yeah we weren't great first half but we certainly were not battered. Kyerewaa had a great chance that he fluffed.

much improved second half, made some great chances and could have done more.

Subs actually changed things - Kelvin dropped off Marriott and was free to roam, wingers pushed very wide.

Happy with a point.

I thought that cross wasn't really in his reach and he only just got a foot to it, but couldn’t control and certainly couldn't shoot first time. And the defender always looked like cutting it out from reaching Marriott. Assuming we're talking about the same one.

A fair few of us mentioned tweaking the formation to a 4-2-3-1 and fair play to Hunty for switching it up and it does seem to suit the players better and Doyle looked good as the No10 having that free role. I would like to see Elliot given the 10 spot ahead of Doyle purely as he is our player and the position could be his long term.
Also thought Dorsett had an ok game at CB his preferred position especially as he is quicker than the other options. Overall a hard well earned point with slow positive progression.
We are getting close to ten games now and the bottom half of the table is looking a bit more as predicted preseason. I think we will end up mid table once these players gel and the formation becomes more natural to the players. Onwards and upwards

One comment I still find tiresome is "we could have been 3-0 by" or "play like that every week and we'll lose consistently".

This is our third season in L1; get used to the fact we don't have clinical opponents and we have lots of room for error in our performances.

Speaking of cliche fan comments, the amount of times I've seen "We're bound to give someone a battering soon"

Based on what?

Nobody has mentioned our keeper who once again pulled off some great saves.
He is so good at this level that our fans take for granted that he will make at least 3 outstanding saves every game to such an extent that he barely gets a mention.

A very welcome point from a game that we managed to keep in despite Stockport making near all the running in the first half.

Hunt stays in the job for a bit longer.

Just seen the one on one they missed, that was a big let off.

885 made the trip today.

I thought that cross wasn't really in his reach and he only just got a foot to it, but couldn’t control and certainly couldn't shoot first time. And the defender always looked like cutting it out from reaching Marriott. Assuming we're talking about the same one.

Maybe. There was a pause when no-one reacted to the mis-control. Not a dig but I can see this being one where the 'TV' view would certainly be clearer.

Just remembered their one on one.

Also agree with the comment on Pereira making three + solid saves .

Poor first half. Stockport constantly got down the sides and we were lucky that they didn't really have a final ball.

Second half much better, with the 1v1 miss and subs and subsequent tactical changes being the turning point. Dominated from then on other than the lad on their right giving Jacob a torrid time, if the lad had a final ball he wouldn't be playing for Stockport I suppose.

Pereira - Couple of good saves. One bad kick in the second half that put us in trouble, but old reliable other than that. 7

Ahmed - Wondering what happened to the calm composed lad against Portsmouth. Kept over committing and getting the wrong side of his man. Good cross that Kyerewaa couldn't make the most of. 5

Burns - Improving week by week. Good display from him and can't think of many mistakes he made. Strong in the air and didn't get beaten on the ground. 7

Dorsett - Shaky start but Improved. Good to see some pace back there again. 7

Jacob - Thought he was decent going forward. He is a bit of a calamity at the back if the ball is on the ground as he seems quite decent in the air. Lost the ball for their goal. 6

Lane - Quiet again. It quite clicking yet. 6

Wing - Better today. Some decent interceptions. Forward passing not yet fully up and running. Maybe calm down with the Hollywood balls. 6

Savage - Again, better today though not quite his usual energetic self still. Hopefully his excellent pass out to Ritchie for the goal will give him confidence. 6

Doyle - Looked pretty good again. I think he might start scoring a few once he gets the first one. Certainly confident on the ball. 7

Kyerewaa - Wrong end of the ground so couldn't see if he messed up or the ball wasn't quite right. Works hard, but very little quality around the opposition box. 5

Marriott - Thankless task for the first half with the ball being pumped up at an idea height for their 33. Much better when he had Kelvin up with him and took his goal well. 7

Subs:

Abrefa - Shirt should be his for next Saturday. Calm and assured. 7

Ritchie - Just very assured and you can see why he played at a high level for so long. Excellent cross for the goal. 7

Kelvin E - Worked hard and really helped Marriott to have him up there. Hope he gets his goal soon. 7

O'Mahoney N/A
Stickland N/A

For such a good turn out there was pretty much no atmosphere until the goal.

