Walsall match report part two

Player Ratings:
Turnbull 5: couldn’t do much about the goals, but the main weakness on the day was his kicking, both from dead ball and from hand. I have no certainty even now as to which player he was aiming at with his kicks. It looked as though the ball was going vaguely in the direction of Devante Cole, although you would have thought it should have been Trotta. The stats would be interesting just to see on how many occasions his long kicks ended up with our keeping possession. Not many, I would think.
Holgate 6: at least he is what we need if we are going to play a diamond, or 4-3-3 – a full-back who is quick. He didn’t give the ball away as much as some of the more experienced pros, so that is good kudos for the academy yet again. It was unfortunate that he got into the misunderstanding with Cranie, which led to Walsall’s second goal, but it is the sort of thing which gets ironed out with experience. He left a ball for which he should have tracked back, thinking Cranie would take it, but the Walsall forward got there first and, with momentum, was past Cranie in a flash to set up the goal for Tom Bradshaw. Looks a really good prospect and the sort of pacy full-back we need in this system
Cranie 7: one of the few player who did look a class above the rest today, having the skill with his first touch to give himself time and space to pick out a better pass. His passing was better than most as well and he commanded well in the air.
Nyatanga 6: did well enough in winning balls in the air and scoring from the corner. A pity he went off injured and I hope it is not yet another key player out, but the attention he twice needed makes me think he could be out a while.
Brown 5: no noticeable weakness this time, even though playing in an unusual left-back role.
Berry 6: shows some sublime touches on occasions, albeit rare ones today. He was the only player for us who looked as though he had an awareness of what others might be doing and the ability to mastermind a counter-attack, or construct a sweeping move. Too often fell into the same malaise of not being able to find the disappearing midfield colleagues and strikers.
Abbott 4: we really needed a player to boss the area in front of the back four and today he did not do that. Lost in the midfield mess.
Hourihane 5: some neat touches, but wasted a free-kick in a good position and had some way off-beam shots today. Another one who could not find himself in what is supposed to be our midfield ‘formation.’
Jennings 6: some good patches of skill, but possibly still slightly short on the pace which he needs once he has manoeuvred himself space. Was well minded by a couple of Walsall players when on the ball, which limited his options to shine. Better from him, though.
Trotta 4: Italy is famous for its statues and Marcelo was Italianate in being statuesque today. We need him as a big target man striker, who can hold the ball up and then link others into the attack. He hardly showed at all this way today and there was a lack of mobility in his play, so that he was not creating the possibility of making a run for a pass from midfield, or full back. Cannot recall him controlling any of the keeper’s, or defenders’ hoofs forwards, so a poor match from the Italian today.
Lita 6: looked lively. Brought other players into the game and had the experience to put his foot on the ball and allow time for the better pass, or for another player to make a run for him.
Cowgill 6: not on for long, but looked assured and at least got most of his passes to one of his colleagues, which is more than can be said of some of the more experienced players. Not a good time to come on when you are 2-1 down and up against it. Another good testament for the academy on this cameo showing.
Hemmings 5: not able to contribute much in the time he was on, but has pace and did look as though he was bothered.
So there you have it. A dismal day to be a Reds fan. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with the quality of player we had on the pitch today. There is a lot wrong with the way they are organised and with their understanding of their role within the formation being played. This is also down to what happens on the training ground in the week. You could see in Walsall’s performance that their sharp passing and support for the player on the ball, as well as their understanding of each other’s positional play was something developed by good management and coaching week-in, week-out. We seem to be lacking that and it will need a concerted focus from management and players if we are to avoid consecutive relegations. On this showing the portents are not good, if there is not turn round in form during this month.

Enjoy Christmas, folks! Don’t get angry with santa just because he wears red!