Books and covers - key talking points from Basford win
1-0 scoreline masks Macc’s dominance over NPL strugglers
A win is a win. But what makes some wins ‘better’ than others, and what defines a ‘good’ performance over a ‘bad’ one when securing three precious points?
Often, our immediate reaction as to how well Macc have played is influenced by the scoreline, whether we’ve attended in person or listened to match commentary remotely. Beyond that, perceptions can be formed based on the league position of the opposition. The poorer the team (on paper), subconsciously the higher the margin of victory should be for the Silkmen at this level, in theory…
And so, at face value, the Silkmen’s 1-0 win over struggling Basford suggests a mediocre day at the office for Robbie Savage’s NPL league-leaders. I’d like to challenge that view to the contrary, if I may.
The relegation-bound visitors may be 23rd in the league and now on a winless run of 11 games, nine of them defeats. The Nottinghamshire club are also onto their third manager in a month after dispensing with Luke Potter minutes after the final whistle, despite the rookie boss only taking the reins on Boxing Day following Martin Curruthers’ resignation. Talk about gratitude, eh?
The Silkmen had already trounced Basford 5-1 on their own patch in September, but only after going in level at half-time and surviving a scare or two along the way.
But judging books and covers in football is never an exact science.
Basford, with ten men behind the ball for the majority of the game, provided stubborn if limited opposition which made for a frustrating spectacle. The Silkmen ultimately needed a solitary strike from Luke Duffy on the half hour mark to seal the win, and with it, edge Macclesfield ever closer to promotion from the Northern Premier League.
Although Macc were slow out of the traps and didn’t have a shot on target until the 21st minute, this was still an impressive and dominant display, particularly in the second half where they laid siege on Basford’s goal. Let’s’ take a look at the overall match stats:
Attempts on target: Macc 4, Basford 0 (Duffy, Mendy, Mellor, Elliott)
Attempts off target: Macc 13, Basford 1 (Elliott 6, Mellor 3, Duffy, Dawson, Rooney Fensome)
Big chances: Macc 3, Basford 0
Corners: Macc 8, Basford 5
As the stats highlight, Macc had 17 efforts in total but less than a quarter of them were on target. They also spurned three guilt-edged opportunities. Danny Elliott could only find the post from six-yards out following Sean Etaluku’s centre, and was also guilty of firing wide when sent clear by a peach of a through ball by Neil Kengni. His strike partner D’Mani Mellor was also responsible for an unbelievable miss - failing to convert from point blank range after the keeper had spilled Elliott’s shot.
Between them, Danny and D’Mani have registered 42 goals for the Silkmen so far this season and been fantastic, but Saturday wasn’t their finest hour. On another day, Macc could and should have won 4-0. And had they done so, I doubt that many people would have criticised the performance.
Here are the stats from the Silkmen’s previous two games against Gainsborough (4-0) and FC United of Manchester (2-0) where Robbie Savage’s men have received widespread praise for their performances.
Gainsborough match stats
Attempts on target: Macc 7, Gainsborough 3
Attempts off target: Macc 1, Gainsborough 3
Corners: Macc 1, Gainsborough 7
FC United of Manchester match stats
Attempts on target: Macc 6, FC United 6
Attempts off target: Macc 6, FC United 7
Corners: Macc 4, FC United 4
Against Gainsborough, Macc were clinical and scored from half of their attempts on goal in arguably their finest performance of the season. The story was slightly different against FC United, where the Silkmen capitalised on two defensive errors to score and dug in at the back to keep their first clean sheet in six games. The FC performance was considered a job well done, despite the Silkmen being (at times) second best in midfield and not at their scintillating best in the final third.
However, based on the statistics above, I’d argue that the Silkmen’s performance against Basford was strong, but for some wayward finishing. And it was night and day from the Leek horror show on Boxing Day where Macc were outrun, devoid of attacking ideas and sloppy defensively.
Perhaps it was the perception of Basford being a terrible side which meant that the scoreline (1-0 to Macc) was elevated over the team’s general performance when assessing how well we played?
Regardless of which side of the fence we all sit on, we can all agree that this was a huge three points for Macc. We now have 72 points with 13 games remaining, 16 clear of Guiseley who refuse to go quietly after their sensational 4-1 triumph at Worksop. Guiseley still face a mountainous task to overtake Macc at the NPL summit, but having gone 16 league games unbeaten with two games in hand they will fight to the bitter end, especially given they still have the Silkmen to play at home in April.
Player ratings vs Basford
Dearnley 7.5 – Max’s 16th clean sheet of the season and his easiest one yet. Basford managed only one effort in the entire game which didn’t trouble Macclesfield’s keeper. Reassuringly, he was commanding when coming for crosses on the rare occasions the visitors threatened.
Fensome 7.5 – deputised at right back again for the suspended Tre Pemberton. Not as effective going forward as Tre but sound defensively. Had one effort on goal when he latched onto Mellor’s cutback, inadvertently taking it off Duffy who might have been in a better goalscoring position.
Menayese 7 – home debut for the Silkmen’s new centre back. Steady enough against a limited attacking threat. Did make one error when getting caught in possession by Basford striker Jordan Hallam and had the covering Brandon Lee to thank for bailing him out. Started in a back four and found himself on the left in a back three when Savage changed tactics in the second half. Looks a threat from set plays.
