Originally Posted by
Elite_Pie
The temptation is to give top marks all round, but this is my best alcohol related attempt at being rational:
Schofield 6 – hard to rate him, because he had very little to do. One wayward kick, otherwise fine.
Rose 8 – defended well and offered some good forward options.
Barclay and Stubbs 8 - I'm rating them as one as they were hard to separate. Mature beyond their years, won almost everything and when they got changed I think they would find Walker and Hamilton in the back pocket of their shorts.
Milsom 8 – our left seemed to be the focus of their attacks, but Milsom withstood everything they threw at him.
Mackail-Smith 8.5* - We’ve been regularly linked with him in the past and I always hoped we would sign him, but when we eventually did, I thought it might be too late. How wrong was I? He caused them problems throughout, and supplied the superbly controlled finish for the decisive goal. A great addition to the squad.
Doyle and O’Brien 8 – again I have to rate them as one because they offer the same - a calm head, a crunching tackle, and an always available option for the simple pass. Again, both of them are brilliant signings.
Boldewijn 7 – not everything came off, but he genuinely scares defenders. The opposition tend to double mark him which should free up space for others.
Gomis 7 – his willingness to run, chase and offer an outlet for a pass makes him a good forward option. Maybe needs to offer more goal threat, but looks another good addition.
Stead 7 – didn’t give them an easy afternoon, came close with a header and did his job.
Allessandra 6 – did ok in his short spell.
Hemmings 6 – missed a good chance but at least was in the right position. May still have a part to play.
A really, really enjoyable afternoon against them at last. Maybe they now know what it feels like when your team just don’t turn up, a feeling we are all too familiar with. Full marks to Neil Ardley who won the mental and tactical battle against Flitcroft hands down. The reality is that we are still 24th, but that can wait until tomorrow.