The Hammers are coming Matchday thread efl trophy
Sept 20, 2023 21:40:51 GMT
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Sept 20, 2023 21:40:51 GMT
Bristol Rovers player ratings vs West Ham U21: Gordon and Hoole return as Finley nets rare goal..
James Belshaw - 6
Made some decent saves in the first half alongside one or two poor clearances. Did show good composure on the ball and unlucky not to save the penalty, diving the right way. Even a worldie performance wouldn't have changed anything in regards to the league with Matt Cox clearly the preferred choice for the foreseeable.
James Gibbons (Luke Thomas 78') - 6
Good moments of last-ditch defending and some positive runs going forward. Similarly with Belshaw though, would have been near impossible to play well enough to take Jack Hunt's spot in the league.
Luca Hoole - 6
Nice to see the defender back in the side and always extra credit for playing in an unnatural position with the right-back playing at centre-back.
Some good one-v-one moments in the first-half but also one or two nervy moments he won't want to watch back.
James Wilson (Connor Taylor 46') - 6
Showed good composure on the ball against West Ham forwards looking to press aggressively. Clean sheet to go with it too despite his goalkeeper being forced into a couple of saves. Shame the centre-back had to go off at half-time, wasn't visibly struggling so not sure what the reason for that was.
Lewis Gordon - 5
Similarly to Gibbons, good last-ditch moments but largely quiet evening. Would have liked to have seen more of him going forward. It will be interesting to see if Joey Barton has deemed that good enough to beat Josh Grant to a starting spot on Saturday.
Ryan Woods - 7
Classy midfielder is Woods. Offered excellent cover when needed but was also happy to press the West Ham defence. Some great blocks and touches to get himself out of trouble, situations that some of his teammates gave the ball away when having to face. Used his experience well and was super composed throughout.
Sam Finley (Lamare Bogarde 78') - 7
I'm sure very few saw a Finley goal coming but tonight but that was probably the captain's best performance of the season so far, goal aside.
Some decent touches at times but also let himself down with a few cheap giveaways. Might be tricky to get back into the league side but wouldn't be surprised to see him start against Wigan on Saturday.
Luke McCormick (Aaron Collins 78') - 7
Really unlucky not to come away with a goal or assist after a lively display in the middle which often saw him pick up advanced positions near or ahead of Jevani Brown.
Decision making could have been better but can be pleased with his showing.
Harvey Vale - 6
Had hardly had a touch going into the latter stages of the first half before being involved in back-to-back chances that really should have seen Rovers take a two-goal lead.
Really bright second half with a lot of the Gas' attacking actions starting with or involving him. Unlucky not to come away with an assist at least.
Scott Sinclair (Antony Evans 78') - 5
Could've had a goal in the first half and offered trickery on occasion. Decent battles between him and West Ham full-backs Levi Lang and Luizao with the winger swapping flank on occasion but would have liked to see more from the forward
Jevani Brown - 6
Unlucky not to score his first Rovers goal but was a good contributor, showing his creative ability. It doesn't really work in the system being played right now, but I would love to eventually see him play as a number 10.
Substitutes:
Connor Taylor (on for Wilson 46') - 5
Came on a gave away a penalty whilst also being sucked in for the second goal. Shame after Saturday's heroics.
Luke Thomas (on for Gibbons 78') - N/A
Didn't come on for long enough.
Antony Evans (on for Sinclair 78') - N/A
See above.
Aaron Collins (on for McCormick 78') - N/A
See above.
Lamare Bogarde (on for Finley 78') - N/A
See above.
Take 5 marks off each for losing to a school football team and the ratings would be accurate