Ok, I normally only do reports on away games as I figure most will have gone and have their own takes and therefore have little interest in my inane ramblings but if there is demand I can manage one!
First of all many thanks to Owen for letting me have a ticket at the last minute-very grateful. It was the first time I've ever watched a game at the Mem from behind the benches which added an interesting extra dimension of observing middle aged men take out their frustration on a completely powerless 4th official.Its almost like a ritual - ref gives decision against a side, manager or assistant wanders across to 4th official looking angry, 4th official looks vaguely baffled and sympathetic while making resigned and understandable 'well what can I really do about it' gestures, managers sit back down again having achieved nothing.If its your guys you cheer them on with righteous anger if its the other guys you pantomime boo and question their parentage.Obviously I've watched from behind the benches before but never at a Rovers game strangely-whole new world of partisanship opened up to me!It was compelling stuff....
Summary: Good competitive and quite thunderous game for 50mins but then we seemed to run out of puff and ideas and the right team won.
First half-Absolutely loved it.My idea of what lower league football is all about.Two decent sides going at it hammer and tongs with a real physical edge to the contest.Heck of a contest between our forwards and their centre backs proper fierce stuff.Gaffney did well but for me Harrison has been a revelation in the two games I've seen this season.There is a physical quality to his game now that was always slightly lacking. I also thought our midfield was excellent in pushing up and joining the attack.But throughout the whole game we lacked width as neither Partington or Bola seem to have attacking instincts and were being held back anyway.On their side I thought the centre backs were outstanding when turned around which snuffed out many promising opportunities we created and they looked dangerous on the break.I thought Thomas up front for them is exactly the type of canny striker who runs the line that we are currently missing.But in general we shaded a very even and fast paced half/
Second half -Was very disappointing.Once Gaffney and their centre back were booked both teams backed off the physical contest in that area of the pitch which benefited them as we didn't have a plan B.After that they were just better than us.Their pressing was impressive and we lacked composure at times under that pressure.That meant they had too much of the ball and we were making more and more mistakes as we were tired due to chasing the game.Eventually one of the mistakes hurt us.I felt we lost it in midfield 2nd half really-just seemed to go missing defensively and lack energy and creativity going forward.No issue of workrate but we just didn't seem to have it 2nd half and nothing we tried to change seemed to work.They were very assured and calm at the back and weren't able to really threaten consistently as we had in the first.They deserved to win overall because they were just sharper 2nd half in all areas.
Slocombe-7.Very good throughout and calm too.Loses a point for poor 2nd half distribution.
Bola-5.I think I was watching a different game to some others.People seem to think he did well.I thought he was hesitant, weak in the tackle and sloppy with passing throughout.I see the potential definitely but he looked to me like a youngster still feeling his way at this level-ie not quite ready.
Broadbent-6.I know he was at fault for the goal but I was quite excited by his performances.Theres huge potential there I think especially you consider the learning curve he's on.
Lockyer-9.MOM.I thought he was superb.Covered many errors from Broadbent and Bola.Propers sweepers performance.
Partington-I feel like as a stay at home right back he is alright but will struggle against nippier teams like this one.Offers little going forward.In the long run I think he will need to prove himself as a centre back.
Clarke-6.Not one of Ollies better games.Silly booking took the energy away from his game and made him increasingly ineffective.
Lines-7.Benefit of the doubt for me.He was trying but something was wrong with our attacking set up and he just didn't have enough options in front of him.
Nichols-7.I like Nichols he always seems to offer something dynamic on the ball.Im not worried about the lack of goals as I don't think he's ultimately a striker-reminds me more of Sammy Igoe type.
Sercombe-6.Seen him twice now.Both times he started really well and then faded badly in 2nd half-is that a theme with him?
Gaffney-8.MOM until he got booked.Old School centre forward performance.
Harrison -7.He looks a more complete player every time I see him.But I can't help thinking that he looks a threat without actually threatening as much as he should if that makes any sense.With Harrison and Gaffney I think we have 2 very good secondary strikers for this level but neither looks a 15-20 goal a year man.If we had that then they would both become more threatening as well I think.
Subs-All ineffective on the whole.Don't really get the Telford love in after that.He did what a fresh pair of legs up top should do against a tiring backline but no more than that.Thought Sinclair and Moore were flat out poor.
Overall - Enjoyed the game and I think we lost because they had an extra gear to go to that we couldn't seem to find yesterday although I think we do have it in us so I'm not that worried.I think we are what we are really-a middling team at this level but a good one to watch.I'm going to Shrewsbury it will be interesting to see if land a glove on a side that has barely conceded this season although it may be a good time to play them.
