Secured our play off place at the very least. Some people are so OTT, Deegan was shocking in the first half....apart from slipping over a couple of times, he couldn't pass for toffee and barely won a challenge! Was he trying too hard? I don't know what went on at half time but he came out a different man in the 2nd half and from then on was immense.
For my MOTM, I would rather have someone who was consistently good throughout the game, and that could be any one of three from Bolger, Coker and Atkinson - don't know what's happened to Willo but two cracking shots on target in the space of 10 minutes in the first half shows how much his confidence and industry have increased.
WTF was the ref doing allowing Newport's players/trainer tell him what to do? Surely you go off the pitch to the nearest touchline?!!! I didn't understand their tactics at all, they came with the intention of playing, which meant the game was so much easier on the eye, but then their players started going down as if they'd been mortally wounded even though they were losing!
Two injury concerns after the game, both ankles, though McLaughlin was limping worse than Jonny White so hopefully JW will be ok for the next games. If he's not then Lenny in at RB please, not JB-W. He may be young and willing but he's not a RB and the moment he came on the central defenders then started having a few calamity moments. Bolger needs someone solid alongside him, that's not JB-W.
Bentley - 7, much improved kicking and throwing out, few good saves, few wobbles. Do think the mask unsettles him a bit. Huge congratulations to him on beating that 34 year old consecutive clean sheet record - BBC Essex said he's only let in 5 home goals all season, and that's a very impressive stat.
White - 7.5, desperately unlucky not to score with a cracking shot against the upright in the first half. Played his usual and much under-estimated game.
Bolger - 8.5, my joint MOTM, actually played better than Barrett, scored with an absolute bullet header, couldn't be more delighted for him. Way to go to shut the critics up!
Barrett - 7.5, usual sort of Barrett performance, if we can keep his momentum going then we have an excellent chance in the play offs.
Coker - 8.5, my other joint MOTM, been critical of Cokes lately but he was back to his best. Plenty of runs and mixing it up top. If he could sort out the delivery for corners a bit more consistently then he'd be perfect.
Atkinson - 8, probably the best 1st half I've seen him play, ran out of steam a little in the 2nd otherwise he'd have been up there with Bolger and Coker. Two great shots in the 1st half.
Deegan - 7.5, about as poor a 1st half as I've seen him play, 2nd half was like he'd been inspired. For me, he's still there to break the play up and shield the defence and he failed to do that consistently. He's no Bailey or Macca.
Timlin - 7, for one of my key players, he's getting a little over looked with the way the others around him are performing. He seemed to be playing behind Deegan for a lot of the game, and that's not his best position.
McLaughlin - 7.5, another one been given a harsh time recently, delighted for him also that he scored and that he contributed so much to a classy performance. That overhead kick in the first half would have contributed to the goal of the season if it had gone in.
Cassidy - 8, another who had a great game, yet was criticised in tweets on BBC Essex! Sometimes I wonder what people see. Thought he did really well, he's obviously not the best header of the ball but boy, can he put a cross in!
Pigott - 7, put himself about well, kept it going but still suffering a bit for confidence.
Subs:
Worrall for McLaughlin - 7, thought he did ok when he came on, and I would still rather he started at the moment.
Leonard for Atkinson - 7, thought Will was unlucky to be subbed but Brown obviously wanted Lenny on and he seemed to slot in ok but was set up behind the other two CMs, when I'd expected Tims to go out on the left.
Binnom-Williams for White - would be harsh to rate him as he wasn't on long but it really wasn't his position.
Onwards and upwards. It is STILL possible! :happy:
