Will post my views on game and performances.
Before the game was suprised to see no Broomes not even in the bench, wasnt suprised that Ricketts wasnt involved he needs more training and reserve games before he is ready for the squad. From what I heard today Broomes has left because Shotton is signing this week on loan.
Overall performance was good at times but still things to work on in training but people watching today I dont see how you can knock Barnes style. We looked more fruitful going forward when we passed it, we looked ***** when we banged it forward to nobody. We look dangerous with full backs bombing on, works a treat with Welsh sitting back to cover them. Bit suspect defensively at times but also at times we did well, both there goals where good hits from edge of the box we just had to close them down more. As a unit with long balls and crosses etc we kept Jackson quiet and looked okay at the back.
I think people need to get use to the fact that while Barnes is in charge we are going to be a little bit like Newcastle under Keegan. We are going to score goals but I can see us shipping them too. I can see a lot of 2-2, 3-2,4-2 games for us this season.
Great result though, Gillingham played some good stuff at times they wont struggle this year. After all moaning espically on this board, with games like that I cant see why people think we will struggle.
Individually:
Daniels - Couldnt do anything about either goal. Only had 1 other save to make right at the end, great save tipping shot over the bar. 7
Logan - Quick, Sharp, Good Touch. Very good performance going forward and looks solid defensively. 8
Cresswell - Good first half, espically going forward. Faded a bit second half but doesnt look out of place. 7
Gunning - He looked composed AT TIMES with a few little runs in the first half but then second half we just hoofed the ball to nobody. Looks OK defensively but we need to replace him in my opinion. At times gap between goodison and gunning was too big. 6
Goodison - Looked off the pace first half but second half he was immense. Some great tackles and some great composure. 7
Welsh - Was fantastic for me today, great goal. But his overall defensively play was great. Won a lot of tackles, didnt give the ball away much just won it and gave it to the full backs. Will be a big player for us I think. 8
McLaren - Off the pace today and sloppy at times. Think he is one of our better players. Doesnt usually give the ball away much but today he did a fair few times. Still think when him and Welsh gel they will be good partnership. I like McLaren but was off the pace today. 6
Shuker - Looked lively, he hoofed and puffed but didnt quite break for him at times today. He was very lively though but on a few little runs he didnt quite pick the right option or was unlucky to be tackled. Hope he continues to look lively though. 6
Mahon - Was poor apart from a few crosses in the first half, was very non existant. He kept going inside to allow Cresswell to slip Moore or Curran in down the flank. Think he would rather play centre midfield but I cant see him playing there. Needs to do more than he did today but again when he gets into the swing of it I feel he will be a big player for us. 5
Curran - Was poor today, gave the ball away too much and didnt make it stick. Didnt really have a sniff at goal. 5
Moore - 2 good poachers goals inside the 6 yard box. Plenty of work rate and good running off the ball. 7
Subs:
Edds - did okay when he came on to be fair in his unusual left midfield position. Showed his versatitly but had a solid 15 mins when he was on. 6
Gornell - I still dont rate this lad from just 1 game but he did play well when he came on so I eat my words. Great finish for his goal and I think he headed it back across for the fourth goal for Moore to tap in? Not sure though. Still think he has a lot to improve on and I wouldnt start him every week but I was more encouraged with waht I saw today. 7
Finally..
Barnes and McAteer - picked the team I knew they would which was the right team to pick. Changed it at 2-2 brining Gornell on and it changed the game in affect. I am fully behind the philopshy they are trying to instill at the club. We didnt actually play as much football today as we did in against Liverpool XI but when we did get it down like Barnes wanted we looked great. Barnes and McAteer were very passionate on the sidelines too and I for one have said it all along i think there doing a great job. 8
Before the game was suprised to see no Broomes not even in the bench, wasnt suprised that Ricketts wasnt involved he needs more training and reserve games before he is ready for the squad. From what I heard today Broomes has left because Shotton is signing this week on loan.
Overall performance was good at times but still things to work on in training but people watching today I dont see how you can knock Barnes style. We looked more fruitful going forward when we passed it, we looked ***** when we banged it forward to nobody. We look dangerous with full backs bombing on, works a treat with Welsh sitting back to cover them. Bit suspect defensively at times but also at times we did well, both there goals where good hits from edge of the box we just had to close them down more. As a unit with long balls and crosses etc we kept Jackson quiet and looked okay at the back.
I think people need to get use to the fact that while Barnes is in charge we are going to be a little bit like Newcastle under Keegan. We are going to score goals but I can see us shipping them too. I can see a lot of 2-2, 3-2,4-2 games for us this season.
Great result though, Gillingham played some good stuff at times they wont struggle this year. After all moaning espically on this board, with games like that I cant see why people think we will struggle.
Individually:
Daniels - Couldnt do anything about either goal. Only had 1 other save to make right at the end, great save tipping shot over the bar. 7
Logan - Quick, Sharp, Good Touch. Very good performance going forward and looks solid defensively. 8
Cresswell - Good first half, espically going forward. Faded a bit second half but doesnt look out of place. 7
Gunning - He looked composed AT TIMES with a few little runs in the first half but then second half we just hoofed the ball to nobody. Looks OK defensively but we need to replace him in my opinion. At times gap between goodison and gunning was too big. 6
Goodison - Looked off the pace first half but second half he was immense. Some great tackles and some great composure. 7
Welsh - Was fantastic for me today, great goal. But his overall defensively play was great. Won a lot of tackles, didnt give the ball away much just won it and gave it to the full backs. Will be a big player for us I think. 8
McLaren - Off the pace today and sloppy at times. Think he is one of our better players. Doesnt usually give the ball away much but today he did a fair few times. Still think when him and Welsh gel they will be good partnership. I like McLaren but was off the pace today. 6
Shuker - Looked lively, he hoofed and puffed but didnt quite break for him at times today. He was very lively though but on a few little runs he didnt quite pick the right option or was unlucky to be tackled. Hope he continues to look lively though. 6
Mahon - Was poor apart from a few crosses in the first half, was very non existant. He kept going inside to allow Cresswell to slip Moore or Curran in down the flank. Think he would rather play centre midfield but I cant see him playing there. Needs to do more than he did today but again when he gets into the swing of it I feel he will be a big player for us. 5
Curran - Was poor today, gave the ball away too much and didnt make it stick. Didnt really have a sniff at goal. 5
Moore - 2 good poachers goals inside the 6 yard box. Plenty of work rate and good running off the ball. 7
Subs:
Edds - did okay when he came on to be fair in his unusual left midfield position. Showed his versatitly but had a solid 15 mins when he was on. 6
Gornell - I still dont rate this lad from just 1 game but he did play well when he came on so I eat my words. Great finish for his goal and I think he headed it back across for the fourth goal for Moore to tap in? Not sure though. Still think he has a lot to improve on and I wouldnt start him every week but I was more encouraged with waht I saw today. 7
Finally..
Barnes and McAteer - picked the team I knew they would which was the right team to pick. Changed it at 2-2 brining Gornell on and it changed the game in affect. I am fully behind the philopshy they are trying to instill at the club. We didnt actually play as much football today as we did in against Liverpool XI but when we did get it down like Barnes wanted we looked great. Barnes and McAteer were very passionate on the sidelines too and I for one have said it all along i think there doing a great job. 8