Post by stevek192 on Sept 30, 2015 12:09:11 GMT
So we moved on to Hartlepool to what must be one of the dire places in the UK other than you get 4 pints with change from a tenner!!! Must say that I was surprised to see that DC made five changes from Saturday but not at all disappointed with those changes or in fact the way the team set up. For me I arrived at the ground confident that we would see a more attacking approach from a much better balanced team between attack and defence.
In some ways it was good that Leadbitter was not playing as if he was DC might have continued using wing backs instead of natural width.
Nicholls 7 Another good performance from a player who I just hope we can get as a permanent addition or at least for the seasom. My only worry is whether we can do anything between the end of his loan in December and the January window. Brave, confident and really looks the part. One very good save and confident handling throughout but in all honesty he didn't have a great deal to do throughout the game.
Clarke J 6 Better than Saturday with only the odd mistake although I have the feeling he may have been left out had Leadbitter passed his fitness test.No nonsence defending although I am sure he is more of a centre back than a full back but to be fair to him that may just be b ecause he was used to playing centre back this season.
Lockyer 8 Another commanding performance from Locks who is finally getting a chance to develop into a centre back of stature which belies his years. Good in the air,reads the game excellently and can cover right and left with ease. I have the feeling that he may be our next big export but i hope we can hang on to him and move forward as a club with him as he could well be Captain material.
McCrystal 7.5 A good return for the skipper and whatever DC may describe his changes as I have no doubt that Parkes was rightly dropped after recent performances. A couple of rusty moments as would be expected but overall at last the defence was led. His distribution is never going to be great but you know what you will get as Mac is just whats "written on the label" You know he can be relied upon not to take chances and better is a ball hacked away than dawdling and passing straight to the opposition. Sensible substitution near the end as the game was won and no point pushing him too far on his return from injury.
Brown 7 Looks far more comfortable as a full back and I will not be too disappointed if we don't see the wing back system used again as it leaves us too exposed and I work on the basis of defenders primarily defending well and the attacking side being a bonus. Lee looks a lot happier starting in the defensive position and then breaking when he can and we looked a far more compact defensive unit and moved up far quicker than Saturday and what a difference that made enabling our midfield to be both a defensive and attacking unit rather than Saturday where they struggled to get out of our half as the central defenders were so far back.
Bodin 7 Took his goal well with great control and accurate and cool finish. Could easily have come away with a hat trick as he had two far easier chances in the first half where he disappointingly failed to hit the target but he has genuine quality in his movement and confidence on the ball which gives us much more of a threat and Hartlepool were sometimes using two and even three players to contain him. Deserves a longer contract so he totally feels at home and please DC give him a proper run of games and we could have a very good player on our hands.
Mansell 7 Much more like the Mansell of last season and proved the doubters wrong again. Very unfair to write him off after one game following a long lay off and little pre season. Manse did everything to keep us ticking,tackling,hassling,breaking up play excellently and then passing the ball accurately over varied distances. It is not easy playing in a two man midfield and Hartlepool tried their hardest to get on top in the first half with the extra player but both Manse and Sinc gave hard working performances to hold and eventually take control of the midfield area.
Sinclair 8 Never stopped running but is that surprising. Far more than just a hard working performance-Hassled the opposition into submission and then was always looking to run at Hartlepool showing a lot of attacking intent but also a disciplined performance that enabled him and Mansell to work as a partnership.
Gosling 8.5 MOM This was a close decision as to be honest this was a fine TEAM performance. Was always available to receive a pass and run at Hartlepool and was unlucky when he hit the post ( I think it was him but could have been Matty T) It was good to see him prompting and at times teasing the full back but he adds that width to the team which we have been lacking. Another who now deserves a run in the side.We all know wingers have in and out games but width is so essential in breaking down teams. I hope DC learns from this and sticks with this team for the next few games.
Easter 7.5 Possibly his best performance as he is now taking up the "Leader" of the attack position more often and Pool looked worried every time he had the ball. Was always available to receive the ball,shield it and then lay it off.Deserved a goal and I have the feeling we will now see the best of him.
Taylor 7 Much better performance. Scored a good poachers goal and ran from start to finish,holding the ball up well and showing IMO he could make a reasonable midfield player if necessary.
This is a game which DC could have stuck with the team without making any substitutions but could understand resting McCrystal as the result was not in doubt.
Harrison,O Clarke and Parkes Not long enough to mark or give an opinion on as they didnt have time to really do a lot.
Crowd 10 Gave a good vocal backing that sounded far more than 190. Long,long journey which was rewarded with a good performance.
Referee 4 Very much a homer and we got very few decisions go our way.
Hartlepool 5 We made them look a poor side but their midfield players actually looked quite good especially first half with their interplay.They should have scored with a header in the second half but were generally well contained.
DC Had the guts to make the changes but now has to have the conviction to avoid making unnecessary changes. I would definitely keep the same side for Saturday and then give some of the others game time against Wycombe in the JPT so we don't show our hands too much for the following Saturday.
So for me a very hard working team performance and a very good one at that. I just hope that DC doesn't mess with this team too much for Saturday where i think we have a reasonable chance of picking up another three points. If we believe in our ability rather than concentrate too much on the opposition then we are not a bad side . Width with two wingers is the way forward and it would be great if Montano could also get a bit of game time. Personally i would have brought him on rather than Ollie Clarke last night but not complaining at all after a very entertaining evening. Well done to all concerned.
