Post by stevek192 on Feb 15, 2015 12:11:29 GMT
This for me was our most difficult game left in a "proper" ground with a reasonable crowd expected cheering fervently for the opposition who would no doubt have a quality team based on the pounding they gave Barnet a few games ago. I came to the game expecting to be under severe pressure for long periods of the game and to be trying to play down the flanks on the break. How wrong could I be as the fist half was an end to end battle with only a few chances created and the second half other than the last five minutes was dominated by us in questionably our best performance of the season. The biggest surprise at the end was that we only won by one goal as some of the football was a pleasure to watch.
Mildenhall 6 A very brave save in the first half where we could have had another "Wrexham" with no keeper on the bench- a tactic which I totally disagree with and I think DC has this badly wrong especially in a game where the result yesterday was SO important both for confidence going forward and the chance to put Barnet under greatyer pressure with Macclesfield chasing them as well. A good punch in the first half as well but looked dodgy in the last minute and nearly gave Grimsby an undeserved point with a poor "flap". This apart he had very little to do which is a sign of how well we played.
Leadbitter 7 Earlier in the season I was questioning whether he should be released and the reason was that I could just not see DC using him as he seemed to be given one game and then would disappear from the entire squad for weeks. He drew comparisons in my mind to the early appearances of Michael Smith and in my view either we played him on a run ,coaching him defensively or we loan him out or make him available for transfer. Thankfully he then got a chance and he has taken it with both hands and is now mixing sound defensive work with the ability to attack. I would certainly hope that he has done enough to keep this position.
McChrystal 8 Brilliant performance both from him and Parkes. Handled both Grimsbys experienced strikers very well and was immaculate in the air especially considering his size and I would measure the part Macca plays by the fact that the impressive Trotman of early season has been pretty well unable to get a game since his injury.
Parkes 7.5 A close call between him and the skipper,there is the plus side in his favour of his ability to bring the ball out from the back which he did well but for me McCrystal edged it because his was a very organised display where he directed others and led by example.
Brown 7 Some good link up play down the left side with Monkhouse and set up the goal. There is a question mark over whether the whole ball had crossed the line before he pulled it back but it would have been a close decision. Defensively he was solid throughout although there were a couple of occasions where his winger had a bit too much space in the second half but if we are going to play with an attacking full back that is going to happen from time to time.
Dawson 7 I really like the look of him. Very quick feet and I think it would be a very close thing between him and LDV (Wish we had both!!!!) Was outstanding in the first half where he tore their full back apart. Good to have a winger who can actually take corners and look like he could actually score a few too. He tired in the second half which is no doubt down to his lack of match play but I very much hope that we will keep him for the maximum time and possibly have a chance of signing him next season. If he had been able to maintain his first half performance he would have been my MOM
Mansell 8 MOM Immense throughout and for me just edged Man of the Match for his tireless work rate and his ability to take control in the middle. I was really worried that the centre of midfield would be the area which Grimsby would control but this never happened as Manse ably assisted by Lockyer; dictated the pace of things, winning the majority of the battles and then releasing the ball for others to take it forward.
Lockyer 7.5 Mansells right hand man and really up for the battle. Scored the goal and generally passed the ball well which he has done in the last two games as he seems to ease his way into another position. He really is an ace for his age and versatility.
Monkhouse 7.5 IMO he was also another who was very close for the MOM and I thought yesterday he really showed why he could perform the central midfield role. He was very strong in the tackle and showed a willingness to run with the ball and how clever a footballer he actually is. Has the ability to pick out a pass which enables the team to make the most of Browners runs forward and
is great in the air. Yesterday for me was his best performance of the season.
Taylor 7 First failure from the penalty spot but thankfully this was not costly. Ran tirelessly for the team and really seems to be building up an understanding with Blissett. Deserved a couple of goals, the save from the keeper in the second half was outstanding after Blissetss great flick on.
Blissett 6.5 Much better performance from Bliss and he seems to be building a partnership with Taylor. Won the penalty with bravery and kept both Grimsbys central defenders busy throughout.
DC 9 Can't fault him on anything other than not having a keeper on the bench!! Please don't do this again!!!
Referee 5 Not the worse and not the best but thankfully not biased and his control of the game was doubtful but poor decisions went both ways.
