or relegated. A visit to the crown ground is no longer the novelty it once was for away fans or ground hoppers. If we had played Man Utd then that might have sparked some interest locally but it wasn't to be.

This is probably the first time ever our games are almost meaningless now. We won't challenge for the playoffs and we look safe from relegation, although there is a very outside chance we could get dragged back into it but I doubt it. Meaningless games can lead to poor performances since the results don't appear to matter too much. The way we have been playing recently I might have had second thoughts about Friday if I hadn't booked my day off, train ticket and had a flexiticket. I will be there but I'm not a neutral though and if I had watched most of our recent games as a neutral it would probably have been different.

It's easy to blame the price when the football is poor, the weather is bad and there is something better on TV in the pub. It's easier to say I'm not paying that to watch it when you really mean you can't be bothered. The only magic formula to attract the crowds back is to win games and play exciting football. At the moment we are struggling to do either.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I agree with a lot of posters views and statistics on this thread. Would Beattie have been given the same length of time? I have said previously I am not a Coleman hater or lover but since his return the team has not improved in terms of performance and skill. I find our team warm up routine a joke. why is there no trainer or physio on the field warming up with them? This all points to poor management. I am sorry to say it but it is time for a change of manager, I think the manager has taken the team as far as he can. His failures elsewhere should have sounded warning bells to the board. we need a manager that has some tactical Knowledge and does not hold grudges.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Lets get behind John and Jimmy
They have agreed to do a question and answer session for the OASSC on 9th April
8pm in the Sports Bar

Re: Stanley v York.
 

out of interest have the flexi tickets proved popular? I will probably get one next season.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

i know a few thats got em n are delighted wi em, if that helps.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

They were that good I got two when they were on offer at £135 :D. Handier than a season ticket because I don't just use them myself.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I think they have been very popular this season and I hope they will continue to be so :)

:) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Are you for real? You are entitled to your opinion about tactical knowledge and holding grudges, however that is all it is, YOUR opinion. You talk about John taking the club as far as he can, well let's talk about FACTS. It was John and Jimmy that won 3 league titles and it was the same management team that got the club into the Play-offs the season before they moved on. There's a few whingers on this forum who have it in for him no matter what he does. If he makes a substitution or he doesn't - he's at fault. If one of your favourite players isn't in the team, it's because he has a grudge about them. If it's the state of the National Health System - it's Coley's fault blah blah blah!

No-one has a divine right to win any match in this division but I tell you what - I'd rather have John and Jimmy steering the ship than any other management duo in this league or any other division for that matter!

So go and get your two or three other cronies to "like" your negative posts (they know who they are) from now on - as I'm pretty certain that the true fans understand that everything that John and Jimmy do on or off the pitch is for the continuous improvement for the club.

Keep the faith!

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Well said Mike.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

You will say that obviously being his brother,:rolleyes: n i am certainly no cronie of ChrisR in fact i dont know him. We are all aware what they achieved with a crap budget, I am also aware of other stuff. Its one thing defending yer own, that i understand, But to say true fans will understand, yeh can go suck eggs, I was watching stanley before you were born or had even owt to do wi the club, n i go to most games home n away, so in your blinkered vision i aint a true fan.By the way your post has got a like, but i aint arrogant enough to think or say shakermaker is your cronie.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Having very little budget to play with the ability to tap into the loan system and picking up out of contract players with something left to prove or untapped promise is crucial.

I'm not sure who would do this better than the current manager on the current budget. We can hardly afford Sam Allardyce and his sports science.

If Stanley ever got a bad manager we would go down 15 points adrift.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I certainly am not in favour of change, the club can't afford it fer one thing, I shall continue to support Stanley no matter who is in charge, that dont mean i have to like whoever.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Let,s hope the club do something positive in the close season with season tickets and various other tickets and walk on prices, if JC & JB get the squad they want this year a good start next year which I think they will we might just see a swell of numbers start to creep back. I think early bird tickets really discounted next year could sell in numbers only increasing regular fans and target the young kids with good offers they can become regulars of the future.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

First of all the 3 league titles were the northern premier first division, the northern premier and the conference starting 15 years ago and ending 10 years ago almost. In the football league we have won nothing nor came close to it. We had one good season where we reached the playoffs but mostly struggled against relegation scraping by each season.

When they tried it at a higher level they were found wanting with Rochdale getting relegated and not looking like going back up. The 3 titles they had won counted for nothing there.