So far this season it is a very roller coaster ride with some exciting performances mixed with some awful ones and this shows in the teams record and if we play like last night then after saturday it could very well read 5 wins,5 defeats and a draw which IMO will be a reasonable start to this season and I predict it is very much going to be an up and down season. UTG
In some ways it was good that Leadbitter was not playing as if he was DC might have continued using wing backs instead of natural width.
Nicholls 7 Another good performance from a player who I just hope we can get as a permanent addition or at least for the seasom. My only worry is whether we can do anything between the end of his loan in December and the January window. Brave, confident and really looks the part. One very good save and confident handling throughout but in all honesty he didn't have a great deal to do throughout the game.
Clarke J 6 Better than Saturday with only the odd mistake although I have the feeling he may have been left out had Leadbitter passed his fitness test.No nonsence defending although I am sure he is more of a centre back than a full back but to be fair to him that may just be b ecause he was used to playing centre back this season.
Lockyer 8 Another commanding performance from Locks who is finally getting a chance to develop into a centre back of stature which belies his years. Good in the air,reads the game excellently and can cover right and left with ease. I have the feeling that he may be our next big export but i hope we can hang on to him and move forward as a club with him as he could well be Captain material.
McCrystal 7.5 A good return for the skipper and whatever DC may describe his changes as I have no doubt that Parkes was rightly dropped after recent performances. A couple of rusty moments as would be expected but overall at last the defence was led. His distribution is never going to be great but you know what you will get as Mac is just whats "written on the label" You know he can be relied upon not to take chances and better is a ball hacked away than dawdling and passing straight to the opposition. Sensible substitution near the end as the game was won and no point pushing him too far on his return from injury.
Brown 7 Looks far more comfortable as a full back and I will not be too disappointed if we don't see the wing back system used again as it leaves us too exposed and I work on the basis of defenders primarily defending well and the attacking side being a bonus. Lee looks a lot happier starting in the defensive position and then breaking when he can and we looked a far more compact defensive unit and moved up far quicker than Saturday and what a difference that made enabling our midfield to be both a defensive and attacking unit rather than Saturday where they struggled to get out of our half as the central defenders were so far back.
Bodin 7 Took his goal well with great control and accurate and cool finish. Could easily have come away with a hat trick as he had two far easier chances in the first half where he disappointingly failed to hit the target but he has genuine quality in his movement and confidence on the ball which gives us much more of a threat and Hartlepool were sometimes using two and even three players to contain him. Deserves a longer contract so he totally feels at home and please DC give him a proper run of games and we could have a very good player on our hands.
Mansell 7 Much more like the Mansell of last season and proved the doubters wrong again. Very unfair to write him off after one game following a long lay off and little pre season. Manse did everything to keep us ticking,tackling,hassling,breaking up play excellently and then passing the ball accurately over varied distances. It is not easy playing in a two man midfield and Hartlepool tried their hardest to get on top in the first half with the extra player but both Manse and Sinc gave hard working performances to hold and eventually take control of the midfield area.
Sinclair 8 Never stopped running but is that surprising. Far more than just a hard working performance-Hassled the opposition into submission and then was always looking to run at Hartlepool showing a lot of attacking intent but also a disciplined performance that enabled him and Mansell to work as a partnership.
Gosling 8.5 MOM This was a close decision as to be honest this was a fine TEAM performance. Was always available to receive a pass and run at Hartlepool and was unlucky when he hit the post ( I think it was him but could have been Matty T) It was good to see him prompting and at times teasing the full back but he adds that width to the team which we have been lacking. Another who now deserves a run in the side.We all know wingers have in and out games but width is so essential in breaking down teams. I hope DC learns from this and sticks with this team for the next few games.
Easter 7.5 Possibly his best performance as he is now taking up the "Leader" of the attack position more often and Pool looked worried every time he had the ball. Was always available to receive the ball,shield it and then lay it off.Deserved a goal and I have the feeling we will now see the best of him.
Taylor 7 Much better performance. Scored a good poachers goal and ran from start to finish,holding the ball up well and showing IMO he could make a reasonable midfield player if necessary.
This is a game which DC could have stuck with the team without making any substitutions but could understand resting McCrystal as the result was not in doubt.
Harrison,O Clarke and Parkes Not long enough to mark or give an opinion on as they didnt have time to really do a lot.
Crowd 10 Gave a good vocal backing that sounded far more than 190. Long,long journey which was rewarded with a good performance.
Referee 4 Very much a homer and we got very few decisions go our way.
Hartlepool 5 We made them look a poor side but their midfield players actually looked quite good especially first half with their interplay.They should have scored with a header in the second half but were generally well contained.
DC Had the guts to make the changes but now has to have the conviction to avoid making unnecessary changes. I would definitely keep the same side for Saturday and then give some of the others game time against Wycombe in the JPT so we don't show our hands too much for the following Saturday.
So for me a very hard working team performance and a very good one at that. I just hope that DC doesn't mess with this team too much for Saturday where i think we have a reasonable chance of picking up another three points. If we believe in our ability rather than concentrate too much on the opposition then we are not a bad side . Width with two wingers is the way forward and it would be great if Montano could also get a bit of game time. Personally i would have brought him on rather than Ollie Clarke last night but not complaining at all after a very entertaining evening. Well done to all concerned.
So far this season it is a very roller coaster ride with some exciting performances mixed with some awful ones and this shows in the teams record and if we play like last night then after saturday it could very well read 5 wins,5 defeats and a draw which IMO will be a reasonable start to this season and I predict it is very much going to be an up and down season. UTG
?? sweet jesus