Having attended my first friendly last night I wondered how far we are off having a good team for the standard we are now in and looking at the players in terms of ability to play the division above (League 2). I know its only one game but here is my assessment of the players with the marks for last nights performance
Mildenhall 6- No doubt about this mans class and I noticed just how much better his distribution was (but of course this is also down to the fact that the players wanted the ball) Will be up there with the best if not the best in the division
Leadbitter 6 - Looks a good player and one who could play League Football. Considering it was his first game for us I was very impressed generally but going have to watch getting caught too far up the pitch. Hes not Michael Smith yet but is probably better than the Michael Smith who started with us under Paul Buckle.
Lockyer 7 - We've done well to retain Tom as he has a coolness about him wherever he plays and IMO central defender is his position. Will be up there with the best in this division but i do wonder if we will manager to keep him all season as I can see him playing in the Championship.
Parkes 6.5 - Looks a lot fitter and leaner and that can only be good. Still showed moments of lack of concentration which do concern me but overall is a player who should stand out at this level and we know he has the capability at playing League 2 or 1.
McCrystal 5 - What you see is what you get and another who should be more than capable of being a top defender at this level but not sure he can play the type of football that Daryl wants us to play. If Turley does come in it will be interesting to see who he replaces but could well see Mark on the bench
Brown 5.5 - Another who we know can play at a higher level than this but not totally convinced about him playing in the wingback role. It was definitely good to NOT see him taking every corner and free kick. Definitely will be a top defender at this level.
Sinclair 7.5 - This chap looks the business.Covers a huge amount of ground,passes the ball well,is very quick and wins lots of possession. For his size he won a fair amount of the ball in the air as well. One who I can see being well capable of playing League football.
Clarke 4.5 - For me was the one player who I have my doubts about being able to play regularly even at this standard. For me he gets lost too often and the play passes him by. Doesn't seem to know when to close down and doesn't read the game. Bench at the best for me.
Brunt 5 A player who looks exactly what he is at the present time-A player trying to catch up on a long time out injured. Made some good touches and some poor ones but was glad to see him get in so much play time. Not sure he should start next week but will probably have to for his physical presence. On saying that it was strange but I actually thought Matt Taylor looked better than him in the air. Lets just hope that he can continue to build up his fitness and we could have a good player on our hands.
Taylor 7.5 With Sinclair he was the pick of the bunch for me. Could be the 20 goal a season striker we have been after and based on this performance could well ply his trade at a higher standard.Showed intelligent running and ball control throughout and could have finished on a hattrick. Definite starter for next week.
Monkhouse 6.5 He could really be an ace signing with improved match fitness. Makes time for himself on the ball and has a good shot. Looks well capable of playing anywhere in the midfield or in the hole just behind the front men. I would say he is also a candidate for Captain.
Subs
Mansell 5.5 Directs players but I'm not totally sure he is what we need in the middle of the park. Time will tell and it is not fair to judge him on this one 45 minute spell especially just returning from injury. If he is playing regularly then he could be a candidate for Captain
Gosling 5.5 Showed good touches but i would like to hear what others thought of him as didn't really notice him a lot when he came on - too many of these beards!!!
White 6 I saw something in the short tim e he was on the pitch to tell me that he could well be a 20 goal a season man. Tremendously unlucky not to score a goal with both his header and the shot that hit the inside of the post. I would be considering starting him up front with Taylor next week or could at this stage definitely be an impact sub.
Harrison 5 I am hoping that Ellis can kick on this season. Certainly couldn't fault his commitment when he came on but for me one who should start on the bench.
Mitchell 4 Sorry but for me my initial assessment would be one to avoid signing and if we do need a bench player to cover the defence but also be capable of playing I would be on the phone to Higgins this week. Looked an accident waiting to happen in everything he did.
Overall performance 6.5 A very entertaining game but not sure just how good Coventry were.Definitely see the signs of a good season here but worries would be getting the right balance in midfield where we allowed their players too much time on the ball and didnt close down quick enough and concentration in the defence. Better balance to the squad and if the three signings are right then I see us having a season where we should be aiming for top three.
For me the definite starters for next week are Mildenhall, Leadbitter, Lockyer, Parkes, Brown, Sinclair and Taylor. Definite non starters Mitchell, Clarke and Harrison.
The rest IMO depends who we sign this week.