Player Ratings: Scunthorpe United vs Bristol Rovers (RESULTS

Belshaw 6 - not sure if he could have done better for that first goal. Otherwise not a lot to do.

Hoole 7 - Looks a really good player in the making. Strong and athletic and was getting down the flank to good effect.
Connolly 6 - Generally calm and composed until the final minutes.
Taylor 7 - a real leader at the back. He got his head on everything. A bit jittery at the end, along with the rest of the back line.
Grant 8 - excellent performance. Skilful, pacey and composed.

Coutts 6 - some good work alongside some sloppy work. Had a war of words with Barton just before half time.
Finley 7 - should have scored but otherwise a very good all round performance. We missed him when he came off.

Nicholson 7.5 - great assist and should have scored, too, when set up by Collins. Worked tirelessly for the team but could have cut out the cross that led to their first goal.
Evans 6.5 not as influential as he has been but still moments of quality and great work to win and convert the pen.
Thomas 7 - no doubting the quality this lad has, but he is very much still learning the game and is constantly being talked through the game by Barton from the touch line. Playing in a fluid 3 behind a striker suits his game. Some great runs and a lovely assist for Clarke’s goal.

Collins 6 - a good all round game but in truth he should have had at least two goals and he needs to sharpen up his finishing.

Subs: Anderton 5 - looked good going forward initially but suspect defensively.
Clarke 7 - that’s how to finish! Great to have him back.
Pitman nole

Ref 6 - was strong early on to resist the Scunthorpe calls for Grant to be booked.
Scunthorpe 4 - lacking in confidence, they were outclassed but showed a little bit of fight at the end which they will need to build on if they’re going to have any chance of staying up.

Belshaw 7 - Good display

Hoole 7 - good display
Connolly 6.5 - not as good as the rest of the back line but ok performance
Taylor 7.5 - untroubled and commanding
Grant 8 - very skilful and good going forward

Coutts 6 - did what he had to do
Finley 6 - can play better but is key to us performing well and progressing up the table

Nicholson 6 - glimpses of brilliance but missed two good chances and could of defended better for one of their goals
Evans 6.5 - influential but can play a lot better
Thomas 7.5 - very disciplined in his display and gives us some flair as well

Collins 6 - showed that he can be a danger to opposition defence but cannot afford to miss as many chances

Subs: Anderton 5.5 - started well but then poor as most of their good moves came down his side at the end of the game
Clarke 7 - if our other attackers could finish like him then we would score goals for fun
Pitman nole

Ref 7
Scunthorpe 3

Belshaw 6.5 didn’t do much wrong apart from he
could have done better for the first goal.

Hoole 7
Connolly 6
Taylor 7
Grant 8 brilliant first goal and played very well

Coutts 6.5
Finley 8 he was everywhere but should have
probably scored from his great chance

Nicholson 7.5 brilliant contribution for the first goal
but could have done better with Scunthorpe’s first
goal. Could have also put away his chance!
Evans 7 had a good game and good penalty
Thomas 9 MOTM good long short which was unluckily
deflected, good assist for Leon Clarke and played
very well

Collins 6 Did well to create chances but could have
bagged a hat-trick

Subs: Anderton 5
Clarke 8 brilliant goal and it was lovely when he
hugged the physio
Pitman nole

Ref 6.5
Scunthorpe 6

Belshaw 7 Did everything confidently, made a decent save for their 1st goal before they scored the rebound, could do nothing about the 2nd

Hoole 8 Very calm and assured on the ball, and solid defensively as well
Connolly 6 A little shaky I thought but did ok
Taylor 7 Won absolutely everything in the air, a couple of dodgy moments on the ground
Grant 8 Great game bombing up and down the left hand side and a good finish, what on Earth did he get booked for?

Coutts 7 Just steady all round
Finley 8 Same as above but better, more running and more creativity, looks a superb box to box midfielder, be surprised if there’s many better at this level

Thomas 8.5 MOTM Just edged MOTM for me over a couple of the others. He tried a few things that didn’t quite come off but looked very confident running at players and trying to get a shot off. Even put a shift in a few times working back as well. Think there’s a class player in there so hopefully he’ll go on a good run now
Evans 7 Thought he had a quiet game really but pretty faultless and took his pen well
Nicholson 7.5 Did very well for the 1st goal and showed his classy touch on a couple of other occasions. Just wish he had the confidence to run at players more like he did for the first goal, he’s obviously good enough to do it but seemed to go for the easy option a few times last night instead

Collins 8 Absolutely ran his socks off up top and looked very dangerous as well. The only reason he wasn’t MOTM was because he didn’t put any of his chances away when in reality he could’ve had a hat trick. Love the look of this front 4 though

Anderton 6 Thought he started really well attacking down the left side but a bit all over the place defensively at the end
Clarke 6.5 Won a couple of things in the air and took his goal well, didn’t touch the ball much other than that
Pitman NOLE One things for certain, him and Clarke just can’t be on the pitch at the same time, it’s got to be one or the other as it was like playing with 9 at times towards the end last night

Ref 3 Thought he was pretty shocking really as was the linesman at our end. The amount of times they just looked at eachother cluelessly before guessing which way (and normally wrongly) was worrying for an official in the professional game
Scunthorpe 3 As bad as the ref. With how far they are adrift and what we saw from them last night, I think they’re destined for non league barring a miracle

Belshaw 7 good to see him rollock the defence when they lost him his "clean sheet" bonus


Hoole 6
Connolly 6
Taylor 6
Grant 6


Coutts 6
Finley 6


Nicholson 7
Evans 6
Thomas 6


Collins 7


Subs: Anderton 5
Clarke 6
Pitman -1


Ref 6
Scunthorpe 3