Dawson 8.5 – restored to the line-up following suspension and justified the manager’s faith in him. Calm and purposeful in defence and broke into midfield on numerous occasions. Thwarted Basford’s only sight of goal late on with a magnificent block to prevent the attacker getting a shot away in the penalty area.
Lee 8 – another 60 minutes under his belt until he was replaced by Kengni. Linked up well with Duffy in the first half as most of Macc’s threat came down the left flank. And as mentioned, showed great awareness to get Menayese out of a sticky situation with a fine intervention after the ball was turned over.
Rooney 8 – better set plays today highlighted by some clever short corner routines. Upped the tempo in the final third which led to the Silkmen’s winner.
Mendy 9 – fantastic. Revelling being back in midfield and was energetic but defensively disciplined all afternoon. It was his run which opened up Basford for Duffy’s goal and he bossed the midfield with Rooney throughout the game.
Etaluku 6.5 – worked hard and tracks back diligently, but his creativity was erratic in the final third as he seemed confused whether to go on the outside or cut inside. That said, he was involved in the initial build-up to the goal and should have had an assist only for Elliott to hit the post from close range. Booked on 63 minutes and subbed for Justin Johnson two minutes later.
Duffy 8 – excellent, first-time strike for Macc’s crucial winner and always probing down the left. Not as influential as he was at Gainsborough, but always likely to fashion an opportunity against stubborn defenders. Eight goals this season, all in the league, and his crucial goals have won us all three points against Worksop, Workington and now Basford.
Mellor 6.5 – uncharacteristically selfish on occasions, but perhaps this highlights his brimming confidence after banging in the goals lately. Had one effort saved, but should have converted the rebound after Elliott’s shot was fumbled only to sky it over the bar.
Elliott 6 – had seven attempts on goal, but only one of them was on target from Macc’s ace marksman. Somehow struck the post with the goal at his mercy from Etaluku’s centre, and should have hit the target when latching onto to Kengni’s excellent through ball. Has scored some brilliant goals this season, but still can be more clinical in the six-yard box.
Subs:
Kengni 8 – replaced Brandon Lee after 60 minutes. Usual bundle of energy and played a cracker of a defence splitting pass to send Elliott away but the striker couldn’t take the chance.
Johnson 6 - on for Etaluku on 65 minutes but failed to seize his chance. The right midfield slot is currently up for grabs, but neither JJ or Etaluku are doing enough to make it their own.
Alex Curran and Sam Heathcote (no ratings) – introduced in the 81st and 89th minutes for Duffy and Elliott respectively.
Other key talking points
Dawson returns to the starting eleven
Head Coach Robbie Savage made a difficult decision to restore Paul Dawson to the starting line-up for the unfortunate Sam Heathcote following the Silkmen’s back-to-back victories and clean sheets. Dawson, back from his latest suspension, may consider himself fortunate to waltz back into Macclesfield’s defence and retain his captaincy.
But Savage is judged on results, not morality, and there’s no doubting that a fit and focused Paul Dawson should be one of the first names on the Silkmen’s teamsheet. And after magnificently leading Macclesfield to 16 points clear at the top of the NPL, Savage has also earned the right to do things his way.
However, in a candid pre-match interview with the Mixlr commentary team (have a listen, it’s available via the app), Savage stressed that he has warned Dawson in no uncertain terms about his future conduct, and has challenged the skipper to prove in the remainder of this season that he can be trusted to lead Macc in the National League North, if we get there. Savage also pointed out that he was booked over 100 times in his own playing career but only sent off once because he ‘knew where the line was’, in contrast to Dawson who has too frequently fallen off a tightrope with referees.
Dawson certainly justified the manager’s faith in him against Basford, expertly marshalling the defence and making one superb block late on as Basford almost got in on goal. But most pleasingly of all was when Dawson failed to react to a Basford player attempting to get in his face and goad him in the second half after the Silkmen skipper had shepherded the ball out of play. Dawson has been on the end of some criticism on this website (and lots of praise, too!), so it’s only fair that he is acknowledged when also keeping his temper in check.
The enigma that is Sean Etaluku
Sean is a young man learning his trade in football with obvious potential. That said, his erratic displays do make it difficult to assess how high his eventual ceiling might be. He was signed by Savage after tormenting the Silkmen when playing on loan for Matlock from his previous club Barrow. But I think it’s fair to say that he’s struggled to replicate that swashbuckling performance for Matlock in a Macclesfield shirt, so far…
Etaluku has found the net twice in 14 appearances and impressed in cameos. He possesses frightening pace, a direct playing style but encouragingly also shows a willingness to work hard for the team and fulfil his defensive duties. He’s recently featured on the right of midfield, however he seems more settled when he’s been playing on the left. On Saturday he frequently struggled in the final third, seemingly confused as to when to go on the outside or when to cut inside, even forgetting to take the ball with him on occasions. I don’t know whether that’s a confidence issue, or simply down to an inexperienced player having an off day.
Clearly, Sean is a rough diamond and an exciting project for the coaching team to mould and improve. It will be interesting to see how Etaluku develops and if he prospers as a winger, or matures into a marauding wing-back given his defensive qualities.