Grimsby 5.5 Very impressed with their central defenders but overall they were second best. Not as good as when we played them first match but I think that was as much down to us. We looked a much different proposition to that first match in the Conference and have come a long way.
And so we move on to the rarity of two home games and the chance to really put Barnet under pressure but that is for another day-lets just make the most of Yesterdays result!
Mildenhall 6 A very brave save in the first half where we could have had another "Wrexham" with no keeper on the bench- a tactic which I totally disagree with and I think DC has this badly wrong especially in a game where the result yesterday was SO important both for confidence going forward and the chance to put Barnet under greatyer pressure with Macclesfield chasing them as well. A good punch in the first half as well but looked dodgy in the last minute and nearly gave Grimsby an undeserved point with a poor "flap". This apart he had very little to do which is a sign of how well we played.
Leadbitter 7 Earlier in the season I was questioning whether he should be released and the reason was that I could just not see DC using him as he seemed to be given one game and then would disappear from the entire squad for weeks. He drew comparisons in my mind to the early appearances of Michael Smith and in my view either we played him on a run ,coaching him defensively or we loan him out or make him available for transfer. Thankfully he then got a chance and he has taken it with both hands and is now mixing sound defensive work with the ability to attack. I would certainly hope that he has done enough to keep this position.
McChrystal 8 Brilliant performance both from him and Parkes. Handled both Grimsbys experienced strikers very well and was immaculate in the air especially considering his size and I would measure the part Macca plays by the fact that the impressive Trotman of early season has been pretty well unable to get a game since his injury.
Parkes 7.5 A close call between him and the skipper,there is the plus side in his favour of his ability to bring the ball out from the back which he did well but for me McCrystal edged it because his was a very organised display where he directed others and led by example.
Brown 7 Some good link up play down the left side with Monkhouse and set up the goal. There is a question mark over whether the whole ball had crossed the line before he pulled it back but it would have been a close decision. Defensively he was solid throughout although there were a couple of occasions where his winger had a bit too much space in the second half but if we are going to play with an attacking full back that is going to happen from time to time.
Dawson 7 I really like the look of him. Very quick feet and I think it would be a very close thing between him and LDV (Wish we had both!!!!) Was outstanding in the first half where he tore their full back apart. Good to have a winger who can actually take corners and look like he could actually score a few too. He tired in the second half which is no doubt down to his lack of match play but I very much hope that we will keep him for the maximum time and possibly have a chance of signing him next season. If he had been able to maintain his first half performance he would have been my MOM
Mansell 8 MOM Immense throughout and for me just edged Man of the Match for his tireless work rate and his ability to take control in the middle. I was really worried that the centre of midfield would be the area which Grimsby would control but this never happened as Manse ably assisted by Lockyer; dictated the pace of things, winning the majority of the battles and then releasing the ball for others to take it forward.
Lockyer 7.5 Mansells right hand man and really up for the battle. Scored the goal and generally passed the ball well which he has done in the last two games as he seems to ease his way into another position. He really is an ace for his age and versatility.
Monkhouse 7.5 IMO he was also another who was very close for the MOM and I thought yesterday he really showed why he could perform the central midfield role. He was very strong in the tackle and showed a willingness to run with the ball and how clever a footballer he actually is. Has the ability to pick out a pass which enables the team to make the most of Browners runs forward and
is great in the air. Yesterday for me was his best performance of the season.
Taylor 7 First failure from the penalty spot but thankfully this was not costly. Ran tirelessly for the team and really seems to be building up an understanding with Blissett. Deserved a couple of goals, the save from the keeper in the second half was outstanding after Blissetss great flick on.
Blissett 6.5 Much better performance from Bliss and he seems to be building a partnership with Taylor. Won the penalty with bravery and kept both Grimsbys central defenders busy throughout.
DC 9 Can't fault him on anything other than not having a keeper on the bench!! Please don't do this again!!!
Referee 5 Not the worse and not the best but thankfully not biased and his control of the game was doubtful but poor decisions went both ways.
Grimsby 5.5 Very impressed with their central defenders but overall they were second best. Not as good as when we played them first match but I think that was as much down to us. We looked a much different proposition to that first match in the Conference and have come a long way.
And so we move on to the rarity of two home games and the chance to really put Barnet under pressure but that is for another day-lets just make the most of Yesterdays result!
