Got a chance to go down to the U23s' match today. A performance a bit like the first team can be at times: great going forward but defensively sloppy: lost 4-3. Here are a few comments and ratings for players: Townsend: 6 - Solid enough despite conceding 4. He wasn't at fault for any of the goals and made a superb point blank save just before they made it 3-3. Otherwise just some comfortable saves. I was also quite impressed by his distribution Evans: 5 - Not terrible but he was a bit slow getting back which probably cost us the first Crewe goal. Going forward he needs some work but defensively he's okay Rodriguez: 4 - Weirdly reminds me a bit of Mawson: comfortable on the ball but positionally naive. Communication needs to improve as well Proctor: 5 - More physical than Rodriguez but likewise needs to be more positionally aware White: 7 - Decent performance from Aidy. A superb run to set up the first goal, typical of him. Defensively he was sound enough Patrick: 6 - Scored a superb goal and is very skilful. However without the ball he doesn't work hard enough and offered no protection for the full backs Wolfe & Bird (central midfielders): 6 - Very similar players. Neat and tidy, good to watch. Both remind me of Hourihane when we first signed him (not a bad comparison) in that they aren't strong enough in challenges and need to be more physical, however they're both young and will bulk up Carvell: 5 - Didn't seem to get into the game and was less effective going forward than Patrick Payne: 7 - Didn't seem to be playing at 100% and was sometimes a bit lazy, however he was still effective and linked up play well. Didn't score but could have got a hat trick Brown: 9 - If he keeps playing like he did in the first half especially he will be in the first team regularly in no time. Two goals and an assist, including a superb 2nd. Albeit only U23s football, but he seems to have everything: you can play a long ball up to him and he can bring it down; but he's skilful on the floor as well, and linked up nicely with other players at times as well. Very impressed with him Substitutes: Smith: 6 - Centre half who replaced Rodriguez. More impressed with him than other centre halves. Seemed composed Wardle: 6 - Always impressed with this lad whenever I see him play. Right back but very attacking and starts plenty of attacks Dolan: Replaced White for last 10 mins
