Anyone know when Wordsworth is back??
Woody, Weston and McLaughlin were all around the dugouts before the match and were asked this question and all replied within a few weeks.
For the record, Hurst, Prosser and Worrall were all there and all these players, plus Cokes, took part in wishing the rest of the team well for the game with back slaps and hand clasps a'plenty as they came off from the pre-match warm up.
Agree with so much of what others have said, great home debuts from Barnett and Hendrie, and also the short glimpse we got of "Lightning" McQueen - showed he is fast as that as well!
Formation worked so well up till when Deegan went off, but even then, with 10 men, the formation just adapted and continued to work. Poor old Joe Cole, Roots Hall not the happiest of places for him - ended his Chelsea career here and couldn't hit a barn door yesterday! Admire him for wanting to continue playing, you can still see flashes of his old skills but he is a shadow of what he used to be. A word on their player O'Brien, have never - and I really do mean, never - seen a player who whinged so much, goodness me, he didn't stop!
Bentley - 8, did everything he needed to, just wish he would talk to his defence a bit more, Bolger put one out for a needless corner because it was the safe option but Bentley needs to learn to tell the defence when there is time and space - it's his area to command
O'Neill - 8, a great performance from Luke, did really well, some good challenges and good positional play
Bolger - 8, our best header in the area, glad to see him back in
Barrett - 7, the old warhorse commanded things from the back
Hendrie - 9, quality player, two assists and never stopped all game, offering himself for the pass or the shot, what a signing!
Thompson - 7, worked hard
Atkinson - 7.5, lovely dummy on their defender before he was taken down! :smile: A good performance and a display to show why Brown persists in picking him
Deegan - 7, did ok up to the bookings, first one was nailed on, second was unnecessary
Leonard - 7.5, another who worked tirelessly as usual, nice to see some variety in the throws
Payne - 8.5, takes a little while to get going but once he does (and if he's allowed, as he isn't always) he's often unplayable. Great game, and well taken goal which we thought was going wide! Unfortunate, but inevitably subbed after Deegan's red. One wish....when he's left up the pitch when there's a corner against us, I wish he'd learn to run about on the half way line rather than standing still in one spot - work the opposition at all times!
Barnett - 8, a big proper lump of a centre forward with a proper physical presence, was very impressed - and a great spot kick too!
Subs:
Timlin for Payne - 7.5, huge fan of Tims, delighted he'll be back in the side now. Made his presence felt and showed Coventry he wasn't going to take any nonsense from them
Hunt for Barnett - 7.5, loved how there was no eye contact between him and his brother and they tangled quite a bit! Didn't look like any brotherly love was lost!
McQueen for Atkinson - 7, not only long but showed a fair turn of speed.
All in all, a great day at the office and a delightful display - well done everyone, supporters too who kept the noise going throughout! #UTB