That said I don't think we should get rid because I don't think we can do better with what we have because we have next to nowt and don't look like we will ever have much more.

The way things look at the moment the next thing they win may be the northern premier again because I have seen nothing to suggest we will win much in the league. Fortunately we are happy just to be in the league and success for Accy is measured by keeping us in the league. They said themselves when they left for Rochdale that they had gone as far as they could with Stanley and that was why they left or was it just for the money?

It is Dav0 tactics to call everyone who criticizes the management a hater. Perhaps it's just that people are fed up paying good money for the poor fare on offer!

Crowds are dwindling and may get worse unless things improve so how about some performances to get the place buzzing. Keep the faith is a sound bite not a battle cry. Most people still back the manager so rather than moaning about the fans give them something to cheer. Show us the skills that won those 3 titles but in the words of the song "those days are past now and in the past they must remain.." Football managers are only as good as their last game. Fans don't care about what happened over 10 years ago they care about now so talk less and do more.

The murmurings of discontent were apparent on the Clayton end yesterday however it was only a few. Don't let it grow because football fans are fickle people.

The same could be said about the small band of Coley lovers all liking each others posts but fortunately the vast majority on here are just Stanley fans. We will support the club, we will support the team and we will support the manager but don't take us for mugs.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I would also go with earlybird flexis for us out of towners. I wouldn't buy a season ticket because of midweek and friday games and I won't be the only one but I would buy another flexiticket.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I don't have cronies, My views are my own that I have observed with my own eyes from a good vantage point. I used to follow Stanley home and away for the main part of the 90s so I am not a newbie. The club fan base is shrinking weekly, notice how empty the Clayton end is. I would respectfully suggest you remove the rose coloured specs and see what is going on. If you really wanted to help the club then I suggest you join the supporters club and volunteer to help out a bit. or I am afraid the club won't last too much longer on the gates we are getting. A new manager may have new contacts, ideas,strategies, I am afraid we are at that point now where all suggestions need to be considered.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Who do you suggest as a new manager? Charlton Athletic had fans like you in the Premier League moaning about Curbishley, some fans don't realise when a club is over achieving.

Who do you want in?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Its not a new manager the club needs, its new directors who have money to put into the Football Club, Yes the football hasn't been great at times this season but that is bound to happen with any manager at some point!

To blame Coleman fully for the falling attendances is narrow minded to me, Fans don't come because they cant afford to come on, I know a few people who used to come every week but cant because of the price, Is that Coleys fault? Fans don't come because the facilities ain't great for the price we have to charge to try and even keep the club afloat! is that Coleys fault?

What are the directors doing to attract new investors, if anything?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Mike, I do not dislike Luke Joyce. I just don't think he is as good a player as you think.
It is precisely our lack of comativeness in midfield which exposes our back line far too many times during a match and why we give so many goals away. Luke defends far too deep and Procky is not the player that he used to be. Also neither contribute much going forward. How many goals have they scored between this season and in previous seasons? I would expect my best midfield players to be scoring seven or eight goals a season. The lack of threat 'up front' on saturday was because of a lack of support and creativity from midfield. Also because our 'wingers' are being asked to come from far too deep as they are asked to play as 'wing backs'.
You know that my favourite move is for midfield players to get the ball to the wingers who then get to the 'goal line' and then pull the ball back towards the penalty spot, where the midfield players have followed up in support of our front players. Unstoppable! We have only achieved this about 3 or 4 times this season!
So often, when I watch the replay of goals against us on TV, opposing players have run straight through our midfield! Luke Joyce was beaten in a heading duel and then left for pace for York's second goal on saturday by one of their players running with the ball, who then laid the ball off to their right winger, our central defence was stretched and exposed yet again.....some neat York passing .......goal against!!
It is so glaringly obvious to me that we need to 'beef' up our midfield and press a higher line. We probably need to get back to playing a regular formation with proper full backs and wingers in order to do this though.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

At last were back talking football !!
Some good points choirboy, we have missed murphys and Molly's goals from central areas,but for me we just don't get enough shots away and go sideways instead (windass excluded who shoots from 40 yards !! )

Re: Stanley v York.
 

