Post by stevek192 on Dec 6, 2018 10:45:39 GMT
Just a mini report for this least important cup which is unfortunately the only cup we are in! Seemed a strange team selection after the weak team we put out against Exeter where if we had won we could well have had a home game instead of Swansea Under 21s away but never mind we are here and we overcame a team who whilst they lacked the physical side of the game showed ample skills in passing and controlling the ball. Whilst watching I really thought where is our number 1 National game going? These players should be playing regular football but not for a premiership or Championship Under 21- they should be learning their trade as individuals playing for League 1 and 2 sides at their holding clubs expense or perhaps there should be a look by the FA at the whole concept but playing these teams in a competition with "Men" is not the way forward.
Anyway on to the game and I will just do a quick marking
Bonham 6.5 Great reflex save early on but not really troubled much during the game other than one nervous moment where he lost the ball and we were a bit lucky to survive. Didn't look like he could have done much about the Swansea goal.
Leadbitter 7 Strong performance from him as he attacked regularly , yes there were still the poor crosses but some good ones as well and how on earth did he not earn us a penalty in the first half when he cut inside and was clearly a yard in the area when he was brought down. That seems to be howe decisions are going for us this season-there have been some dreadful ones!
James Clarke 7 Strong and determined, gets caught out a few times but a competent performance from our most versatile player.
Craig 7 Like James Clarke a couple of times he was caught out but mainly a solid performance. His distribution at times is not up to much but he has earned his living as a stopper and like last night has shown our strikers how to head a ball and finish in style with a powerful header for the equaliser when it looked like it might be another frustrating night.
Kelly 5.5 Struggled throughout and IMO not ready for regular first team action and like most of Swanseas team lacks the physical side of the game and often gave his player too much room and when he attacked his decision making with passes and crossing are questionable. It will be interesting to see how he develops.
Rodman 7.5 MOM Everything about him frustrates me and it is not really his performance but more the fact that DC does not allow him a run of games because he certainly has class about him with clever dribbling and pace to burn when he gets into full flow. He brought three or four saves from the keeper and is an intelligent player as well in covering and helping the defence but I just want to see him attacking opponents and putting in dangerous shots and crosses.
Sercombe 6.5 Struggled at times to really get in the game but kept battling away.
Upson 7 Another who may have faults but always wants the ball and is always in the thick of things. Yes I would like to see him bursting forward more and even having a few shots at goal but he must be given a run of games rather than in and out like at present or he will be another good player from whom we don't see his best.
Bennett 6 A player who has the ability but too often flatters to deceive and too often his decision making lets him down but again it is a case of IMO building on the good parts of his game and playing him into form.His goal scoring boots have deserted him and he should have come off with at least one goal.
Payne 6 Missed a very easy chance when set up by Nicholls but missed the target from 7 yards when trying to make sure rather than hit the ball early. Wish supporters would really give him a fair chance instead of making him the constant scapegoat. it seems Nichols can do no wrong with some supporters despite a goal scoring record that can only be described as appalling. For his sake he needs to move on which is in many ways a shame as we definitely haven't seen the best of him and even last night I felt he did a good job to pressurise the Swans high up the pitch especially second half until substituted.
Nichols 6.5 Another game with no goals to show and his problem is that he is happy enough to keep drifting out wide rather than when he has done something good to hold up the ball to then make a purposeful move into the penalty area. He just lacks that killer instinct of a Cureton who would make every physical effort to get into the six yard box. He did set up a great chance for Payne before departing down the tunnel to cheers rather than the jeers Payne received.
Subs
Jacubiak 7 Fantastic goal as he ran from his own half beating three or four players in a direct and pacy run before slipping the ball past the keeper. The defending was questionable but the quality of the goal was not. Must be given a chance of a run in the side to see what he is capable of like a fair few of DCs players.
Reilly 5 Didn't do a lot in a short appearance.
Matthews NOLE I think he came on but could be wrong!!
Referee 6 Missed a blatant penalty but overall not too bad.
Crowd 4 Just over a 100 which really is disgraceful even taking into account the competition.
