Cheltenham Away - Player Ratings

[Piglet_Phoenix]

It’s a funny old game, Saint.

For sixty odd minutes we were clearly second best in this match. Our midfield was passed off the park, we were blunt upfront and our goalkeeper was clearly struggling. Yet despite all of the chaos around them, our back four stood firm, were positionally excellent, played the offside trap expertly and didn’t give Cheltenham a serious sniff of goal. Parkes missed the best chance of the afternoon even before Curle brought on Hope and Nadesan, and it’s no real surprise the players who should have been on from the start of the game made all the difference.

This probably should’ve been a more comfortable afternoon, although we were perhaps fortunate Liddle’s crazy trip at the end of the game went unpunished. However, there’s no such thing as luck in football, you always get what you deserve.

Bonham – 2 – The record books will show a clean sheet, but this performance had it all. Spilled shots, flapping at crosses, missed punches, charging off his line like an idiot and ending up hopelessly exposing himself. However, every time he f_cked up this afternoon his back four got him out of jail free. The crowning moment is coming off your line to collect a fairly standard cross and completing missing your catch. Don’t even talk to me about his use of the football, his distribution was appalling.

Brown – 6 – A tough afternoon back in the side as he had very little protection from the Cheltenham players swarming all over him down our right flank. But you know what, he coped with it very well, kept his head and never let himself get pulled out of position. Looked extremely rusty on the ball however, but this should improve if he keeps his place and he’s there principally to defend.

Parkes – 6 – Spent a lot of the afternoon tucked inside bolstering the centre of our defence, and although a typical left-back might’ve been positioned wider, Parkes strength was a definite asset today. He didn’t really have his passing boots on however and missed a great scoring chance at the back post from our best passing move of the day. In the absence of a better left-back, he deserves to keep his place.

Ellis – 8* – Commanding performance from a player who has deservedly made the shirt his own now. Absolutely nothing got past Ellis and Hill today on the ground and in the air and the way they controlled the offside trap was a masterclass. Got Bonham and our midfield off the hook numerous times.

Hill – 8 – See Ellis. Curle has somehow stumbled across a central defensive partnership which can win us games, albeit it was the very last combination of central defenders open to him which he reluctantly tried. Anyway, it’s not technically beautiful or classy in any way, it’s ugly, very ugly – but no nonsense masculinity is winning the day.

Liddle – 3 – Floating around in central midfield, watching the game pass him by. It was such a relief not to have to suffer any more of his booming right-hoof from the right-back position but for most of the game he was just making up the numbers. Got himself involved a few times but his positive influence in this position was minimal. Fortunate not to give away a penalty in the final throws of the match, however we might’ve been given a couple of decisions in the box ourselves at the other end so it’s all fair.

Joyce – 6 – Put a decent shift in and was harshly substituted. Covered a huge amount of ground trying to carry the centre of our midfield himself, but he had no chance, and ended up chasing shadows.

Jones – 5 – Not a left winger and on the left flank it just wasn’t working for him or the team. Looked better when he came inside and played centrally for the last half an hour but still struggling for form. I can’t knock his effort however.

Devitt – 7 – Before the substitutions, if anyone was going to win us the game it was Devitt. However, as the only creative player on the pitch for us he was being asked to do too much. When the intelligence of Nadesan and the pace of Hope on the left was added to the side Devitt grew into the game so much more.

Stockton – 1 – Disgraceful effort again from possibly one of the poorest strikers ever to wear our shirt. Two successful passes in 64 minutes is simply not good enough. Didn’t manage to win a header or make a tackle. Barely broke into a run all afternoon, walking around upfront with his fat behind nearly bursting out of his extra large shorts. His threat level is zero and his chronic lack of movement is painful. We must have better players in our youth set up than this “professional footballer”, he should stop embarrassing himself.

Bennett – 7 – Tried to do the work of two upfront for most of the afternoon, it must’ve been a blessed relief for him when Nadesan came on to share the load. Sometimes it wasn’t quite working for him today, but when we’re asking him to take on four or five defenders by himself it’s understandable. Took at least three elbows to the head but despite this, kept coming back for more and with a just a touch more quality would’ve scored an excellent goal with his shot which beat the keeper but hit the post.

Subs:

Hope – 6 – Won the penalty with his trademark burst of pace. And did the valuable job of being the annoying little sh_t on the left-wing excellently again. His pace and movement caused the Cheltenham defence problems and gave our back four a welcome break. Forced a couple of decent saves from the Cheltenham keeper and was generally influential.

Nadesan – 6 – It made such a difference to the team to have an actual footballer upfront with Bennett. Brought Devitt into the game and really helped our forward line gel. There’s no excuse for starting him on the bench, it’s a really poor managerial decision.

Lambe – 1 – Lightweight, rubbish, unable to trap or control the ball and his passing was poor. In fairness he didn’t have too long but what he did show was awful. We had Twardek and O'Sullivan on the bench who might've been better options?

[sandpit]

Grand in depth report once again,far superior to any others in my view due to the time and patience of a Saint.Listened to the game and as usual JP wants every foul,free kick and even raises his voice in the commentary when a Carlisle player goes in for a challenge,the man has a thing about challenges,have a listen,don't take my word for it eh.Last thing he mentions how other teams are doing and how it effects the league table,i would say concentrate on the game till it is finished then have the royal rumble when we know the final score.