And he got it!! Bobbly dry pitch only added to the scrap for survival and a desperate 3 points in the proverbial 6 pointer. Great move and finish for the early goal, O'Brien making what is now referred to around the footballing world (possibly not) as a 'O'Brien Run'........great control, touch and finish.....Messi would have been proud. An early goal often calms the nerves and settles the side and the crowd, bizarrely it did the opposite and we gave Millwall so much space and the they really should have taken advantage. It was obvious after about 15 - 20 mins that the two central mids and our two up top were leaving far too much of gap, Danny's windmill impression to Mellis was met with the now obligatory arms in the air and shrug that only Jacob can pull off, COG looked equally confused as to where he was being expected to position himself. The first sign of a reaction was Danny and Micky moving JOB inside to form a 3 with a floating stocky Jenno hugging the left wing or something to that affect, it worked, it got a busy industrious possibly player in the heart of the trenches to make himself a nuisance and unsettle Millwall's growing confidence. HT Non of the subs were warming up as per usual with the exception Stephen 'Mad Dog' Dawson who was being out through his paces and had the look of man about t make an imminent arrival. It came, Mellis lasted 45 mins after walking back into the team following 3 games suspended, Micky put it down to a lack of football since the Hillsborough debacle, I put it down to another performance that flattered to deceive. Dawson's introduction alongside our Jim with Manny Frimpong just behind them had the desired affect and immediately we ceased the initiative with Dawson driving us forward and Frimpong getting stuck in more, using his bulky frame and looking like a kid in a sweet shop every time there was a fifty fifty or half a chance of an interception. I think yesterday we saw the right balance of Frimmy (as I will now refer to him) a mixture of a watered down Hillsborough performance and a 'you are still allowed to tackle lad' Doncaster performance. The crowd were now up for it and spurred on by our now visible combative midfield, cheered on those boys in red, the back four looked solid again, Crainie keeping the ex Premier League marksman Steve Morison in his pocket the whole game, with his partner Rambo sticking his head and boot on everything that came his way in a no nonsense fashion which compliments Martins Barese-sqe style of play. Break Shea's introduction again left the faithful scratching their heads, indeed they would had have to wait till the 90th minute for his first contribution, whiling down the clock a little in the corner with a series of throw ins and free kicks. I agree with a few on here that say that second half was made for Paddys introduction, some ball hugging, dazzling runs and neat inter play would have had the Lions on the back paw. Sadly it never came and we do wonder just how much we will see of the Derry Pele again. All in all a great 3 points, a vital win in a must win game, far from convincing it must be said. With the next two teams up at Oakwell not knowing how to lose (yesterday's Forest result a side) we will need to have it right from the off, we cannot give the better teams 45 mins of dominance before we change it. With all Wilson's new signings, permanent and loan, it was refreshing that the game was own and made safe by two players who were seemingly set for the exit alongside Perkins in January. Jimbo and Dawson showed us the fight, effort and determination that Flicker installed in the side last term and what's needed for the rest of this season in certain games. Big well done lads
Wow The majority on here need to read this post Excellent post Shows how you can be positive/praising and balanced Can I ask where do you live ?
An enjoyable read, even if I do disagree with a couple of points. I don't believe Jim O'Brien and Stephen Dawson were ever on their way out. Both are valuable players to us, and both have terrific attitudes. I don't recall any talk of such exits either. Both have been regularly selected under Danny. More so than they were under Flitcroft. And neither do I agree with your assessment of Jacob Mellis. He contributed well in my opinion in that first half, and we won the game. He's played in every game under Danny (when available), and Mellon (in his caretaker spell). I'd suggest we'd have beaten both Ipswich and Doncaster were he involved, and I believe we're a far better team with him in it. Not saying you are wrong, or that I'm right. Just adding my own opinion. Good post though. As ever.
Aye well said Whitey. Mellis is a player who when he is absent you immediately see a change in the team. We become less penetrative less imaginative and create fewer chances. Of course those who equate ability with running around don't always see that.
Take the Donny game for instance, had it been Mellis and not Digby in the middle of the park, I believe we'd have won that game. Before half time. Of the players who've represented us this season, Cranie, Kennedy and Mellis are the ones who have played in all of our five victories.
