Walsall player ratings and comments

WALSALL GAME PLAYER RATINGS
Another good, all-round team performance with every individual doing their bit and no one letting the side down, which was excellent in view of the fact that two very young starlets were making their first starts for us.
DAVIES 7: commanded the area well and made one truly outstanding reaction stage in the first half after Walsall had already scored and when we were under the cosh a bit. I expected to see the net bulge, but it was Davies’ palm which won and sent it for a corner. Crucial save, I think from Bradshaw.
CONNOLLY 6: it is a huge step-up from academies and under-18s to the full professional game, mostly in terms of knowing the professional wrinkles and tricks which the purer game at junior level does not have. Young Callum did really well and, although it looked the Walsall strategy to target our wider defence, he stood firm at all times, occasionally getting forwards to support Isgrove as well. Good first game and no significant errors. Well done, Callum.
ROBERTS 8: with Mawson, just dominated the centre of the area. Won everything in the air and looked comfortable on the deck as well. Considering that Walsall were able to exert a lot of pressure on us, especially in the first half, it is great credit that our defence stood firm apart from the one goal conceded.
MAWSON 9: totally commanding like Roberts, but with that added skill on the ball, which enabled him to find time on the ball, even when he had little of it. Passed well and set up the start of attacks all through. Looking as good as Shackell at his best. Great performance under quite a lot of pressure and that showed his true quality.
GEORGE WILLIAMS 8: he had a notably good game at left back, covering well when defending against very tricky players, such as Sawyers, who did him a couple of times, but he kept coming back. Most impressive when attacking, or supporting the attack. Often finding space down the left and working well on the attack with Chapman. It is being a bit pedantic to say that his crossing might have been more effective at times, because he looked a quality player almost all afternoon. No weakness in our defence there.
ISGROVE 6: did his bit well, although better contained by this Walsall defence that by the Swindon one I saw recently. Good performance and will learn how to work even better with Connolly over time and practice.
BROWNHILL 9: he personified the way we upped the ante in the second half, winning the ball, passing it in sublime manner and capping it all with a goal which is amongst the best I have ever seen live on a football pitch. Great that he had his brother and family there to see what a good player he is, although I suspect they will already have known. Outstanding performance, especially second half.
HOURIHANE 8: commanded the midfield in the same manner that Mawson did the back four, especially second half. He has had to reinvent himself in the 4-4-2, but how well he has done so. The improvement is most noted in his play when he doesn’t have the ball, but he also controlled the start of a lot of our best play. A captain’s display today, for sure.
CHAPMAN 7: his goal was worth 10/10. I sometimes wonder if we miss the start of the career of a player who has the potential to become a great premiership star, maybe even at international level. Young Harrison has sublime qualities with the ball and is cut out to be almost the olf-fashioned style of winger. It wasn’t just his goal, which showed this exceptional skill – the Walsall midfield and defenders just could not get the ball off him – there were other times when he had me on my feet and off he went again on another run. Walsall did just manage to stop him doing them any more damage, but it was hard work for them. I hope he plays more games, because we just might see some more of the unreal talent which this teenager has in his locker. It is also great that, at a time when we need players who will attack and have a go, Harry is just that type of player. Hard to believe these are some of his first professional games. We won’t forget the name. it could be up there in lights one day. I have made the comment above about the need to develop his understanding of the defensive side of his game as a winger. We did occasionally get into trouble when he lost the ball, but I would rather have at least one of this type of player in the team, who will probably break a defence, but might also give the ball away, at this stage in our season.
WATKINS 8: all-action; held the ball up very well. Brought other players in with linking passes. A rather unseen hero today, but his work-rate was 100% and he never let the Walsall defenders settle for long. Good muscular and committed display in both halves.
FLETCHER 7: starting to show some of his true talent, given the run of full games in the side. Some lovely touches of skill to throw off a defender. Always a threat up front. Took his goal really well. Battled for all the time he was on the pitch.
MAN OF THE MATCH – I think I will give it to Josh Brownhill on account of the general high standard of his play and passing and the goal which was sublime.
Scowen did well when he came on. He must have thought that Taylor was a rugby player, judging by the way he had hold of his leg near the end. Hand-bags from the Walsall man and it was good that Josh did not rise to the bait. Did his bit, but will find it hard to force his way into a starting place, given the form of the other midfielders.
Tuton and Khan – sound like an exhibition and ancient history somewhere in Cairo. Not really on long enough to make a sensible comment.
So, there you have it. A highly significant win against a good side who looked as though they could have won it on the first half display. This performance shows that quality of the side, as well as their potential. Best of all, they are playing a beautiful passing game almost instinctively, which gives me great hope that the run will continue and we have the basis of a memorable team. The least you can say is that it is a great time to be a Reds fan and we weren’t saying that a couple of months ago. Don’t miss it. It could be amongst the greatest achievements in the club’s history in 2016.

 

Thanks for that, Tom. A really good read.

 

Good report, thanks. I really wish I had gone now but I decided to stay at home and listen on Player. This reluctance to go to away games is costing me the chance to see some exceptional displays by my team. There's always a chance though of making the wrong decision, as I have found to my cost over the years.

I didn't bother going to Liverpool for our three visits in the last thirty odd years - big mistake each time.
I had a ticket for the Chelsea match but let it go to someone else. It was on the BBC and we couldn't win it, could we? Even bigger mistake.

 

I'd go Connelly 7, Fletcher and Chapman 8.

Isgrove saved himself after a really woeful first half. He completely wasn't himself I presumed he was either ill or injured. Everything he did went wrong. He had a fantastic 25 minutes straight after the half though so his 6 is fair.

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Mawson MOTM for me. Was immense all afternoon, the midfield really stepped it up in the second half however with brownhill pushing him close

Tuton looks a big brute of a centre forward, was that his league debut?