Back to back League wins-First this season
Dec 27, 2018 12:06:02 GMT
Russgas, northseagas, and 2 more like this
Post by stevek192 on Dec 27, 2018 12:06:02 GMT
The title really sums up why we are where we are this season and also for me is the main reason why the decision to part company with DC was the right one but unfortunately was probably left about a month too long as there has been no consistency in performances this season both individually or as a team. IMO the defeat to a poor Barnet side in the FA Cup should have signalled the end for DC and given the club more time to both move on and improve. I would also add that the total failure of forwards to score goals or really hit any sort of form makes me thankful that Marcus Stewart made the decision to go as well. I saw no potential as Manager in Marcus and maybe that is harsh but I just couldn't see it but that is not to say I won't be proved wrong in the future. It is just my opinion.
So what does GC bring to the pot? For me it is too early to make the appointment permanent although it must be said that the longer it goes on and should victories continue the more difficult any other appointment is going to be. Imagine say we have two victories in the next two games and then the Board appoint somebody else and the first game under the new person we lose? How big an influence has GC been on the change in fortunes and more importantly as I see it and my one slight doubt is does he have the knowledge of or the connections needed to make the two or three signings that are necessary to completely change the season around? I really don't know what the answer is and the only comparable situation I can think of goes back to the appointment of Dennis Rofe way back. Whatever decision is made IMO it must be made soon to get the most advantage during the window. Of course should we lose our next couple of games then the decision would be that much easier because whatever happens we are probably always going to be asking What if?
Bonham 7 Did very well early on with a reflex save after a header hit a post and probably one of the few bits of luck we have had this season and also with another couple of smart saves low down. Apart from that and the goal he had very little to do as the defence generally did a sound job to deal with a team who put a great deal of emphasis on an aerial bombardment. Should Bonham have done better with the goal conceded? I think possibly yes as he seemed very flat footed and slow to move but it was an exquisite finish and not easy to track with Kelly quite tight to the man.
J. Clarke 7.5 Another strong all round performance from Mr dependable.
Lockyer 8.5 Got better and better as the game went on and is really finding his form again. Scored a good first goal from close in to become I believe our top goalscorer this season- who would have thought that? Competed for every ball and more than held hid own in tough battles.
Craig 8 Same as Lockyer again but Tom edges it because of the goal. He didn't win every ball because with opponents so direct and physically strong he was never going to manage that but he gave as good as he got and in all honesty both he and Locks won their battles more and more as the game went on and ended up well on top.
Kelly 7.5 One of his best games and IMO it is all about partnerships and he has built up a good one with Holmes-Dennis both defensively and in their attacking understanding to the extent that we may at last be able to forget the loss of Lee Brown. Some of the passing exchanges between them reminded me of the best Monkhouse/Brown era and this could well be the one that takes us into the future. I still have the feeling that Holmes-Dennis could end up at left back with a new recruit in front of him but I have no complaints with it staying how it is at present.
Rodman 9 MOM Brilliantly struck second goal and the best player on the pitch and to be fair there were quite a few players not far behind. Has pace , skill,. wins a lot in the air and a great working philosophy. it is like making a great new signing and should be one of the first names on the teamsheet. I have always said that he needed a run of games and it looks like he will get this now and I would not be surprised if there a re a good few more goals coming his way.
Upson 8.5 Another player who is getting better and better with each appearance. This was probably his best all round performance with some great long pin point passes and always being there or thereabouts and involved in all three goals. He was in fact involved in all 4 goals because it was him who was harshly penalised in the build up to Walsall's goal.
O. Clarke 8 A much better display from Ollie and like most of the team he got better as the game went on as he battled for every ball and him and Upson looked a good partnership especially for the tough away fixtures.
Holmes-Dennis 8.5 His best so far and a fair indication that we have a great player on our hands. The clever footwork which he showed to take Jacubiak's pass in his stride and pass the last defender was fantastic and he looked class throughout both offensively and defensively.
Reilly 7 Ran his socks off for the team and regularly closed down opponents. He could yet prove to be an astute signing and hopefully his workrate will be rewarded with a few goals.
Jakubiak 8 His direct running and control will surely be rewarded with a few goals soon. He was instrumental in the third goal after a great run in which he beat a few players and played in Holmes-Dennis and he gave the Walsall defenders a tough time. Why oh why did DC not give him a fair chance? Unfortunately this can be said about many players under DC but more this season and this was a big factor in losing his job.
Subs:
Nichols NOLE. Usual couple of smart touches and good control but really no chance to score.
Payne NOLE Another who really had no chance to impress
Sercombe 7 Battled for possession well when he came on and looked lively and keen to impress. I very much hope we can keep hold of him in January.
Crowd 9 Good backing throughout but number wise it was well down on what we would usually take there. Perhaps in view of the disappointment of this season many considered the extra day with family at Christmas was more important.
Ref 9 Best this season IMO though inconsistences in bookings was annoying but it was Christmas!!
Walsall 6.5 Probably the biggest aerial bombardment we will get as most of their moves involved Andy Cooke and they have some skilful and pacy players which we did well to contain.
GC- An unchanged team and only one change on the bench which saw Sercombe back was completely unknown under DC. Says the right things but comes across to me as not being a yes man whatever some may think. Should he get the job after an unlikely 6 points from 9? I will stay on the fence other than say we could possibly do a lot worse and that says a lot about a man who has brought the team to life by sticking with a settled line up and it is like having new signings in Holmes-Dennis, Jacubiak, Upson, Rodman and I could include Reilly, James Clarke and Kelly in that as well.
