Fleck 5/10 – At home to Fulham he was on par with their outstanding midfield. Tonight, he had a decent start but faded badly and never got close enough, never got on the ball and was outplayed. One of the rare times, I have to concede he faced opponents that were just too good for him. He got another booking for a stupid tackle.
Evans 4/10 – Barely noticed him all game apart from when he passed it backwards and sideways. Did not carry the ball or try many forward passes. Off the ball the Fulham lads were too mobile and too good for him. He is another that is very inconsistent and sadly when he has played some of the better teams/players struggles. Bit of a flat track bully sadly and not consistent enough. His performances in key games at Wolves and tonight were really poor.
Duffy 5/10 – He started game ok and when he had the ball first 20 mins you felt he could do something and put in one great cross for Sharp but then not in it and looked totally disinterested by the end waving his arms at Holmes and Brooks. He gave us very little. He did not get on the ball but off it he did not close or press and I felt was not disciplined tonight. They overran us in midfield and he have to take as much blame as the other two. Needed to sit in more and just dig in but he went wandering and we had no kind of shape for long spells. Wasted numerous corners/free kicks too.
Sharp 5/10 – Missed a good chance and then barely kicked the ball. No service and never really in the game. Had one half chance early 2nd half but after the one he missed; he was on scraps. No help from his partner.
Donaldson 3/10 – Really poor. He missed a good chance and then took forever over everything he did and allowed opponents to get back. Very languid and I felt quite lazy too. He is not the answer for me. He gave us a nice cameo mid-season after he started well at Sunderland but had more poor games than good ones. Surprised he lasted as long as he did.
Subs:
Brooks 5.5/10 – Came on and had a few runs with the ball but also gave it away quite a bit but was at least trying things when he got it. His giveaway I think led to the 3rd goal. He gave it away a few times after. He needs to start games now. We may not have him for long and is wasted on the bench. He is going to give us far more than Donaldson or Wilson as a 2nd striker and if Clarke is not fit Saturday then he should play off Billy.
Holmes – Gave it away cheaply a few times and then had one run where he ran down the wing but nothing came of it. His United career has not really started yet and not sure where he fits in? Seems an odd signing at the moment as Brooks and Duffy will be ahead of him.
Evans – Missed a header and another couple bounced off him. Tried and ran around but not sure he has the quality but hard for him today when the game has lost. I actually would rather him have a game than Donaldson at the moment but not sure either are anywhere near good enough for a side challenging for the playoffs.
Manager: Wilder 6/10 – Can you really have a go at him? His team were beaten by a better team. He tried to change things but it was too late. We needed to get to half time at 1-0 but did not and then the game was over. He is doing his best but cannot get anymore out of this group for me. He could tweak things a little or change a few players here and there but ultimately Wolves and Fulham are superior individually and collectively and not sure any coaching or plan B, C or D would change that really. He must be frustrated looking at a side that gets 18,000 tops be able to sign players like Mitrovic in January and we sign Wilson. That is the difference in ambition between the two sets of boards. They will get their rewards at the end of the season. The likelihood of us going for a player like him or his ilk is probably not going to happen for a long time. Sadly, means we have to overachieve with what we have but Wilder will only put up with it for so long. He is ambitious and the board have to match this. They must see the results and contrast between us and Wolves/Fulham and see how far off we are. They either accept it and accept a mid-table type culture for a few years or show some drive and forward thinking. It seems at the moment they will be more concerned with who is going to get full control than what actually matters; the product on the pitch.
Officials – Keith Stroud. Not great but no real effect on the final verdict sadly. Booked 4 of ours and loves to get his card out. The Evans one was ridiculous. Stevens, Fleck and O’Connell could have no complaints – latter for cynical fouls; former for 3 fouls in the first 20 minutes. He is still a poor ref who I have seen a few times. Wants to be the start of the show. To be fair it was an easy game to ref as it became like a practice game for the home side.
Crowd – Stupid clappers v loud and passionate fans who saw their team getting a right dicking but kept singing. United fans were incredibly loyal throughout watching a game that was over at half time in many ways but kept with the team.