White Noise (Rotherham at home int cup)

Well, an entertaining cup tie in the end. Not that we provided much of it until after the break in what was another really poor first half performance this season. The away side took advantage of poor displays from our makeshift full backs in that opening 45 minutes. And too many of our lads looked like they were stuck in neutral. It was a tough watch.

I'll give credit to both Barratt and Shepherd though who made great defensive blocks to prevent Rotherham scoring early on. The latter impressed throughout for me, on the left of defence. And whilst there have to be questions regards the Millers' goal, I felt Cooper did alright. Without a better angle, it's hard to know whether his view of the strike was obstructed. Either way, both Farrugia and de Gevigney were more than culpable as we continue to gift wrap opportunities to teams.

The arrival of Phillips changed the game. Obviously, Ogbeta did well when on also, which allowed Farrugia to play in what looked to be a more suitable position. But Phillips was outstanding. All of a sudden, there looked a better blend across the team. And the tempo was much quicker. Less of the crab-like football we endured in the first half.

I felt DKD was dreadful again. But he was involved in the equaliser which was wonderfully diverted in by Russell following Ogbeta's delicious cross towards the near post. He has his critics, big Jon, but like Phillips he delivers on a fairly regular basis. How you get some of these players into the same team and performing is a headache for Conor I'm sure. But rather that than the issue of having barely any options, which is the glaring problem up front. No McGoldrick, and a completely out-of-sorts Keillor-Dunn. To be fair to young Farrell, he put in a decent cameo but I don't think anyone but maybe his parents think he's ready to play regularly in the league etc.

Anyway, I'm babbling away here.

The winner was tidily put away by Phillips after some good thinking from Farrugia and we might well have added to our tally.
Good to get into the next round and have the opportunity to potentially draw a money-spinning tie. And to see a great second half display too.

Big game on Saturday!

Ratings:

Cooper 8
de Gevigney 6
Barratt 7
Shepherd 8 (Earl 6)
Farrugia 7
Bland 8
Yoganathan 5 (Phillips 9)
Russell 7
Vickers 7 (Kelly 6)
Keillor-Dunn 4 (Farrell 7)
Cleary 5 (Ogbeta 7)

 

Cleary was poor, but DKD was shocking today!

 

Something not right with DKD. Just doesn’t look the same player at all. Has his head been turned?

 

I don't think so, obviously could be very wrong. I think he's had a big dip in form due to playing on the left. I know he's played there before, but to me, there's no lack of effort still, just form. I mean lets be honest, he will be on good money compared to a plumber, but just like when Conor left us, his next move could be life changing if he earns anywhere near what Conor did when moving to Villa...

 

Seems likely the way he had been the last 2 or 3 games. There must be a move lined up but we’re blocking it.

 

I think DKD had a knock and seemed to play through it for a while. What's really nice is to think a player as good as him is having a bad spell and he'll come back at some point.

 

First half, Farrugia was dreadful, Cleary was dreadful, Bland gave the ball away at every opportunity (and regularly went some way to winning it back to be fair), we looked slow, turgid, half arsed.

Second half, Farrugia looked like peak David Beckham, Phillips came on and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, Bland started spraying passes left right and centre, we were mobile, quick, we got the ball out wide, and we looked less afraid to have a go at goal. Ogbeta, an actual full back, came on and played full back, competently.

I thought Farrell did a decent job up front when he came on. He seemed to win everything in the air which is sometimes all you need from a number 9 when defending a lead. It took a lot of the pressure off the back 4.

Vickers was my man of the match, again. The only man who strung 2 decent halves together. Cooper a close 2nd, though I think he will be disappointed with the goal.

 

Shep my MoM. Bland and Vickers 2nd place.

 

Pretty fair ratings although I'd have gave Earl a 7 he too did well when he came on.

 

I’d forgot about that. He got clipped on the heels midway through the first half & was limping afterwards.

 

The ball was literally bouncing off him, he had zero control of it or made horrendous decisions when in position, poor use of the ball etc. It was as bleak as his display at Wimbledon. But as Dyson says, if we take this as a random blip, then it bodes well if he can get back to something like we were treated to last season.

 

We dealt with their few threats pretty well.

Martha is some player for them and shows you can scout some bargains abroad that are off the radar.

 

There's been some chat that he's unfortunate to have been shifted out wide in favour of McGoldrick - tonight showed in this system we need someone who can play back to goal and not sure it's his best role.

Just hope we can get him on the ball high and out wide and get him running at players more - definitely just a blip/adjustment. Although it might make things more palatable if a bid came in for him this week...

 

I reckon they'd be relegation fodder without Liam Kelly.

 

I'd be amazed if we exit the window and still have both DKD and Phillips.

I've read the rumours regards the former, and big bids turned down. I applaud it, but I'm one of those who think we have to sell our best players sometimes, to try and aid sustainability.

 

He's an international for Curaçao.
Dick Advocaat really is the manager of Curaçao.
Dean Gorré is his Assistant, tho he's recently changed his name to Dean Creme de Menthe.

 

DKD's best position is where Phillips plays. He's not a winger and he's not a central striker in a front 3. There might be stats showing he's played plenty of games as a striker and a winger but these were mainly in League 2 and there weren't a queue of clubs lining up to sign him.

The question is, who is better in that position. If Phillips plays like he did last night when he came on then the position is his. But he doesn't every week. Personally I think Phillips can be adapted to play a bit further back alongside either Connell or Bland with DKD taking the more attacking position. We've never had a player that reminds me more of Hourihane than Phillips and Conor was taught how to be a more all round midfielder. No reason why he can't teach Phillips.