Post by stevek192 on Aug 19, 2015 11:51:21 GMT
The best thing about this performance was that it was very similar to the quality performance given Saturday but against a much better side. i really have high hopes for this season and more performances like this will see us challenging for at least the Play offs. saturday will be another test because we look to have the perfect formation and tactics for away games and now have to get it right for home games.
Chapman 7 I really like the look of this bloke. Looks confident in everything he does ,commands his area and I think the defenders suddenly all look on top of their game whereas when Mildy was in goal they all showed signs of nervousness. His taking of a very dangerous low cross in the second half was both superb and brave. His handling was impeccable throughout although he was a spectator for much of the time.
Leadbitter 8.5 Another great game from probably the most improved player in our squad. Now showing great confidence in his ability to take on and beat opponents and get a cross in. He has also improved the defensive side of his game and his pace enables him to get back when required. I see no reason whatsoever why he could not play as a full back in a 4-4-2 rather than just be a wingback although at present he definitely suits the wing back role in DC's 5-3-2 formation.
Brown 7.5 Back to his best last night.Always willing and able to get forward and cause problems for Luton but also performed very well defensively.Whether it was his winger or McKail Smith who he came up against there was no way past him. His lack of pre season was,I am sure the main cause of him being not his usual self in the first couple of games and last night was a return to his best. Would have liked to have seen him have a go at the second free kick which Lines completely messed up.
Parkes 9 His best game of the season by a country mile. Strong in the air and showed the composure to go on a couple of long runs. This was the Parkes who did so well last season after a shaky start and he didn't give Luton a look in. Superb.
Clarke J 8.5 Not far behind Parkes with a commanding performance. looks to be the best signing in the summer and yet another feather in DC's cap. seems to have great confidence in his ability and for a big man is very quick and gives the defence something it has lacked for years. Steve yates with a better passing ability. i really think he is capable of moving up standard again,preferably with us.
Lockyer 8 Tom is now in his best position and must be given the chance to play regularly in this position. Not the tallest but very strong in the air and composed on the ground. his passing also seems to have improved with his confidence in his proper position. if the three central defenders keep up this form I see us conceding very few and just can't see McCrystal getting back in the team when fit.
Sinclair 9 MOM Same mark as Parkes but for me just pipped him for MOM because of his winning goal which he took superbly.He runs and runs but never drops and his performance is a perfect example for any footballer.If he loses the ball he fights to get it back and he covers every inch of the pitch. Tiger in the tackle he is so much more than just a battler. how he has not played at this level before is beyond me and the midfield three seem to compliment each other so well.
Lines 7 Again IMO not as good as either Ollie Clarke or Sinclair but that is a big plus for the team because we all know he is an even better player than we are seeing at the moment but still his performance was good and at last we have a midfield that seems to compliment each other so well. His deliveries of the ball badly let him down last night but that will come. i really think we need another creative midfielder to challenge him as we do not really have an alternative in that role to keep him on his toes. he worked really hard so that,for me is the plus because that was my main criticism of him in the past.
Clarke O 8 I am really pleased to be able to write this but Ollie is proving me wrong and has fitted into the Lee Mansell role so effectively now that i can see Lee struggling to get his place back. Still makes the odd wrong decision with his use of the long pass but at least he has that ability to make a long pass and also shoot at goal. My keyword at the moment is Compliment and the three of Clarke,Sinclair and Lines has enabled us to dominate the midfield area in the last two games.
Harrison 8 A hard working display from Ellis as he looked a real handful and gave the Luton defence a very tough time. Unlucky not to score and i think it is well worth persevering with the Ellis/Jermaine partnership and i am sure the goals will come for both of them.
Easter 7 For me Easter has that bit of class and each game is improving his fitness. as long as the ball is not sent up at head height then Easter shows great control and awareness of people around him. Really needs a goal to boost his confidence in his shooting but i am sure they will come but hopefully sooner rather than later.
Taylor 7 Only on the field for a short time but his control of the long Chapman kick and the perfect lobbed pass for Sinclair to score the winning goal was worth a 7 alone. At the moment I would continue using Taylor from the bench as he gives that something extra when up against tiring opponents.
Luton 6 Sometimes the performance of a team is governed by how their opponents play and last nights game was one where this was clearly seen. Our team were fitter than Luton and this was visible in the last half hour where we got stronger and stronger. Benson and McKail Smith are capable of causing defences problems but last night our defence had them both in their pockets. Their midfield which again is strong generally was worn down the longer the game went on. Last Saturday we beat a poor team, last night we deservedly beat a significantly better side.
Gas heads 10 Great turnout as usual but compared to Saturday completely played their part in vocally backing the team despite numbers being about a quarter of Saturday.
DC 9 Team selection perfect again.Team spirit is there for all to see and his substitution was perfectly timed again and although he could have made changes earlier I think he got it dead right as we were dominating the game without deserved reward. On Saturday he brought on the wingers to change the game but last night the wing backs were doing their job so well that it did not warrant changing. Chapman looks another inspired loan.
Referee 5 Some strange decisions as always from Mr Kettle not aided by a lacklustre performance from his linesmen.
