I thought Marshall was overall poor last night.
The issue is that even good players can be made to look crap when there is lack of a coherent system around them.
Last year we had a clear system, for all our limitations. This year we appear to be playing some sort of weird gung-ho 3-4-3 with an ever-shifting cast of wing-backs and wide-forwards. I think he needs to either play a proper 3-5-2 with a settled striking partnership or go to four at the back. 4-2-3-1, as many have said, would probably be a be a good fit for our personnel, particularly now that Ricky is around.
Starting last night without either Watson or Sowerby in the midfield was a recipe for disaster and frankly showed a lack of respect for the opposition. All the factors - weird pitch, non-league opposition, TV cameras - should have screamed out to Curle to pick an experienced side in a clear, organised line up.
Curle's s tactical naivety was staggering, but hopefully it will be the wake-up call he needs.
I have one expectation this year: stay in the league. If he achieves that he'll have done OK in my book. Surely a cup run will generate less revenue anyway given the lack of fans in the early rounds.