Player ratings - Grimsby

Killip - 6. No saves to make. Distribution a little iffy.

Lofthouse -7. Defended well, fast, doesn't really seem to have a left foot, but thankfully has a very good right one. Dangerous on the dribble.

De Gevigney - 6. I love him, will be a real crowd favourite. Does everything at full throttle - 100 miles per hour. Not much of it came off today, but there's definitely a player in there.

McCarthy - 6. Solid if nothing more, good to get a full 90 in, not sure he dominates enough for the centre of a back three.

McCart - 7. Looks a player. Loves a tackle and a header and commits 100%, decent feet as well.

Dodgson - 9. He's absolute quality. A level above anyone else on the pitch. Excellent decision making, did everything first time and just seemed to move the ball quicker and make better decisions than anyone else. Grabbed a goal as well.

Nejman - 5. After 60 mins I was a bit confused as to what he offers, seemed to find his feet more at the end of the game and won a few challenges.

Benson - 6. Was a bit of a bystander as well, but first 90 minutes in ages and suffered in a 2-man midfield. Bumped to a 6 for his assist at the end.

Chapman - 6. I like him. Good touch, pressed well, fast and tenacious. Didn't really create at all, but looks a tidy player.

Cosgrove - 6. Clearly hadn't been handed the pressing brief and seemed a bit lost out of possession, but has a good touch and brought others into play well. Good assist.

Watters - 5. Clearly has talent and is clearly very fast, just looks a bit timid and lacking in confidence in everything he does.

Subs - some good cameos against a beaten Grimsby side. Marsh, Yoganathan and James all impressed.

Tactics 5-2-3 (which was more pronounced in the second half) didn't seem to work too well with us over run a little in midfield and struggling to create up front. Think an extra midfielder gives the wingbacks more license to bomb forward, both were stifled a bit in the second period.

 

James looked superb when he came on. That tackle from behind after Grimsby got through was immaculate, stayed on his feet, timed it perfectly, and retained possession and passed it off nicely. Was really impressed with him in pre-season friendlies too. Definitely has talent

 

Very good at hull, surprised they are keeping him out of the main firing line tbh.

 

I didn’t see 5-2-3. In my opinion it was 3-1-4-2 with Nejman asked to sit in front of the back 3 and the wing backs playing more like traditional wingers. Not sure it suited the players we had on the pitch, but it reflected the tactic we usually play.

 

He looks closer to the first team than Mcarthy.

 

I honestly thought after his performances pre-season he'd be starting over Lopata & especially Shepherd bud. We have some very impressed young talent here

 

Would agree in the first half to an extent but all quite fluid. In the second we definitely started out with Chapman and Watters either side of Cosgrove and saw less of the wing backs pushing on. This evolved quite a bit with substitutions, but seemed to always have 3 up top.

In the first half Chapman was a little deeper, but tried to fill in towards the right wing whenever possible.

 

100 % mate.
He would play in the first team for me ,looks very assured got pace.
Some of the players first touches in the first half .
He looked absolutely quality.
My young un been to most of under 21s and been shouting his name for weeks.
I can see why.
Thought Chapman looked good as well.

 

Thought Josh Benson ran the show for us in the first half especially tbh.
I think Chapman will become a regular but has a job on to displace others at the mo.
For a side that has not played together. It was a better performance than I anticipated. And tbf Grimsby showed some decent stuff.

 

I think you’re being kind to Watters with a 5

I thought Nejman did okay though.And I agree about Dodgson. He made several runs into the box. Great striker’s goal by Marsh at the end. For me he is ahead of Watters for the first team bench.

 

To be fair I watched on iFollow and it’s not always easy to see as the camera focuses on the ball.

 

You probably made the right choice.
It wasn't a classic.

 

Very impressed with the younger lads today. First time I've seen a few of them and it does look as though the future is bright.

 

Personally see him as the long term successor to Cole. Cozzy and Cole to start next match.

 

I am glad it's not just me that thinks that.

 

The young boys coming through ,it's amazing what our youth coaches are doing.
Nice to see them getting a chance.
Is a big step up the next one ,but here's hoping.
French guy looks like he wants to bust a gut to prove himself.
Give him time ,mads looked raw first few games.
So did Kitch.

 

I think it as to be his age.
But I think if your good enough ,your young enough.

 

It was said that the goal on Satdy will help Watters with his confidence, did it show at all tonight ?.

 

He did a lot of the dirty work.
I think he offers a little bit more up top in physicality.
Cozy looks very similar ,so for me it's either or.
Cole and Marshy look like the goal poachers.
Marshy had a great mentor in Woodraw.
And competition up front is looking good.

 

Its sounding that way, and I'm impressed at what I keep hearing about Marsh.