So another three points and I would definitely have settled for 6 points from 9 in these first three games. The style of play is good on the eye and the team seem to compliment each other so well. it is a shame in some ways that we have signed two wingers but now have a wingless formation but the way the team are playing is still good to watch and that for me is almost as important as the result and when you get both then you have to make the most of it. UTG
Chapman 7 I really like the look of this bloke. Looks confident in everything he does ,commands his area and I think the defenders suddenly all look on top of their game whereas when Mildy was in goal they all showed signs of nervousness. His taking of a very dangerous low cross in the second half was both superb and brave. His handling was impeccable throughout although he was a spectator for much of the time.
Leadbitter 8.5 Another great game from probably the most improved player in our squad. Now showing great confidence in his ability to take on and beat opponents and get a cross in. He has also improved the defensive side of his game and his pace enables him to get back when required. I see no reason whatsoever why he could not play as a full back in a 4-4-2 rather than just be a wingback although at present he definitely suits the wing back role in DC's 5-3-2 formation.
Brown 7.5 Back to his best last night.Always willing and able to get forward and cause problems for Luton but also performed very well defensively.Whether it was his winger or McKail Smith who he came up against there was no way past him. His lack of pre season was,I am sure the main cause of him being not his usual self in the first couple of games and last night was a return to his best. Would have liked to have seen him have a go at the second free kick which Lines completely messed up.
Parkes 9 His best game of the season by a country mile. Strong in the air and showed the composure to go on a couple of long runs. This was the Parkes who did so well last season after a shaky start and he didn't give Luton a look in. Superb.
Clarke J 8.5 Not far behind Parkes with a commanding performance. looks to be the best signing in the summer and yet another feather in DC's cap. seems to have great confidence in his ability and for a big man is very quick and gives the defence something it has lacked for years. Steve yates with a better passing ability. i really think he is capable of moving up standard again,preferably with us.
Lockyer 8 Tom is now in his best position and must be given the chance to play regularly in this position. Not the tallest but very strong in the air and composed on the ground. his passing also seems to have improved with his confidence in his proper position. if the three central defenders keep up this form I see us conceding very few and just can't see McCrystal getting back in the team when fit.
Sinclair 9 MOM Same mark as Parkes but for me just pipped him for MOM because of his winning goal which he took superbly.He runs and runs but never drops and his performance is a perfect example for any footballer.If he loses the ball he fights to get it back and he covers every inch of the pitch. Tiger in the tackle he is so much more than just a battler. how he has not played at this level before is beyond me and the midfield three seem to compliment each other so well.
Lines 7 Again IMO not as good as either Ollie Clarke or Sinclair but that is a big plus for the team because we all know he is an even better player than we are seeing at the moment but still his performance was good and at last we have a midfield that seems to compliment each other so well. His deliveries of the ball badly let him down last night but that will come. i really think we need another creative midfielder to challenge him as we do not really have an alternative in that role to keep him on his toes. he worked really hard so that,for me is the plus because that was my main criticism of him in the past.
Clarke O 8 I am really pleased to be able to write this but Ollie is proving me wrong and has fitted into the Lee Mansell role so effectively now that i can see Lee struggling to get his place back. Still makes the odd wrong decision with his use of the long pass but at least he has that ability to make a long pass and also shoot at goal. My keyword at the moment is Compliment and the three of Clarke,Sinclair and Lines has enabled us to dominate the midfield area in the last two games.
Harrison 8 A hard working display from Ellis as he looked a real handful and gave the Luton defence a very tough time. Unlucky not to score and i think it is well worth persevering with the Ellis/Jermaine partnership and i am sure the goals will come for both of them.
Easter 7 For me Easter has that bit of class and each game is improving his fitness. as long as the ball is not sent up at head height then Easter shows great control and awareness of people around him. Really needs a goal to boost his confidence in his shooting but i am sure they will come but hopefully sooner rather than later.
Taylor 7 Only on the field for a short time but his control of the long Chapman kick and the perfect lobbed pass for Sinclair to score the winning goal was worth a 7 alone. At the moment I would continue using Taylor from the bench as he gives that something extra when up against tiring opponents.
Luton 6 Sometimes the performance of a team is governed by how their opponents play and last nights game was one where this was clearly seen. Our team were fitter than Luton and this was visible in the last half hour where we got stronger and stronger. Benson and McKail Smith are capable of causing defences problems but last night our defence had them both in their pockets. Their midfield which again is strong generally was worn down the longer the game went on. Last Saturday we beat a poor team, last night we deservedly beat a significantly better side.
Gas heads 10 Great turnout as usual but compared to Saturday completely played their part in vocally backing the team despite numbers being about a quarter of Saturday.
DC 9 Team selection perfect again.Team spirit is there for all to see and his substitution was perfectly timed again and although he could have made changes earlier I think he got it dead right as we were dominating the game without deserved reward. On Saturday he brought on the wingers to change the game but last night the wing backs were doing their job so well that it did not warrant changing. Chapman looks another inspired loan.
Referee 5 Some strange decisions as always from Mr Kettle not aided by a lacklustre performance from his linesmen.
So another three points and I would definitely have settled for 6 points from 9 in these first three games. The style of play is good on the eye and the team seem to compliment each other so well. it is a shame in some ways that we have signed two wingers but now have a wingless formation but the way the team are playing is still good to watch and that for me is almost as important as the result and when you get both then you have to make the most of it. UTG