The next game coming so quick on Saturday makes probably the most interesting Team selection by GC because we all know that under DC it would definitely be a case of 5 changes with reference to fitness levels to play two important and difficult fixtures. Myself well I would go for an unchanged team and more of the same.
UTG
So what does GC bring to the pot? For me it is too early to make the appointment permanent although it must be said that the longer it goes on and should victories continue the more difficult any other appointment is going to be. Imagine say we have two victories in the next two games and then the Board appoint somebody else and the first game under the new person we lose? How big an influence has GC been on the change in fortunes and more importantly as I see it and my one slight doubt is does he have the knowledge of or the connections needed to make the two or three signings that are necessary to completely change the season around? I really don't know what the answer is and the only comparable situation I can think of goes back to the appointment of Dennis Rofe way back. Whatever decision is made IMO it must be made soon to get the most advantage during the window. Of course should we lose our next couple of games then the decision would be that much easier because whatever happens we are probably always going to be asking What if?
Bonham 7 Did very well early on with a reflex save after a header hit a post and probably one of the few bits of luck we have had this season and also with another couple of smart saves low down. Apart from that and the goal he had very little to do as the defence generally did a sound job to deal with a team who put a great deal of emphasis on an aerial bombardment. Should Bonham have done better with the goal conceded? I think possibly yes as he seemed very flat footed and slow to move but it was an exquisite finish and not easy to track with Kelly quite tight to the man.
J. Clarke 7.5 Another strong all round performance from Mr dependable.
Lockyer 8.5 Got better and better as the game went on and is really finding his form again. Scored a good first goal from close in to become I believe our top goalscorer this season- who would have thought that? Competed for every ball and more than held hid own in tough battles.
Craig 8 Same as Lockyer again but Tom edges it because of the goal. He didn't win every ball because with opponents so direct and physically strong he was never going to manage that but he gave as good as he got and in all honesty both he and Locks won their battles more and more as the game went on and ended up well on top.
Kelly 7.5 One of his best games and IMO it is all about partnerships and he has built up a good one with Holmes-Dennis both defensively and in their attacking understanding to the extent that we may at last be able to forget the loss of Lee Brown. Some of the passing exchanges between them reminded me of the best Monkhouse/Brown era and this could well be the one that takes us into the future. I still have the feeling that Holmes-Dennis could end up at left back with a new recruit in front of him but I have no complaints with it staying how it is at present.
Rodman 9 MOM Brilliantly struck second goal and the best player on the pitch and to be fair there were quite a few players not far behind. Has pace , skill,. wins a lot in the air and a great working philosophy. it is like making a great new signing and should be one of the first names on the teamsheet. I have always said that he needed a run of games and it looks like he will get this now and I would not be surprised if there a re a good few more goals coming his way.
Upson 8.5 Another player who is getting better and better with each appearance. This was probably his best all round performance with some great long pin point passes and always being there or thereabouts and involved in all three goals. He was in fact involved in all 4 goals because it was him who was harshly penalised in the build up to Walsall's goal.
O. Clarke 8 A much better display from Ollie and like most of the team he got better as the game went on as he battled for every ball and him and Upson looked a good partnership especially for the tough away fixtures.
Holmes-Dennis 8.5 His best so far and a fair indication that we have a great player on our hands. The clever footwork which he showed to take Jacubiak's pass in his stride and pass the last defender was fantastic and he looked class throughout both offensively and defensively.
Reilly 7 Ran his socks off for the team and regularly closed down opponents. He could yet prove to be an astute signing and hopefully his workrate will be rewarded with a few goals.
Jakubiak 8 His direct running and control will surely be rewarded with a few goals soon. He was instrumental in the third goal after a great run in which he beat a few players and played in Holmes-Dennis and he gave the Walsall defenders a tough time. Why oh why did DC not give him a fair chance? Unfortunately this can be said about many players under DC but more this season and this was a big factor in losing his job.
Subs:
Nichols NOLE. Usual couple of smart touches and good control but really no chance to score.
Payne NOLE Another who really had no chance to impress
Sercombe 7 Battled for possession well when he came on and looked lively and keen to impress. I very much hope we can keep hold of him in January.
Crowd 9 Good backing throughout but number wise it was well down on what we would usually take there. Perhaps in view of the disappointment of this season many considered the extra day with family at Christmas was more important.
Ref 9 Best this season IMO though inconsistences in bookings was annoying but it was Christmas!!
Walsall 6.5 Probably the biggest aerial bombardment we will get as most of their moves involved Andy Cooke and they have some skilful and pacy players which we did well to contain.
GC- An unchanged team and only one change on the bench which saw Sercombe back was completely unknown under DC. Says the right things but comes across to me as not being a yes man whatever some may think. Should he get the job after an unlikely 6 points from 9? I will stay on the fence other than say we could possibly do a lot worse and that says a lot about a man who has brought the team to life by sticking with a settled line up and it is like having new signings in Holmes-Dennis, Jacubiak, Upson, Rodman and I could include Reilly, James Clarke and Kelly in that as well.
The next game coming so quick on Saturday makes probably the most interesting Team selection by GC because we all know that under DC it would definitely be a case of 5 changes with reference to fitness levels to play two important and difficult fixtures. Myself well I would go for an unchanged team and more of the same.
UTG
