Just Back (Merged)

Great battling performance against 12 men but we'll let the ref off as he gave us the penalty to make it safe. No one played badly but we need to defend better against teams with wingbacks as all their chances came from the fullbacks being overloaded. Cracking header from Hanson to take the lead, and set up for him brilliantly by Green. Ogbu gets better and better and is so good at tackling for a striker, we have got a bargain there. I'm one very happy Mariner and sewriously believe if our players stay fit we will be in the playoff chase come April,  

Well what to say about that. Nothing too negative to say mostly positive (I'm still not used to that after a game).

We didn't deserve to go behind, but some dodgy defending with the midfield not tracking their man (a problem for most of the game), plus Macca spilling an easy ball he should of held resulted in them poking the ball in at the back post just beyond Maccas finger tips.
Green was unlucky not to get one back with a great save from thier keeper.
Whitehouse scored a good scrappy header to get us the equaliser.
Hanson was special today, he won everything even surrounded by 4 players and the ref being rather blind to a number of fouls on him (alot like in the Vale game). Great headed goal at the back post from an inch perfect cross from Green and a lovely slotted away peno, thought he may of even got his hatrick at one point but it wasn't to be. My MOM today and I expect a few others as well.
Macca made some Macca level saves at the other end there was one at the near post that was really special.

Now the negative, a clueless ref for both sides fortunately he didn't really effect the game or the outcome, but some of the decisions made my head hurt.
Our Midfield was poor today, even Hess, they were all over the place, not tracking men back, and either sat with the defence leaving a giant gap between them and the attack, or they didn't track their men back and put the defence and Macca under the cosh. Can't moan too much as we did win and I don't want to take away from that.

UTM (its hard not to get optimistic isn't it   )

From an iFollow perspective we were well worth the three points. Walsall had a few decent spells but over the entire game we were much the better side. I said after the Port Vale game it would be interesting to see if we would go to Walsall with the same attacking intent and have to say full credit to Jolley for setting the team up to go for the three points today. Nice to see us really mix up the pay as well just like we did against Vale. If we play like that most weeks we will certainly be nearer the top than the bottom.

Of course still things for the team to work on but considering we have plenty of new signings in today's 11 (6 by my reckoning including Whitehouse) we are coming together as a side well already.

UTM long may this continue!  

Well I didn't see that coming after a poor start with a sloppy goal. I don't know the possession stats but they had long periods moving it around in wide positions without too much end product. We remain very narrow, but it worked!
Hanson MOM - literally head and shoulders above the rest. Green had a good game (with the assist too) and the Wright cameo for the penalty was impressive.
There was no announcement re the away support figure, but it was excellent. I'm one happy Mariner, and looking at the squad after the final whistle, they are obviously very much up for the fight!

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

Well what to say about that. Nothing too negative to say mostly positive (I'm still not used to that after a game).

We didn't deserve to go behind, but some dodgy defending with the midfield not tracking their man (a problem for most of the game), plus Macca spilling an easy ball he should of held resulted in them poking the ball in at the back post just beyond Maccas finger tips.
Green was unlucky not to get one back with a great save from thier keeper.
Whitehouse scored a good scrappy header to get us the equaliser.
Hanson was special today, he won everything even surrounded by 4 players and the ref being rather blind to a number of fouls on him (alot like in the Vale game). Great headed goal at the back post from an inch perfect cross from Green and a lovely slotted away peno, thought he may of even got his hatrick at one point but it wasn't to be. My MOM today and I expect a few others as well.
Macca made some Macca level saves at the other end there was one at the near post that was really special.

Now the negative, a clueless ref for both sides fortunately he didn't really effect the game or the outcome, but some of the decisions made my head hurt.
Our Midfield was poor today, even Hess, they were all over the place, not tracking men back, and either sat with the defence leaving a giant gap between them and the attack, or they didn't track their men back and put the defence and Macca under the cosh. Can't moan too much as we did win and I don't want to take away from that.

UTM (its hard not to get optimistic isn't it   )

How about his. Forget the 'negative bits' and trying to get the 'pundit of the year award' and revel in a thoroughly deserved 3-1 victory. This team is getting better.
OH, and I thought he Ref was fantastic today!!

I thought Walsall were pretty decent first half, their pace n trickery caused us some problems but even at half time we had created more chances.would love to know what jolley did at half time because we looked far more effective in the second half and as we got better they got worse.absolute bullet header from Hanson who they just couldn't cope with after a superb cross by green ,who is very impressive too. Good all round team performance, strong and hard working.it was an enjoyable game, and I thought it was reffed quite well, although I thought the penalty was pretty soft. Nice to see us play a bit of football with some good passing moves rather than the mini lincoln performance atFGR.a good day for the big away followings all the sweeter by Scunts losing again

We looked strong today.

In the first half, after gifting them a goal, we played most of the football while Wallsall looked dangerous on the break.It was almost as if we were the home team. Their keeper pulled off a terrific save from Green, and Hanson missed an excellent opportunity. So I'd say Wallsall were fortunate to go in level at half time.

Different story in the second half when they bossed it for the first twenty minutes or so, but we defended resolutely, and with Green and Hanson up front we are always a threat. It was against the run of play when we scored, but a fine move, and brilliantly taken. This is the best forward line we have had for years.

And then we have the option of bringing on  Max Wright, who will always trouble defenders with his pace, and so it proved today.

This team is streets ahead of what we have seen since our return to the league. We have some good footballers, some very solid defenders, plenty of energy and commitment all over the park. We look tough to beat.

Yes, I'm happy!

Great effort. We are really hard to beat and just have too much aerial power for teams. Thought at times we knocked it about well and were a lot more patient with the ball.

Thought the ref had a good game as well. Let lots of physical stuff go and that really suited us.

How did ogbu do today?

Quoted from forza ivano

I thought Walsall were pretty decent first half, their pace n trickery caused us some problems but even at half time we had created more chances.would love to know what jolley did at half time because we looked far more effective in the second half and as we got better they got worse.absolute bullet header from Hanson who they just couldn't cope with after a superb cross by green ,who is very impressive too. Good all round team performance, strong and hard working.it was an enjoyable game, and I thought it was reffed quite well, although I thought the penalty was pretty soft. Nice to see us play a bit of football with some good passing moves rather than the mini lincoln performance atFGR.a good day for the big away followings all the sweeter by Scunts losing again

I also think we have a few characters like Hanson, Whitehouse and Waterfall etc who may also have an influence in the dressing room.