My analysis vs Walsall

[GijsbertBos]

Collin - Didn't have much to do, but made a smart save in the second half

Brindley - really poor. Not good defensively, and struggled going forward yesterday. Not sure if he is up to it at this level

Morgan - Quite rightly selected as MOM. Dominant in the air and good positionally

Arnason - had a steady game. When he does things simple, he is better at centre back

Skarz - did okay. A consistent performer. Good defensively, doesn't offer a great deal going forward

Agard - quiet yesterday, but you always feel he could get on the end of something in the box

Smallwood - I'm warming to him. Does the simple things well and is competitive in the middle of the park

Frecklington - thought he was poor yesterday by his usual standards, but we can forgive him that. Arguably the best midfielder I have seen in a Millers short

Pringle - poor yesterday in my mind, nothing really came off for him. Can't think maybe he needs a rest?

Thomas - obviously unfit and struggled to get into them game.

[crashbang]

Good point by Walsall fans.

"no wonder the NYS pitch is in such good nick. They refuse to play on the grass"

To be fair , it was a bit hoofball.

[Miller_Muz]

I'd have to disagree with a few things personally:
Smallwood: I've already grown to like him before this week, as his presence has obviously free'd up Frecklington and given us the solidity and cover in midfield by doing the dirty work- however yesterday I think he had his poorest game for us, jump into a few tackles and gave simple balls away needlessly. Unfortunately this seemed to be the case with most of the midfield yesterday, as without a doubt Frecklington had his poorest game for us (which is understandable as he's been immense for the majority of the season), and in turn i thought us not being able to really get hold of the ball in midfield, was the main factor in our poor display yesterday.

Pringle: I didn't think he played particularly well, however some of the balls he put into the box were fantastic, and often were the only opportunities we looked like creating.

Brindley: didn't think he was great, but certainly didn't think he did too badly, can't remember their winger

[gwru]

Morgan and Arnason stood out for me. We missed Tavernier, Brindley his use of ball was terrible think they'll try and get rid in summer. Thomas and Vuckic should be behind Agard and Hitchcock in the pecking order for striker on that performance.

I've said this before and have been shouted down but its time to give O'Connor a run in the side along with Adams.

[nys]

Pringle was largely bypassed in the game because an out of sorts Skarz kept hoofing it over him. This led to him drifting in the middle to search for the ball, which harms our shape. He still showed a lot of quality on the ball.

Smallwood seems to differ between great and awful. Yesterday he was awful. He and Frecklington offered us no defensive protection, which arguably cost us the first goal. Against fluid and dynamic sides like Walsall, Smallwood's style of marking space doesn't seem to work. These teams just play triangles round him. If we are offered the chance to sign Smallwood, I would opt out. It would be a tough call for Evans. My preference would be to play Milsom as the defensive midfielder, if we can train him to stay disciplined positionally.

I feel really bad for Brindley. He gave his level best but is flawed defensively and offensively. Unfortunately he will probably leave in the summer, unless he shows more between now and the end of the season.

[Littlest_Hobo]

Personally it was a similar game to one earlier in the season where from the off the Referee made some bad decisions, then Walsall scored. As a result instead of trying to beat Walsall, we tried to beat the referee. I said to my mate that Smallwood needed to keep his gob shut as he was in the referees face and at the first opportunity got himself booked. Frecks as we know does not lose his head as such but can mis time a few if things his creative freedom is stifled and I thought a couple of times perhaps he backed off, possibly wisely considering that a few matches ban would not be a good idea. By the time we regained any sort of composure I am afraid Walsall had us. They crowded us out, doubled up on us and basically screwed any chance of us playing any flowing football. Time and time again we turned backwards after making ground and they just re-grouped and hassled again. We needed composure after 20 minutes and a quick reply as out game plan was well and truly up the creek.

Reve

[millertop]

Morgan, Arnason,Collin were the only ones who had a good game.

That was Smallwoods worst game for me.
Thomas injured and Revell was poor, might have made a difference if he had replaced both Thomas and Revell for Hitchcock and Vuckic