Post by stevek192 on Nov 22, 2014 23:03:27 GMT
For those who didn't attend and yet call for Clarke's head I would suggest they come and watch the game. Ok some will say we should beat teams like Chester and maybe we should but they have won 5 and drawn 1 of their last six home matches and having seen the football they play I am not at all surprised they have such a good home record.
It was a credit to our team that we competed for every ball and I felt controlled the game for long periods but our decision making needs to improve particularly in the final third if we are to press on and compete for the top place or at a minimum the Play Offs.
The team is definitely improving and this was ,in my opinion, one of our best performances with some lovely flowing football. From the perspective of being 2-0 up it was two points dropped but credit must go to Chester for continuing to play football and getting back in the game.
Some are criticising DC for his substitution of Delle Verde however it looked to me like he was limping and the fact he replaced him like for like would seem to be true.Surely if it was a tactical decision it would have been Clarke coming on to tighten up the midfield.
It has to be understood that we have gone through a period of many away games and these are games which we would have lost last season and earlier this season. The real test now is to start winning our home games again and then these draws away from home will be able to be looked on as useful away points. I really hope that we can turn out in our numbers on Tuesday and start a run of victories.
My assessment of the team as individuals today:-
Mildenhall 5 Kicking poor at times and involved in a couple of incidents where he should have claimed the ball including one in particular where he deservedly received a mouthful from Mansell but had no chance with either goal.
Lockyer 5 Really had a tough opponent today particularly second half
and really must improve his distribution but Tom is learning all the time and gave his all to the cause.
Parkes 8 Continues his recent improvement and was a tower of strength at the back. He is bringing the ball out much more confidently now and as a bonus scored the second goal. Long may this continue and Tom can prove his doubters wrong.
McCrystal 5 A steady game but his lack of pace does show at times and he does tend to let the ball bounce too often and then he ends up the wrong side of his opponent. I will not apportion blame on the sticky ten minutes as to be honest it was at the far end and it is difficult to judge who was at fault for the two goals.
Brown 7 Caught a couple of times in the second half but overall he defended ok and got forward well to support the attackers. Rarely gave away possession and gave a good all round display.
Della Verde 7 Another very good performance. Chester could not handle his pace and trickery and must have been glad to see the back of him. I presume he was injured as he seemed to be limping when he came off so I will give DC the benefit of doubt over the substitution. If he wasn't injured it was a very poor decision!!
Sinclair 8.5 Personally felt he had a great all round game. Hassled the opposition all game and was confident in possession and was never frightened to run at the opposition. Was superb in the second half.
Mansell 8 Strong midfield performance from the player who SHOULD be Captain. A driving force both in winning the ball and starting attacks. I think he is a much better player when the reigns are released on the defensive role and he is given the ball to feet and the opportunity to bring the ball forward.
Monkhouse 6 some good link up play with Brown second half
but overall I feel he allows himself to be lost for too much of the game.
Blissett 7 Made a big difference to our play in the way he led our attack and played with far more zest than Brunt. Always looked dangerous , was hard working and held the ball up very well, winning most of his battles and brought other players into the game well setting up quite a few opportunities for colleagues that should have ended up in better shots. Scored a good goal and I am sure there is something there to really build on. He is surprisingly quick for a big man and with a bit more composure he could have had a couple more goals. A good debut.
Taylor 5 Set up the first goal and as usual his general play is good but he is there to score goals and should have done better with a couple of opportunities.
Gosling 4 Did not have the impact of Verde and didn't help that Chester scored their first goal moments after he came on. He slows the game down too much although he did have a few moments of inspiration.. I think Balanta might have been the better replacement- opinion only.
Harrison 3 Didn't really get in the game at all without the presence of Blissett to take the physical attention.
Goldberg not on long enough to judge
. looks very small and I wonder how he will do against what is usually physical opponents. Is he worth a start on Tuesday ahead of Matty Taylor. Personally i would give him the nod because we don't have him for long and the only way we will find out if he can score goals alongside Blissett is to play him
Chester 7 One of the better teams we have played and their passing football was good to watch. The fact we dominated for long spells was pleasing to see and they are a better team than their position in the league shows.
DC 6 i am not going to be critical of a Manager who approaches an away game trying to win it. He is building what could be a very good team and deserves the chance to see how far he can take us. Many seem to forget his inexperience and the difficulty of the task he had. We are proving to be a very difficult team to beat and EVERY player appears to be giving everything for the cause.
