Match ratings - Stevenage

[charlespalmer]

Strange game...We were deeply unconvincing in the first half...and yet scored three goals. In the second, we never gave them a sniff...but we created very little. Still, can’t complain. Onwards and upwards.

Schofe - 6 - Nowt to do really.

Tootle - 6 - Let them whip too many crosses into the box in the first half...but then blocked practically every cross in the second.

Duffy - 6 - All at sea in the first half against a useful Stevenage front pairing...but much improved in the second. Gave the full-backs several well-deserved b*llockings.

Stubbs - 8 - Got his head on everything. Never gave them anything.

Milsom - 6 - See Tootle.

Rose - 6 - Worked hard. Got better as the game went on.

Doyle - 6 - Made lots of blocks and tackles, but failed to really assert himself on the game.

O’Brien - 9* - If we stay up, it will be basically down to him. A man's man. A footballer's footballer. Never misses an opportunity to block, harry and tackle. Never shirks the opportunity to shoot - hence, our opener after 40 seconds. Exquisite pass for the second goal. Jeff Whitley 2.0.

Enzio - 7 - Drifted in and out of the game (as he tends to do)...but terrified their full-back when able to do so, and produced a sharp finish to seal the victory.

Stead - 6 - Didn’t really look like scoring. But set up a goal for Enzio.

Hemmings - 7 - Took his goal well and bullied their centre backs whenever possible. The only forward capable of making the ball stick. Wish we would play him in the centre (and that he would stay there), as he is less effective out wide.

Subs:

Mackail-Smith - 6 - Lots of effort. Missed an open goal (albeit under pressure).

Bird - 6 - Little to do.

Alessandra - N/A

[navypie]

I just love people who actually go to games. Thanks Charles.

ps. Loved the Stubbs rating. That kid is some player.

[nw6pie]

Strange game...We were deeply unconvincing in the first half...and yet scored three goals. In the second, we never gave them a sniff...but we created very little. Still, can’t complain. Onwards and upwards.

Schofe - 6 - Nowt to do really.

Tootle - 6 - Let them whip too many crosses into the box in the first half...but then blocked practically every cross in the second.

Duffy - 6 - All at sea in the first half against a useful Stevenage front pairing...but much improved in the second. Gave the full-backs several well-deserved b*llockings.

Stubbs - 8 - Got his head on everything. Never gave them anything.

Milsom - 6 - See Tootle.

Rose - 6 - Worked hard. Got better as the game went on.

Doyle - 6 - Made lots of blocks and tackles, but failed to really assert himself on the game.

O’Brien - 9* - If we stay up, it will be basically down to him. A man's man. A footballer's footballer. Never misses an opportunity to block, harry and tackle. Never shirks the opportunity to shoot - hence, our opener after 40 seconds. Exquisite pass for the second goal. Jeff Whitley 2.0.

Enzio - 7 - Drifted in and out of the game (as he tends to do)...but terrified their full-back when able to do so, and produced a sharp finish to seal the victory.

Stead - 6 - Didn’t really look like scoring. But set up a goal for Enzio.

Hemmings - 7 - Took his goal well and bullied their centre backs whenever possible. The only forward capable of making the ball stick. Wish we would play him in the centre (and that he would stay there), as he is less effective out wide.

Subs:

Mackail-Smith - 6 - Lots of effort. Missed an open goal (albeit under pressure).

Bird - 6 - Little to do.

Alessandra - N/A

I watched the game on iFollow and thought we were excellent in the first half and professional in the second.

I would give them all 7s, with the exception of Rose and O’Brien, who I would give 8.5s. Rose was the legs in the middle of the park that we’ve been lacking (he looked absolutely shattered at the end). O’Brien is the team’s ***** creative spark - proved the cliche that you make your own luck with his deflected shot for the first and a great pass to Hemmings for the second (made even better by the striker’s great first touch). Credit also to Rob Milsom for a terrific pass to Stead to set up the third.

[Dunce]

An excellent performance by everyone today. Particularly Rose who was outstanding. Well done gentlemen. 👍

[navypie]

I watched the game on iFollow and thought we were excellent in the first half and professional in the second.

I would give them all 7s, with the exception of Rose and O’Brien, who I would give 8.5s. Rose was the legs in the middle of the park that we’ve been lacking (he looked absolutely shattered at the end). O’Brien is the team’s ***** creative spark - proved the cliche that you make your own luck with his deflected shot for the first and a great pass to Hemmings for the second (made even better by the striker’s great first touch). Credit also to Rob Milsom for a terrific pass to Stead to set up the third.

OB and Rose have been brilliant since they have come in and Milsom , what a left back.

[slack_pie]

Agree with the comments. A good team performance with Stubbs, Rose and O'Brien standing out.

I can see Stubbs going on to play at a much higher level.

[jackal2]

O’Brien - 9* - If we stay up, it will be basically down to him. A man's man. A footballer's footballer. Never misses an opportunity to block, harry and tackle. Never shirks the opportunity to shoot - hence, our opener after 40 seconds. Exquisite pass for the second goal. Jeff Whitley 2.0.

A fan's footballer too. He's like Ian Richardson with a temper. The phrase about "playing every game as if it's your last" has become a cliché, but it epitomises this guy. Things may go for him, things may go against him, but he never hides and he plays with the kind of fierce passion that fans would love to see from more players.

[slack_pie]

A fan's footballer too. He's like Ian Richardson with a temper. The phrase about "playing every game as if it's your last" has become a cliché, but it epitomises this guy. Things may go for him, things may go against him, but he never hides and he plays with the kind of fierce passion that fans would love to see from more players.

Agreed. If all goes well and we find a buyer, we'll have O'Brien, Rose and Doyle signed up for next year. Not a bad midfield whatever division we end up in. O'Brien has been a class above though. He's not just determined and aggressive, he's actually a really good footballer too.

[nw6pie]

Agreed. If all goes well and we find a buyer, we'll have O'Brien, Rose and Doyle signed up for next year. Not a bad midfield whatever division we end up in. O'Brien has been a class above though. He's not just determined and aggressive, he's actually a really good footballer too.

JOB has definitely been the signing of the season for me, with Stubbs just behind. The latter has definitely got a great career ahead of him - his will to win belies his loan status. As for O’Brien, his enthusiasm and quality must be inspiring to his teammates. He also talks a lot of sense, as his pre-match interview the other day showed - wouldn’t be surprised to see him go into management one day.