Costly goalkeeping error but more down to poor finishing

So Finally we got to play the game against Wigan and all I can say is that it was worth the wait because last night was probably our best performance of the season and really it was robbery the fact that we only came away with a point but for all the good points it really showed up why we are where we are as for me it summed up this season- too many poor decisions when it came to the final third and then all the good work ruined by a solitary individual error. I have to say though that some of the football played especially in the first half was sublime and a 3-0 scoreline at half time would not have flattered us. The inter changing passes, the confidence on the ball with all players wanting the ball and wanting to be involved in the flowing football was a joy to watch and it was difficult to see who were the Champions and who were the mid table club. Bennett, Moore, Harrison, Nicholls and Lines should all have come away from the game with at least one goal and Sercombe should have had two. Add in the great 90th minute strike from Browner on his penultimate appearance which the keeper somehow got a hand to turn it onto the post and there you have the real reason we didn't pick up all three points rather than totally blame the poor goalkeeping that allowed a long range shot to beat Slocombe at his near post.

Slocombe 5.5  The team paid heavily for the error where he was slow to get down and all over the place for the equaliser. as they say if a goalkeeper makes an error it usually results in a goal. I wonder if it will cost him his place in the last two games as DC tends to be ruthless when it comes to goalkeeping mistakes as he was on both our keepers earlier in the season. He was far from happy in his interview.My own view is that perhaps he should work harder on taking throw ins as the goal came from our own throw in which as so often happens results in possession lost.

J. Clarke 6  The weak link in an otherwise impressive defence. Gets caught out far too often in my eyes and allows his wingers too much space however due to injuries DC pretty well has no choice and overall he played generally well but lacks both the pace to recover and offers little going forward.
Lockyer 8 Very good game last night both individually and as part of the defence that kept probably the most dangerous forward line in the division pretty quiet all night and restricted them to few chances. the timing of his tackling and ability to read the game were all there to see and for a change his use of the ball was also of a similar standard.
Craig 8 Another who had a very good game  and showed all his experience in the way he calmly defended and made it look so easy. He knows when to go in and when to hold off and he lets the attacker know he is there. he really has shored up our leaky defence to the extent that we generally are only getting breached by poor individual mistakes and are looking solid for most of each game.
Brown 8  Back to his very best which really made it ironic when it was revealed after the game that Saturday will be his last game for the club. He is not going to be easy to replace both in terms of his playing ability and his presence around the club. The use of legend is at times used far too often but Browner is truly a legend in the way he has served our club. Shame his shot at the end didn't produce a deserved winning goal but perhaps that will come Saturday when I am sure he will get a well earned ovation.

Lines 9 MOM  for me Lines performance last night was a complete midfielders one as he stood out as the outstanding player on the pitch. Always available to receive the ball, confidently keeping possession and driving forward and showed his full range of prompting and passing but added into that was the ability to make timely challenges that are not always associated with him. Outstanding.
O. Clarke 6.5  Not sure why he was substituted as he played reasonably well but didn't appear in the second half. battled well whilst he was on the pitch.
Sercombe 8  Great to have him back from injury and was only just behind Lines with his performance. Scored another great goal to give us a deserved lead and what should have been three points. Should probably have had at least one more goal too as he tried to be too clever in the second half with a great run across goal where he had made enough room for himself to get the shot away but delayed it and he was blocked.
Moore 7  Another who worked his socks off and got through lots of good work. he has the ability to retain possession and also put a couple of good crosses in but our problem is when we get good crosses in there is little in the way of challenging for the ball. Since he has been given a regular place for me he has looked the part. he is another who should have scored when he cut inside very similar to what he did Saturday but this time got his shot away but put it wide of the near post. I would certainly retain his services next season although I would be looking to get a new winger in the summer too. Be great to have three wingers challenging each other and being always able to start home games with two wide men.
Harrison 7  Hard working performance but his decision making was questionable and he should have done much better with his finishing especially the chance in the first half where he put the ball wide of the post with only the keeper to beat. I am still not convinced that he is the player to lead the attack as for me he just doesn't get involved enough in the penalty area and maybe he would be better alongside a striker such as Tom Eaves who has presence and power. I even think that with his great improvement this season he could even be played out wide.
Bennett 7.5  Loses the ball sometimes where he holds onto it for too long but that's the sort of player he is and is the most exciting player to watch that we have. Was terribly unlucky again in the first half with a great chipped shot that beat the keeper hands down and hit the post and is always looking to put other players in with clever passing. Really looking forward to seeing him again next season because I believe he can get even better and if we bring a bit more quality in around him then the future is very bright.


Sub: Nichols 6  Played just behind Harrison and this was one of his better performances as he worked hard and looked skilful on the ball but that elusive goal again deserted him and I am not sure if he can become that player who can score 20 goals next season. We shall have to see because I don't see DC releasing him and perhaps he can deliver.


Crowd 7  A good crowd on a dreadful night weather wise but a bit disappointing turn out of away supporters with the position they hold in the league.
Ref 7  Very good performance and got most decisions right and good to have a referee who didn't use the yellow or red cards to control the game.
Wigan 6 Obviously a very good side that deserve to be where they are at the top of the pile. I am not going to say they had a bad night because that would take away from a very good performance by us. It is very easy to assume a team have not played well when perhaps the truth is they were not allowed to play well. The sign of a good team is generally one who picks up points when they haven't had the best of nights.

DC- With what he had available I think he selected the right team and for whatever reason he substituted Ollie Clarke it worked out OK with Nicholls in the second half. I can understand his frustration at the end because that was certainly a game we deserved to win and by a fair margin. He has a big summer ahead of him to turn this team into a "Top six team" with about five new players needed -all to add quality in terms of power and  goalscoring.

We now move on to the last home game and its one we really should be going out to win. UTG