Originally Posted by
freemuzzy
This felt like the sort of game where we just needed to scramble one in and scrape a barely-deserved 1-0. Badly lacking in quality from both sides, it was a poor spectacle and advert for the Football League.
Port Vale were very direct and threatening at set-pieces (that we kept giving them), yet only had two players (Pope and their no 5) who could win headers. We patently had more individual quality and at times threatened going forward but lacked cohesion across the pitch and the midfield two - who set the tone and looked like they’d carry us to survival a few weeks ago - were non-existent. There was little urgency across the team and there seemed a willingness to accept the 0-0 at an early stage, if anything Vale were pushing harder for the win in the final 10-15.
Hard to believe Ardley’s comments post-match lauding the point and claiming people wanting 3 were expecting too much, given the run Vale are on. There’s players not even in our squad currently who would walk into other L2 teams. There’s others higher up the blame list, but if we somehow swerve admin and the accompanying points penalty there can be no excuses on his part if we are relegated with the squad he had on Feb 1.
Schofield - 5.5 - Good save from the free kick first half but panicked throughout on crosses and particularly balls over the top. Rooted to his line. We needed a keeper to come in January who’d offset the defensive panic/disorganisation but he’s caused more of it. Will have a good career but not what we needed now.
Rose - 5 - Didn’t contribute going forward and repeatedly taken on second half. Strange he’s playing out of position for 90 mins every week when we have a natural right back sat on the bench.
Stubbs - 7 - Decent game. The one young loanee brought in Jan who looks better than what we had.
Barclay - 5.5 - Panicked in possession and unable to control Pope. With so much inexperience defensively we definitely need an organiser back there; this won’t be popular but I’d have Duffy alongside Stubbs.
Milsom - 7* - Probably should’ve done better with his chance but another good all-round performance. Transformed from awful midfielder to excellent left back.
Mackail-Smith - 6 - Never stopped running and put a shift in defensively but no major impact going forward and sometimes squandered good positions. Would be better suited upfront.
O’Brien - 4 - Wow. Have loved him to this point so let’s just call this a major off-day. Second touch a tackle time and again.
Doyle - 5 - More worrying than OB as this is now three bad performances in a row. He’s 37 and a half playing in a two man midfield; maybe it’s unrealistic to expect him to play 90 minutes every week and influence games. So why keep him on all the time with options in-reserve? Oh, and GET OFF SET-PIECES!
Boldewijn - 5.5 - Criticism/scapegoating above is harsh, almost as ludicrous as him getting the sponsors’ MOTM. Did his duty defensively but we didn’t get the ball to him for 40 minutes. When we did, we looked dangerous. One great run and shot/cross nearly created something second half but we really need to give him the ball if we’re going to expect him to impact games.
Stead - 5.5 - Brilliant run created Milsom’s chance but wish he’d at least try and win headers occasionally, even if we all know he’s not a targetman. Link play on the deck was ok.
Gomis - 5 - Quick but little else, very poor. Snatched (again) at the one chance he had, and movement was poor. Could see value in him as an impact sub but can’t understand him starting. Not the striker we needed in January. Is he really more likely to score than Dennis?
Hemmings - 5.5 - Now established as the new scapegoat but didn’t do a lot wrong. No real service or opportunities and link play was ok.
Alessandra - 6 - Thought he did ok and was a positive change to push him inside in a midfield three as it finally gave us a bit of creativity from the centre.
Ardley - 4 - No third sub again. The subs feel pre-planned, there’s never any reaction or tactical switch to the game in front of him. Why not put Tootle RB and push Rose into CM with the midfield two struggling so badly? Some decent business in January but for me Schofield, Barclay and Gomis aren’t better than what we had and the latter two definitely shouldn’t be automatic starters.
Hall Of Fame
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote