by LightwaterRoyal »
26 Nov 2023 09:15
Watched on iFollow (I've lived in spain my whole life. Let me off! Coincidently just down the road from where Ruben Selles grew up.)
Really impressed with the support, looking to get to my first game soon if I can fit it around my work. Any suggestions for fixtures that might be good for a family weekend (wife and 3 year old)
Onto yesterday's game
Button - Kicking mostly poor, wasn't troubled much. Their goal was really well taken. 6/10
Yiadom - Thought he played well, got forward and runs himself ragged 7/10
Binden and Abbey 9/10 - We should do everything we can to build the squad around them.
Dorsett 7/10 - Saw him a few games ago and wasn't convinced but he looked very solid yesterday. Shouldn't be playing Left Back though as lacks going forward and seems vulnerable to pace.
Craig - 10/10. Was everywhere degensively, reminded me of Jay Tabb, Bring the ball forward well too.
Wing - 8/10 Quality, almost everything we do well starts with Wing.
Knibbs - 6/10. I like him, does a lot of the hard work, never stops running, constantly roaring up the fans. Just seems like he's struggling to make his mark on games though yesterday he was a bit more involved that usual. Think he'll be a fan favourite once he gets settled. Plays much better off of Sam Smith unsurprisingly.
Ballard - 7/10 While he was on he looked like he'd be the one that'd make the difference. Loads of clever runs, and always gets himself in good positions to score. Injury looked really bad.
Azeez - 9/10. Never seen a player be so good at times and so bad at times within 90 minutes. Spends half the game skinning his man, whipping dangerous crosses in and getting good shots off then the other half he looks like he has no confidence, ca t control the ball when through on goal and can't play a simple pass. Reminds me a bit of Shane Long pre 2007. Please stop taking corners.
Two assists though so hopefully he can take some confidence from that.
Smith - 7/10 Could be our most complete forward since Kermorgant or Oliveira. Has changed the attack completely. Tired towards the end and would-be liked to see Kelvin come on to try hold the ball up.
Mukairu - 5/10 Spent some time working in Nigeria recently and the locals I got chatting to had never heard of him. Wasn't up to speed at all, constantly gave the ball away, didn't offer Dorsett any protection, forgot he was on the pitch. The only thing I'll say is he doesn't get the deer in headlights moments and seems reasonably composed when on the ball. I imagine we'll see a lot more of him in the next few games so hopefully can replicate some of his cup form.
Mbengue - 6/10 Good sub performance, looked as though we were vulnerable down our left and he shored it up along with Carson.
Carson - 6/10 As Mbengue.
Savage - 6/10 Couldn't really do much in the time he had. Pressed well though which is crucial at that stage of the game.
Ruben Selles - 9/10. Really wanted him to do well, I hope he stays but fear he's lost some of the players support and is too late.
Great use of his subs. Identified where we were starting to struggle and everyone he brought on improved the side at that point in the game. (Bar Mukairu but thought was forced)
Knocked a point off because I felt Smith / Knibbs should have been subbed off for Ehibhatioman around the 75th minute as we sat back they were isolated and was struggled to hold the ball up consistently.