Another away victory at last
Jan 28, 2018 10:59:55 GMT
Russgas, Nortongashead, and 15 more like this
Post by stevek192 on Jan 28, 2018 10:59:55 GMT
At last another away win and adequate revenge for our last defeat which was against Doncaster. No real surprises in the team taking into account that Tom Lockyer was missing with injury. Frustrating that we haven't seen a start for Mensah yet but DC's selection was proved right again even taking into account the very early set back when i honestly thought "Here we go again". The spirit in the side is clear for all to see but the big difference to the first half of the season is that each game now the number of players under performing is one or two whereas in the long run of defeats it was anything between five and nine players below par.
Smith 7.5 The custodian- looking more the part every game. Gone are the jitters of the first half of the season and what we have is a very good League 1 keeper who makes very good saves like a couple yesterday and those saves can be matchwinners. Outstanding save in the first half.
Partington 4 Probably his worst game of the season as got turned inside out on a few occasions too many and was rightly substituted.
Sweeney 7.5 Scored the equaliser but more importantly was back to his best defensively and used his power in the air to great advantage and gave an overall no nonsence performance
Broadbent 8 Just shaded Sweeney for being the best defender yesterday and gave little away. He shows great composure in possession and is starting to really look the part which can only be good for the team
Bola 6 Got beat early on for the goal but I put a lot of that down to the inability of Sercombe to defend and in truth may be more the reason for Brown losing his place because the full back is often left two against one and drawn into no mans land. I have to say that the best performances I have seen from Bola have been at right back where possibly he has to concentrate more. Another great substitution by DC to tighten the team up when we were starting to get overrun.
Lines 6.5 Did quite well in the role that DC required and got from him with a deep lying role and broke up play quite well and mainly retained possession well.
O. Clarke 6 Some good moments mixed with periods where he just seems to go missing but overall an OK performance.
Sercombe 5 Poorest game of the season from Liam who really struggled to get into the game and for me is just not suited to the role that Darrell requires from the left midfielder. Because away games inevitably means we come under more pressure for longer periods it is important that discipline is maintained in the defensive side of the role
Sinclair 7.5 Been very impressed with Sinclair in the top end of the diamond because he never stops running and by doing so is providing the extra player to pressurise defenders and therefore far more of Gaffney and Ellis's runs are no longer fruitless chases and waste of energy. Should have scored in the first half when presented with pretty well an open goal but took too long and was closed down and shot blocked
Gaffney 7.5 Ok he gave some poor balls at times but he also showed some great moments and scored a good goal which for me as a striker means he did his job well. Superb moment in the second half where he turned the full back inside out several times and put a good cross in.I would like to see him and Ellis closer together as per his goal more often because they could have the makings of a good partnership.
Harrison 9.5 MOM Superb is the only way to describe Ellis's performance yesterday and I would go as far as to say that retaining his services are probably more important than keeping Billy Boden. He is at last showing his full potential and kept the home defence busy throughout and how on earth he had the energy left to run from his own half and sprint clear and keep his calm for a brilliant goal I just don't know and i wonder some times how good he could be if he had the luxury that say Kane gets at Tottenham where he doesn't have to keep coming back. That said, how many balls in the air did he win yesterday as I can't remember him not getting to any ball that went near him in either penalty area and he set up Gaffney for his goal as well. Brilliant is the only way to describe his performance.
Subs:
Brown 7 Did exactly what was required of him and steadied the ship and tightened up on a good winger as well as giving us that bit extra to go0 forward.
Menayese 6 This young lad has the looks of a good player and i have to admire the fact that DC has the confidence in him to bring him on at a time when we were getting overrun and he certainly let nobody down. Well worth extending his contract and he really could be one for the future.
Nicholls Not on long enough but did manage to get a strike on goal which the keeper saved low down.
Crowd 8 Good turnout for a cold northern day and following the last away game which was another miles sapping journey. Rewarded this time with a good performance and backed the team vocally throughout.
Ref 7 Gave some strange decisions but I have to praise him for not "giving" any of the home sides penalty appeals. Not that any of them were penalties but there have been quite a few this season that have harshly been given against us and when the home supporters are baying for a decision it is the easy way out to give them. He did not allow Doncaster to get away with blatant cheating particularly their number 9 Marquis.
Doncaster 5 Dominant for long spells and thankfully missed two sitters but we also created a few other gilt edged chances. Typical Darren Ferguson side bordering on cheating with falling antics and sly pushes and certainly a side that is good to put one over on.
DC Again got everything right from selection to brilliant substitutions although personally would have put Mensah on rather than Nicholls but with about 5 minutes to go it didn't really matter who went on! Seems to have turned the corner and if he can persuade a few more signings through the door it will be an excellent start to the year all round. It is important that we do add to the squad because performances in the first half of the season cannot just be forgotten but DC knows this and it is good to see that already he is looking towards next season! The important thing at the moment is to get the four victories as soon as possible that will secure our place in League 1 and hopefully it will be not too far away and give us the chance to make the final ten or so games exciting.
