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What a cracking game, always knew when that twohat Mclean came on he would cause us grief, i have to agree with big Kirk about him. Anyway another brilliant performance from the boys only spoiled by a bit of poor defending and a bit of class from them.
Unfortunate to be behind from the own goal, but they had stretched us then with Hardings sliced ball and Woody missing the challenge, McDonald was unlucky that his touch went in. With the old Millers that would have been goodnight Vienna but there is more about this team, they know they can compete in this company even given the massive financial differences.
Brilliant pressing again by Smith and good finish from Crooks.
I liked the way we varied our set pieces today, the second goal although not executed to perfection did the trick, it makes a change to the same lump in and cavalry charge we have used before.
Crooks was immense today and back to the Tree we know and love, he should have had and deserved the hat trick. I still don't know how that one at the end wasn't a goal, even on the replay it looked like it was going in.
Blackman. Thought he could have done better with their second, seeemed to be in no mans land, didn't come for it and wasn't on the line to stop it, other than that ok.
Ihiekwe. Wasn't as commanding as we have seen him earlier on this season, and the defending of high balls into the back was an issue in the second half. That is a rare occurance this season.
McDonald. As above, unluck with the OG,it could have gone anywhere,
Wood. I thought he had the best game of the back 3 although became a little ragged towards the end.
Olosunde. Cracking game he really is coming into his own, his pace and directness had them worried.
Harding. Got caught out a couple of times today, they found that hole behind him that can expoit us.
Wiles. Mucky game for him got stuck in and grafted hard, but still made some good runs and had a couple of goalscoring openings.
Lindsay. Not as effective and in your face as he was on Saturday but he was exceptional then, I think he'd be the first name on my teamlist.
Barlaser. Didn't have many times when he could put his foot on it and play make, but still managed to compete and cause problems.
Crooks. Back to his best, although ought to be going home with the match ball, was a real pain in their side all night.
Smith. Fought, closed down, won headers and scored a goal, what more can you ask of him, a different man to the one in first quarter of the season.
Overall a very happy bunny, entertaining game but would have liked it to be 4-3 entertaining, against a very good Stoke side who used all their skill and experience, winning free kicks for example, to manage a draw with the Mighty Millers. I have knocked the defence for allowing their goals but have to give them some credit for the class of some of their play. When you can bring on players of the calibre of Fletcher, Allen and McLean you know we have to be at our best.
One thought though, we have been waiting all season for Oggy to recover, now he has where is he going to fit in this line up?
