Well that went to script, fairly even first half Atherton just shading it, second half looking tired!
Then Duckworth skied a penalty won after good work by Harrop and Hoyle (if everyone worked like Hoyle we would be ok), then Ben limps off and cue total implosion as the midfield stops working.
Defence give the strikers a free pass and in 15 mad minutes Atherton score 3 and could have been worse.
I think the fans have it right that our midfield isn’t right at all, Harrop is no winger, Brazel did ok but his early booking cost him.
Jim tires and Bott is simply not fit enough all this compounded by playing 4 centre backs meaning few attacking ventures from fullback means the midfield has to do it and they don’t have the skill sets, so it ends up being unbalanced and ineffective.
Then look at Atherton, their no 8 sat in and pulled the strings they looked balanced and had pace on the flanks! It’s not hard football if you recruit what you need to make a balanced side. We definitely need Hamman, Jones and Edwards back but still need more than that especially a holding midfielder baller, a centre back with pace and maybe a right back, although I’d convert Hamman to do that role.
A lot of work to do for Ben and team to turn this round, let’s hope they can!