Reply With Quote"They" say the sign of a good team is to play poorly and still win, but that was almost ridiculous this afternoon. We were completely dominated for sixty minutes, bossed in midfield, chasing shadows and defenisvely wobbly. However, Salford did not capitalise on their superiority and Comedy Chris, for the first time in his career, made substitutions which had a positive effect. Salford panicked, over committed going forward and in the end, if Alessandra could finish we'd have won the game comfortably (rather bizarrely). Anyway...
Norma - 4 - Rooted to his line too often, he needs to be out claiming those crosses. Went down in installments for the Salford goal but made a point blank world class save earlier in the half. On balance, Jensen still looks the better keeper. Norma is suspect on long range shots, hesitant off his line and has poor distribution.
Mellor - 8 - Definitely an improvement on Tanner this season, on this performance. On many occasions our only defender who was awake. Good long throws, decent passing, strong in the air, a few weeks with Beech on the training ground and he'll rectify all that.
Armer - 7 - Thank goodness Bristol City signed the wrong full-back.
Whelan - 5 - Not looking as assured and was questionable positionally on a few occasions. Where has the calm defender who was intercepting the ball and confidently stepping into midfield gone?
McDonald - 5 - Gains a mark for the header which indirectly led to the winner, but the "fittest ever" breezeblock looked all at sea at times and was puffing out of his ar5e. Is Feeney a better option?
Guy - 3 - For the first sixty minutes piss poor, for the last half hour pretty decent.
Riley - 3 - Seemed to be buzzing about everywhere but rarely was able to put his foot on the ball and spray a few passes around. Too hectic in possession, needs to make himself a yard and use his brain more (by ignoring the manager).
Mellish - 6 - Absolute garbage for the first hour, but after his goal a completely different player. Credit to him for chasing a hopeless cause and getting the winner, also credit to him for the match winning / goal saving block towards the end of the match.
Abrahams - 1 - Awful. Fluffed an easy chance on his good foot in the first half, owned by the opposition defence once again all afternoon. His "assist" was him attempting to control the ball and having it randomly bounce off his chest. Needs a rest.
Clough - 3 - A midfielder playing upfront. We need Clough in the middle of the park with his foot on the ball not fighting for desperate long punts with defenders four times his size. He needs the ball to his feet, then he needs movement and options in front of him.
Dickenson - 5 - Much improved. Took his goal really well and his use of the ball was much better today, defensively he was also an asset but drifted out of the game at times.
