Originally Posted by
freemuzzy
In my view, not a lack of effort today - more a lack of quality. Which is arguably even more worrying. A team who’d lost their last five away games looked better than us; stronger, fitter and more incisive.
Ardley IMO didn’t help things today. With Kellett and Vaughan injured (both big losses on current form), I’d have switched to a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 (and left Stead out); if not from the start, then definitely from half-time. Our front two were very isolated and Cambridge were able to leave the two young lads either side of Duffy on the ball in the knowledge they’d soon get it back. Bottom line though is that we really didn’t need 3 CBS, and 7 defensive players, on the pitch when we’re chasing the game.
The subs were strange too.
Schofield - 7 - Positive debut. Goal was the other side to where I sit but hard to see how he could’ve prevented it. One good save before that and reasonably assured at dealing with high balls, though kicking was hit and miss. A positive though given what a baptism of fire it was for a ****age keeper.
Barclay - 5.5 - Proof that throwing promising young loanees in won’t always be the answer. Did ok but wasteful on the ball and didn’t offer the threat from attacking set pieces that Brisley (for example) would have.
Duffy - 7 - Anyone blaming him in any way for today or saying he didn’t play well is doing so on preconceived opinions. Had a good game himself with a number of important blocks/interceptions but more importantly talked the two young defenders either side of him AND the keeper through the game. Gets a lot of stick but in my mind undoubtedly the best CB we have.
Bird - 6 - Flitted between giving it away far too easily and doing something productive, as he was often the spare man on the ball. In his defence, there wasn’t a lot of movement in front of him. Strong defensively and a really good prospect.
Hewitt - 6 - Another one maligned after but hard to see what more he could’ve done. Our only bits of good play in the first half came through him.
O’Brien - 8* - The one real positive. Got about the pitch, vocal, wound-up the opposition, clever use of the ball, had our one shot on target. A pretty faultless display. Particularly as he had to play alongside...
Milsom - 4 - Has he had a good game since he came back? Wasteful on the ball, offered very little going forward or defensively. Has to be dropped if Vaughan’s back next week, surely?
Evina - 5.5 - One brilliant run forward first half but was given the runaround defensively by their quick #7. Tries hard but not sure he’s good enough.
Alessandra - 6 - Clever use of the ball but lacks the pace and energy to really hurt teams in the way an in-form Kellett does. Some good moments but when he was in goal-scoring/creating positions, generally hung onto the ball too long and the chance was wasted.
Stead - 4 - The model pro but we should not be relying on him to play 90 minutes every week. Hard to see what his role was today; didn’t win a header (his man scored the goal), didn’t link the play, didn’t offer any threat. Second touch a tackle. Really, really poor.
Dennis - 6 - The only one moving first half which often meant we went long unnecessarily as he plays on the last man (and there were no other options). Self created our two best chances. Moved deeper to accommodate Etete for the last 10 which removed all scoring threat we had.
Thomas - 1 - Seriously, how many chances is he going to get? Has ability but uses it approximately 1 game in 10. Would much sooner us use one of our own young players who in some way cares and doesn’t believe they’re God’s gift to football. Second home game in a row he’s come on and still been our worst player.
Etete - 6 - Hard to judge him. Worked hard but no real chance to show what he can do in an attacking sense.
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