So we come out of January undefeated in 2018 and nearer the top than the bottom for the first time in ages but lets not forget that we have some bloody tough games coming up, particularly at home and can take nothing for granted. We need fear nobody particularly if we have a successful end to the transfer activity. If we get the three players which Darrell has hinted at (possibly two permanent and one loan) then there could be exciting times ahead. Whilst on recent performances it will be tough on players being left out but I am sure the way we are setting up is not exactly what DC wants to do. i just hope that he has been given the backing by the owners to get in the players he feels he needs. Next weeks game against Shrewsbury will be a great test of how far we have come because the last game against them was a slaughter and they have maintained their top 2 position all season and will be a real test. Hopefully new signings will make the team selection next week the toughest decisions DC has ever had to make!! UTG
Smith 7.5 The custodian- looking more the part every game. Gone are the jitters of the first half of the season and what we have is a very good League 1 keeper who makes very good saves like a couple yesterday and those saves can be matchwinners. Outstanding save in the first half.
Partington 4 Probably his worst game of the season as got turned inside out on a few occasions too many and was rightly substituted.
Sweeney 7.5 Scored the equaliser but more importantly was back to his best defensively and used his power in the air to great advantage and gave an overall no nonsence performance
Broadbent 8 Just shaded Sweeney for being the best defender yesterday and gave little away. He shows great composure in possession and is starting to really look the part which can only be good for the team
Bola 6 Got beat early on for the goal but I put a lot of that down to the inability of Sercombe to defend and in truth may be more the reason for Brown losing his place because the full back is often left two against one and drawn into no mans land. I have to say that the best performances I have seen from Bola have been at right back where possibly he has to concentrate more. Another great substitution by DC to tighten the team up when we were starting to get overrun.
Lines 6.5 Did quite well in the role that DC required and got from him with a deep lying role and broke up play quite well and mainly retained possession well.
O. Clarke 6 Some good moments mixed with periods where he just seems to go missing but overall an OK performance.
Sercombe 5 Poorest game of the season from Liam who really struggled to get into the game and for me is just not suited to the role that Darrell requires from the left midfielder. Because away games inevitably means we come under more pressure for longer periods it is important that discipline is maintained in the defensive side of the role
Sinclair 7.5 Been very impressed with Sinclair in the top end of the diamond because he never stops running and by doing so is providing the extra player to pressurise defenders and therefore far more of Gaffney and Ellis's runs are no longer fruitless chases and waste of energy. Should have scored in the first half when presented with pretty well an open goal but took too long and was closed down and shot blocked
Gaffney 7.5 Ok he gave some poor balls at times but he also showed some great moments and scored a good goal which for me as a striker means he did his job well. Superb moment in the second half where he turned the full back inside out several times and put a good cross in.I would like to see him and Ellis closer together as per his goal more often because they could have the makings of a good partnership.
Harrison 9.5 MOM Superb is the only way to describe Ellis's performance yesterday and I would go as far as to say that retaining his services are probably more important than keeping Billy Boden. He is at last showing his full potential and kept the home defence busy throughout and how on earth he had the energy left to run from his own half and sprint clear and keep his calm for a brilliant goal I just don't know and i wonder some times how good he could be if he had the luxury that say Kane gets at Tottenham where he doesn't have to keep coming back. That said, how many balls in the air did he win yesterday as I can't remember him not getting to any ball that went near him in either penalty area and he set up Gaffney for his goal as well. Brilliant is the only way to describe his performance.
Subs:
Brown 7 Did exactly what was required of him and steadied the ship and tightened up on a good winger as well as giving us that bit extra to go0 forward.
Menayese 6 This young lad has the looks of a good player and i have to admire the fact that DC has the confidence in him to bring him on at a time when we were getting overrun and he certainly let nobody down. Well worth extending his contract and he really could be one for the future.
Nicholls Not on long enough but did manage to get a strike on goal which the keeper saved low down.
Crowd 8 Good turnout for a cold northern day and following the last away game which was another miles sapping journey. Rewarded this time with a good performance and backed the team vocally throughout.
Ref 7 Gave some strange decisions but I have to praise him for not "giving" any of the home sides penalty appeals. Not that any of them were penalties but there have been quite a few this season that have harshly been given against us and when the home supporters are baying for a decision it is the easy way out to give them. He did not allow Doncaster to get away with blatant cheating particularly their number 9 Marquis.
Doncaster 5 Dominant for long spells and thankfully missed two sitters but we also created a few other gilt edged chances. Typical Darren Ferguson side bordering on cheating with falling antics and sly pushes and certainly a side that is good to put one over on.
DC Again got everything right from selection to brilliant substitutions although personally would have put Mensah on rather than Nicholls but with about 5 minutes to go it didn't really matter who went on! Seems to have turned the corner and if he can persuade a few more signings through the door it will be an excellent start to the year all round. It is important that we do add to the squad because performances in the first half of the season cannot just be forgotten but DC knows this and it is good to see that already he is looking towards next season! The important thing at the moment is to get the four victories as soon as possible that will secure our place in League 1 and hopefully it will be not too far away and give us the chance to make the final ten or so games exciting.
So we come out of January undefeated in 2018 and nearer the top than the bottom for the first time in ages but lets not forget that we have some bloody tough games coming up, particularly at home and can take nothing for granted. We need fear nobody particularly if we have a successful end to the transfer activity. If we get the three players which Darrell has hinted at (possibly two permanent and one loan) then there could be exciting times ahead. Whilst on recent performances it will be tough on players being left out but I am sure the way we are setting up is not exactly what DC wants to do. i just hope that he has been given the backing by the owners to get in the players he feels he needs. Next weeks game against Shrewsbury will be a great test of how far we have come because the last game against them was a slaughter and they have maintained their top 2 position all season and will be a real test. Hopefully new signings will make the team selection next week the toughest decisions DC has ever had to make!! UTG
