Just back

Quoted from Bigdog

A lot of the players looked undercooked to me. Not so much fitness wise, but football brain sharp. Some of them have got less than two games under their belt pre-season. Surprising team selection. I always thought if we had the four of Welsh, Rose, Hessenthaler and Vernam in central areas we'd be ok, so surprised to see the energy, pace and inventiveness of Vernam and Hessenthaler on the bench.

My reflections based upon one game.. I reserve the right to change my mind in games going forward if there's any improvement..

McKeown - Didn't really have much to do other than pick the ball out of the back of the net

Clifton - Poor today. Looked exactly what he is, a young lad learning his trade. Fresh legs off the bench looks a better role for him at the moment.

Dixon - Not one of our worst performers, yet didn't do too much going forward and got caught out defending once or twice. Not the answer to our left side.

Davis - Needs games, can't head the ball but looks like he can pass. More of a central of three defender covering two that attack the ball, so not sure why he played on the right.

Whitmore - A bit frantic at times, too early to make judgement.

Collins - I know he gets a lot of love on here but I watched him closely and thought he was garbage from the get go. Free headers straight to the opposition, time on the ball yet passes to the opposition. And how deep were we yet again? Nothing's changed since last season, and as Clarke has left we seem to be accommodating Collins's lack of pace.. again. Have a look at FGR's last chance of the first half. DC should have been favourite to win the ball or at the very least shepherd the forward out wide, but within ten yards the forward got his shot off. It's scary and we've got 45 more games to manage that fallibility. I'd much rather see Famewo in there with the other two and MJ drill them to death on the training ground. I know I'll get hammered for saying all that, but DC flatters to deceive and his positioning and marshalling of our defence affects our playing structure far too much.

Woolford - Meh. quietly ineffective and went missing when we didn't have the ball.

Rose - About the only starter to come out with any credit.

Welsh - Looked a bit rusty but didn't lose a single challenge. Looked better when Hessenthaler and Vernam came on.

Hooper - Not a back to the goal kind of player and looked weaker than he should be physically.

Cook - Worked hard, but in the way that a manager sends a forward on at 2-0 up to run his balls off closing defenders down to see a game out.

Out of the subs, Vernam and Hessenthaler showed strong evidence of why they should be starters.


We definitely need a forward, a left wing back and possibly strengthening at the back on this performance as well as another ball player in midfield after the evidence of this game. Hopefully it's a one-off and we'll improve after getting a kick up the arsse off an average FGR side and hopefully I'll get the chance to improve my opinions of one or two of our players.. fingers crossed. And hopefully MJ will act accordingly.. if it has to happen, a performance like this is preferable happening before the transfer window slams shut..

Pretty much the whole team showed a lack of composure on the ball. FGR did, and that was the difference. I'd rather a player get caught in possession one out of five times than give the ball away four out of five times. Just too scared to put a foot on the ball and shield it until a better pass became available.

One game doesn't make a season, but today was a proper reality check for many..

Quoted from jonnyboy82

Headingly as much as your entitled to your opinion paul dixon is absolute dog male masturbation.