Source: FOOTYMAD
Sturrock defends dropping Sawyer against Shrimps
Gillingham visit Roots Hall Tuesday while we travel to Lincoln City next weekend. Morecambe 2 Southend United 1. Gillingham visit Roots Hall Tuesday while we travel to Lincoln City next weekend. Morecambe 2 Southend United 1. Blues boss Paul Sturrock had some explaining to do after his side's poor performance at the Globe Arena Saturday afternoon that resulted in 1 2-1 defeat and dropping five points behind the play-off pace.However, what really surprised the travelling faithful was the decision to drop hard working midfielder Lee Sawyer before the game, especially for the underwhelming Louie Soares, especially for an away game. Sturrock explained: "We played 4-4-2 at Rotherham and Oxford and won and I tried three different formations to get us going in this game. I felt Lee's performances in training hadn't been up to standard so that's why I left him out but when he came on he did very well and sometimes managers are made to look silly. I will be having a chat with him and he's certainly given me food for thought for the game with Gillingham on Tuesday." Lee was more underwhelming in training than Mr. Soares. What has he got over Luggs?And in those games we had a fully focused Ryan Hall on song and on fire, not on bail, as well as, importantly, a fit Bilel Mohsni.Then there's the missing Kane Ferdinand. Luggy must know how he allows the midfield to play with more freedom as he protects the back four. No Ferdy and with Captain Craig and Sawyer both pushing forward gaps will appear as in Northampton's opening goal last Saturday, tell the Shrimpers skipper to drop back or play Miguel Comminges in the Ferdy position. We all appreciate what the Scotsman has done against the odds but he can't help messing around with the formations, Crewe at Roots Hall anyone, when keeping it simple with these lads is ofeten the best way to go.Anyway, all this theory is fine and dandy on a Sunday afternoon but is wasted if you're defence can't keep out set pieces on a regular basis. Sturrock continued: "I thought we had got that out of our game but it has reared its ugly head again. You can't give goals away like we have and win the game and it was a frustrating afternoon. We did OK for the first 10 minutes of the second half and equalised from a penalty but other than that I thought we looked leggy and I will try and put my finger on why we were so indifferent." Not sure how long we can keep going with the 'leggy' thing, and unless we see a new face or two by Tuesday it's going to be tough enough against seventh placed Gillingham, and then it's Steve Tilson and Lincoln City next weekend!