From the limited matches I can get to, I hesitate to get involved much in discussions. However, at Wycombe there were several chances for Kal to wing past the marking fullback and create havoc but intead chose to stop,turn and look for someone to pass to. This says to me that he'd been having to start from too deep and hadn't the energy for a burst of pace. Also, Mingoia (who I regard as our most likely scorer) is not allowed to operate along the oppo penalty box enough because of fetching/carrying duties. As for shots, it seems we don't get into positions for anything other than the high,wide & ugly variety. On target ratio is pathetic in the majority of matches. On the question of subs, if nothing is happening for us, then change with a couple of different style players with at least 20 mins to go. Proper full backs for me please and pace down the wings = they're on the bench !

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Hey, Bob, I thought I might just put on my coat and walk the 300 yards up to your house for a discussion, but a) you might not be in and b) you can't interrupt me on here! You and I are never going to agree on Luke Joyce, but after every game, without fail you tell me "Joyce was defending too deep again". I usually refrain from responding as I'm sure poor Laura doesn't want to hear 2 old gits going at it hammer and tongs.
However, whenever Luke puts in one of his trademark crunching tackles and puts in a slide rule pass out to his winger, left or right for them to get to the byline in accordance to your (and mine) favourite attacking ploy, I always smile to myself about him " defending too deep". With all due respect, it's meaningless.
Footballers aren't static chess pieces, they have to follow the action, or would you rather he stations himself permanently in the opposition half? If he defends "too deep" then that's as a result of the way the formation is planned. Incidentally, I agree that 5-3-2 means our wingers are not deployed efficiently enough and wish we played with proper full backs.
Anyway, I know my footballing experience pales in to insignificance compared to yours (my school 2nd team occasional left winger, as opposed to your fully fledged Stanley reserves from the wilderness years) so maybe you can enlighten me further mate!

Re: Stanley v York.
 

how many season tickets did we sell? that's the starting point for crowds, add on the away fans. It would be interesting to see a list of the 'paying crowd' for each game this season.

The board quite clearly set out their stall with the pricing structure for this season and if it continues then we will continue to see crap crowds. But if the figures support the move at the end of the season then we'll just have to live with sub 1000 crowds

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Well Mike, seeing as you are asking!:rolleyes:
In my experience, midfield players have to be; a)combative, not only in tackling opponents but also in..... b) harrasing opponents even when drawn a bit out of position and.....c) be highly mobile in covering virtually every blade of grass on the pitch.
A winning team will 'command' the midfield, if they don't then the team is going to get pressured constantly in defence and it is only a matter of time/statistics before they succumb and cocede goals. Our midfield seem to me to play too deep and give the midfield away too much. A 4-4-2 formation is often talked about, and yes, you are correct in stating that a formation is a mobile device. eg. When attacking it becomes a 2-4-4 (in its simplest form and variation). Managers often talk about having a 'strong spine' in a winning team....a good strong goalkeeper...two strong central defenders, who don't need to roam about too much except to add weight at attacking free kicks and corners....two forwards who have the 'knack' of poaching goals...but most importantly two central midfielders who run the whole show and should cover more ground than the the other players, eg George Boyd at Burnley who records the most kilometers covered virtually every time he plays!
Earlier this season we seemed to be trying to play a '4-4-2' formation but it seemed to me to be more like a 'square' layout of players with a hole in the middle. More recently with the 3 central defenders and wing backs it has looked like a 'circlular' layout but has still had a hole in the middle! Somehow we need to pick players, or coach them how, to fill that hole, to contribute in an attacking way as well as in defence and then we might have a chance of dominating opponents and take the pressure off our central defenders. Rememeber Coley thinks that this is the best defence that he has worked with, yet we have given more goals away this season than virtually all of the teams in all divisions!
When the team is defending, the midfield players have to be able to 'slot into' the penalty box but be ready to break out quickly. When attacking they have to get quickly up the field in support of the centre forward and even get down the wings themselves in the role of a 'winger'. They should also be capable of scoring goals from shots hit from outside the penalty box and be able to poach goals when they are in the box, thus getting 7 or 8 themselves in a season. How many have our midfield scored this season?
I hope that this clarifies my tactical approach. Of course you need 'quality' players to be able to achieve this and Stanley are always going to struggle to achieve this when most of the players that we sign have struggled to maintain a place at other clubs.
It is wonderful to be a Stanley supporter and to have to fight against all the odds and not be a Man Utd or City or Chelsea fan and just have 'amazing' players bought at the drop of a hat!
Long live the survival of clubs like ours who year in and year out defy the odds!:mosher:
ON STANLEY ON WITH JIMMY AND JOHN:theband:

