Buxton debrief – when do friendlies matter?

Macc searching for the right mix at both ends of the pitch

Listen to any football manager and they’ll tell you the main purpose of pre-season is building fitness levels, getting through games unscathed, and the chance to work on tactics and shape. But aren’t the mental aspects just as important as the physical ones?

Macc’s 2-0 defeat to Buxton was the Silkmen’s only loss in five pre-season outings so far. This has included wins against a Blackburn XI and Stalybridge, followed by draws against The New Saints and, more impressively, against National League side Rochdale last time out.

So why am I getting all hot and bothered by a meaningless defeat to the Bucks?

For me, pre-season is about setting standards, creating good habits, a strong culture, and gaining confidence through impressive performances. At non-league level player turnover is high, so it’s likely that existing squad members will be playing with new teammates, as per the case of Macc who fielded five new signings in their starting eleven against Buxton.

Pre-season is about forming relationships between the players and coaching staff and understanding each other’s strengths. Winning is a bonus, but fostering strong connections and partnerships with your teammates DOES matter. It always matters, and to that end, something seemed a little ‘off’ to me at the Leasing.com stadium on Saturday.

The body language of summer recruits Justin Johnson (withdrawn after an hour) and Danny Elliott suggested one of frustration as they were largely starved of service in the final third. Whilst other Silkmen players, such as Elliott Whitehouse (subbed at the same time as Johnson) and Danny Whitehead (subbed on 69 mins), seemed unsure of their roles in the team.

Understandably, it’s going to take time for everyone to gel, especially when the squad only train together twice a week. In cameos, all of the new players have shown glimpses of their quality in pre-season and should be brilliant additions to Macc’s promotion push which begins at Worksop a week on Saturday, who themselves drew 0-0 against Buxton earlier in pre-season.

The match itself

If Tuesday’s game against Rochdale felt like a cup tie, Saturday’s against Buxton did have more friendly vibes about it. A sedate first half was only livened up by the visitor’s raucous away support which was complemented by a drum.

In truth, on another day Macc may have come away with a draw against their neighbours from National League North who have recently gone full-time. Danny Elliott, who largely fed off scraps, was unlucky when striking the post after a marauding foray from Paul Dawson on 51 minutes. But eight minutes later, the Silkmen trailed. A long ball evaded Laurent Mendy and the Buxton forward gained half a yard to centre for a close-range finish. I’ll discuss the goals and Mendy’s performance in greater detail below.

As we entered the final quarter, Macc were awarded another pre-season penalty after a Buxton defender handled after good hold up play by Elliott. Unfortunately, John Rooney couldn’t convert the resultant spot kick which was kept out by Buxton’s new keeper, True Grant, who has joined them on loan from Manchester City. I’d put this down to a good save, rather than a bad miss. Rooney’s effort, following a stuttered run up, was struck low into the corner but Grant guessed the right way and made an excellent diving save.

Buxton’s second goal of the afternoon with a minute to go was well-worked and clinically finished by former Liverpool youth player, Ethan Fitzhugh – another recent capture, suggesting the Bucks’ recruitment model is favouring youth over experience.

Talking points

·       Where is Laurent Mendy’s best position? Macc are privileged to have such a quality player on their books, but where he should line-up divides opinion amongst Silkmen supporters. Since last season, our captain marvel has been predominantly deployed at centre back after being switched from midfield. Mendy’s athleticism, passing and ball carrying skills undoubtedly make him an asset as a defender.

But while he has the physical attributes and class to star in defence, does he have the positional discipline to flourish at centre half against better opposition?

His decision making played a hand in both of Buxton’s goals. The opener was simply a long ball over the top, but rather than drop back and attempt to clear the danger with his head, Mendy inexplicably tried to clear with his outstretched leg which connected with thin air. He did his best to recover, however the momentum was with the Buxton winger who continued his run forward for an easy tap-in, although Tre Pemberton and Paul Dawson may feel aggrieved that the Buxton goalscorer escaped their attentions.

The visitor’s second was slightly fortuitous in the build-up which began with a routine throw-in on halfway. Mendy had come out of defence to contest a midfield duel, only for the ball to ricochet into the Buxton player’s path. From there Macc were in trouble. Neil Kenghi shifted across to occupy the space vacated by Mendy which enabled the Bucks to slip a ball into Fitzhugh who stroked home. An impressive move from Buxton, but aided and abetted by Macc.

For all his outstanding qualities, Mendy’s lack of positional discipline as a defender is a concern. Although Rochdale’s first goal earlier in the week was largely due to a mistake by Paul Dawson, he was covering for Mendy who had strayed into midfield from the left centre back position he was assigned.

In the interests of balance, Macc did look more resolute playing in a back four instead of a three which has been experimented with so far in pre-season. As a central defensive pairing, Dawson and Mendy impressed as they provided tenacity and looked comfortable on the ball. Which brings me onto another point of discussion….

·       Have Macc signed good players, or good players to fit a specific system?  The summer captures of Elliott Whitehouse and Danny Whitehead have boosted an already talented midfield roster comprising Paul Dawson, Alex Curran and John Rooney, plus we already know what Laurent Mendy brings as a box-to-box marauder.

So what is the tactical plan for Whitehouse and Whitehead? To add further steel to Macc’s midfield which looked a little lightweight when Curran and Rooney played together? To play them as anchor men in front of a back four in a 4-2-3-1 formation? Or another reason?

Elliott Whitehouse

Their arrivals have coincided with Dawson starting as a sweeper in a back three, or as a conventional centre back in a back four alongside Mendy. But this may only be a temporary measure until long-term absentees Brandon Lee and Sam Heathcote return from injury. What seemed apparent against Buxton was that both Dawson and Mendy were Macc’s most energetic players who were prepared to drive forward.

Which poses the question, would they be more effective playing as midfield stoppers in a 4-2-3-1 with new head coach Robbie Savage focusing on signing defensive reinforcements, rather than overloading our options in the middle of the park? Time will tell…

·       How we can we play to Danny Elliott’s strengths? Macc’s new number 9 may lack the explosiveness of the departed Tunde Owolabi, however he’s an outstanding player at Northern Premier League level who thrived in the National League North with Scunthorpe and Boston United.  

Like all strikers though, Elliott will require better service from out wide and our midfielders and defenders to spot the intelligent runs he makes into the channels. Without wishing to insult him, Elliott reminds me of a non-league version of Ollie Watkins – a striker with a decent turn of pace, who works hard and makes darting runs in behind opposition defences. He can finish, too.

In a current 4-2-3-1 setup, Danny will need feeding from the flanks by Justin Johnson and Luke Duffy, and once fit again, he’ll surely benefit from being slipped in on goal by the creative passing from the likes of Alex Curran, John Rooney and the aforementioned Duffy.

It remains to be seen whether Elliott would benefit from being played alongside a strike partner. If so, Tom Clare and Kielen Adams would compete for a starting berth and both bring different strengths to the table – Clare in a target man role and Adams as a quicker, more direct threat.