Matchday Mega Thread v Rotherham

Based on tonight, absolutely. He seems to be settling in and making that position his own. Getting better and better.

Brilliant tonight he was, and hopefully it continues

 

Agreed. Nice change not to be complaining about a ref!

 

Whatever it is, he's going to struggle getting in to this team at the moment

 

Most complete home performance in god knows how long. I’d say since Port Vale last season but in some ways tonight was even better. We didn’t concede too many chances to them; but we didn’t score on every attack like that game.

We were better than 2-0 you could argue - on another day we will take the chances; we know dkd can score, Watters will get chances and Humphrys will score plenty.

That’s without mentioning Phillips, who I thought might have had his best game for us tonight. He’s always a goal and assist threat but he’s often anonymous in games up to that point.

Tonight he put a real shift in, linked up well with O’Keeffe and played some absolutely incredible passes, several cross-field beauties.

His chance after the link up with Humphrys - good save and the build up play was way above league one standard.

Phillips probably my motm but you couldn’t argue against it being Roberts, an absolute colossus and faultless, or even young George Gent, who wasn’t faultless in the same way but is making as a much better balanced side; and he attacks well.

Earl was also great, Luca sitting and pivoting was untroubled, Russell looks so much better further up - Mael did little wrong.

We look more confident with Killip.

In fact, nobody had a poor game at all really tonight. DKD was great first half other than not being able to finish his tea!

More of the same reds. Win lose or draw if you come out with intent and give it a go like tonight you’ll have the crowd behind you. Hopefully tonight will attract a few more next home game and we can back it up.

Also, Darrell Clarke. Well done sir. Your team have looked poor at home this season, Bristol Rovers aside. You deserved time. Away performances recently have been good. Tonight was magnificent - and there were no weird illogical subs either.

Happy troffer tonight. Home for a celebratory kebab I think, I’ll treat the lad seen as he missed the game with having to work tonight; then beers tomorrow with some other rugby dads to watch England Australia.

 

Ok that was really harsh from me but I don't think the lad is good enough for this level of football. If everyone is fit then he doesn't get in the match day squad.

 

Brilliant performance tonight and the score line flattered them I thought.

Connell, Gent, Roberts and Earl all fantastic tonight.

Love Humphrys too. What a signing he is, on a free too.

 

Looking forward to cambridge next week. Fingers crossed its on

 

Back 3 all superb.

Though for me Connell stood out over and above everyone else.

Pleasure to watch us (after the first 10 mins or so).

Well done reds!

 

Imho....a great watch. Disregarding how poor they were in and out of possession.
We were fantastic tonight and we are seeing small increases in performance from individuals and as a team. They couldn't lay a glove on us...we looked really well set up, first to first and second balls and our passing , decision making and application were all a very good standard....it looked well and I've been enjoying our last few games....as Jay says "we look a proper team".
Man of the match Mark Roberts, special mention for Gent....but they were all good, well done coach, staff and players.

 

Great win tonight with the biggest positive being that we look like changing the dynamics of our home form, getting through that jittery period in the second half will hopefully be a massive boost to confidence.

 

Well, after he mucked up the minute’s silence!

 

agreed. Roberts was immense tonight. Won everything.

 

We had at least 3 didn't we?

 

Killip - 8
O Keeffe - 7
MDG - 7
Roberts - 8
Earl - 8
Gent - 8
Russell - 8
Connell - 8
Phillips - 7
DKD - 7
Watters - 7

Humphrys - 8
Craig - not on pitch long enough.

 

Being *****

 

It's all been said above and all I can do is reiterate - that was an all-round good game from everybody. First half especially the ball was sticking to us like glue and the way we were going forward with it was a joy to watch. That run by Earl, fairly early on, where he went past two or three players was fantastic. The passing, the tackling, the running off the ball - all brilliant tonight apart from one or two little periods when we let them into the game. The result was never in doubt though and, to be honest, any worries from the stands or the screens was only because of our horrible habit of conceding soft goals at home all season. Not tonight though. Yes Rovrum were poor, but we made them look worse than they are. 5 or 6-0 was a more realistic score line. Or maybe 6-1 if their Chinese takeaway lad had scored his fairly easy chance instead of letting Killip get his legs to it.

I think finally, FINALLY, we have turned a corner and I expect us to cement a top six place before too long, and then hold on to it. I know we are 4th now but might be back out of it after the weekend games. That doesn't matter though. The performances are coming together and the quality in this squad is shining like a beacon.

I thought at the time that Evans was applying the scattergun approach to signing anybody and everybody that was available and, as is usually the case, wholesale squad changes never work in the short term. He might get them firing later in the season to finish mid-table. On the other hand he might get sacked in the morning

 

Best home performance in ages. Probably latter half of the season under Duff.

it’s starting to look quite promising . Patterns of play developing over the pitch and the defence looking more composed led by Roberts who was immense at the back.

Big shout to killip for his save, as goals change games.
Pretty much every player was an 8 / 10 tonight and importantly looked like they would do anything for the 3 points.

COYR

 

I thought there was a massive gulf in footballing ability between the teams. Our weaknesses in putting teams away was exposed but we defended as a team much better than we have in recent times. Deserved result. Should have been at least a couple more DKD has got to think that one of those chances needs to go on.

Great team performance but Earl and Roberts did very well. Special mention for Gent though. The best technical player on the pitch some fantastic control and great tackling. When he gets that final ball right he will be hard to keep hold of.

 

?

 

Probably mine too. Gent did well and Phillips. I really enjoyed it at a Oakwell tonight, I was hoping for a few renditions of Cheer up Stevie Evans!