Very abridged report tonight due to being very tired/early start for work tomorrow and the diabolical performance leaving me feeling less then enamoured to spend any time describing it; so apologies!
In short like against Colchester and Bristol we were woeful. We got a point but in truth were a shade fortunate to get anything. We had few chances of note and had no passing cohesion, penetration or real cutting edge all evening. Walsall were not much better but did pass it better, at least won loose balls (the midfield) and showed some desire. People will go on about formations, tactics, players in wrong/right positions etc, etc, but the truth is we are garbage. We lack shape, skill, passion, spirit, desire, pace, athleticism, scoring threat, composure, the lot. People may say a draw is not the worst result but those there will know the truth over what they score.
We brought Miller back in and Hill for Maguire but it carried on from the same aimless garbage from Saturday with little football, not winning individual battles and generally looked disinterested all game. The crowd I felt were patient considering the dross served up.
First half they controlled matters but had little chances despite us never having the ball more than for 5 seconds. They dictated play without having a clear opportunity until Long had to save after a horror White back pass. After this we had a clear penalty when White was felled but the ref somehow waved it away and gave a goal kick (the very least it was a corner!). It seemed a clear penalty and soon after far less convincing award saw a handball given. It was a clear make up call and Porter converted coolly after the appeals. We certainly did not deserve to lead but it was a bit of fortune maybe we could build on.
Not so as second half a good swift move saw White let the winger in too easily and then a good cross evaded both Collins and Hill as Westcarr powered home a good header. They deserved to be level to be fair but United’s shocking start to the 2nd half mirrored the previous home game. After this the game settled down into a general malaise of crapness. We did nothing of note. We took off Miller and even though he had done little this negated any kind of attacking threat. We huffed and puffed but in reality did very little. They too even though a little more fluent did nothing of note attacking wise and only our hesitancy looked like letting them in.
Changes came from both teams but it was a dire game. We still had no control over midfield and simply could not get hold of it all night. Sadly this has been story much of season, as we never really got into any dangerous positions and the ball just resembled a hot potato. Taylor had a flick header wide and we had a few long range efforts but the game could have gone on another hour and we still would not have scored. After McGinn somehow managed to hit the front man for what seemed like the 100th time right in stoppage time the game mercifully ended.
An awful game between two shocking sides but sadly for us the more composed and more committed were the visitors.
United – Think I have described the performance enough above. Positives were Hill who played really well and Porter gave his all with little help. The rest of the team were pretty woeful. I will detail ratings below but overall Clough will see we have a side that is simply not good enough. Lack of aggression, determination and desire was clear. This coupled with poor touch, passing and creativity meant it was simply dire to watch. Make no mistake this looks a relegation contending side and it will take a huge effort for this side to stay up. Those thinking we will slowly inch towards mid table gradually are in for a shock as I see nothing more than an odd win or draw in a series of games and Saturday at Orient (a good side) will show how poor we really are.
Most fans were bored by what they saw tonight as another spineless show which lacked ability and urgency was punctuated by a series of sub par individuals just kind of going through the motions. It was unacceptable and whoever is the manger must see that. So many times we lost the loose ball or the second ball and then when we had it we just sort of tossed it forward aimlessly as if no one wanted to take responsibility. Maybe some may be thinking I am exaggerating but I really thought it was dire again tonight and we did well to get anything. We have massive improvements to make in everything from individuals to the overall team performance. Many more games like that and the crowd will dip even lower than the 14,000 odd it was tonight.
Long 6.5/10 – Did not communicate with the back line again and this nearly led to so more chances/goals. Had little chance on the goal and not many saves to make but he needs to control his backline far batter and be closer to edge of box to claim through balls.
McMahon 6/10 – Alright I suppose. He at times overplayed and also on a couple of occasions in the first half gave his man too much time but he was ok from a defensive point of view even if his passing and crossing going forward was ordinary.
White 3/10 – Deary me. Did not do much right. Nearly gave a goal away with a back header, lost his man routinely and then was so slow as he failed to stop the winger and cross on the goal. Going forward he never did anything of note unless you count two crosses behind the goal. Another in the line of god damn awful left backs we have at the club.
Hill 7.5/10 – Our best player. He was excellent. Commited, first to the ball and defended well all game. He is much better at centre back than left back and I would consider playing him and Maguire at centre back moving forward.
Collins 6/10 – He was ok. Still perfected that right angle clearance where he just sort of hoofs it out straight the way he is facing instead of kicking it down the line. He was clumsy at times but I suppose he at least kicked and headed it away. A very ordinary defender but at this level there is worryingly even worse!
Coady 4/10 – Watched him carefully tonight after I felt he was poor at Bristol and he was really poor, maybe even worse. His touch to say he is fairly highly rated from a club such as Liverpool, is awful. His second touch is often a tackle. So slow to the ball and very sluggish. His passing was wretched. He is not good enough sadly and is even worse than what we have regardless of whether he maybe could play more inside than on the wing.
McGinn 3/10 – Thought he was abject from start to finish. Those (including me) who have asked for him to play more regular were given a rude awakening as he gave an awful display. Never got close to any of theirs to win the ball or close others down. His passing was poor and his set plays a disgrace. Put 7 corners (I counted them) into the near post man. The final one was the last straw for many who streamed out as he raised his hand to apologise for yet another basic mistake. To do it once or twice is poor. 4 or 5 times is unacceptable.
Doyle 4/10 – Another poor performance. He never won any loose balls, miscontrolled it often and his passing was erratic. He was still better than McGinn and Coady though as he at least played one or two forward balls to our men and won a few tackles! Sure he will be castigated by many once again but even for his poor play he was still superior to the other 3 in midfield.
Lappin 4/10- Barely remember him touching the ball all evening. Sure he did but game seemed to completely pass him by. No attacking threat whatsoever. A poor player really who fits right into the abjectness of the rest.
Miller 4/10 – Did not think he was great tonight. He did not close enough to Porter and his touch was off most of evening. He had little service but I felt he was not quite at it and can’t remember him having any efforts or creating anything. The ball never stuck and I felt he was always chasing it due to poor touch.
Porter 6.5/10 –.Felt he tried hard and at least won a few headers and tried to bring others into play. He got a rough ride from a few in the stands but unsure what else e could do trying to get onto balls played from 30 or 40 yards away and with little service or help around him.
Subs
Taylor – Had a flick header wide and won a few flicks and loose balls. Tried to get amongst things but was another living off scraps but was more lively than the disappointing Miller.
Baxter – Never really got in the game but as I said the other day, his weight and lack of mobility means he won’t start many games. Played up top but did not seem to be able to influence things from here.