Oxford & Worksop player ratings

Analysis after the analysis

All the player ratings and some analysis following our 2-1 loss to Oxford at the weekend, and (belatedly, apologies) from our opening day 3-1 triumph against Worksop. Josef Yarney fans look away now.

Vs Oxford

Dearnley 6 – Unusually lacking in composure. Got his angles wrong and showed too much of the goal to Parker, who needed no invitation to pick his spot and give Oxford the lead. Also came racing off his line just before half-time to try and thwart an Oxford attack, but got in no man’s land. Max had no chance on the home side’s second, but had a slice of fortune when diverting Tom Scott’s low shot from distance for a corner late on which almost squirmed under his body.

Matheson 6.5 – In the right place at the right time to clear off the line to prevent Oxford taking a 2-0 lead before half-time. Positionally caught out on the Hoops’ second goal after the break though as goalscorer Potter got goalside of Matheson to score. In Luke’s defence, he was trying to support a Silkmen attack and had advanced over the halfway line, only for Whitehead to get dispossessed and Oxford clinically capitalised.

Yarney 5.5 – Needs to shake the habit of appealing for offside and downing tools waiting for a non-existent flag to go up which has cost us goals against Oxford and Worksop. On first viewing, it appeared that Menayese was at fault for Oxford’s opener as goalscorer Parker made his run in behind a seemingly oblivious Rollin to score.

But on closer inspection Parker was Yarney’s man who sprung the offside trap, and as Yarney remained static in appealing for a flag Menayese wasn’t anticipating the danger.

For an experienced defender, Macclesfield’s new centre half has shown some bad habits thus far. Yarney can only get better, and needs to, quickly, given we looked far better when Lewis Fensome replaced him on 71 minutes.

Menayese 6 – Despite Yarney being responsible for Oxford’s first goal, Menayese doesn’t get a free pass because he was so slow to react to Parker ghosting past him to score. But it can’t be easy for Rollin to play alongside a defensive partner who is currently displaying such erratic decision making. Menayese carried the defence against Worksop, but was powerless to thwart Oxford’s quick movement in the final third.

Lee 6 – I can’t recall anything of note he contributed going forward, and the cross for Oxford’s second came from his area of the pitch where he got caught out by the pass to Scott. I do have lingering doubts about Brandon’s positional sense, but right now we’ve got bigger issues to sort defensively.

Dawson 7 – Subbed for Luis Lacey on 71 minutes. The skipper did everything he could to try and get the team going, becoming visibly more frustrated throughout the afternoon. Had an effort deflected over in the first half, and saw his header well saved in the second half. Needs help in midfield.

Whitehead 6 – Danny is rightly adored by many Macclesfield fans, but now at the veteran stage of his career I’m not sure how much he offers either defensively or going forward. Appeared largely anonymous against Oxford on the back of a ‘neat and tidy’ display vs Worksop. Got robbed in possession which led to Oxford’s second goal.

Etaluku 6 – Struggled to create anything of note and wanted to cut infield on the rare occasions he got into the final third from the right wing. Surely it’s worth trying Sean consistently on the left given his fondness for playing on that side? Replaced by Buckley-Ricketts on 55 minutes.

Mellor 6.5 – On the periphery of the game, apart from one enterprising chipped effort in the first half which drifted just wide.

Duffy 6.5 – Similar to Mellor in that he was unable to influence the game. Did have a few attempts on goal which mainly lacked power.

Elliott 6 – Starved of service as Macc lost the midfield battle. Had one attempt cleared off the line in the second half.

Subs:

Buckley-Ricketts 7.5 – Seized his chance off the bench and pulled a goal back with a neat volleyed finish which saw him attack Lacey’s left wing cross. Could have equalized in injury time but couldn’t keep his shot down. Looked a threat though and must be pushing for start against Southport.

Griffiths 7 – On for Whitehead and offered a lot more from the centre of the park. Got the ball forward quickly and almost scored with a rasping half-volley which produced a fine save from the Oxford keeper. Took responsibility well when coming on and has now given Rooney a selection quandary.

Fensome 7 – Only on for the last 20 or so minutes but it was so good to see him on the pitch. He was assertive and positive from the back in getting the ball into midfield with tempo. Harshly lost his first-team place for new signing Yarney, but we look safer when Fensome is leading the line.

Lacey 6.5 – On the field for seven minutes and contributed an assist for his old Curzon Ashton teammate Buckley-Ricketts to open his Silkmen account. Is a handy option to have off the bench given he can play anywhere down the left side and in midfield. Did turn the ball over late on which could have led to an Oxford third, but overall, a good cameo off the bench who positively influenced the game. Another knocking on the first-team door.

