Yet another defeat in Sheffield, yet again we didn't deserve to lose and yet again we concede a soft goal from a set piece. The game itself was remarkably similar game to the one at Hillsborough, there were very few clear chances and one goal alway looked likely to settle it. The biggest concern for me was that other than a spell where we were all over them just before we conceded, we never really looked like scoring. I don't know whether it's the strikers who arn't good enough or if it's the midfield who arn't creating enough but we simply don't look like scoring away from home. Macken is an intelligent player but simply doesn't get into enough goal scoring positions, Stan can be a liability away from home at times, he concedes far too many stupid free kicks for pushing and his lack of pace hinders us on the break. That said he still looks our most likely goal scorer and forced a great save out of Kenny. We arn't a bad side and having played all the top teams in the division we certainly don't look inferior, what we do lack is a goal scorer and until we get one we will continue to struggle to break teams down. If we get a prolific striker in January then a play off push isn't out of the question. Player ratings: Muller: Didn't have much to do but everything he did was very confident and assured 7 Foster: As consistent as ever, didn't put a foot wrong. A solid and reliable member of the squad, some important clearing headers 8 Nyantanga: Coped with Beattie & Sharp well, neither of them had any chances. Booked for a late tackle. 7 Souza: Same as Nyatanga defnsively. His distribution was poor at times though and was stupidly booked for dissent after throwing the ball into the ground in frustration 7 Van Homoet: Decent debut, looked pretty quick and slotted in at left back pretty comfortably. He did look a little hesitant against Gillespie at times but was generally steady 7 Howard: Made a vital tackle in first half (might've been a pen, wasn't sure if he took the man first), wasted a couple of promising looking free kicks 6 Anderson: Did alright, dwelt on the ball in dangerous positions at times which almost played us into trouble. Did a great piece of skill to win us a free kick in 2nd half by lifting ball over Gillespies head & then running round him. 6 Devaney: Barely had a kick and was subbed for Odejayi soon after the goal 5 JCR: As frustrating as ever. Looks so dangerous but his decision making at times is woeful. Needs to learn to pass instead of dribbling at times and needs to shoot more. As ever his work rate was excellent and his direct running puts teams on the back foot. 6 Macken: Good touch and clever use of the ball as always, never looked like scoring. His lack of goal threat is strarting to become a big concern. 6 Ferenczi: Poor today, kept conceding needless free kicks (he has a habit of jumping at the defender rather than going for the ball), I thought we should've brought Christensen on in his place. Missed our best chance and doesn't seem anywhere near as effective as he is at Oakwell. 5
