Post by hanham on Oct 18, 2014 17:16:28 GMT
For what it is worth here is my take on todays game:
Player Ratings
Mildenhall
Had a usual steady game. Forced, as usual, to make some good saves by poor defending. Time and time again he was lucky not to have seen rebounds from his saves picked up by FGR attackers as the Bristol Rovers back line were sluggish to pick up the loose ball. Only criticism is his distribution which, whilst sometimes poor to lack of options, was a poor in kicking. FGR easily dealt with the long ball linear play which seems to be Rovers only tactic al'a the John Ward school of football tactics. 7
Brown
Good defensively but struggling to make the connection with both Monkhouse and then Martin today. Very predictable when either pairing comes face to face with opposing midfielders and more often than not the ball becomes dead or passed back. Suffered greatly today because the usual energy force that is Tom Lockyer was banned. Also fair to say, as with the rest of the team, suffered under absolutely atrocious Officials and diabolical decisions. 5
Trottman
Another totally committed performance with a few mistakes which were mainly due to him having to be everywhere and making challenge after challenge. Missed an open goal at the back post and headed over. Probably the most complete performance from the back four but still struggling to deal with the loss of cover Lockyer provides. Was also the victim of some atrocious refereeing decisions and completely unprotected by officials. 7
Parkes
Very brave today and picked up another head injury. Battled well and had a fair share of success but, at times and as been the norm of late, was guilty of very poor distribution both of the boot and head. 6
Leadbitter
Had some good runs with the ball today and offered the only pace in the game until Harrison came on. Sending off looked a typical poor decision but could not see clearly enough to be sure. Still looks scared stiff to put in a tackle at times. 5
Clarke (replaced by White after around 80' mark)
Gutsy brave and determined performance but unfortunately about the only one in the quarters during the first half. Much the same second half and made some strong challenges and bursts and had he found a little more space looked favourite to blast in a shot. 6
Monkhouse (replaced by Martin early on)
Awful, sorry but I find it hard to see him as either a winger, playmaker or holding midfield. Looked uncomfortable with the ball and was a mile off play. He may have been injured, and that would be the only excuse. Went off and was replaced by Martin which would indicate he either was injured or picked one up early in the game. 2
Martin
Showed some good pace but was occasionally let down by poor control. Stood off his man to much and quality of crossing was poor mostly. Missed an open goal with a diving header right across the face of goal. Cannot see him coming back after his loan spell expires, especially if the mythical Balanta ever starts and manages a half decent performance. 4
Gosling
Undoubtably has skill and does have a good cross and ability to cut in. Failed to produce anything from a fair amount of possession today and failed to make any meaningful tackles though did track back well at times. With the lack of skill, pace and energy in other parts of the team at the moment, for me, is a total luxury player. 4
Mansell
Ran his heart out today and tried to hold a open and poorly performing midfield. Only his energy along side that of Clarke provided some resistance and the occasional forward pass. Cannot win games on his own. 5
Cunnington
Very poor performance by his standards and another player who missed an open goal. Got massively abused with shirt pulling and being barged off the ball unfairly. Offered zero protection by Officials who were either completely incompetent or corrupt. 4
Taylor
Time has run out. Clean though with a stranded keeper and blasted over. Also missed several other good opportunities. Whilst I believe he is a committed player he is definitely not a 20 goal per season striker. After seeing Norwood again today who was crafty, annoying and quite skilful with a good footballing brain I seriously believe we signed the wrong FGR striker. To be honest I would swap Cunnington and Taylor for Parkin. Old and Fat but still a difficult footballer tom play who demonstrated the art of shooting today. 3
White
Not enough of the ball to rate.
Harrison
Came on and proved tricky for the FGR defence. Should have started instead of Taylor. Looks a reformed character who wants to win and will put himself in there. Shame certain elements of the (former) Blackthorn still find it easy to boo and insult him. 6
Unfortunately we played against fourteen today. How Officials can be so shockingly biased and bad is quite incredible. Surely Rovers video the games, who maintains and monitors the standards on behalf of the Conference? All that said we played against a FGR team today who were switched on, pacey and committed. We looked vacuous and inept for most of the game and with suspensions and injuries starting to play a part and force DC's hand the fragile and light weight nature of the squad is becoming painfully apparent. Many players were outfoxed by niggly and nasty tactics which FGR played with great confidence and effect. We cannot afford to miss open goals, I counted at least four chances today which were harder to miss than score. I hope Clarke has some competent signings lined up over the next seven days, without them we are probably going to struggle against any team in the top two thirds of the table.