Heathcote – No rating. On for Matheson on 88 minutes and played upfront.

Vs Worksop

Dearnley 9 – Very unlucky on Worksop’s goal having produced a wonder save to keep their first effort out. Had made another excellent reactionary tip over to prevent Worksop taking the lead minutes earlier. Aerially was confident and decisive in claiming every cross under fierce pressure from the visitors.

Matheson 6.5 – Recovered well after being poleaxed by a Worksop player in the penalty area following their corner, which could easily have resulted in a red card. Might have done better to close down the winger to stop the cross which led to Worksop’s goal, and was fortunate in the second half when a Worksop player nipped in on the byline when Matheson thought the ball was going out for a goalkick.

Yarney 6 – Stopped playing to appeal for an infringement in the build-up to Worksop’s goal. Had he done what he’s there to do, ie defend, he may have prevented Starcenko from tapping in unchallenged from two yards out. Statistics show that Yarney won only 3 of 15 ground and aerial duels, which highlights how much he struggled against Worksop’s physical forwards.

Menayese 8 – Did his job and Yarney’s in central defence at times to keep Worksop at bay. Made a great block and last ditch interception prior to Worksop scoring. Was unlucky with the ricochet which appeared to come off him which led to the away side taking the lead. Did better against the physicality of Liam Hughes and Jordan Burrow upfront, winning 8 out of 14 ground and aerial duels. Rollin is also credited with the assist for Dawson’s second and Macc’s third of the afternoon, even if he didn’t necessarily know much about it.

Lee 6.5 – Excellent clearance off the line to thwart Worksop going in front early on. Tried to come across from left back to help his central defenders in the build-up to the Tigers’ goal, but inadvertently got in the way. His passing also lacked accuracy, on occasion, completing just 63% of his 38 passes.

Dawson 9.5 – Captain FANTASTIC! Was up against a very capable midfield counterpart in Starcenko who got the better of him early on. Dawson was also beaten to a header by Liam Hughes which saw Jordan Burrows’ effort superbly tipped over by Max. But Dawson gradually grew in stature and got hold of the centre of the park by the scruff of the neck. Excellently timed run and header for the equalizer, a superb assist for Danny Elliott’s goal and scored the crucial third to give Macc daylight. Outstanding.

Whitehead 6.5 – The early exchanges seemed to pass him by and I didn’t think (at the time) Danny contributed much to the overall performance. Other supporters disagreed and, in hindsight, the post-match stats support their view. Whitehead was neat and tidy, completed 46 of his 55 passes (84%), however only 1 of his 5 attempted ‘long balls’.

Etaluku 8 – Sean looks like being involved more in set plays this season. Produced a brilliant pinpoint cross for Dawson to head in the equaliser after a short corner routine with Duffy. Before that, Etaluku almost got on the end of Elliott’s cross at the back post but couldn’t quite make a connection. Sean almost teed up Mellor for a goal in an almost identical move to Dawson’s leveller, but D’Mani couldn’t direct it goalwards.

Mellor 8.5 – Really stood up to be counted when we needed players to take responsibility and carry the fight to Worksop. Showed pace and power to set up Duffy for his effort which was cleared off the line at 1-1. Made another positive break to spray a ball out to the left for Etaluku which almost led to another goal. Might have done better with his header from Sean’s backpost header just before half-time. Was also bright in linking up with Duffy down the left after the break, resulting in Duffy’s jinking run and shot producing a great save. Fantastic energy and workrate.

Duffy 8.5 – A constant menace who on another day might have had two goals. Involved in the build-up to Dawson’s equalizer, had a shot cleared off the line which almost gave Macc the lead, and produced some great skill to drop the shoulder and embark on a jinking run which saw his eventual shot with the outside of his right boot spectacularly saved. Worksop couldn’t live with the fitness and work ethic of the Silkmen and Duffy and Mellor were major reasons for this.

Elliott 8.5 – Danny may have had a quiet pre-season but looked back to his deadly best when it mattered today. Almost played a peach of a ball into Etaluku’s path in the first half which just evaded him, whilst Elliott was denied a goal himself when his shot was brilliantly blocked by a defender. His goal was trademark Danny Elliott – pulling away in the inside left channel, one touch to take Dawson’s crossfield pass and BANG to despatch the ball ruthlessly into the back of the net. Top finish.

Subs:

No ratings. On 87 minutes Buckley-Ricketts, Griffiths and Fensome came on for Etaluku, Dawson and Whitehead.