Last night was my first game back and I obviously left a little deflated and disappointed. There were some positives and certain areas which we much improve in. Here’s my ratings for anyone interested. Not a bashing of the lads in any way and it’s still early days. Plenty of time to improve. Collins - 6. Didn’t really have much to do. Distribution was ok. Didn’t think he could do much for the goal. Brittain - 6. First time I’ve seen him play and I thought that he started well, making some positive runs and having a lot of the ball. He play became a little predictable and his crossing let him down. Helik - 7. Was pulled out of position and easily beaten in the lead up to the goal but then won more or less everything. Sibbick - 6. Asked to play the ball forward a lot more with the new system. Didn’t look overly comfortable with that. Didn’t do too much wrong. At the moment, I would think he’d get replaced by Mads when he’s fit. Kitchen - 6. Was asked to do a lot with the ball in the second half. Pushed up well but didn’t look totally comfortable in the opposition half. Styles- 5. Poor game. Needs to impact games a lot more. Should’ve done a little better late on with that effort. Maybe I’m being harsh on him? Palmer - 6. Better first half than second. Think he needs to play a little further forward. Good to see him last a little longer. Benson -8. MOTM by a mile. Always wanted the ball and distributed it really well. Looks a really good buy. Odour - 5. Technically looks good but is far too lightweight. Knocked off the ball far too easily. Frieser -5. Ineffective. Hardly noticed him. Woodrow - 5. See above. He’s got to be much better if he is to lead the line. Time for him to step up. His distribution was weak too. Subs Cole - 6. Made some good runs. Tried to get on the ball. Victor - 5. Struggled to get into the game. A frustrating night but I firmly believe that we’ll get a lot better when we learn the system and have some key players back. Does anyone know what the situation is with Kane?
Agree with most of that. Benson was by far the best player. All the forwards lucky to get a 5. Could be a 2. Totally non effective.
Was impressed with Benson first half at Bolton, last night not so much holds the ball well, busy turns in circles but god awful distribution and shooting pathetic for a professional footballer
Benson had loads of time on the ball because he was playing so deep whereas Styles was trying to create things where there was no space to play in, that one two he did on the edge of their box was class.
I thought Styles had a good game - most of our best moves came from him receiving the ball deep and turning Collins - 6 Sibbick - 6 Helik - 5 (For a change he was getting beaten in the air a lot!) Kitching - 6 Brittain - 5 - he got forward well but he had so many chances to put crosses in and nothing came of any... were they just bad balls? Missed a few chances too. He's still class though. Styles - 7 Palmer - 7 Benson - 7 Frieser - 4 - barely involved last night Woodrow - 6 Oduor - 4 - like Frieser he was ineffectual. Adeboyejo actually looked much more threatening when he came on
Helik 7 and sibbick 6??? You'll have to talk me through that one And very generous for benson made alot of stray passes Sibbick was motm for me
I remember that the ball was supposed to go to Britain and wasn't a hard pass to make. I think benson will be a good player for us but last night I didn't think he was great.
