BAFC V Rochdale.

[McMark]

Exactly Al, A-RH has his detractors, but he plays to a plan that stiffles his natural game. Prefer to see him in a more advanced role if he is to be part of the side.

No qualms at all with Turnbull, was poor at first as he argued and moaned too much but once he knuckled down and concentrated on his own game he was proving what an asset he could be until injury.

[McMark]

No probs with tactics

Not too fussed on them lime and lemon ones!!!

[Alhosk]

They were better and cleverer than us, we'd have had to go some to get a result today seeing how the two teams played.

We could do with a win on Tuesday now as it's been a while. Hopefully the end of the run will allow Cox to shake things up a bit but I'm not sure, I think he'll keep faith with what's got us this far which may see this season tail off a bit.

[Andy]

Their number 14 (Keane) was superb for them today. Did the simple things well didn't try and be flash but snuffed us out.

[Moonwatcher]

No problem with the result - 'Dale looked comfortably two divisions better than us - and no problem with the commitment. What I was disappointed with was the lack of composure all over the park, and a lack of organisation. Five or six players who a month ago were on fire are all well below par at the moment. I agree that the next couple of games are massive because we look bereft of ideas and belief at the moment. This "tactic" of treating the ball like a live hand grenade is looking very predictable and ineffective.

[JimmyCrabstick]

We really didn't create much on the day did we.
Might have been a bit different if Bennet had scored. The best team definitely won.
More important game for us on Tuesday.

[mikemarshhewasgood]

Short notice but maybe time for the club to be a bit proactive and try to capitalise on the extra support today. Maybe adult £10 admission on production of a ticket stub from today's game

[Adam29]

https://soundcloud.com/adam-johnson-898 ... -3rd-round
If anybody missed the radio cumbria interview.
Here is what Paul Cox said to me for Radio Lonsdale/CandoFM

[Hitthebar22]

All the talk about lacking a midfield general is misplaced.
It's so obvious we don't play the ball through midfield, and haven't done since Paul Cox arrived.
We have no centre midfield runners.
Harvey and Yates good spoilers, but not great creators.
Barrow's tactics under Cox are simple. ALL throws go down the line, hoping a defender will have to concede another throw which is then chucked into the opponents box, hopefully for a knockdown in our favour.
From defence the ball goes down the flanks with a view to the same thing happening, or its (usually) lumped up, again with a hope it will be knocked down in our favour.
All our goalies have punted the ball forward at every opportunity, hoping it will be knocked down in our favour (again), rather than having thrown it to keep possession.
We are ok in defence and without the ball, but I'm beginning to think seriously we have a one dimensional in attack in the sense of tactics.
So far very effective in the league because we have been strong, fit and committed.
Wondering if we have been sussed out though, and become easier to play against.
Today a good team coped easily with the lump-it-up-style-of-play.
I so hope whatever it is that's got us where we are keeps going.

[Jonty]

I felt the changes should have come earlier. Other than that, no complaints, best side won so let's get back to league business.

[Optimism]

Thoroughly outclassed, no shame in that. Rochdale were excellent: bold, mobile, cohesive. They had too much quality all over.

Their surges through midfield fed an athletic forward line that pushed and pulled us out of shape. Generally sharper, they had a litany of chances and could've won much more comprehensively.

The loss of Ryan Yates has affected the central midfield blend. The lack of a stable pair was ruthlessly exposed here. Perhaps Akil Wright would've been a better option to start than young Dan Rowe. Wright has some beginnings of an understanding with Harvey and his feistiness in the tackle could've been an asset. I felt we sat too deep first half, facilitating Rochdale's pacy slices through centre field. We needed to be bolder to suppress these, and Wright on the front foot ratting among ankles could've helped. Alternatively, such pressing, if unsuccessful, could've permitted even more heaped pressure on our defence.

In attack, still it's percentage play: sledgehammering forwards through long kicks and throws, gaining territory sequentially and clamping on pressure. We still lack subtlety and sophistication behind our directness. Rochdale were much too robust to succumb to this one-dimensional style - although our forwards received no protection from the officials, with some blatant unpunished man-handling going on. With no extra threat applied through these denied free-kicks, the higher-leaguer's superior quality powered home.

Proud of another fabulous cup run. Today was a free shot, a reward, an occasion. On Tuesday night against Southport, a significantly more important game awaits, one I've been looking forward to more than today's. A return to the normalcy of the league is welcomed, as we resume our season's main goal - a push towards a promotion chance. Continue the committed purpose, judiciously expand a small, tired-looking squad with players of the required technical and attitudinal qualities (crucial) and we can make this a special season.

[Ralph]

Came across these highlights on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6kJiq62hzc

[Jim]

Optimism's summary pretty much spot on. We need to freshen things up, both personnel and tactics. I can understand Paul Cox not wanting to mess about too much with things that have worked so far, but we have been generally unimpressive now for a few weeks. I feel that the 'hoofball' style tends to show a team under pressure - we can play better football when we are confident (eg Lincoln away). In spite of all the high balls yesterday, our best chance came from Bennett running into space and a ball to feet.

It may smack of panic, but I would be tempted to play Howarth in place of Williams and Hannah and Pana up front to give the front two a rest. Give them 2 games against Southport and Matlock and see how it goes.

[Wintergreen]

Based on what I have seen at the FBSS this term, Hannah and Howarth are not National League standard.

[K-Man]

Howarth was out only bright spark.