Another Home victory in front of a big crowd

Another good game of football that we deservedly won and the only surprise at the end was that there were not more goals in it. I was not surprised that there were changes from the last game as it is a real rarity for DC not to make changes but again both the result and the performance proved the Manager right and it is really amazing that the Manager can make so many changes in both Personnel and formation and produce the consistent results that we are obtaining. Personally I can't imagine that any of Montano, Easter or Bodin could have been very happy with the Managers decisions after the last game as they could rightly feel they have been dropped after good performances. For me the decision to go back to wing backs was very surprising considering Luton are a fairly big side and I would have thought that at the very least we would play with one winger. In truth we needn't have worried because IMO every player performed to their ability with the possible exception of Matty taylor who for me was below his best. It was good to see Chris Lines back in the squad which means that Will Puddy is probably the only player missing now through injury.



Mildenhall 7 Again did all that could be asked of him.Very little in the way of shots came his way but he handled confidently,took a couple of crosses well,was off his line well to beat Machail Smith to a dangerous through ball and produced quick alert distribution which he has been criticised for. We do need another keeper but IMO when one is brought in he should have to fight for his place as Mildy deserves to start next game and at the moment is a worthy Number1.




J Clarke 7 Defended well and looked very solid as he always does in a back three. it can be a tough job if the opponents try to get wide to exploit that space behind the wingbacks but our back three all had good games and dealt with the long throws and crosses that did come in superbly.


Lockyer 8 Superb and made MaChail Smith look a player well past his best. Unlucky not to score at last with his header which was cleared off the line and led to our first goal.Clears up everything that comes his way with superb reading of the game. Can we keep hold of a player whos only questionable ability is his passing and even that is improving? Tom is the best example of our superb Youth team of the last 5 years and belies his years week in week out. I really hope that he can go up the levels with us rather than leave us behind.


Parkes 8 Benson has been causing a lot of problems to defences but Tom pretty well had him in his pocket. Back to his best and confident in his every move. he does look a bit awkward in possession at times but overall this was a strong and capable all round performance including one great run into the penalty area.




Leadbitter 7 A pacy and all action display that was only let down by the quality of the final cross.Today he was better at varying whether he was going inside the defender or outside but he does worry me with his first touch at times that pushes the ball just too far ahead of him. As well as his attacking he did clear up well at the back on a few occasions where his pace saved us being exposed.

Brown 7 Mr Consistency and extraordinary fitness levels that enables him to get forward and back. has a good understanding with parkes and there were a number of occasions particularly first half where they worked in tight areas to bring the ball out despite being under player pressure.




O Clarke 8 The pick of the midfield for me today as he worked hard and got through a lot of ground covering and ball winning tackles. His passing still lets him down at times but that is being very nit picking as it was a good all round performance which included the possibility that he was robbed of a very good goal with a dubious offside decision against Gaffney.


Mansell 7.5 Another Captains performance. it is amazing how much ground he covers considering he is in his thirties and it really is a credit to his personal fitness and also the level of fitness that DC has his troops in. Not sure what happened with that free kick to Mr Nobody that led to Luton breaking away when we were within striking distance of the goal but full credit that Manse chased all the way back to make up for the error. He was very unlucky not to score at the end of a great move that saw his rising shot well saved by the keeper.


Sinclair 7 Another who chased around but this was just standard for him. Not an outstanding game but he just keeps ticking over in midfield and probably should have produced a better finish than a shot straight at the keeper in the second half.For his size it is amazing how high he leaps and how many aerial balls he wins and there can't be IMO a fitter midfield player in the division. Yes he lacks creative quality at times but every good team needs a player like him and there are not that many around the lower leagues.




Gaffney 9 Two goals again and a lot of persistent running and using of body strength to provide a constant nuisance to the central defenders. More than held his own against a physically strong and tall defence but whilst his goals against Orient were class the two today were both poachers goals. I very much hope we can keep him because we have nobody with similar qualities and I have the feeling that he can be a targetman and a goalscorer rapped into one. If we don't find the cash I am sure there will be other teams in this division keeping an eye on the situation. Should he have held off the free scoring until we signed him permanently? Unfortunately the truth is that had he not scored then he would probably have been sent back and in view of the last two results it was very important he did score four goals. Such is the stupid side of Loan deals where the club is the shop window and success increases the cost and also very much weakens the clubs chances of making the signing.!! if the rumour that we don't have any money is right then why are we continuing to waste the money on the Court Case? Obviously if we win it then I am totally wrong!!


Taylor 6 Not one of his better games but kept going and hassled the opponents but for me would have been replaced by Easter a lot earlier which is obviously why DC is Manager and I am a Supporter!




SUBS

Easter Not on long enough to mark but during that fleeting performance he could have had two goals . Very unlucky to not start and he showed again that he is now back to full fitness and has the quality to make a difference.


Harrison Same as Easter in that he was not on long enough to mark and in all honesty should have came away with a goal when Easter set him up.





Ref 5 Very lenient . An average game not as bad as a good many of the ones we have had this season



Luton 5 Have a lot of name players but in many ways like us of a few years back where their better days are behind them.



Crowd 7 Another 9000 odd crowd and quite a good atmosphere.



DC Was it him who kept the dark clouds away? He has given us our Rovers back and the way he changes things and gets the right result is obviously a skill that we are lucky to have. I may not agree with a lot of decisions he makes but the results prove that he is something special. With the seeming lack of financial backing he may have to be even more special in this January window. I wish him all the best.




Barnet next week is another very winnable game if we can contain Akinde. No doubt there will be changes and I wonder whether it is a mission for McCrystal. Waiting for the team sheet is now as exciting as waiting for the match!!! UTG