Rockford's Love Child
Member
- Joined
- 15 Mar 2010
- Messages
- 13,910
- Player
- Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
- Manager
- John King
I think today's game emphasised that we have a manager who is tactically adept. I don't think many of us expected we would start with a 352 with Morris as an emergency wing back, but the system worked to a tee. The two strikers gave us more presence in the opposition box, as has been mentioned above, but the midfield trio gave us a degree of control and denied time and space to a Rotherham side that looked like it would be very useful if it was allowed more freedom to play. However, aside from the tactics the workrate and commitment from the eleven players was fantastic, and exactly what we are going to need this season.
In the second half we actually matched Rotherham for chances created, which is something we have not seen previously this season, and the result was fully deserved. We also managed to maintain our intensity for ninety minutes, rather than playing in fits and starts.
I don't think anybody played poorly. I thought Morris did well in his unexpected role (as well contributing another assist) and Ridehalgh had his best game of the season, and looked more comfortable as a wing back. Of the centre halves, I thought Ray had his usual couple of nervous moments but Manny was back to his imperious best (I notice some of the Rotherham fans reckon they should sign him!) and Nelson made a big difference with his heading ability. I lost count of the number of times he cleared crosses, on a couple of occasions bailing out Ray after a slight mistake.
Both of the strikers did OK: Mullin had a quiet first half but was more effective after half time, forcing a good save from their keeper; Payne was decent in the first half, holding the ball up and laying it off, but was less effective in the second period. However, he was in the right place at the right time for the equaliser, which perhaps demonstrates why Micky has preferred him to Mullin.
In midfield, both Perkins and Jennings worked hard, although the latter was caught in possession a bit too much at times. However, I thought the stand out performer was Potter, both with his workrate and challenges and his quality on the ball. Where he scores more highly than Banks is that he is capable of producing a killer, defence-splitting pass, but is less sloppy with his short-range passing: I did not see him give the ball away once today and I think he needs to stay in the side.
There were great scenes at the end and hopefully this result will give everyone confidence moving forward.
In the second half we actually matched Rotherham for chances created, which is something we have not seen previously this season, and the result was fully deserved. We also managed to maintain our intensity for ninety minutes, rather than playing in fits and starts.
I don't think anybody played poorly. I thought Morris did well in his unexpected role (as well contributing another assist) and Ridehalgh had his best game of the season, and looked more comfortable as a wing back. Of the centre halves, I thought Ray had his usual couple of nervous moments but Manny was back to his imperious best (I notice some of the Rotherham fans reckon they should sign him!) and Nelson made a big difference with his heading ability. I lost count of the number of times he cleared crosses, on a couple of occasions bailing out Ray after a slight mistake.
Both of the strikers did OK: Mullin had a quiet first half but was more effective after half time, forcing a good save from their keeper; Payne was decent in the first half, holding the ball up and laying it off, but was less effective in the second period. However, he was in the right place at the right time for the equaliser, which perhaps demonstrates why Micky has preferred him to Mullin.
In midfield, both Perkins and Jennings worked hard, although the latter was caught in possession a bit too much at times. However, I thought the stand out performer was Potter, both with his workrate and challenges and his quality on the ball. Where he scores more highly than Banks is that he is capable of producing a killer, defence-splitting pass, but is less sloppy with his short-range passing: I did not see him give the ball away once today and I think he needs to stay in the side.
There were great scenes at the end and hopefully this result will give everyone confidence moving forward.
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