Swansea U21 5.5 Skill wise very good but like West ham in an earlier round they lacked the physical aspect of the game.
DC- picked a strong team and got the required result but will no doubt go back to the old guard on Saturday under the excuse of "playing two games in three days but Darrell they are PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS!
So we move on and again hope that maybe the victory will give us some confidence but history says not. UTG
Anyway on to the game and I will just do a quick marking
Bonham 6.5 Great reflex save early on but not really troubled much during the game other than one nervous moment where he lost the ball and we were a bit lucky to survive. Didn't look like he could have done much about the Swansea goal.
Leadbitter 7 Strong performance from him as he attacked regularly , yes there were still the poor crosses but some good ones as well and how on earth did he not earn us a penalty in the first half when he cut inside and was clearly a yard in the area when he was brought down. That seems to be howe decisions are going for us this season-there have been some dreadful ones!
James Clarke 7 Strong and determined, gets caught out a few times but a competent performance from our most versatile player.
Craig 7 Like James Clarke a couple of times he was caught out but mainly a solid performance. His distribution at times is not up to much but he has earned his living as a stopper and like last night has shown our strikers how to head a ball and finish in style with a powerful header for the equaliser when it looked like it might be another frustrating night.
Kelly 5.5 Struggled throughout and IMO not ready for regular first team action and like most of Swanseas team lacks the physical side of the game and often gave his player too much room and when he attacked his decision making with passes and crossing are questionable. It will be interesting to see how he develops.
Rodman 7.5 MOM Everything about him frustrates me and it is not really his performance but more the fact that DC does not allow him a run of games because he certainly has class about him with clever dribbling and pace to burn when he gets into full flow. He brought three or four saves from the keeper and is an intelligent player as well in covering and helping the defence but I just want to see him attacking opponents and putting in dangerous shots and crosses.
Sercombe 6.5 Struggled at times to really get in the game but kept battling away.
Upson 7 Another who may have faults but always wants the ball and is always in the thick of things. Yes I would like to see him bursting forward more and even having a few shots at goal but he must be given a run of games rather than in and out like at present or he will be another good player from whom we don't see his best.
Bennett 6 A player who has the ability but too often flatters to deceive and too often his decision making lets him down but again it is a case of IMO building on the good parts of his game and playing him into form.His goal scoring boots have deserted him and he should have come off with at least one goal.
Payne 6 Missed a very easy chance when set up by Nicholls but missed the target from 7 yards when trying to make sure rather than hit the ball early. Wish supporters would really give him a fair chance instead of making him the constant scapegoat. it seems Nichols can do no wrong with some supporters despite a goal scoring record that can only be described as appalling. For his sake he needs to move on which is in many ways a shame as we definitely haven't seen the best of him and even last night I felt he did a good job to pressurise the Swans high up the pitch especially second half until substituted.
Nichols 6.5 Another game with no goals to show and his problem is that he is happy enough to keep drifting out wide rather than when he has done something good to hold up the ball to then make a purposeful move into the penalty area. He just lacks that killer instinct of a Cureton who would make every physical effort to get into the six yard box. He did set up a great chance for Payne before departing down the tunnel to cheers rather than the jeers Payne received.
Subs
Jacubiak 7 Fantastic goal as he ran from his own half beating three or four players in a direct and pacy run before slipping the ball past the keeper. The defending was questionable but the quality of the goal was not. Must be given a chance of a run in the side to see what he is capable of like a fair few of DCs players.
Reilly 5 Didn't do a lot in a short appearance.
Matthews NOLE I think he came on but could be wrong!!
Referee 6 Missed a blatant penalty but overall not too bad.
Crowd 4 Just over a 100 which really is disgraceful even taking into account the competition.
Swansea U21 5.5 Skill wise very good but like West ham in an earlier round they lacked the physical aspect of the game.
DC- picked a strong team and got the required result but will no doubt go back to the old guard on Saturday under the excuse of "playing two games in three days but Darrell they are PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS!
So we move on and again hope that maybe the victory will give us some confidence but history says not. UTG
