Originally Posted by
freemuzzy
Wouldn’t disagree too much with the original ratings but I feel it was hard to distinguish between the players today. In my view it was a fairly unique match in that almost the entire 11 could’ve been named MOTM; it’s the first game I can remember in a long while that I don’t think anyone played badly.
The match overall followed a similar pattern to the previous two home games in that we took an early lead and then ceded possession for long spells to a useful-looking team, but the main difference was that Slocombe didn’t have a save to make, and for all their possession they didn’t make a chance of note until the 70th minute so we were well worth the win.
So for me it was the best performance so far; 7’s across the board with probably an 8 for Rawlinson, who I can’t remember making a mistake and produced a brilliant goal-line clearance with 20 mins to go, without which it may have been a very different ending to the game. Slocombe was very assured in his handling, Brindley scored an incredible goal and has no obvious weakness in his game, Turner and Rawlinson are surely as good a defensive pairing as there is at this level, Bakayogo played well and must be one of the best full-backs in the league that isn’t first choice.
Enzio and Shields were both extremely hard-working defensively as well as threatening the other way, and both goals initiated through them. Have to stand-up for Enzio here; he’s now doing exactly what he was criticised for not doing last season and working for the team; the defensive side to his game has come on unbelievably this season.
Rose and Doyle gave the front four the platform on which to play; wasn’t sold on Doyle coming back in the team but he really showed how valuable he can be, winning near-enough every single second ball and barely wasting a pass in possession. Probably second only to Rawlinson in terms of the performance level today.
Wooton was well marshalled by their captain first half but gave as good as he got and came out on top in the second; Dennis has a far better all-round game than he’s given credit for, worked incredibly hard and got yet another goal. I can barely recall him playing a full game all season so his minutes/goal ratio must be outstanding.
Final word for Ardley. I am delighted for him. A month or so ago I really didn’t believe he was the man to take us forward; I didn’t think he had a clear way of playing - now we’re playing attractive football but also with a sturdiness that definitely wasn’t ever in-evidence last season. I thought he was signing way too many unnecessary players but the later additions like Booty, Wooton and Brindley have been key men.
Now I feel for the first time he’s in a relatively stable position; if we lose a game or two there’ll be no calls for his head, he has enough credit in the bank and most importantly fans will stick with him, with this squad, because they can not only see a group of players giving absolutely everything, but also a clear long-term direction/vision.