Altrincham V Chester FC

Not the end of the world. They're just games to get fit and learn what does and doesn't work.

Hmmm, it's only a pre-season friendly. However, not great to see us getting beaten by a team 2 leagues below us, with most of our first team out there.

According to Dave Powell, Hannah 'hoping' to play some part in Port Vale match a week on Saturday, but it doesn't sound like he'll be fit for the opening game to me and that probably goes for Mahon too.

A couple of things from tonight's game and generally as we approach the season:

Alty set up with what looked like three at the back, kept possession for fun. Didn't do a lot with it, sideways mostly, but did look dangerous in wide areas. Always tricky to gauge with friendlies, as you don't know who's fit, who's giving 100% as the games are meaningless
etc.

I do think we need wingers, quite badly. Davies has a decent left foot on him, no question, another good goal tonight - but don't think I've ever seen him beat someone for pace. Mahon played 45 yesterday so I'm guessing it's a safety first approach getting him back to full fitness, Chappell cannot be relied upon for me, not sure whether it's application or talent but the lad just falls short for me. Waters looks much improved but not sure he's there yet in terms of being good enough to start every week.

Would also like to see us playing a different formation. A rigid, narrow 442 in all of the games so far I believe? Surely it's best to try out something different in these games than wait and try something untested in a league game?

On a two year contract none the less.

Agreed here, genuinely don't think this manager will be here come the eleventh game in.. Got a good team here now, but the managerial side is inept. Been proven..

I had similar thoughts after the Hyde game, as they played much better football.

What is it with the hoofball? Is it a genuine tactic or a lack of options for the man on the ball?

A lot of positivity has been generated over the summer, but that will disappear rapidly if we are watching the ball being hoofed towards Hannah's head. If we can't play against teams two divisions below, what chance do we have?

Agree with Si here. Our first (half) team hardly put two passes together. We deserved to be at least two down. Peers scored one, and maybe should have had two more. Without actually playing that well.

We've played the same back four, with the exception of the odd injury, in each game. It's looks as if we will keep the back four intact during games. No overlapping fullbacks etc. They stay as a unit.

The midfield looks really slow, and can't keep the ball. The two wide players tuck in to leave us all standing close together. It may help us be compact, but it's useless when we get the ball, as there's no out ball. James has looked ok. Davies has scores good goals but doesn't look a wide left player. Turnbull should be good, but (for me) looks slow and doesn't move much. There's no pace in that midfield at all. No one tries to get forward and help the strikers. They just keep their shape. A fit Mahon would make a difference. Am I the only one who thinks we improve 2nd half with the kids on in some games.

I thought White might be a good signing, but he looked to be struggling to run last night. Even their centre halves looked quicker than our strikers. The service to them is non existent to be fair though. Why doesn't Akintunde run the channel and we can play him in? He either doesn't run until to late or he gets it with the centre half all over him.

Another concern is we've been the same in every friendly I've seen so far. No variation in tactics or formation, or even personnel really. Except rotating the strikers and (not so) wide midfield.

The scoreline last night should have been more like 4-0 or 4-1, not 3-2. It was similar to Nantwich last season, only worse.

If you were JMc what positives would you take out of last night?

Worse that Halls was the culprit of long balls as he has been our standout pre-season so far. It was a tired, lackluster performance. Am i the only one worried about the players fitness at this stage? Okay we have three weeks until the new season, and it's about getting minutes, but when people look shattered 10 minutes in it's a bit worrying. We played last night, but the maximum play time has been 45 minutes so surely theres no real excuse for that much fatigue playing two halfs in two days? I just don't buy that.

I'm personally glad of the 4-4-2, its simple and JMc should have learned from the second half of last season, not to try over complicating things. Hannah and Mahon are concerns, more so Mahon who just never seems fit any more. We're desperate for a winger with a bit of something about him for me, one that isn't afraid to take on a man and offers a spark. Mahon can be that man, but how often? I'd like to see us dip into the loan market for a young fearless winger. Astles should also forget trying to be smart, and stick to what he's good at, getting the ball clear. He looks laboured and overweight for me, i hope these sports therapists etc are looking into diet.

Not really the type to post on here, more of a viewer but after last night I felt the need to vent my frustration.

We really were terrible to watch, there was no pattern to our play, no controlled passing to feet, no one running off the ball and certainly no attacking threat. Lynch's goal kicks were aimless and often quite wild and rash, too many times did our full back win the ball and then pump a 50 yard punt straight out of play. The game just seemed to pass our midfield by, Turnbull and James just didn't see the ball when really they should be dominating. It was almost like our only tactic was as soon as you win the ball lets see how quickly we can kick it out of play or give it back to Alty. From my view point I didn't see any attacking movement, felt sorry for White and Akintunde who just didn't get any service into them.

On the other hand, I thought Altrincham looked a decent outfit. Their formation caused us problems, 352, as our wingers were so narrow when defending so they kept their full backs as wide as they could go and were always an option. James Poole up top for them looked good, he dropped into areas between the defence and midfield and again made himself available for an easy pass. First half especially it looked like they had an extra man and so much time on the ball, which was a combination of Alty having good movement and us not pressing high enough. Thought overall Alty moved the ball very well but lacked something in the final third, otherwise they could have scored 3-4 first half.

I sat in the stand behind the dugouts and the Alty manager was shouting all the right things, "don't have too many touches, "keep the ball moving" etc I didn't once see our management team offer any encouragement or advice

Therein could lie a problem if we don't get off to a decent start, remember how quickly the general atmosphere turned negative with poor performances coupled with poor results last season.
Then we could rapidly end up in a "vicious circle" scenario with predictable consequences.

Wasn't there last night but when people whose opinions I respect voice concerns on here then I, for one, am just a tiny bit fearful for the new season despite initially feeling positive re. signings etc.
That said, let's not lose sight of the fact that these are pre-season friendlies

On paper, and in my opinion, we look a half-decent team but it counts for nothing if the "management" of the team is suspect but, staying positive, let's see how we get on in the next few days and weeks.

I'll be there on Saturday to see for myself but even then I won't be rushing to judgement on the basis of one or two games

Which only goes to emphasise how short some people's memories are, judging by posts in the thread entitled his name. 

I think what we have to accept is that we have a rather limited manager.

He tried experimenting last season and got found out, so it's only natural that he has reverted back to type.

We aren't going to play attractive football like Altrincham under McCarthy.

What frustrates me slightly though is that if we are going to play this way, why didn't we recruit to compliment the style of football he wants to play? Harry White isn't small but surely a big target man would be your first port of call.

Kingsley James proved last time he was here he can pick the ball off the defence and be the starting point for attacks. I guess when we signed him I was hopeful it was an indication that we were going to start playing that way a bit more this season.

But it is only pre-season so still plenty of time to work on things.

Personally made my views on Chaps quite clear, but i do agree a few bad games and people will be restless at the Deva.

In response to Mancot: I do think the centre back pairing being tired by August is a little extreme. Most clubs have their preferred two CB playing every game of the season together unless of suspension/Injury.