On the positive side, 3 matches conceded 0 goals

300 minutes of football conceded 0 goals, it's not too bad; but be honest with you, judged by yesterday's performance, we did not deserve to go through; also the most important question to Peter Grant is: did we win a single game before when our number 6 is not in the team? I cannot remember one.

Gallacher 7, made some good saves during the match and two good saves from the penalty shoot-out. Kicking was good but what's the hell he was slowing down near the end of 90 minutes and 120 minutes? Did he looking forward to the extra time or PK shoot-out? Just "route 1" is OK and not sure what he's thinking about!

Colin 5, caught out of position a few times (in last few games too)and should be costly, also did not support too much to Croft, is it just too cold for him? Chance for Cave-Brown and Louis-Jean?

Shackell 7, better than Doherty this time and closely marked their number 10 and mind you, both Port Vale strikers were tall but also good on the ground but Shacks look after them well, but for the penalty he take, did he think he was taken the goal kick? It's just liked a rugby try...(sorry I don't know the correct terms)

Doherty 4, I was a defender who liked to add "shirt pulling" in my game, but it was just when I am jumpinig with the opposition, when we were competed the ball, when the ball was gone I will "withdraw my hands" because I want the referee know I am not going to make a foul -- this is EXACTLY our defender WILL NOT DO! Doherty was just liked he wanted the Port Vale player's shirt, won't let his hands down until the referee blow the whistle, free kick to Port Vale, it is just silly defending; also there were two times he played "suicide ball" in our box, it liked handed a chance for the Port Vale player to start another attack inside our box, terrible.

Robinson 5, again let the side down with some no look pass, straight to the Port Vale players, I never saw him kick the ball more than 10 yards or not use his "foot instep" to pass, when the full-back give the ball to him, he just act liked a wall, to pass the ball back to the full-back and never move, suddenly our full-back was under pressure. The penalty he taken was the first time I saw he can hit the ball not on the ground, but hit the bar.

Safri 6, switch side was good but was he injured?

Etuhu 8, one of the better performers of the pitch, at least he made runs from midfield and tackled well, but have to shoot more liked what he did on Saturday.

Jarvis 5, not very effective on left attacking midfielder and many soft touches, but I think the reason was because he did not play with the first team oftenly, he will improve when played more games in the first team.

Earnshaw 5, we keep kick it long to Earnie was a big problem, our striker had 3 games goal drought, hopefully his injury was not too bad.

Croft 6, again miss a sitter, work hard on the right but the crossing should be more accurate.

MOTM, Drury 8, cannot give a 9 this time because general team performance was poor, but our captain's defending was brilliant as usual. Never goe beaten by their right winger and a few times come inside to act as sweeper, this time it's I saw Adam cover Shacks. Should have score with a run in the second half.

sub:

Eagle 7, worked hard to get back to defence and of course you wouldn't expect his teamwork with Drury was good, that's only his second senior game, several cross on the left was good and the corner he taken, be honest with you was the best I had seen, pass the near post first. Good in the future. Little unlucky with the PK miss.

Dublin 6, a few half chances to score and hold the ball quite well. Good penalty.

Thorne 6, 3 late chances to score but he was not going to make it, good penalty.

Port Vale 8, did they really play in League 1? Quite comfortable on the ball and mind you their 2 forwards were tall, but good on the feet too.

Posted By: XXL16, Oct 25, 09:43:48