Barmy Army
Director
Coming off the back of a 7-0 humiliation of East Thurrock, I for one expected more. Yes I know that they were only East Thurrock, but to win 7-0 is emphatic to say the least.
Tonight the Blues were very slow to get out of the blocks. Penned back in our own half for a good solid 10-15 minutes in the first half meant that only trouble could come from the pressure we absorbed. The centre of midfield went walk-abouts and the bald centre-midfielder (Judge?) looked less than average in comparison to the other midfielders that we have. The defense looked somewhat shaky, Williams looked nervous and I can allow for that. Hunt was solid and to an extent commanding, but the same cannot be said about his partner at the back. Barrett looked poor to me, if not to others as well. He looked like Drewe at the back. Enthusiastic, but tending to jump into his man when trying to win headers. The penalty was clear-cut and why he felt the need to argue I don't know. Nicolau was quiet on the left and had little to do really, didn't exploit his attacking ability either.
Edwards looked un-troubled at the back playing alongside Prior. If we can get this partnership full-time, we should have one of the tightest defences in the division (or league). Che looked composed on the ball and should prove to be a useful back-up at numerous positions in the coming season. Jupp looked a step above what he was last year, and it was nice to see him concentrate more on defending than getting forwards. Oh and he clapped the fans at the end.
Gower was very quiet today. A couple of semi-runs at the defense, but nothing like what I expected from him. He can't defend either so the combination of him and Williams on the right looked weak and was vulnerable to attack from Canvey. Maher was pretty commanding and looked to get on the ball as often as possible. Good to see him have a go at his team-mates for their lack lustre performances at times. The other centre-midfielder, not certain of his name, bald, looked poor. Didn't get into the game, and didn't look like he wanted to either. I'd be very surprised, and worried, if he were to get a contract.
Corbett was quiet also. He showed a couple of glimpses of skill and runs, but nothing that stuck in the mind. Porter looked nervous and sold his team-mates short on a couple of occasions with under-hit passes. Not really going to push to even get on the subs bench next year. Kightly looked sharp on the wing, also putting in a couple of challenges in which he won the ball. Could well be used on the left-wing a fair bit in the new season.
Up-front Bramble looked somewhat sharper than he was last season. He showed a nice couple of touches, even though on a couple of occasions he demonstrated his lack of ability to run with the ball at his feet. Husbands looked sharp when he came on. Had a nice couple of runs on the wing and whipped in a good couple of crosses. "Striking Sensation" "Striking Sensation" Gray was a dissapointment given the hype that surrounded him. Sure it was only one game, but I expected him to grab a couple and trouble the Canvey defence with his pace.
Both keepers looked solid, although I'd probably take Bart over Darryl simply because it was nice to see him come out and collect from corners and crosses.
Still we beat the Pikes!
If I have missed one of the numerous players who played tonight, it is probably because they didn't make too much of an impression on me
Tonight the Blues were very slow to get out of the blocks. Penned back in our own half for a good solid 10-15 minutes in the first half meant that only trouble could come from the pressure we absorbed. The centre of midfield went walk-abouts and the bald centre-midfielder (Judge?) looked less than average in comparison to the other midfielders that we have. The defense looked somewhat shaky, Williams looked nervous and I can allow for that. Hunt was solid and to an extent commanding, but the same cannot be said about his partner at the back. Barrett looked poor to me, if not to others as well. He looked like Drewe at the back. Enthusiastic, but tending to jump into his man when trying to win headers. The penalty was clear-cut and why he felt the need to argue I don't know. Nicolau was quiet on the left and had little to do really, didn't exploit his attacking ability either.
Edwards looked un-troubled at the back playing alongside Prior. If we can get this partnership full-time, we should have one of the tightest defences in the division (or league). Che looked composed on the ball and should prove to be a useful back-up at numerous positions in the coming season. Jupp looked a step above what he was last year, and it was nice to see him concentrate more on defending than getting forwards. Oh and he clapped the fans at the end.
Gower was very quiet today. A couple of semi-runs at the defense, but nothing like what I expected from him. He can't defend either so the combination of him and Williams on the right looked weak and was vulnerable to attack from Canvey. Maher was pretty commanding and looked to get on the ball as often as possible. Good to see him have a go at his team-mates for their lack lustre performances at times. The other centre-midfielder, not certain of his name, bald, looked poor. Didn't get into the game, and didn't look like he wanted to either. I'd be very surprised, and worried, if he were to get a contract.
Corbett was quiet also. He showed a couple of glimpses of skill and runs, but nothing that stuck in the mind. Porter looked nervous and sold his team-mates short on a couple of occasions with under-hit passes. Not really going to push to even get on the subs bench next year. Kightly looked sharp on the wing, also putting in a couple of challenges in which he won the ball. Could well be used on the left-wing a fair bit in the new season.
Up-front Bramble looked somewhat sharper than he was last season. He showed a nice couple of touches, even though on a couple of occasions he demonstrated his lack of ability to run with the ball at his feet. Husbands looked sharp when he came on. Had a nice couple of runs on the wing and whipped in a good couple of crosses. "Striking Sensation" "Striking Sensation" Gray was a dissapointment given the hype that surrounded him. Sure it was only one game, but I expected him to grab a couple and trouble the Canvey defence with his pace.
Both keepers looked solid, although I'd probably take Bart over Darryl simply because it was nice to see him come out and collect from corners and crosses.
Still we beat the Pikes!
If I have missed one of the numerous players who played tonight, it is probably because they didn't make too much of an impression on me