Result far more important than performance

This could be the most important result of the season because although the performance was patchy we should have been at least two up at half time and then found ourselves behind with the usual defensive calamity and make no mistake a defeat would have been undeserved but an absolute disaster. For a long time I have been crying out for a settled side and from that aspect after a very good performance last week I could not fault DC's selection. From a purist point of view it was an ultra defensive side for a home game with most of the attacking components left on the bench but the plan was obviously to keep it tight as a first target and hit the opponents on the break - it should have worked but for two woeful headers from close range by Bodin and Sercombe that really let Rotherham off the hook and then  a return to defensive calamity to hand the Millers a goal and probable victory. The plan was then put into place to go more attacking although the score at the time of its execution was not pre-planned. Two excellent goals brought victory from the jaws of defeat and whilst it was far from a convincing display it was well deserved and more than anything showed that the rumours of a lost confidence in the Manager are far from the mark. The spirit within the side was always evident yesterday and whilst from my viewpoint it was an "away" performance I could not criticise it in the circumstances as the run of nine defeats in the last ten has been nothing short of embarrassing and seen every bit of self confidence seeped out not only by poor performances but also every decision going against us and not getting the rub of the green in quite a few of those games but especially at Blackburn last week.

Smith 6 Little to do
, took a couple of crosses well and had no chance with the goal.


Leadbitter 8.5 Best game this season. First and foremost he put in a generally good defensive display but also provided the width to good effect personified by two  superb crosses in the first half that both should have seen the net bulging and numerous forages forward that kept the Millers busy. 
Lockyer 7 Did a good job generally on Moore and more like the player that we became accustomed to last season. it wasn't a faultless performance by any means and distribution could have been better but let's be fair and say Keiffer Moore is an awkward customer and at 6ft 6 was always going to win some balls in the air but was well marshalled . Personally I still feel the added pressure and responsibility of captaincy should be moved on.
Sweeney 7 Solid and much nearer his true form but couple of poor decisions
led to mistakes and a booking but for much of the game he looked assured and helped restrict Rotherham to very few chances.
Brown 6.5 Similar to Sweeney really in that he was generally solid and although he was missing on their goal that was down to tactics rather than poor defending as if he attacks then it is down to Lockyer and co to organise the back line.


Partington 7.5 Good positioning and organising
. Personally I feel the wrong player was substituted and it is my belief that the midfield should be built around him and that he should captain the side as he was vocal throughout and did a very good job both in winning the ball and distributing it. There are many things about him that remind me of Mansell and whilst I would still be looking to bring in another midfielder I feel Partington is capable of becoming a regular, given the chance.
O. Clarke 4 Booking summed up. Yard off pace. Little participation
and really does need to sort his game out. On current form the best he can hope for is a place on the bench come January
Sinclair 6.5 Workmanlike and did a job
. Must admit not what I would want to see in the long term with Ollie Clarke and Partington as far too defensive a unit but the thing about Stu is that he is 100% committed and will give everything to the cause and is capable of filling a couple of positions and as such a valuable member of the squad in the long term.


Bodin 6 Ring rusty and not at his best (Certainly not Mom) but a player you just can't leave out because defenders know they have to mark him and often that takes two players to do which means more space for others to exploit. His skill makes him a danger throughout
and he could easily have had a hat trick yesterday. we really must do everything to keep him.
Harrison 9 MOM Great all round performance Good goal, good set up for second
and a player who is on fire at the moment and really starting to fulfil his potential. defenders are now finding him to be a canny opponent whether out wide or in the centre.
Sercombe 7 Missed an easy header but took his goal like a striker . Always prompting but most important of all he always looks likely to score. Far better in a central role IMO but at present it really is a case of him or Lines as in the current set up the inclusion of both makes us unbalanced as without at least one winger there is always a need to push full backs forward and therefore need a defensive edge to the midfield.


Subs: Gaffney 7 Very unlucky not to be starting
, His performances generally have warranted a start and I have little doubt that if we were not conceding so many goals we would be able to go more attacking and behind Harrison he is our best attacker. He made a big difference yesterday when he came on and immediately looked dangerous.
Lines 6.5 Made us a more attacking unit but cut down on Hollywood balls

Nichols NOLE



Crowd 8 Made up for low turnout by never turning on the team

Ref 8 Despite reputation and being over fussy he gave a good account of himself

Rotherham 5 Rank average and certainly look well below the eighth position they hold.

DC Got the tactics right and deserved this result and you could see the pain on his face when we went 1 down. There is no doubt he is a gashead through and through and what he has achieved for us means he deserves the right to see us through this terrible run. I don't know if this game was the turning point but what it enables us to do is go into next weeks game with a bit of confidence restored and hopefully give a good account of ourselves. In the long term I think we are four players short  of being a reasonable side who could go into home games particularly with an attacking outlook.

What do I think DC would do in January if there were no restrictions and all the conditions to enable him to wheel and deal were there. My thoughts on the squad would be

Goalkeepers Smith and Slocombe- Keep as they are both capable average League 1 keepers
Defenders  Leadbitter, Lockyer, Sweeney, Broadbent, Brown, Bola keep. Release James Clarke,Jonny Burn , Sign a Commanding centre half
Midfield Bodin, Sinclair, Lines, Sercombe,Partington keep . Release Moore, Loan out Ollie Clarke, Broom and sign two wingers and a central midfielder.
Forwards Harrison, Gaffney, Nicholls Keep. Send Telford back Sign a new Striker

As for next Saturday I would not be disappointed to see an unchanged team but with Gaffney in up front and Ollie Clarke dropped to the bench. UTG