Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:54 pm
A classic tale of two halves, really. We were very poor in the first half - no pace to our play and largely relying on a dull, direct game which almost paid off when I felt Macken should have done better with his chance. Still, it negated 2 of our 3 most dangerous players with Gray and Cook having an ineffectual first half and asking a lot of Macken and Grigg against a rough and tough pair of centre backs.
Second half was vastly improved, with Gray and particularly Cook seeing a lot of the ball at their feet in dangerous situations. Laird came into the game more as it moved on and, whilst I thought he was poor again, Richards was heavily involved. Gray could have been used more effectively still, mind. We played much the better football in the second half, looking to get it down on the floor and work openings. Grigg and Macken impressed and worked hard.
We should have closed that game out, and the blame must lie with the manager for being caught, understandably mind-you, between going for it and resting on what we had. For what it is worth, I'd have made a double substitution when Morais was dismissed - Gharbasin for Richards and a striker for Grigg to stiffen the midfield and show that we were going to take the game to Oldham. As it was, Smith's substitutions were still positive but I felt they came a little late in the day again.
Big praise for the back five - Taundry looked the part which was really pleasing to see, and Williams is rapidly moving himself into 'must-keep regardless' territory. I've rated Lancashire from the first game I saw him, and was delighted to see a commanding performance alongside Butler.
Cook and Laird stood out from the middle four, the latter again doing a lot of the donkey work infront of the defence which often goes unnoticed. Richards is shot unfortunately, I'd certainly move him out of the team on Saturday. Gray suffered from being on the end of tons of long balls in the first half and not much at all in the second.
So nearly an ideal day; I brought along a Liverpool supporting Manc and a Villa fan, both were impressed with the following and our second half display and were as deflated as everyone else when the equaliser went in. You can't legislate for a bit of class such as the goal was, but we should be closing a game like that out against an underwhelming Oldham side. Twice this season they have been there for the taking, and twice we have failed to capitalise.
