Thoughts and ratings on yesterday

At times we played like a team that really has gelled, with fluid passing football, that if we play like we did first half we will win most of our home games.

However as many have pointed out we are missing something up front. Rather than the target man, for me, we desperately miss a clinical goal scorer that we've been missing since the departure of earnie. A goal scorer costs big bucks, but we will not be in with a shout of promotion without one and 2 strikers for me are needed, with a cheaper bigman for those tough away games, like howard.

I thought Stefo was fantastic yesterday and should be our capt. He commanded the defence, passed the ball extremely well and was the heart beat of the team. He's been something we have been missing at the back for yonks. Which brings me onto Fozzy, because of the lack of a Stefo last season, we needed Fozzy to do that job of collecting the ball deep from the CB's. This is what made Fozzy so useful last season, but yesterday it showed that he is not as necessary to the team as he was last year. Stefo should have got sent off but he made his last man foul in such ruthless nonchalence that the ref was fooled. Tabb got injured as a result and 99.9% definitely would have scored.

Curo, as much as i like him personally, should not be in our starting 11, a decent supersub to nick a late goal but that's all he can offer us. We will never win promotion with him as 1 of our 1st choice strikers.

Hoolahan is a class act, although does try to do a bit too much, he is going to become a fan favourite.

With refelction, I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season, I believe both home and away journeys will more often than not result in my return home happy. We have got a good squad of players, 2 strikers away from a promotion challenging squad. Oh and even with all the positives, I still miss Hucks!!

Marshall - Didn't have much to do, however i can definitely see an improvement from last year. He seems more confident at coming off his line and more commanding of his defence. 7

Ozzie - An average debut, better defensively than Semi, but doesn't have as much going forward. Would like to see Ozzie away and Semi at home. 6

Stefo - Superb, lacks pace, but has everything else. Our new Taylor. 8 MOM

Kennedy - Looks solid. Very optimistic about our new CB partnership. We shouldn't have bothered offering Doc a new contract, with Shacks and the kid from Spurs being cover. 7

Shacks - Did ok. Not much going forward as you'd expect but did ok. 6

Clingan - Good performance, adds a bit of height and cotrolled energy to our midfield. A bit of a mixtue between Fozzy and Rusty, which works out well with Fozzy and Rusty fighting for the other CM spot. 7

Fozzy - Ok, but as metioned above, is not as important to the team as last year and for me should give the armband to Stefo. 6

Hoolhan - Class on the ball, tried a bit too hard to impress but once settled will be a big player for us. 8

Crofty - Not good enough for me, as his decision making is poor. Looking forward to see what Bell can offer us. 6

Lupoli - Lively and commited. Will be a good player if he can find his scoring touch. Showed some continental flair and some nice touches. 7

Curo - Worked hard and did show some nice play but is not good ebough to be our 1st team striker. 6

OJ - How did he miss that 1 on 1?? Don't expect too much too early from him. Can see why Harry was keen to get him loan, very raw.

Posted By: stringersrevenge, Aug 10, 17:27:04