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Quote:-"midfield players have to be; a)combative, not only in tackling opponents but also in..... b) harassing opponents even when drawn a bit out of position and.....c) be highly mobile in covering virtually every blade of grass on the pitch."
Exactly, Bob. You have just described Luke to a tee! He must put in more kilometres than any other of our regulars, apart from Piero, maybe. Of course, in an ideal world it would be great if your defensive midfielders can score goals as well as doing the tough stuff, but your George Boyd only has 5 goals this season as against Luke's 4. What we need is a combination of Sean McConville (when he isn't having a strop), and Jimmy Ryan, but then you are talking £750,000 minimum. I still think our failings are more down to coaching than individuals, and it is unfair to continually blame Luke Joyce, who for me is twice the player he was a couple of seasons ago. If that's not good enough for you then how come he has been the first name on the team sheet for all our last 4 managers?
Can I still have a lift on Friday night, pretty please?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Don't forget Mike...I really do not have it in for Luke. However, he only fulfils the three criteria to something like 50% in my view. You are probably correct in stating that it is the 'coaching' or the orders to which he is playing but he and our other midfield players could be far more effective if they pressed higher up the pitch. When Luke gets the ball the play too often slows down and he either passes sideways or backwards. Procky doesn't have the guile or skill to create that much going forward and he is losing his physicality and pace these days a bit like Steve 'Stamper' Gerrard! We need midfield players who drive forward and feed true wingers who then get round the back of defenders and unlock the opposition.
I know that it was in non league days but you will remember so well the times when we had Jay Flannery doing the 'driving' and feeding wingers like Russell Payne, Rory 'Diver' Prendergast and Dean Calcutt. Glory days of attacking football with combative domination in midfield eh!:love:
Ok for the lift on friday Mike. Pick you up at 7.15pm.
What about Good Friday? Do you fancy going to Morecambe? ....Fans coach or my car? ......your choice depending on how well you feel.

Re: Stanley v York.
 

You say:-"Luke Joyce was beaten in a heading duel and then left for pace for York's second goal on saturday by one of their players running with the ball, who then laid the ball off to their right . winger, our central defence was stretched and exposed yet again".
Have another look at that mate. That is really unfair. Luke actually won the heading duel, but because he was defending too far up the pitch (!!!) he had no chance to get back and tackle the guy who made the run for them and who had a head start on him. There were plenty of our defenders falling over each other in the box and their final ball into the box should have been cut out, so to blame it all on Luke is frankly ridiculous. Perhaps he should have been defending deeper?!
Cheers for Friday and I'll let you know about Morecambe later. The spirit's willing, but.........

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I've long been a fan of Luke, when we had the play off run in the upsurge in form coincided with Luke getting and staying in the team. Most players of his ilk are there to mop up loose balls and nudge it sideways or backwards to a red shirt facing forwards. The vast majority of the 'ugly' midfielders excel at that but have little else to add to it. If I was being harsh I'd say that he should contribute more towards the goal tally but when you are the water carrier of a five man midfield then surely you are the last in line to have a shot or two?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Didn't they release the season ticket early bird (£200) prices before they released the £20 pay on the day prices? By that point the season ticket prices had gone up to £250.

Would have been better to release the early bird season ticket prices at the same time as the pay on the gate prices, could have swung a few more to become Season Ticket holders!

What do you suggest for next season? Low early bird season ticket price to attract more to buy them and keep £20 to make money off the away fans or lower the £20 walk on fee and hope more fans come!

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I am a fan of Joycy and a lot of his work goes unnoticed .
For me he's the "glue" that keeps the shape of the team and when others get caught out of position he has to make split second decisions as to stick or twist.
He has a lot more in his locker but plays for the team,hence he's first name on the team sheet.
Hes experienced and knows the game,indeed he's a qualified coach !!!,and he's tougher than people think :)
I would like to see him bursting forward but that's not his job in the system we are playing and he is capable of scoring from outside the area as well

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Maybe you should start this off as a new annual ( although it tends to become weekly on here :) ) thread. It's getting lost in a match thread ;)

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Seem's us Wigan based Accy fans are of the same viewpoint on this ! :mosher:

Much better positioned to play "more upfront" when Proccy is in the team as well ....... we might have to battle it out to get over the finish line in the next few weeks ? Should be safe but the sooner the next 6 points are on the board then the happier I'll be .

