Originally Posted by
Deadbat_DB
Fleck 8.5/10 – Tremendous performance. He ran the game for much of the night. Won tackles, used the ball and drove at players. He is getting better and better. He was all over the field and everything good we did came from him. He played several clever balls, turned away from trouble and created space for him and his teammates. His football brain and quick thinking also nearly got us a second. Worried that some Premier League clubs may be taking a look – he is playing that well.
Evans 7.5/10 – Thought he did a few poor things (mis kicked twice and then also gave a short back pass) but overall a much better performance and he used it well, got on the ball and helped us move it forward. Our midfield completely controlled things today.
Lundstram 8/10 – Been critical of him a times; and Evans, but today he played well and even though he too, like Evans gave it away a bit; he was much braver. Was more positive in his passing and his running and got on the ball much more. Yes, as times not everything did not come off. Today was the best those three have played as a pairing.
Brooks 6.5/10 – Little bit disappointed with him. Felt he made poor decisions at times and did not really take his chance. He was too conservative with the ball and needed to run at players more. First half he was not really on the ball and when he had it tried a daft chipped pass or gave it off rather than running at people. Second half he did better in this regard and started to run at players but again there was no real end product from him all night. Needs to do more. He is clearly a talent but has to affect games more.
Clarke 8/10 – Thought he was back to his best tonight. He led the line well, linked up with others, got a goal and looked a threat. Played on the shoulders, ran at players and played some lovely balls too and a few nearly led to goals. He looked bang at it and the goal seemed to make a real difference. Hopefully, he can go on another scoring run now.
Subs:
Donaldson – Not sure he is the answer as an impact sub. He does run the channels well and gets in good positions but missed 3 one on ones in the last two games. Tonight, he has to score that chance. Also looking for free kicks and goes down too easily. He gave away a silly free kick in the build up to the goal.
Leonard – Came on at the end and was hoping to preserve the win. Did not have too many touches.
Wright – Will be desperately disappointed with the goal – watch it again – you can tell it his man and by his reaction he knows he should have picked Pilkington up. He has not played much recently but Stearman’s looked a pull so he may be back in for a few games now.
Manager: Wilder 8/10 – Picked Brooks and him and Clarke as a combo did cause problems. The midfield worked well and overall it was an excellent performance. Maybe Sharp for Donaldson as a sub but he takes that chance and it is over. Also, I felt with their height he wanted him on for set plays at the other end. He seemed gutted at the end and he is kind of sick of seeing and saying the same things about not being ruthless enough. Sadly, he needs more money to buy those clinical type players that we need to finish games like this off.
Officials – Michael Oliver a Premier League referee. He was fine I felt. There is a lot of talk about the penalty on Evans but not sure I felt it was at the time and having watched back not sure it was as certain as some are making out. Over the rest of the game, the ref was ok in difficult conditions. He booked one lad Bennett for a cynical foul on Basham and the same lad did a foul second half. He kept his book in his pocket the rest of the night and I felt did ok. Some were quite critical of him – Warnock included as the game went on but not sure there were too many obvious things he missed really. I felt he let thing flow too for the most part.
Crowd – 25,231. They only brought maybe a 1,000 at tops which I know it was bad weather and on Sky but that is pretty lame for a team on the verge of promotion – rotate it round and we would have double or triple that I am sure. Still they celebrated like a win at the end. They had been played off the park for long spells so can see why. United fans appreciated a really good performance and most were just gutted at the end with the late blow. Still, the football, attacking and overall commitment was really clear to see and the fans on the terraces were happy with what they saw. It is for the most part really good to watch and I expect season ticket sales to exceed last years and for us to have crowds close to sell outs most weeks next season. Just hope those in the boardroom can match the excellent fans, superb manager and the spine of a really good side with the 3 or 4 real quality players we need to supplement it.
Reply With Quote
