fbm
Blue tinted optimist⭐
Not much of a review now, we all saw the game I expect, so just a few comments generally. But, in writing this, please bear in mind:
1) I was masochistic enough to watch the game again on TV when I got back, and
2) I have not read any other threads or comments in either the paper or the zone. So if stuff is already covered elsewhere, sorry. It's a deliberate ploy so that I can genuinely put how I see it, without taking into account the views of others.
I could say that the final was summed up in two words: bloody Gower.
With the exception of the last 15 minutes of the first half, that was the worst Gower has played for us, even worse I think than last years final. Almost every time the ball got to him the move broke down by him either getting caught in possession, giving it away or playing an appalling final ball. Which, as he is never a player to shy away from wanting the ball, is a bit of a problem.
But, lets also state that Wrexham had that extra touch of pace fitness and class and it could have actually done us a favour. I think we were in danger of thinking we were actually a darned good team, and almost unbeatable. They have showed us areas we need to strengthen if we do go up in order to avoid coming back down again.
From my view in the upper tier, the pace of the game wasn't evident. On the box it looked much quicker and no wonder the players were knackered. In normal time, once we'd settled, I thought we were unlucky, but it was their day, not ours, and now we have to pick ourselves up. It's lucky that our next game is Orient at home, which will do the job for them. One game you DON'T want after that is Grimsby away. So all is not lost, and now we can concentrate on promotion.
Areas to strengthen:
The spine of the team is superb, but it's flanks that need improving. We know Gower is much better than he was yesterday, but neither he nor Pettefer have the pace to get past a league one fullback. Also, Wilson was yet again exposed and left wanting, but despite being clearly to blame for the 2nd goal, I don't think he actually played too badly otherwise. But he is not a left back and we will need one if we get promoted.
Aside from that, there's not a lot wrong. There were sterling performance from some individuals and I think the future is generally rosy.
Ratings:
Flahavan - 7. Not at fault for either goal and did what he did well enough. No complaints.
Jupp - 7. Solid and made some great challenges, especially in the first 30 mins. Lacks the pace to get past the higher league players.
Wilson - 7. I hope people haven't been too critical for his late gaffe. Otherwise he did very well given the fact that he had so little support from Gower defensively.
Prior - 8.5 - Great performance from Spinner. Nearly scored with first half header.
Barrett - 9.5 - The finest performance I have witnessed from a centre back in our shirt. If his extra time header had gone in it would have been a 10/10 performance. It was difficult to see how that could have been improved upon and surely it has cemented the Player of the Year award?
Pettefer - 6. Couldn't really see what he added to the side yesterday. Looked like he was making up the numbers a bit. Posed no attacking threat at all.
Maher - 7 - broke up a lot of their stuff but still fails to find a blue shirt with sufficient regularity
Bentley - 9 - A real dynamic show, great free kick but marred by the booking which means (I think) he misses the next two games. He will be missed.
Gower - 4 - A liability yesterday. Should have done so much more. Lacks fitness and pace. I really think he has found his level.
Eastwood - 8 - At times proved a real handful and was unlucky not to score. Was totally knackered late on.
Gray - 7 - Worked hard as usual, but chances few and far between. Unselfishly set up Gower who fluffed the chance.
Subs -
McCormack - 6 - OK. Very hot headed. If he plays on Friday I reckon he'll be sent off because the Orient players will know how to wind him up.
Guttridge - 6 - Made one superb pass for Gray but otherwise struggled to get involved.
Dudfield - 6 - Found it hard going
1) I was masochistic enough to watch the game again on TV when I got back, and
2) I have not read any other threads or comments in either the paper or the zone. So if stuff is already covered elsewhere, sorry. It's a deliberate ploy so that I can genuinely put how I see it, without taking into account the views of others.
I could say that the final was summed up in two words: bloody Gower.
With the exception of the last 15 minutes of the first half, that was the worst Gower has played for us, even worse I think than last years final. Almost every time the ball got to him the move broke down by him either getting caught in possession, giving it away or playing an appalling final ball. Which, as he is never a player to shy away from wanting the ball, is a bit of a problem.
But, lets also state that Wrexham had that extra touch of pace fitness and class and it could have actually done us a favour. I think we were in danger of thinking we were actually a darned good team, and almost unbeatable. They have showed us areas we need to strengthen if we do go up in order to avoid coming back down again.
From my view in the upper tier, the pace of the game wasn't evident. On the box it looked much quicker and no wonder the players were knackered. In normal time, once we'd settled, I thought we were unlucky, but it was their day, not ours, and now we have to pick ourselves up. It's lucky that our next game is Orient at home, which will do the job for them. One game you DON'T want after that is Grimsby away. So all is not lost, and now we can concentrate on promotion.
Areas to strengthen:
The spine of the team is superb, but it's flanks that need improving. We know Gower is much better than he was yesterday, but neither he nor Pettefer have the pace to get past a league one fullback. Also, Wilson was yet again exposed and left wanting, but despite being clearly to blame for the 2nd goal, I don't think he actually played too badly otherwise. But he is not a left back and we will need one if we get promoted.
Aside from that, there's not a lot wrong. There were sterling performance from some individuals and I think the future is generally rosy.
Ratings:
Flahavan - 7. Not at fault for either goal and did what he did well enough. No complaints.
Jupp - 7. Solid and made some great challenges, especially in the first 30 mins. Lacks the pace to get past the higher league players.
Wilson - 7. I hope people haven't been too critical for his late gaffe. Otherwise he did very well given the fact that he had so little support from Gower defensively.
Prior - 8.5 - Great performance from Spinner. Nearly scored with first half header.
Barrett - 9.5 - The finest performance I have witnessed from a centre back in our shirt. If his extra time header had gone in it would have been a 10/10 performance. It was difficult to see how that could have been improved upon and surely it has cemented the Player of the Year award?
Pettefer - 6. Couldn't really see what he added to the side yesterday. Looked like he was making up the numbers a bit. Posed no attacking threat at all.
Maher - 7 - broke up a lot of their stuff but still fails to find a blue shirt with sufficient regularity
Bentley - 9 - A real dynamic show, great free kick but marred by the booking which means (I think) he misses the next two games. He will be missed.
Gower - 4 - A liability yesterday. Should have done so much more. Lacks fitness and pace. I really think he has found his level.
Eastwood - 8 - At times proved a real handful and was unlucky not to score. Was totally knackered late on.
Gray - 7 - Worked hard as usual, but chances few and far between. Unselfishly set up Gower who fluffed the chance.
Subs -
McCormack - 6 - OK. Very hot headed. If he plays on Friday I reckon he'll be sent off because the Orient players will know how to wind him up.
Guttridge - 6 - Made one superb pass for Gray but otherwise struggled to get involved.
Dudfield - 6 - Found it hard going
