Just back

Easy

That is now a run of five wins on the bounce.
The last time we did better was from 17th December 2011 to 21st January 2012 when we won seven on the bounce.

UTM

Game won in the first half, now everyone is fit we look really strong and we have options, even though he only got 10 minutes today I think keeping Pittman fit could be the difference between the play offs and us mounting a serious title challenge.

I thought Pell was amazing, and fully deserved his MOM award.

On another note, I asked Doig what was happening with the New Zealand boy , and he said "We are still waiting for the International Clearance to come through"  So that should be another player on our books when it happens

I think the best way to describe it is that it was a professional performance.

Thought  Diz had a lot better game very pleased to see I will be critical when he has a poor game today a captains innings today good to see

Couldn't help but be impressed by how we re-distributed, worked the ball and our general approach play 1st half.
Signs of work on the training ground and just feels like it's all slowly coming together (albeit against a poor looking Dartford side).

1st half on occasions a few players (Disley, LJL, Magnay) snatched at shots when they could maybe have shown a little more composure. But if that's due to a willingness to make an early mark then it can certainly be forgiven.

Only other small concern for the future is when playing it around the back, we might be robbed in possession by a better team if we're not careful !
But if that's as bad as it gets, then surely it must be good news - a very professional and encouraging performance IMO.

Started 4-1-4-1 with Disley in front of the back 4.
Mackreth and Arnold in wide support of LJL meant this morphed into a 4-3-3 at times in attack.
Generally thought LJL looked a little isolated and probably agree "support was a little slow in arriving" but when effectively playing 1 up top, not too much to criticize IMO.

Thought it was interesting AFTER the subs came on, we went with this formation & lineup last few mins...

.....................McKeown  
Magnay.....Nsiala......Pearson...Thomas
............................Clay
.................Pell.............Paddy
Pittman................LJL................Hannah


McKeown - Tipped 1 over the bar but barely troubled.

Thomas - Generally sound although caused 1 or 2 problems defensively. Doesn't seem to getting forward as much.
Just like the 2nd half in general, if it's a case of saving energy for later in the season then MAYBE it's a good idea.

Pearson - Another near faultless performance.

Toto - Commanding, assured and some of his ball control was top drawer. Showed good vision picking out runners and was impressed with his accurate long passing from the back. Well done !

Magnay - Intelligent passing, reads the game so well and generally solid as a rock.
I'll give him MOM although like Pearson, it's quickly turning into a "you expect that of him each time now" type thingy.

Clay - Good game. Showed lots of energy to provide movement and make runs forward.

Disley - Agree with Hurst on RH, did especially well 1st half breaking play up in front of the back 4 on a number of occasions.
However not suddenly convinced it's the ideal position for him.  
Wonder if it's more a case of allowing others with legs to provide the movement instead.
That said showed he could run forward himself 2nd half !
Still frustrated how he likes to go backwards instead of forwards so much but I doubt that will start changing in a hurry...

Pell - Pleased at his positive start and generally quite a good debut.
Looks a good "all rounder" with passing, shooting & pace (thought he looked fairly quick in full flow !) and see why he's "box to box"
Stopping playing wanting the ref to give the foul in his favour (GTFC fans expect you to play to the whistle !) put a slight doubt in my mind if he's really best as a Mascherano type tackler.
In any case think he'd probably be wasted playing in the front of the back 4.  
Unsuprisingly looked a bit tired 2nd half...  

Mackreth - Did a hell of a lot of work and movement and generally thought he did really well for the team.
Yes he's not Ronaldinho but he's a pain up the bottom for defenders with his instant acceleration + has good ball control and can play a pass. Another "well done !"

Arnold - Cracking goal and while struggling in the air, did very well in the tackle + worked hard too.
That said, thought he was very sloppy in possession 1st half and while always a huge creative threat, didn't have the greatest of games if you ask me and can do even better.

LJL - Fluffed 1 or 2 passes/shots here or there but held the ball up very well indeed and pleased he got the goal for his hard working contribution.

So we move on to Braintree...
Which judging by their home results this season will be a very tough game.
But the way things are going, you'd perhaps be rather bold to suggest Town will struggle to achieve another victory.

Up The Mariners

Very happy overall with the result and the performance. Defence looked very solid, Pearson and toto never missed a header all afternoon and covered each other very well, aswad had a good game and magnay was never going to be beaten all afternoon,  what a good player he is. New boy pell looks one hell of a good find, energetic, very good use of the ball when in possession, didn't waste a pass and can drive forward with a cracking shot on him. Dizzy played well and was busy all game. Clay did the ugly stuff well as per norm but also isn't afraid of having a shot today. Out wide Jackie did ok very direct but didn't get round the back too often but a couple of good crosses in dangerous areas, especially the one for Arnold's excellent well taken goal, rivalled the shops at Torquay to be fair. Arnold has a nice touch and will get better and better the more game time he gets. The shop had a good game put himself about as the lone striker and linked up very well, was pleased he got his goal albeit a penalty for a hard working display. Even paddy came on near the end a rattled a cracker against the post to remind hurst what he is all about. The first half we were very dominant, possession and use of the ball was impressive. Macca was redundant. Second half we never got going really and didn't kick on, if dart ford had been a bit better then a goal for them would easily have been justified, the subs could have been a bit earlier for me to take the sting out of dartford and freshen things up a bit. But we were never in any danger of losing today, a handsome 3-0 win.
One thing that is evident to me is that this current crop of players is NOT a non league squad, far from it. Well done town from a happy mariner.

Very good win today against the type of team we have struggled against at home this season. One thing I did pick up on during commentary is that our greatest ever manager Alan Buckley said he'd have had LJL in his starting XI every week during his time.  Very interesting given the stick PH had received at times for picking him.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

Game won in the first half, now everyone is fit we look really strong and we have options, even though he only got 10 minutes today I think keeping Pittman fit could be the difference between the play offs and us mounting a serious title challenge.

Scott Brown still to come back don't forget.