Referee 7 Had a good game although was not helped by poor linesmen.
To conclude a good game to watch between two teams who both tried to play the game the way it should be played.
It was a credit to our team that we competed for every ball and I felt controlled the game for long periods but our decision making needs to improve particularly in the final third if we are to press on and compete for the top place or at a minimum the Play Offs.
The team is definitely improving and this was ,in my opinion, one of our best performances with some lovely flowing football. From the perspective of being 2-0 up it was two points dropped but credit must go to Chester for continuing to play football and getting back in the game.
Some are criticising DC for his substitution of Delle Verde however it looked to me like he was limping and the fact he replaced him like for like would seem to be true.Surely if it was a tactical decision it would have been Clarke coming on to tighten up the midfield.
It has to be understood that we have gone through a period of many away games and these are games which we would have lost last season and earlier this season. The real test now is to start winning our home games again and then these draws away from home will be able to be looked on as useful away points. I really hope that we can turn out in our numbers on Tuesday and start a run of victories.
My assessment of the team as individuals today:-
Mildenhall 5 Kicking poor at times and involved in a couple of incidents where he should have claimed the ball including one in particular where he deservedly received a mouthful from Mansell but had no chance with either goal.
Lockyer 5 Really had a tough opponent today particularly second half
and really must improve his distribution but Tom is learning all the time and gave his all to the cause.
Parkes 8 Continues his recent improvement and was a tower of strength at the back. He is bringing the ball out much more confidently now and as a bonus scored the second goal. Long may this continue and Tom can prove his doubters wrong.
McCrystal 5 A steady game but his lack of pace does show at times and he does tend to let the ball bounce too often and then he ends up the wrong side of his opponent. I will not apportion blame on the sticky ten minutes as to be honest it was at the far end and it is difficult to judge who was at fault for the two goals.
Brown 7 Caught a couple of times in the second half but overall he defended ok and got forward well to support the attackers. Rarely gave away possession and gave a good all round display.
Della Verde 7 Another very good performance. Chester could not handle his pace and trickery and must have been glad to see the back of him. I presume he was injured as he seemed to be limping when he came off so I will give DC the benefit of doubt over the substitution. If he wasn't injured it was a very poor decision!!
Sinclair 8.5 Personally felt he had a great all round game. Hassled the opposition all game and was confident in possession and was never frightened to run at the opposition. Was superb in the second half.
Mansell 8 Strong midfield performance from the player who SHOULD be Captain. A driving force both in winning the ball and starting attacks. I think he is a much better player when the reigns are released on the defensive role and he is given the ball to feet and the opportunity to bring the ball forward.
Monkhouse 6 some good link up play with Brown second half
but overall I feel he allows himself to be lost for too much of the game.
Blissett 7 Made a big difference to our play in the way he led our attack and played with far more zest than Brunt. Always looked dangerous , was hard working and held the ball up very well, winning most of his battles and brought other players into the game well setting up quite a few opportunities for colleagues that should have ended up in better shots. Scored a good goal and I am sure there is something there to really build on. He is surprisingly quick for a big man and with a bit more composure he could have had a couple more goals. A good debut.
Taylor 5 Set up the first goal and as usual his general play is good but he is there to score goals and should have done better with a couple of opportunities.
Gosling 4 Did not have the impact of Verde and didn't help that Chester scored their first goal moments after he came on. He slows the game down too much although he did have a few moments of inspiration.. I think Balanta might have been the better replacement- opinion only.
Harrison 3 Didn't really get in the game at all without the presence of Blissett to take the physical attention.
Goldberg not on long enough to judge
. looks very small and I wonder how he will do against what is usually physical opponents. Is he worth a start on Tuesday ahead of Matty Taylor. Personally i would give him the nod because we don't have him for long and the only way we will find out if he can score goals alongside Blissett is to play him
Chester 7 One of the better teams we have played and their passing football was good to watch. The fact we dominated for long spells was pleasing to see and they are a better team than their position in the league shows.
DC 6 i am not going to be critical of a Manager who approaches an away game trying to win it. He is building what could be a very good team and deserves the chance to see how far he can take us. Many seem to forget his inexperience and the difficulty of the task he had. We are proving to be a very difficult team to beat and EVERY player appears to be giving everything for the cause.
Referee 7 Had a good game although was not helped by poor linesmen.
To conclude a good game to watch between two teams who both tried to play the game the way it should be played.