Player Ratings
Mildenhall
Had a usual steady game. Forced, as usual, to make some good saves by poor defending. Time and time again he was lucky not to have seen rebounds from his saves picked up by FGR attackers as the Bristol Rovers back line were sluggish to pick up the loose ball. Only criticism is his distribution which, whilst sometimes poor to lack of options, was a poor in kicking. FGR easily dealt with the long ball linear play which seems to be Rovers only tactic al'a the John Ward school of football tactics. 7
Brown
Good defensively but struggling to make the connection with both Monkhouse and then Martin today. Very predictable when either pairing comes face to face with opposing midfielders and more often than not the ball becomes dead or passed back. Suffered greatly today because the usual energy force that is Tom Lockyer was banned. Also fair to say, as with the rest of the team, suffered under absolutely atrocious Officials and diabolical decisions. 5
Trottman
Another totally committed performance with a few mistakes which were mainly due to him having to be everywhere and making challenge after challenge. Missed an open goal at the back post and headed over. Probably the most complete performance from the back four but still struggling to deal with the loss of cover Lockyer provides. Was also the victim of some atrocious refereeing decisions and completely unprotected by officials. 7
Parkes
Very brave today and picked up another head injury. Battled well and had a fair share of success but, at times and as been the norm of late, was guilty of very poor distribution both of the boot and head. 6
Leadbitter
Had some good runs with the ball today and offered the only pace in the game until Harrison came on. Sending off looked a typical poor decision but could not see clearly enough to be sure. Still looks scared stiff to put in a tackle at times. 5
Clarke (replaced by White after around 80' mark)
Gutsy brave and determined performance but unfortunately about the only one in the quarters during the first half. Much the same second half and made some strong challenges and bursts and had he found a little more space looked favourite to blast in a shot. 6
Monkhouse (replaced by Martin early on)
Awful, sorry but I find it hard to see him as either a winger, playmaker or holding midfield. Looked uncomfortable with the ball and was a mile off play. He may have been injured, and that would be the only excuse. Went off and was replaced by Martin which would indicate he either was injured or picked one up early in the game. 2
Martin
Showed some good pace but was occasionally let down by poor control. Stood off his man to much and quality of crossing was poor mostly. Missed an open goal with a diving header right across the face of goal. Cannot see him coming back after his loan spell expires, especially if the mythical Balanta ever starts and manages a half decent performance. 4
Gosling
Undoubtably has skill and does have a good cross and ability to cut in. Failed to produce anything from a fair amount of possession today and failed to make any meaningful tackles though did track back well at times. With the lack of skill, pace and energy in other parts of the team at the moment, for me, is a total luxury player. 4
Mansell
Ran his heart out today and tried to hold a open and poorly performing midfield. Only his energy along side that of Clarke provided some resistance and the occasional forward pass. Cannot win games on his own. 5
Cunnington
Very poor performance by his standards and another player who missed an open goal. Got massively abused with shirt pulling and being barged off the ball unfairly. Offered zero protection by Officials who were either completely incompetent or corrupt. 4
Taylor
Time has run out. Clean though with a stranded keeper and blasted over. Also missed several other good opportunities. Whilst I believe he is a committed player he is definitely not a 20 goal per season striker. After seeing Norwood again today who was crafty, annoying and quite skilful with a good footballing brain I seriously believe we signed the wrong FGR striker. To be honest I would swap Cunnington and Taylor for Parkin. Old and Fat but still a difficult footballer tom play who demonstrated the art of shooting today. 3
White
Not enough of the ball to rate.
Harrison
Came on and proved tricky for the FGR defence. Should have started instead of Taylor. Looks a reformed character who wants to win and will put himself in there. Shame certain elements of the (former) Blackthorn still find it easy to boo and insult him. 6
Unfortunately we played against fourteen today. How Officials can be so shockingly biased and bad is quite incredible. Surely Rovers video the games, who maintains and monitors the standards on behalf of the Conference? All that said we played against a FGR team today who were switched on, pacey and committed. We looked vacuous and inept for most of the game and with suspensions and injuries starting to play a part and force DC's hand the fragile and light weight nature of the squad is becoming painfully apparent. Many players were outfoxed by niggly and nasty tactics which FGR played with great confidence and effect. We cannot afford to miss open goals, I counted at least four chances today which were harder to miss than score. I hope Clarke has some competent signings lined up over the next seven days, without them we are probably going to struggle against any team in the top two thirds of the table.
