Mediocrity Report

Haven’t see. @Red Rain on here in a while, hope he’s ok.

Here’s my player ratings.

Collins - 7 - Did what was necessary when it was necessary. Nice flashback with the shithousery to waste a few seconds here and there.

McCarthy - 7 - Really like him. Pretty composed, wins the ball in the air and has a decent distribution, whether it’s passing or throw ins.

Andersen - 6 - Never looked in danger but still managed to make me nervous when we were passing the ball around at the back. Better long range distribution. Unlucky his ‘goal’ was offside cos it was a decent finish following some quick thinking.

Kitching - 6 - Couldn’t find a player for much of the game with his passing, but that mazy run just before full time was great.

Cadden - 5 - Hugged the touch line too much and always seemed to pick the wrong option when crossing. Hope he’s just still adjusting to this level.

Williams - 6 - combined nicely with Thomas and Benson down the right flank and got back and did his defensive duties when required too.

Styles - 6 - was barely in it until moved to wing back but then perked up a bit. Some nice interplay with Kitching, Thomas and Connell.

Benson - 7 - put a decent shift in today. Got stuck in and played some lovely balls from a bit deeper in midfield almost in a quarterback role. Got stuck in and looks like he’s going to be important for us this season.

Thomas - 9 - worked his socks off in midfield, pressing, tracking back, taking his man on or at least committing them to a challenge every time he had the ball. I’m looking forward to seeing his goal again, it looked brilliant from my seat. Picked up a loose pass from May, drove forward, got it out from under his feet and smashed it with a slight curl into the top corner.

Norwood - 6 - looks like a handful in spells, but is obviously not 100% fit. You could see him managing his own game. Do a sprint, then ask Luke Thomas to do the pressing for the next 5 minutes while he got his breath back. Decent header that was either just wide or tipped wide.

Aitchison - 6 - ferreted about a la Chris Dagnall. Didn’t get too many opportunities, but there was one where he was through and he seemed to snatch at it.

Subs

Connell - 7 - came on and shored up the midfield. Won more headers in midfield than I’ve seen us win recently and linked up nicely with Benson, Styles and Thomas.

Cole - 6 - definitely looked like he’s had a rocket from Duff. Or at least had his role explained to him. A couple of nice flick ons and some good strength shown. The ref blew for non fouls a couple of times he did well which I thought was harsh.

Marsh - 6 - Acrobatic effort at the far post which he failed to make contact with, but he did the Aitchison role well when he can on. Also wasn’t found wanting defensively when covering one of Williams’ attacking forays.

Hondermarck - 6 - added further solidity to our midfield when he replaced Thomas. Didn’t do anything spectacular, but looked tidy and worked hard.

The Ref - thought he was generally ok. Set the tone early with the yellow cards for yellow card tackles. Couple of suspect decisions from the assistants, but we have had much worse!

Overall, 7/10 performance. Bumped from a 6 as we got the 3 points.

 

Beckenbaueresque I thought.

 

Easily M-o-t-m for me, in fact I said so to the bloke next to me just before he scored. I always liked him, hope he kicks on this season.

 

Excellent game I thought, competent and unfussy, got all the big decisions right.

 

He was my 2nd best after Thomas, impressed.

 

Watched every throw in McCarthy took in first half and everyone was technically a foul throw

 

Really? Didn’t notice, but then I’m not expecting professionals to be giving foul throws away.
No doubt he’ll keep doing it until someone pulls him up for it.

 

We had a bit of a discussion about that where I was sitting and we came to the conclusion that refs don't seem to be bothered about it any more. I was in line with the West stand touchline and just about every throw involved a player's foot being on or over the line.

I lost count of the foul throws in the Women's Euros, none were picked up by the officials.

 

The rule was revised a few years ago. As long as part of the foot is in contact with the touchline, or behind it, then it's a legal throw. Doesn't matter if most of the foot is on the field of play if the heel is touching the line.

 

Honestly thought Williams had a shocking game we urgently need a new rwb

 

Wow, must have watched a different player to me! Thought he was very decent, probably one of his better games at rwb. The first half his pace was exceptional, got in some fantastic positions, 2 out of the 3 initial crosses were very poor however, but nowhere near shocking. Wasn't fantastic defensively, but wasn't shocking either. Made great runs, decent passes. Think 6 is fair

 

Thought his final ball was poor all game but you could say the same about Styles much better from Benson though and thought Luca Connell improved us.

 

Would generally agree with the OP. Differ on styles though. Drifts out of position, can't remember a tackle he did, their right winger had him on toast a couple of times and twice when he had a great chance to square a ball across the 6 yard box, chose to go for the tight shot and wasted it. It's a 4 or 5 at best from me

 

I thought he did a decent job of tracking back and blocking crosses, although you’re right an actual tackle may not have occurred.
He did make the wrong decision twice as well when in the box. Still think even a 5 is harsh though. 6 for me is did enough, and I’d say he just about did.

 

I thought he was decent today, used his pace to get the team out of dangerous situations on more than one occasion and got forward well. What else do you want from a right wing back?

 

Messi, Messi, Messi

 

Opinions mate prefer us to sign a new rwb and use Williams on the right of a back three

 

As much as I'd agree with him being better at RCB, I just don't think the club will do it after signing Cundy & Mccarthy. Especially if Helik stays. I definitely think we do need a rwb though, with Williams' injuries. I like Hondermarck, but (albeit on a very short amount of minutes) he doesn't seem great at all at rwb

Edit - but as I said previously, he got in some fantastic positions down their flank, had his crosses been better, could have calved open a good few chances for us. Hopefully he & the club is working on that!

 

I thought Styles played pretty well personally, but if he wants the move that's rumoured then we should be expecting a bit more than what we got, which IMO is a slightly above average League One player putting in a decent amount of effort.

If he's got the kind of talent everybody talks about he should have been setting the field alight.