It's one ground I won't be going back to, Stockport seem to go out of their way to make the experience as dire as possible. How hard is it to have a price list outside the food kiosk? You to queue up, peer inside at a TV on the LH wall and decode it within 5 seconds before it changes. I bought the most expensive meat and potato pie ever - £5.75.

Fortunately it didn't rain till later as there is no cover at all, I thought that was a league requirement.

Seen from a few angles now and that assist from Ritchie was obscenely good. Not another player in our side who could do that

Surely he must be ready to start a game soon - been here a month now.

For such a good turn out there was pretty much no atmosphere until the goal.

Having an open end terrace doesn't help but it did feel like apathy had set in early in the 1st half where we were absolutely miles off it and barely created a chance. Second half we definitely improved and a well taken goal from Marriott from an outstanding assist from Ritchie.

Similar to Bolton it was a good point although the performance certainly for first 50/55 was poor.

Having now watched this back...

Thought we lacked a bit of commitment to make a challenge in the area for their goal, everyone seemed intent on standing off and letting them play (possibly where we'll miss Williams / O'Connor).

Thought the 1 on 1 looked offside, although hard to judge, got away with one for sure.

Feel Ritchie's first touch off his chest, and then the pass with the outside of his boot, were worthy of someone who has played the majority of his career in the top flight. Felt Marriott's finish was superb also.

I still think that we're a striker short of what would make me feel comfortable. MOM is not ready yet to lead the line, I'd send him back to Brighton in Jan.

Reckon there’s a fair chance both MOM and Doyle will be recalled from the loan

Doyle having a similar season as he did at Exeter(?) last year and he went somewhere else second part of the season

Finding Doyle an odd one. Ovbviously got bags of talent, and two good feet. Good first touch and passing. Decent pace... but I'm struggling to think of an occasion he's beat anyone.

Seems to be ahead of Elliott now. So not sure he’ll go anywhere in Jan. But agree MOM isn't looking like he's worth a squad place right now.

Off the top of my head, I think Brighton recalled him last year due to lack of game time. I think we’d be happy enough to keep him but I don’t think they will be

And tbh not all that bothered. Bring in Sackey instead.

Well certainly the next 10 games will be important to that.

My gut says he'll start most of them.

Elliott forced his way into the side, then played badly and has been dropped. And we ended up playing KelvinE and MOM in his position when Doyle came off rather than bringing him on. Seems behind Fraser too.

Elliott’s a weird one - was being hailed as our best player 5 games ago. Had an awful game against PV (I think it was) then another dodgy game and then right out of favour

Suspect he won’t be here next year either

He may go on to tear it up with another L1 side, but actually I suspect he'll be one of those players who it never quite comes together for. Has 3 or 4 clubs where fans know he has potential to be the best but fitness and form prevent him from consistently showing it.

That was all rather premature based on one excellent sub appearance.

I may be unfair here, but Elliott and Doyle look more concerned about their YouTube reel than their work rate and contributions to team performances.

I'm not sure I know what this even means.

I think Elliot thrives when he is played consistently and not in and out with cameo sub opportunities. At this point in the season, I don’t think anyone knows what our best team is. Over the last two seasons, it has largely picked itself.

I think our goal on Saturday is one of my favourites in a while. Just a really quick, well worked move to manufacture a clear chance. The sort of goal you see on MOTD regularly and which a PL fan wouldn't bat an eyelid at, but which is rare at this level.

Much more satisfying than a Wing screamer.

Agreed - my favourite goal this season

great pass from Savage followed by a very sweet ball from Ritchie followed by a clinical finish Marriot. Very nice goal. Midfield still looks leakier than a sailors arsehole though.

And yet his best performance was a sub appearance vs Bolton, followed by three league starts in a row which were at best mediocre and in one case dismal.

Take your chance or lose it, seems not unreasonable in this case.

Agreed - my favourite goal this season
I had a feeling there was another class team goal I prefered, but now no idea what it was. And looking back at the league highlights, can't find it, so maybe I was dreaming. Cup game maybe? Or a shot that didn’t go in?

Agreed - my favourite goal this season
I had a feeling there was another class team goal I prefered, but now no idea what it was. And looking back at the league highlights, can't find it, so maybe I was dreaming. Cup game maybe? Or a shot that didn’t go in?

2nd goal in the League Cup v Wimbledon?