Originally Posted by
freemuzzy
A tad unfortunate overall today I felt, a good collective effort but the first goal was always going to be decisive and we just lacked that quality/final ball and ultimately lost to a better team.
Schofield - 6 - Brilliant save at 0-1 when the striker had already sat him down. Gave the defenders kittens by staying rooted to his line again, and there’s an argument he should’ve come for the corner which created the opener.
Tootle - 6.5 - Decent game, much improved on the last two. Never gave up and got forward at every opportunity.
Stubbs - 7* - Very good, strong in the air and a presence in both boxes. Clearly has potential to play higher and have a good career. The sort of loanee we should be looking to bring-in, rather than the ****e filler of youth products that’ll never make it at their parent clubs. Which brings me to...
Barclay - 4.5 - Anyone hammering Duffy should watch Barclay closely today. All aspects were lacking. What the hell was he doing for the second goal? Must’ve had a pass completion rate of 0% for the first half as he repeatedly booted it out of play unchallenged. Gets an extra point for his late consolation.
Milsom - 6 - Another solid game until he lost the plot late-on, wildly lashing the ball out of play when in a great position at 0-1. Delivery was badly lacking from there-on.
Rose - 7 - Broke up play, decent distribution, got about the pitch. If true he had a chest infection (apparently the reason he was taken off, despite being by far the best of the 3 CMS), it makes the performance even more impressive. Comfortably the best of the Jan signings.
Doyle - 6 - Decent first half with a few strong challenges. Faded a bit in the second. Assume it’s in his contract he plays 90 mins as has never come off (let alone been dropped), even though circumstances have dictated it. Seems to have lost a lot of the fighting qualities which made him so horrible to play against. Has a ‘last pay day’ feel to him. Usual non descript set-pieces; seems to have realised he can’t deliver a decent ball as the vast majority went short.
Mackail-Smith - 7 - Good shift. Was our biggest threat first half and never shirked defensive duties. Repeatedly did well to get himself into good positions but the final ball was lacking; often too near the keeper when he could’ve cut it back.
O’Brien - 5.5 - Is a good player but definitely not a #10. Why not pair him with Rose and play a genuine attacking midfielder there? Usual effort but no real impact; couple of decent passes and long rangers over the bar but clearly out of position.
Boldewijn - 5 - New scapegoat but not doing himself many favours. Looked to be lacking confidence so took the easy option to pass back rather than try to take the full back on. Our one player with genuine pace/threat but you wouldn’t know it currently.
Hemmings - 6 - Linked play well and gave the CBS more of a game than when Stead is in the equivalent role, but very isolated and faded in the second half when more support had arrived.
Stead - 6 - Always looks better coming from the bench. Came closest of anyone with a header he did well to get to.
Gomis - 6 - Couple of decent runs from the left wing. No real chance to have an impact.
Ardley - Really like him until he has to pick a team, then it becomes very hard to defend him. He has made a total mess of things. He got the right system today but crowbarring O’Brien into an attacking midfield role wasn’t the answer. Doyle clearly carries too much influence, you could see that from his post-match interview, and has done nothing to warrant the indulgence afforded to him. Bird and Brisley are better than Barclay. Why not blood Patching, Osborne etc - even as late subs? Again, there was no clear gameplan or style of play. There’s a long list of people responsible for this season - the owner being at the top - but, having taken over with us 22nd in November and been allowed to bring in 8 of his own players, Ardley has to take huge responsibility.