Dale were NOT a decent side. Apparently they fielded mostly reserves, I don't know if that's true or not but it certainly looked like it. They sat very deep and although some of their passing was nice, they weren't threatening. However, as much as they weren't great - we were WORSE. The first half was absolutely bloody diabolical. Yes Facey scored a superb solo effort that practically tore the goalie's arm off as it flew into the net, but that was it from us. Brian fielded his typical 5-3-2 (or is it 8-0-2, cos that is what it looked like again tonight) formation and we were AWFUL.
Their first goal was 100% Ian Goodison's fault. Sheparding out an over-hit through ball should be meat and drink for a defender. But in his typical liability fashion he managed to c*** it up. Attempted some kind of feint and expected their forward to clatter him in an attempt to keep it in. Their forward didn't bother, but Ian had already over-balanced and effectively dived forward onto the ball after no contact made. Looked daft but I wasn't too concerned as I was sure his momentum would carry him and ball out of play. But no, the ball squirts out behind him back into play, right to the feet of the forward that had stopped bothering five yards previously, who when Achters came towards him simply squared it to Tait who happily slotted it into the net. What a useless player that Goodison is.
Their second was deflected in off the leg of Jackson but it wasn't his fault, yes without the deflection Achters would have saved it easily, but things like unlucky deflections happen in football. What really really annoys me is the fact that it was a routine ball into the box that squirted out to the edge of the D and NOBODY closed down, giving the guy who shot all the time in the world. Whenever we play with 5 at the back we are left with 5 players unsure of quite what they are supposed to be doing, and a midfield in front of them equally unsure of what to do. 1-2 down at home at half time and it easily could have been worse against a side that weren't even going at us. The chorus of boos was exceptionally loud considering how few fans were in attendence and it was so cold they hadn't been making noise at all until then.
When the sub was eventually made it STUNK of last ditch desperation from Little, the 'oh hell, we're losing and there's nothing to lose now' kind of substitution. If it was such an inspired choice as some people have commented, then why the hell was Daggers splinter picking on the bench instead of being a straight replacement for Davies in the starting line-up? It's because Little is inept, simple as, and was bailed out tonight by the players.
Daggers was full of running and inspired those around him to do likewise. Plus switching to 4 at the back meant that Sharps and Jackson knew where to be. Moving Goodison to right back when Rochdale had no left winger meant that he couldn't perform any (more) match-losing f***-ups, although he did try on a number of occasions, passing straight to opposition players, but we're all getting used to that now (WHY should we have to put up with it!).
Facey was immense for us, winning every header and doing all sorts of flick-ons and knock downs, and most importantly getting the ball into feet and running with it. The penalty was a nailed-on penalty, he just had way too much running for their defender who made a lunge and got nowhere near the ball. Facey would be MotM if Achterberg wasn't. Achters runs away with that award, totally kept us in it throughout the first and second half with save after save after tip over after save after save after clearance after save (you gettting the idea?).
Sad that playing against a fourth-tier side that our goalkeeper should be man of the match isn't it?
But at the end of the day, we're played badly and won. I won't be happy until we play well (and win, lose or draw), but I'll have to settle for play badly and win.
Oh, and.... OH LORD WAS IT COLD.