Gives DC something to think about!

 A slightly different type of report for last nights game as looked upon as a "waste of time cup" but IMO if used the right way this could be the most useful tournament we play in this season and after Saturday could not have come at a better time. First thing to make clear is that Yeovil came to win the game by making only one change from the side that took a more than useful point from Exeter and that in itself was a bonus because they provided decent opposition to judge performances against unlike the West ham U23 where it was very difficult  to judge as although technically West ham were very good they lacked the physical side of the game to compete. Certainly Yeovil right from the start made it clear they were not going to be short in the physical department.

Firstly the team sheet and for me it was an interesting line up which indicated that DC wanted to win the game as if he didn't care why play Bonham? Right side of defence same as Saturday Leadbitter and James Clarke, Left side Broadbent and Kelly for Craig and Martin. Midfield was pretty well a clearout with Matthews and Rodman on the wings and Sercombe and Upson in the middle with Bennett sort of hovering behind Jacubiak.
It was an entertaining game from start to finish with Rovers by far the better side football wise and Yeovil having three one on ones with the keeper mainly caused by our own mistakes but little else in the way of chances although they did possess some pacey players but did not present anywhere near the aerial threat of Walsall last Saturday. It is based on how defensively we dealt with the aerial threat of Walsall and how attacking wise we played against Yeovil that I hope DC bases the side for Saturday against a Burton side who I believe we should set out from the start with. If DC just reverts back to Saturdays side then last night was a total waste of time.
So what did I like about last nights performances and which players should IMO keep their place?
Bonham- 8 No question the number 1 keeper who we should try to sign in January. Three superb saves when one against one (despite being a short keeper according to Darren Way) - (the blokes a knob). One poor punch but another inspiring performance.
James Clarke 7.5 Captain last night and gave another calm and authorative performance to the extent that IMO if Tom lockyer is fit Saturday then he should start on the bench although as he has pulled out of the Wales squad it seems it would be morally wrong if he was fit to play for us! I have been very impressed with JC at centre back both Saturday and last night so don't change what doesn't need fixing.
Matthews 6.5 Looks good in control of the ball, covers a lot of ground but his passing was astray on occasions but he does have an eye for a shot and does try to be positive and make things happen.
Upson 8 MOM  Apart from one absolutely awful pass straight to a Yeovil player in the middle of the goal and just inside the penalty area in the first half which Bonham blocked I thought he excelled and was totally dominating in midfield. Always seems to have time on the ball and always looking to be creative and played lots of one twos and regularly brought our players into play without spreading Hollywood passes. Would definitely be my first name  in the midfield Saturday but not play quite as deep as he did at times. When he was a bit further up the pitch he dominated play and showed what a good player he can be.
Sercombe- 6.5 Another who had a good all round game in the central midfield where he should be but the difference was that he played in a disciplined manner that many think he is not capable of and him and Upson combined well although I still feel that he is not up to full fitness but will get there and the goals will come again.
Rodman 7.5 Last night were the first signs I have seen of the player I thought we had signed. A winger who has a bit of pace and a bit of flair to take players on and actually get into the penalty area. Scored the deciding goal although it was deflected over the keeper he did well to break inside past two defenders and get in the position. He worked well with Kelly,looked strong in the air and could easily have ended up with a hattrick when he hit the post in the first half and another shot blocked as well as supplying a couple of dangerous crosses.
Jacubiak 7.5 Scored a cracker of a goal. Showed some tight control and speed and got better as the game went on. Was another who could have had a hattrick with a bit of luck as twice in the first half he cut in to the penalty area and tested the keeper. Got to start ahead of Nichols- every time!

That for me were the star performers last night and as for the others

Leadbitter 6 After Saturday seemed reluctant to cross the ball and although still breaking forward well seemed to want to lay a short ball off in preference to trying to cross. Difficult choice between him and Parkinson for me.
Broadbent 6.5 Did pretty well but not convinced that the partnership with James Clarke really worked To be fair though these games could be the making of him to give him game time because I do think he is improving each time I see him and is a useful squad member.
Kelly 6.5 Had a much better game than his last time out against Bradford when he really struggled against their best player. he can only improve and he formed a good partnership with Rodman and got forward well. I think he is worth persevering with.
Bennett 6 Set up the first goal with a superb pull back to Jacubiak and floated in and out of the game throughout. the positive is that he can be a match winner and is always looking to attack and make runs forward and is capable of beating a player or two. The negative is that he does lack the physique to play a role just behind the main striker and loses possession too often.

Subs  Russe Limited time and didn't really have time to get involved.
         Nichols Again limited time but did his usual and though he looks an ok footballer his first goal of the season looks as far off as ever.
         Moore- Only had about 5 minutes and I don't recall him touching the ball but has the physique necessary and would like to see more of him.

Ref 5 Yeovils no 7 should have been sent off after 1) kicking the ball away 2) Elbow on player-received a yellow but looked a straight red 3) Foul that was worse than the one by Leadbitter two minutes earlier that he received a booking for. Allowed Yeovil to play on when Broadbent was clearly in trouble with a head injury.
Crowd 5 Did their best to support but numbers for this competition are notoriously low and with just over a  1000 it was a compliment that the players were able to give a good game in a half closed stadium with little atmosphere. Probably favoured Yeovil if anything!
Yeovil 5 Quite a quick side who like us missed chances (there's were three glorious chances!)
DC 7 Selected for me a good team set out to win the game but the test is now whether he is going to reward the players who played very well.

So we move on to a tough away game on Saturday but one which IMO we can win if DC goes for it.
Based on last night I would select 
                                 Bonham

__________    James Clarke    ___________   Kelly

Matthews         Upson       Sercombe        Rodman


                          __________


                                Jacubiak     

Subs  Smith    Moore

Based on last Saturday
                             Bonham

_________  James Clarke     Tony Craig    _________

_________  Chris Lines Ollie Clarke   _________

_________       __________

So there are some very difficult decisions to be made. My choices would be between Partington and Leadbitter for right back and I think I would stick with Leadbitter. At left back whilst Martin did ok he was slack on the winning goal Saturday and I would like to see Kelly given the chance to succeed and a Rodman Kelly partnership showed good signs last night so I would go for Kelly. Midfield is the difficult area as last night the entire midfield dictated play well and they were all playing good football which I like but there again Ollie Clarke has been having a good season and possibly Sercombe could play the role behind a striker to make room for one of the two (Lines or OClarke) Right midfield based on the two games I would play Matthews over Sinclair just. The selection up front is whether to play with two strikers or One striker and a player just behind.
Two strikers for me would be Jacubiak and Payne which would result in a straight choice between Ollie Clarke and Upson and Sercombe and Lines. If we play one up then for me Jacubiak and a choice between Sercombe and Bennett.
It is difficult as it is an away game but I would try for a settled formation and go 4-4-2
                                        Bonham

Leadbitter              J Clarke             Craig                 Kelly


Matthews            Upson              Sercombe          Rodman


                          Payne            Jacubiak   (If Payne is unfit I would start with Reilly and Jacubiak)

Subs   Smith    O Clarke   Lines    Sinclair   Partington  Broadbent   Moore

I have put Moore on the bench because I really feel that with 7 subs we should now be using at least one place for a youngster and we seem to have a few very young strikers (Harry Warrick is another who scores lots) Some may say they are far too young but our problem is if we don't give them a chance we will either lose them for next to nothing or never know if they are good enough. I would rest Nichols for a few games. UTG