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Mike. I am not blaming Luke for anything. He clearly tries his best and works very hard all the time and is totally committed to the cause. What I am trying to say is that he could be more effective if he played, or was told to play, differently. ie. In a higher midfield line further up the pitch....'If possible, defend in your opponents half not in our half'. Old saying...... "Attack is the best form of defence".
In the example of York's second goal under discussion...I don't understand how can you say that Luke 'won' the heading duel when he headed the ball straight to an opponent, who then ran fully 45 yards upfield with Luke in his wake. Luke may have got his head to the ball but it went straight to an opponent as it so often does and does with Procky too. Yes, the York lad had a slight start but a player running without the ball should be able to adequately make up ground over 45 yards on a player dribbling with the ball. The final part of the movement for the goal was clever passing by the York forwards and had we finished a move like that we would be chuffed to bits and shouting 'super football'. Of course it is also about picking players who complement each other and who offer different qualities, especially so in midfield. It is good that Josh Windass is starting to get on the score sheet but I feel that he too could play more effectively if he were to try to do the simpler pass instead of trying to produce that difficult 'wonder' pass that we occasionally see from the very top players in the Premier League. When Josh gets the ball he should be thinking of only two things in my view; a) Can I shoot? (Because I do have the power and technique). Or b) I'll just get the ball to Pierro, let him do the 'setting up', and then I'll get into the box to pick up any mishaps from their defenders.
I have thought that for the last two seasons we have not had enough 'shots from outside the box'. Procky scored some super goals of this type in the early part of his career with us but rarely attempts a power drive at all these days.
Just a few of my thoughts on midfield tactics.....but then again I am never going to be a manager!
ON STANLEY ON:jimbo:

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I think we dont shoot enough when the opportunity presents itself, too often we try to walk the ball in, or pass backwards, dont matter if they miss, but law of averages to me say we will score more by doing so?:)

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Agreed, we seem to spend too much time timidly tapping it around in front of the goal. More full-blooded shooting is called for!

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Our shots at goal would put us in the playoffs
Goals scored puts us in about our current league position
But our goals against puts us bottom!!!

FootStats - Complete UK Football Statistics Analysis - League Tables

You cannot read everything from stats, but they make interesting reading

Re: Stanley v York.
 

I have never been a big stat fan Johnc, but i know what i see frequently every week.;) Did our management not say recently, it was the best defence hed ever worked wi?

Re: Stanley v York.
 

He did, but you also said you would never go again with JC as manager

Sometimes we all say things ;)

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Can yeh find that John? I can't remember saying it, this owd age is a bitch.:D

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Bob, you need to get a new TV, mate. Luke DID win his heading duel(dictionary definition "combat between 2 persons"), and the "opponent who then ran" did nothing of the sort, but headed the ball back past Luke to the guy who actually made the run with Luke stranded yards behind. You seem to be implying that Luke should be taking on the whole of the York defence on his own! If you are making your judgement based on where the ball ends up after a heading duel, then fair enough, our defence was caught out, but even such great headers of the ball as Paul Mullin was lucky if 50% of his headers found a team mate, and some of our defenders make an art of heading the ball straight up in the air! I really do know you don't actually dislike Joyce as a person, although your comments in the heat of a game sometimes make me wonder! I just think you are scapegoating him for the team's problems, and it appears the consensus on this thread puts you in a minority of one!

Re: Stanley v York.
 

Hi Mike,
Regarding the dictionary definition you quoted of a "duel".... "combat between 2 persons".
I don't think that Luke was trying to kill one of the York players. At least I hope not!
I also looked up the definiton of a Duel and found this; "Duel" .... "A confrontion between two persons, groups or ideologies".
Surely in the context of a football match the part of the definition that applies is the bit referring to... "confrontation between two groups" ie football teams. With the reason for entering into a 'Heading Duel' being to either; a) Win possession of the ball,.....and/or, b) Stop your opponents attacking your defenders.
So clearly in the context of a football match we lost the 'Heading duel' on both counts.
We could make a right 'good'pair of politicians the way we seem to be able to make 'words' mean whatever we want!
Anyway, we will both be 100% behind Luke and the team, whoever is picked, for tonights important match against Newport.
See you at 7.15pm.
ON STANLEY ON:wave8: